Chapter Text
“Fuck,” Steve muttered as he pulled his Beemer to the side of the road, hood smoking and the engine light blinking.
“Just great,” he murmured as he gripped the wheel. His hands squeezed it a few times in frustration.
Steve Harrington was not having a great day.
He woke up late after his dad kept him up with the usual “why are you still here, we are very disappointed Steven, get a better job, you bring nothing but shame to this family blah blah blah…”
Then he ended up being chewed out by Keith for being late, and Robin's worried eyes turned to him, asking if he was alright.
And he was fine, ok?! Sure, he had the beginnings of a migraine, but hey, he still made it right?
Then an old lady came into the family video complaining about the “damn prices” ripping into Steve like he had anything to do with corporate America.
The day just seemed to drag on and on, one bad thing happening after the next.
Robin left early, leaving Steve to cover her shift. He had been working doubles for the past couple of days to make some extra cash to help with getting the kids' things, like going to the arcade or paying for the gremlin’s food.
Steve finally left at 10 pm, locking up the store and walking outside only to find it pouring. He made a break for his car on the other side of the lot.
He was soaked to the bone in seconds. All he wanted to do was go home. Even when that meant the same lecture from his dad, who had literally just gotten home and would be going away by the next morning.
He just wanted to be warm. Now his hair was plastered to his forehead, hanging like some limp, dead thing, shaking from the cold, and feeling like general shit, he solemnly opened the car door and got in. He cranked the heat on in his car and started driving, only to have the damn check engine light turn on, and now there was smoke billowing out of the hood.
He took some breaths, feeling the headache pulse behind his eyes as he got out of the car to pop the hood. He coughed into his hand and waved the smoke away the best he could to get a better look. The rain beat down on his back as he continued looking, unable to find the source of the problems.
Also, it didn't help that he knew jack shit about cars.
He couldn’t focus on anything other than the helplessness of his situation, took a step back from the car, and looked towards the sky.
It wasn’t often that Steve would act like this; usually, he was the “ignore everything you’re feeling and focus on the problem” kind of guy. But. Well. He had a really bad day. He looked away from the sky and sat on the cold, wet asphalt, truly accepting his fate. The rain battered his back, soaking through his jacket, but all he could feel was the tightness in his chest.
The pounding in his temples.
His head felt like it was in a vice, and despite everything, despite trying to hold it together, tears still came.
Steve heard a car screech to a halt from somewhere in front of him and propped his head up to see what was happening, praying that someone didn’t just get into an accident.
Wait.
He recognized that car. It was Eddie! He and Eddie had gotten closer after the whole mess that was spring break. Steve had been in the hospital nearly every day after Eddie was cleared of all charges and the government had pinned it on some random serial killer.
“Stevie, is that you?" Eddie called out, still in his car.
“Yeah,” Steve rasps, then clears his throat, “yes, it’s me,” wincing after speaking up, head pounding.
“What are you doing out here, big boy?” Eddie inquired, tilting his head, his brown eyes widening when he looked down at Steve sitting on the asphalt.
“Car broke down. I don’t know what’s wrong with it.” Steve answered, voice wavering, not looking up at Eddie. He was trying to come off as unconcerned, hoping Eddie wouldn’t see the tears that had kept streaming as they talked.
Eddie hopped out of his van and rushed over to Steve, “Alright sunshine, let me take a look at it really quick.”
“You really don’t need to- “
“Ah-ah-ah Harrington, I see a damsel in distress, and what would a damsel be without his hero?” Eddie interrupts.
“That was so stupid…” Steve muttered, allowing Eddie to look at the engine.
“It was great, princess; you just don’t understand humor. Oh! Got it! It looks like you’ve blown a gasket, my liege.” Finally looking at Steve, Eddie’s eyebrows crease, and a frown appeared on his face, hair dripping now.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Is everything ok?” Eddie asked with concern evident in his voice. Steve sniffed and tried to stop the tears that were still flowing, chest growing tighter and tighter, barely registering that Eddie had called him sweetheart, ignoring the flutter, he responded,
“Yeah, I’m alright, don’t worry.” Steve turned his head away and wiped away his tears, so that Eddie wouldn’t be able to see.
“Stevie, I can see you crying, I’m getting a little worried here, man...” Eddie replied, twisting a piece of hair around his finger and bringing it to his mouth, which Steve did not find attractive at all.
