Work Text:
Steve leans over the counter, his head in his hands, bored out of his mind. It’s been a slow day and he's just counting down the seconds till he can leave. Robin hums something in the background as she shuffles around tapes reorganising them just for something to do.
The bell rings and Steve’s eyes shoot up and immediately a warmth spreads throughout his body as he's met with the familiar dimply smile.
“Got you these,” Eddie places a packet of cookies on the counter with a wide grin.
Steve’s cheeks immediately flush as he looks down. Dark chocolate chip peanut butter. His favourite. “Thanks Eds.”
Eddie just leans in grinning, “No problem.”
“What nothing for me?” Robin teases and Eddie smiles at her and shrugs.
She just chuckles as she elbows him softly before walking around the corner to an aisle.
“How's today been?” Eddie asks leaning over to open the cookies and pushes them towards Steve.
He huffs taking a bite out of one, “Boring.”
He pauses, his lips curling, “But better now.”
He exhales as he takes another bite.
Eddie hums, “Good.”
Steve looks up at him smiling softly as he takes another cookie, sighing around it.
Eddie leans on the counter, his head in his hand watching Steve with an embarrassingly pleased look as he slowly makes his way through the packet.
“When does your shift end?” He asks as Steve picks up the last cookie.
“In ten minutes.” Steve smiles, bringing it up to his lips before hesitating.
“Sorry, did you want one?” He asks, the unwritten rule in his childhood being to never eat the last piece of food.
Eddie just grins, shaking his head, “Nope. I bought them for you. Enjoy.”
Steve feels his face flush as he nods, biting into the last cookie.
Eddie glances around the shop and his eyes catch on the new releases. Pushing himself from where he leans on the counter he grabs a tape looking at it closely, “I didn't know you had The Lost Boys!”
Steve just smiles as Eddie bounces back to the counter in excitement.
“Yeah we just got it in. Why, you like it?”
“Steve. It might be the best film I've ever seen. Second to Rocky Horror show of course.”
Steve chuckles, “Oh of course how could we forget.”
Eddie rolls his eyes at the sarcasm but regains his excitement.
“Wanna watch it? After your shift?”
Steve pretends to consider it, tapping a finger to his chin and checking his watch before returning his eyes to Eddie. “Well I guess I've got nothing planned.”
Eddie smirks, leaning over to ruffle Steve’s hair, “Oh come on. You’re gonna love it.”
Steve rolls his eyes but his smile doesn't falter. He nods and Eddie beams back at him.
They stare for a moment then suddenly there's a low grumble. Eddie’s gaze darts down to Steve’s middle then back up meeting his sheepish smile.
“Still hungry?”
Steve scratches his neck nodding.
Eddie only grins as he digs into his pockets pulling out two Boppers and placing them on the counter.
“I brought back up.” Eddie shrugs and Steve’s cheeks flush even deeper as he reaches for one and slowly unwraps it.
Robin watches them from afar with a smirk before walking over to them. “What's that about a film night?”
Eddie chuckles, “Wanna come?”
Robin smiles looking at Steve and he nods, his mouth preoccupied.
She nods, smiling when she sighs, “Oh I can't, I’m meant to be seeing Nancy.”
Eddie raises an eyebrow looking between Steve and Robin before grinning, “She can come too.”
“Yeah It’ll be fun Robs.” Steve holds her shoulders squeezing them.
“Ok yeah sure I’ll ask her.”
“Good. My place?” Eddie asks and Robin’s face twists.
“What? What's wrong with mine?” Eddie scowls.
Robin just chuckles, “Nothing. Just Steve has a bigger sofa. And you know what he's like. He'll be slowly laying down throughout the night trying to get comfy”
Eddie snorts at that and Steve pretends to act offended but he's far too distracted by the gooey chocolate in front of him.
Eddie just grins at him leaning back in to watch as Steve makes his way through the chocolate. Robin watches both of them as they smile at each other and raises an eyebrow before heading to the back.
“I’m phoning Nancy.”
Eddie and Steve don't even notice and as Steve bends over to put the wrappers in the bin he instinctively sighs leaning back against the counter with his hand resting against his middle.
