Work Text:
"So, yeah, I like you."
"Oh."
"I mean, I've liked you for a while. Since way back. And I know things aren't exactly what they used to be. But I'm glad we're still friends. I wanna be more than friends though."
"I think that's-"
"Stop. Nope. You blew it", Billy interrupted the scene before him.
Tommy sat across from a girl, who looked just as confused as he did. Billy crossed his arms and scoffed.
"Don't talk about being his friend. You're trying to get out of the friend zone. You don't wanna be his friend."
"Yeah, okay, you're right. Shit", Tommy hissed, clenching his fists atop the diner table.
"I thought it was okay", the girl said. "But maybe you wanna make it more personal? Just a thought."
"You can't get all sappy on Steve like that", Billy said before turning to the waitress. "Thanks, but I think we're done."
Dismissed, she got up and Billy quickly took her seat while Tommy stared up at the ceiling. He'd had feelings for his friend Steve for a while, that much was true. Then there'd been a falling out and Tommy thought he'd lost him for good. They reconciled, but Steve had changed.
The biggest switch of all had been now he hung around Eddie "The Freak" Munson.
"Just corner him and get it over with", Billy said.
"Easier said than done. He and Munson are attached to the hip these days. And that girl too." Tommy had thought at one point Steve and Robin were an item, but Steve assured him it wasn't like that. Tommy believed him, if only because he'd seen what Steve was like when he was dating someone. A thought came to him then. "You don't think he and Eddie are..?"
Billy rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't be shocked. There's something off about it all. But forget Munson. You've still got a chance. Just be a man and ask him out."
"Like it's so easy."
"Hey, if all else fails, just call him King Steve again", Billy suggested.
"King Steve? He hates that name."
"Maybe he just needs to be reminded of how good he had it. Before he started hanging out with freaks and losers. Have some balls and do it or don't and stop wasting my time with this bullshit."
"Okay, yeah, okay I'll do it tonight."
That was the plan. He'd take Billy's advice and just say it straight up when he saw Steve at the bar. He'd even bring him something. Show Steve he could be the sweet kind of boyfriend. That things could be just like they were before Steve started hanging out with losers like Munson and Buckley.
When he got home though, the will started to leave him. He wanted Steve to be with him, sure, but what if things went wrong? What if Billy was right and he was stuck in the friendzone forever? It would've been great if Steve could just realize he was into Tommy the whole time and make the first move.
He was never going to do that with Eddie around though. They were supposed to meet up tonight, him, Steve, Eddie, Billy, and Carol. But just the thought of having to sit with Munson right now-the phone rang and Tommy picked it up off the hook.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Tommy", Steve greeted on the other end.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Just wanted to call, make sure we're still on for tonight."
"I uh, yeah, I don't think I'm gonna go."
"Duuude, come on. It's Friday night."
"Yeah, it's just, I don't know. I'm not feeling it. I'll just see you tomorrow."
"Oh, well, I um..."
"What?"
"I'm not coming in to the shop tomorrow. I quit."
Tommy straightened up. "You quit?"
"Yeah. So it's kind of like a party tonight to celebrate my freedom I guess. Eddie's not gonna be there, so it's only half a party but still."
"Eddie's not showing up?" The night was sounding better and better.
"No, he's busy tonight. So what do you say? Don't make me and Carol hang out with Billy by oursel-ah shit!"
"What? Steve, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just dropped my watch in the toilet. Dammit it was a good watch. Okay, now you have to come to pour one out for my watch."
Tommy thought about going right to a store to buy a replacement for Steve. But he knew that watch was expensive. It had been a gift from some relative. Tommy had the money but it would still take a big bite out of his wallet. So he figured he'd get Steve a kiddie watch or some kind of novelty time piece.
They used to get up bright and early on Saturday morning to watch cartoons. He was eyeing a Jonny Quest watch when he spotted a toy display. There were finger traps and magic 8 balls and also a very peculiar stack of boxes.
"One Wish Willow", Tommy read aloud. He didn't believe in magic. But the idea that he could just wish for what he wanted. He shook his head. This wasn't supposed to be for him. But maybe Steve would like something like this?