“I’ve just had a shitty day, is all, really, it's fine. I got it from here,” Steve muttered, trying to push Eddie away. No longer wanting to be a burden, trying to get Eddie to stop prying. He never did well with help; he was nearly 20, and he should be able to take care of himself. Not have a breakdown when he’s had a bad day.
Eddie decided to crouch down in front of Steve, taking one look at Steve’s folded up posture on the asphalt, and decided -whether Steve liked it or not- he was going to make it his business.
“Steve, please look at me,” Eddie said, voice filled with concern. “I want to help you.”
Steve turned his head, but his eyes remained downcast, avoiding Eddie’s gaze. He could feel Eddie’s eyes on him, warm and persistent; it only served to make him feel more exposed.
“Stevie,” Eddie murmured softly but more insistently.
Stevie, that was all it took. How pathetic.
Steve looked up into Eddie’s eyes. In that moment, something inside him cracked, face twisting into something that had to be ugly. Eddie wasted no time throwing his arms around Steve and holding him in an embrace.
Steve, not being able to hold it together any longer, gasped, and a sob tore out of his chest, his hands clutching at the back of Eddie’s leather jacket. Warmth seeped into his cold, soaked skin, and he sank into the embrace, the weight of the day crashing on him.
The rain still pounded down on them, drowning out Steve’s cries.
But Steve didn’t care anymore; all he could focus on was Eddie’s presence, steady and grounding, his arms around him, shielding him from the cold of the storm.
They stayed like this for a while, Eddie whispering reassurances that Steve could barely make out through the rain. Steve melted into the embrace, soaking up the warmth from the metalhead, making a home in the crook of Eddie’s neck. Steve gripped onto him like he was a man drowning, like Eddie was the only thing keeping him afloat.
“Stevie, do you think you can move? We've got to get out of this rain,” Eddie spoke after what felt like ages. Steve froze, stupid, he thought. Here he was crying all over Eddie over something so small. It was pouring rain, and Eddie could get sick. What was he thinking?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry... I’ll let you go; you need to go home and get warm. I can call a tow in the morning, I’ll make the walk back home, you don’t need to deal with me anymore,” Steve started rambling, feeling stupid for even letting himself cry on Eddie.
Boys shouldn’t do that, or at least that’s what his dad always said.
He was suddenly jerked away from his place in Eddie’s Neck, mourning the loss of contact and warmth all in one. Eddie released him for a second and then gripped Steve by the shoulders, shaking him a little bit.
Steve winced once again, feeling like his brain was going to explode from the movement.
This didn’t go unnoticed by Eddie.
“Steve, I didn’t mean-” he noticed the pinch on Steve's perfect face as he raised his voice.
“Do you have a migraine?” He spoke in a softer tone. Steve’s only acknowledgement was a quick nod, and realizing what he had admitted, he quickly spoke,
“A little one, nothing to worry about! I can get back by myself, go home, man, really,” and Eddie responded,
“Steve, you literally look green in the face. Please don’t lie to me, ok? I meant that I was going to take you home; you really shouldn’t be out here either.”
As he spoke, his hand travelled to Steve’s face to caress his cheek- before quickly pulling it away, realizing what he was doing.
“But- “
“Ah-Buh, stop right there, no buts Harrington, I’m taking you home,” Eddie interrupts.
“Fine.” Steve says without any conviction, “But my parents are home so…” he trails off, not exactly sure what he should say.
“Say no more, Stevie, I get it. We’ll just go to mine; I’ll take good care of you, I promise.” Eddie smirks.
Steve nods along before whipping his head up, flushes, and responds, “Don’t say things like that, man!”
“Oh? What are you thinking about Stevie?” He asks cocking his head, mischievous smile still on his face, “I was just going to make you dinner and bundle you up, don’t be naughty!” Eddie tilts his head back and cackles at Steve's sputtering.
“Whatever man… Fine, I’ll go with you or whatever.” Steve huffs, crossing his arms, trying to sink into himself, face heating up.
He hated how warm it made him feel. Hated how safe Eddie made him feel. He shouldn’t feel like this. But he did.
“Thank you, your majesty.” Eddie stands up, patting his soaking jeans before offering a hand to Steve.
“Up we go, Stevie.”
And Steve took his hand without hesitating.