“Good?” Eddie asks leaning closer and bumping his shoulder into Steve’s and he smiles blissfully.
“Mmhh yeah. Feels good Eds, thanks.”
“No problem big boy.” Steve’s cheeks flush as he looks away as Eddie grins at him.
Robin appears from the back her eyes taking in the flustered Steve facing her as Eddie hovers from behind the counter, his lips curled. She chuckles before joining Steve at the counter and nudging him softly.
“Nancy said she’ll be over in 20. She’s gonna bring snacks”
Steve nods and glances over at the clock, his shoulders relaxing at the time.
“Ok I’ll drive us. Let me go get my stuff.” Steve says as he heads to the back.
Robin checks out the tape and she chats to Eddie about the intricacies of ET when Steve returns, his work vest now replaced with a more comfortable polo.
Steve locks up and they climb into the car, Eddie in the passenger's seat and Robin in the back reading the back of the tape aloud, like she's presenting the news.
Ten minutes pass and they're back at Steve's place collapsing onto the couch.
“Ugh this couch feels like a cloud. I need one. Can I steal it?” Robin groans, sinking into the cushions.
Steve glares at her playfully, “No you cannot.”
Robin just giggles.
Steve shifts letting out a wince as he moves about and Eddie watches him.
“You ok?”
“Mmhh just…” He peers over at Robin who’s eyes are now closed as she curls into the couch and leans in, whispering, “My jeans are a bit tight.”
Eddie just smiles, “Go change. I don't mind and neither will Buckley.”
Steve stares for a moment, as if in thought before lifting himself off the sofa and heading upstairs.
He was still getting used to the casual way Eddie would talk about his body. The way he just suggested changing into something looser so he would be comfortable instead of suggesting to eat less. It wasn't something he was used to. But he was getting there. Over the past few weeks since that night with the weed and takeout Steve had become more comfortable in his body and the way it looked. And Eddie had played a big part in it. Granted his other friends never said anything negative about the changes to his body but they weren't as open and forward with their thoughts as Eddie was. Eddie would sit there and agree when Steve mentioned he’d put on more weight, but never suggested it was anything negative or something he needed to change. He’d just say “Yeah you have. You look more yourself.” Another thing was Eddie had found comfort in the weight of Steve's body. And somehow that made Steve feel proud instead of embarrassed. Slowly, that pride had started turning into confidence.
Stepping into his new sweatpants he glances in the mirror as he pulls them over his legs settling them on his hips. His stomach now curves out even more, drooping slightly over his waist band. But for the first time in a while Steve doesn't seem to mind.
He does look more comfortable. He definitely feels it in the absence of restricted clothes. So he decides to let his waist band stay where it is. Instead of pulling it up, as he usually does, to inevitably dig into his stomach as the evening goes on he lets it sit underneath his belly. He lets the softness of his stomach curve over the drawstrings slightly. He looks at himself for a moment longer and finds he doesn't mind. The curve of his belly doesn't bother him. It's just there. Just a part of him, the same as his hands or his nose. Finding his softest t-shirt he pulls it over his head and goes back downstairs.
He finds Nancy in the kitchen pulling big bowls from the cabinets and filling them with popcorn and chips, and settles next to her, stealing a chip from the bowl.
“Hey.” he grins and Nancy fakes a scowl as she pulls the bowl away from him, “Go sit down I’m going to bring these out in a second.” She says and Steve holds his hands up in surrender.
“Yes mum.” He says as he walks back into the room and Eddie chuckles at him.
Nancy fake gags at the nickname as she follows him into the room placing the bowls down before settling on the other end of the sofa, suspiciously close to Robin.
“Comfy?” Eddie asks as Steve relaxes into the sofa next to him and Steve just hums nodding.
Eddie grins before reaching forward to pick up the remote.
“Ok are you guys ready to be blown away.” Eddie says waving his hands about.
“Just play the damn movie Eddie.” Robin says and Nancy snorts.
“Alright Jesus!” He says pulling a face at Steve who giggles as he presses play.