Two drinks in, and Tommy was working up the courage to take Steve to the side somewhere and tell him how he felt. But apparently, he wasn't working fast enough because Billy kept making expressions at him while Steve and Carol talked about a rude customer from earlier that day.
"What're you guys talking about?", Carol jumped in.
"We're not-"
Carol scoffed. "You totally are. You and Billy have been having your own side convo."
Steve rolled his eyes. "If you guys are gonna be weird, I'm gonna need another drink."
He got up to approach the bar and Billy kicked Tommy hard under the table, basically ordering him to go follow Steve. Tommy did just that, if only to save his shins.
"Can I get a beer?", Steve ordered.
"An old fashioned for me", Tommy said.
Steve snorted. "What're you, fifty?"
"What, it's a classic", Tommy retorted.
"It's literally called an 'old fashioned'. You know you could've just ordered a mead and some bread", Steve snickered.
Tommy chuckled along with him and it reminded him of the good old days. When it was just him and Steve and sometimes Carol.
"You always did like older stuff", Steve noted.
"Maybe but is that so bad? Don't they always say if it's not broke, don't fix it?"
"Yeah, sure. But sometimes things need to change. Even if it looks like it's working right", Steve said, thanking the bartender when their drinks came.
The night went on and a couple more drinks flowed as they all talked, played pool and darts and soon it was nearing midnight.
"Alright, who's coming to Smitty's with me?", Billy asked as they stood outside the bar.
"You're not done drinking?", Steve groaned.
"They've also got the best fries and they're open until three", Carol pointed out. "Count me in."
"I'm done for the night", Steve said. "I'm ready to just turn in and pass out."
Carol and Billy both booed while Tommy shifted on his feet, waiting for them all to decide what they'd be doing and where they'd be going. Billy saw him sticking his hands in his pockets in wait and rolled his eyes, nudging him hard.
"So you're giving Steve a ride home, then?"
"I uh, yeah, I guess", Tommy said noncommittally.
"Well he can't walk home from here", Carol's words hit him like a scolded child.
"Get your boy home safe", Billy said as he took his keys out.
"Ugh", Steve retched. "Don't say it like that."
Tommy felt a prick of rejection. But that could mean anything, right? He still had a chance. Steve was quiet at first when they got into the car. Tommy was working up the nerve to say something, anything.
"Why did you quit?"
Steve took a moment to answer. "I just wanted something new. Something different. Like making actual music. Working at that store was killing me."
All Tommy heard was 'something new like Eddie' and 'working at the store, being with YOU was killing me'.
"I had fun tonight", Steve spoke up.
"Even without Munson around?"
Steve laughed softly. "I think you could like Eddie if your mind wasn't stuck in high school."
Tommy gripped the wheel tight. "You know, some people think you're sweet on him."
"'Some people'?", Steve grinned.
"You know, he's always got his arms around your shoulders. He calls you 'Stevie'."
"You call me Stevie."
"Yeah, but we've known each other since we were kids. It's different." It felt like Eddie skipped ahead of him somehow.
"You're still my friend, Tommy. And you're still really important to me."
The emotion in Steve's voice was lost on Tommy. All he heard was Billy's voice berating him about the friendzone. He parked in front of Steve's house. It was now or never.
"Well, night. Thanks for the ride."
"Any time."
Steve got out and Tommy could feel that window of opportunity closing. He walked towards his front door and Tommy quickly rolled down the window.
"See you at the next rager, King Steve!"
Steve turned and stomped back to the car, bending over. "Hey, you know I'm not that guy anymore."
"Yeah, I know but-"
"I want to leave high school in the past."
"Leave me and the others behind, you mean", Tommy frowned. "Just 'cause you're hanging out with Freaky Eddie doesn't mean you have to change everything."
"Are you serious? It's been years and you still-"
"Because it's true! You and I had one fight and then you turn and make new friends and every time I ask you to hang out, Eddie's fucking there! Or that Robin chick. You listen to different music, you wear these weird band shirts, it's like I don't know who you are anymore!"
"I've changed! I've been changing! You've had years to get with the program! And it wasn't just one fight. We fucking-we blew up and it's a miracle we're still talking!" Steve took a deep breath. "I'm glad we worked through it. Or, I thought we did. I didn't want to lose you as a friend, Tommy."
"Friends, yeah, that's all we are. I'll see you tomorrow, Steve", Tommy wasn't even looking at him as he spoke in a dismissive tone.
Steve stared for a moment, then sighed and walked away. Tommy cursed under his breath, reaching into his pocket for the One Wish Willow. He'd completely forgotten to give it to Steve. Maybe it was bullshit but what would Steve even wish for? When he opened it, a weird melody played from the box.
"I wish Steve loved me as much as he fucking loves Eddie Munson."
Tommy snapped the stick in half, chest rising and falling from frustration. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt worse. Why couldn't Steve care about him the way he and Eddie seemed to easily fit together. He started the car again when he noticed Steve had yet to go inside.
He was standing at the door. But the way the porch light hit him, it was hard to tell if he was facing the house or the street. Tommy figured it out when Steve started walking back to the car. He knelt down, his arm hanging on the window.
"Hey, I uh, do you...wanna go inside?"
Tommy swallowed. "What?"
"Yeah, come inside. You know it's late, we've been drinking and I...I don't wanna be alone."
"What're you talking about?" What kind of game was Steve playing?
Steve's eyes suddenly bugged and he looked around confused. "Wait, what? What am I-" He paused, then giggled. "Sorry, I'm being so weird. So you're coming inside?"
"You want me to go in?"
"Yeah, I mean, you just quit your job. Let's talk", Steve said.
Tommy pointed to himself. "I just quit my job?"
Steve shook his head. "No, wait, no I just quit. I just quit and I didn't even tell you before I did it. It was probably really surprising to you, huh?"
"Uh, yeah, kinda", Tommy admitted. "Would've been nice to get a heads up about that."
"I should've told you. I'm sorry." Steve suddenly opened the door and got right back into the passenger seat.
"What're you doing?"
"We can just go to your place. Maybe have a night cap?"
"You won't mind if I make us old fashioneds?", Tommy teased.
Steve burst out into loud and unnatural laughter. It was such a switch from his demeanor just minutes before. Tommy looked at him oddly.
"Did Munson give you something? Are you on ket or something?"
"Why would you say that?", Steve whined.
"Because you're acting weird!", Tommy laughed with just a touch of hysteria.
Steve slumped against the dashboard, his hair flopping over. "Just take me back to your place. Please? Maybe I wanna try going back to the way things were."
Tommy bit his lip and started driving. When they got to his house, Steve naturally went up to his bedroom, like they were back at either of their houses in Loch Nora. Steve didn't even skip a beat. Tommy stood awkwardly by the door.
"Remember our old sleepovers?", Steve asked as he kicked his shoes off.
"I remember. I still think Wally Gator is funnier than Peter Potamus." Tommy's throat went dry when Steve took off his shirt. They'd showered all the time in the high school locker rooms, but this felt different.
Steve flopped onto the bed. "You coming?"
Tommy had never felt so awkward climbing into his own bed. This was weird. He and Steve hadn't done this in ages. Even the few times they passed out drunk in the same place, they hadn't shared the same sleeping space. When Tommy sat against the headboard, Steve shimmied over, laying his head on his shoulder.
"Maybe I should've talked to you before I quit. You might've convinced me to stay."
Tommy swallowed. "We used to talk about everything."
"We did. I wanna share things with you again, Tommy." Steve's head rose up and even in the darkness around them, his eyes seemed to find Tommy's.
"Is this really happening?", Tommy whispered.
Steve replied by kissing him. And fuck, this was everything he'd ever wanted. As if reading his mind, Steve moved to straddle his hips, deepening the kiss. Their tongues touched and suddenly Steve was screaming and pushing him away.
"What the fuck!? What the FUCK!?" He fell off the end of the bed in his panic.
Tommy pushed up against the headboard. "What?! What is it?!"
"I'm sorry", Steve gasped, rising from the floor. "I'm sorry, I thought I saw a-a spider or something."
"A fucking spider? Are you serious?!"
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I was surprised. Let's just sleep. Let's just get some sleep." Steve crawled back onto the bed and settled under the covers.
Tommy slowly lied down, waiting for Steve to freak out again. When he didn't, he found he was able to relax and fall asleep.
When morning came, it was to the smell of pancakes and bacon. Tommy went into the kitchen to find Steve had made him a full course breakfast.