As the movie progresses Eddie gets increasingly fidgety. He shifts on the sofa every five seconds in an attempt to get comfortable. Steve notices and just turns his body sideways, placing his legs over Eddie’s lap. Immediately Eddie slows, his body relaxing into the sofa as he lets out a sigh.
From the other end of the sofa Robin glances at Nancy who seemed to be focused on the movie before looking back at the boys curiously.
She watches as Eddie whispers a thank you to Steve who just smiles before returning his attention back onto the film. She tilts her head for a moment before ultimately grabbing a handful of popcorn and turning her gaze back to the tv.
As he watches the film Eddie’s hands instinctively come to rest on top of Steve’s legs playing with the fabric on the hem of his sweatpants. Steve reaches over grabbing another handful of chips, slowly working his way through them.
After some time Steve reaches in and grabs the last handful and immediately Eddie is up off the couch, Steve letting out a surprised noise as Eddie nearly carries his legs with him. This gets the attention of the girls as they (Steve included) watch Eddie walk over to the kitchen with the empty bowl before returning with it full to the brim with chips.
Nancy and Robin share a look as they watch Eddie walk across the room and settle back down as if he just casually got a snack. Well he had, but there was nothing casual about it.
Eddie places the bowl in Steve's lap as his legs return to drape across Eddie’s lap, returning to their former position. Steve just smiles as he reaches back in to grab some more, chewing them softly.
Across from the sofa Robin leans in close to Nancy in disbelief, “You’re seeing this right?” She whispers and Nancy nods her head, her eyes still fixed on the boys.
“They didn't even talk to each other.” Robin whispers before gasping softly, causing Nancy to turn her head to look at her, “What if they can read each other's minds!”
Nancy snorts, “That's not possible.”
Robin raises an eyebrow poking her shoulder, “I don't know Nance. Seemed pretty telepathic to me.”
Nancy just giggles as she pokes a finger into Robin’s side before turning back to the screen.
Taking another handful of chips Steve reaches his spare hand over to curl against Eddie’s hand where it now rests on his thigh. Eddie glances over catching the way Steve smiles softly at him and Eddie can't help but let his lips curl into a smile in return.
After a while Steve shifts slightly with a grunt and Eddie flicks his eyes over watching as he leans further back on the sofa, the action unintentionally causing him to slide over into his lap even more.
“You getting full?”
Steve nods as his hands come over to rub at his front, where his t-shirt has begun to strain against his skin faintly. Eddie just shuffles closer, wrapping an arm around him to softly rub at his sides. Immediately Steve relaxes into the touch, subconsciously pushing his stomach into Eddie's fingers even more.
Nancy’s eyes are glued on the screen when she feels a poke at her side and she whips her head around to meet Robin’s wide eyes. She nods with her head over to the boys and that's when Nancy turns to take them in. Robin whispers into her side, “Telepathic!”
Nancy nods her brows raised, a knowing look on her face as she watches Steve relax into Eddie’s lap. “Ok I kinda see what you mean now.”
Robin grins smugly, “See I was right.”
Nancy just chuckles as they both stare at each other before turning their attention back to the screen.
On the other side of the couch Eddie's fingers slip under the hem of Steve's t-shirt softly rubbing into the taught skin of his sides as he lets out another blissed sigh.
“Good?”
Steve just hums smiling up at Eddie as he grins back.
The film ends eventually and Robin and Nancy share a look before loudly getting up off the couch.
“Righ well we better be off.”
“You're not gonna stay for a bit longer?” Steve looks up at them, his eyes heavy and Robin just smiles at him.
“We're gonna go back to mine and have a girly night.”
“Oh okay.” Steve smiles as Robin comes over to ruffle his hair.
“Goodbye sleepy head.”
She grins at Eddie, his fingers still resting on Steve’s waist, as she heads to the door to put her shoes on.
Nancy smiles at them both with a little wave before following her.
As soon as they close the front door Robin holds onto Nancy’s shoulders.
“Do you think they know?”
“Know what?”
“That they're practically married!”
Nancy snorts
“No they definitely don't.”
“We’re going to have to watch this happen in real time aren’t we?”
Nancy purses her lips nodding.
“Yes we are.”
Robin exaggerates a groan and Nancy chuckles as she pulls the girl towards her car.