"Wow this is incredible. You made all this?"
"You've got a full shift today, so you'll need your energy."
"Speaking of..." Tommy looked at the time. He hadn't meant to sleep this late. "I won't have time to drive you back home before I clock in."
Steve shrugged as he sat a plate down in front of Tommy. "That's fine. I can get home on my own. Now eat up!"
The events of last night ran through Tommy's head as he drove to work and he knew how it might look from the outside, so the moment he clocked in, he pulled Billy off to the side.
"So did you do it?", Billy asked.
"I um, kind of?"
"Kind of?"
"Things got weird. We kissed, but then he-his moods were going up and down the whole night until we got to sleep."
"Like actual sleep?" Billy crossed his arms when Tommy nodded. "You think he was on something?"
"I don't know, maybe?"
Billy pursed his lips. "Betcha it was some rotten shit from Munson. That guy's got some hardcore stuff. Have you seen him lately?"
"Didn't see him at all yesterday", Tommy said.
"Fuckin' weirdo."
The day went on and as Tommy was helping a mom decide between a guitar and a violin. It was nearing the end of his shift when Steve came in.
"Hey!"
"Uh, hey, didn't you quit?", Carol grinned, leaning against the counter.
Steve smirked, rolling his eyes. "What I can't come in now that I don't work here?"
"Thank you for gracing us with your presence~ To do we owe the pleasure?"
Steve stared blatantly at Tommy. "Just wanted to check in on things."
Carol followed his line of sight and was about to make a comment when Eddie came through the door and made a beeline for Steve.
"Hey, where have you been?"
"Here and there", Steve shrugged.
Tommy watched the scene, approaching slowly from the side. Eddie looked confused and frazzled.
"Did you...forget?"
"Forget what?", Steve asked.
Eddie looked around, like he was just now realizing where they were. He shook his head.
"Doesn't matter. Can we talk?"
"You have my number."
Eddie gawked and Tommy felt his heart soar. Steve looked at Eddie like he was just anyone on the street.
"Steve..."
"I was just about to clock out and take Steve home", Carol butted in. "Right?"
"Yeah, right", Steve said. "I'll see you later, Tommy."
Eddie's head snapped towards Tommy and any other day that might've effected him but not now. There was no other explanation of it. Something in Steve had changed. And he was reaping the benefits.
Eddie stormed out, muttering to himself. Tommy could hear his van revving up and peeling out, but he didn't care what that freak did now. Whatever power he had over Steve was gone.
Tommy had just finished dinner when his phone rang. "Hello?"
"Okay, so I was talking with Steve", Carol's voice said from the other side.
"Okay?"
"Yeah, so, he said that he was on molly and that's why he was acting so weird."
"Oh, great. I mean, not great but that explains a lot."
"Yeah, but I still wanna talk to you about some things."
A knock at his door took his attention away. "Sure Carol, we'll talk later." He hung up without waiting for an answer. When he answered it, there was Steve. His signature hair made his silhouette recognizable, but the light coming from Tommy's house made it hard to make out his expressions.
"Hey", Steve's voice was soft. "I wanted to apologize for last night."
"Oh you don't-Carol was just telling me-uh, molly right?"
"Yeah. Right. I don't usually do hard stuff, it's just...my dad's sick and it's been really hard to deal with."
"Your dad? I thought you stopped talking with him."
"My mom told me. And I know he's an asshole but he's still my dad."
"I guess...."
"I know you like me, Tommy. And I think it was so noble of you to not try anything last night."
"I didn't! I wouldn't! YOU kissed ME!"
"I know! I'm saying I'm glad you didn't. I was really vulnerable last night and you could have but you didn't. You've been waiting a long time for me to kiss you. I guess...I was just hoping we could get another chance at that. Now that I'm sober."
"You are?"
Steve nodded. "I am. Can I come in?"
"Are you saying...you like me too?"
Steve smiled. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"
When they kissed this time, the One Wish Willow was far from his mind. And when they had sex on his bed, all he could think was how Eddie's face would look when he found out. It didn't take long. Steve came to the shop the next day just to make out with Tommy in the back parking lot.
When Eddie saw them, he didn't say a word. He simply stormed off, stricken with rejection. It was bliss. Every day he woke up and Steve was there. If he was working, Steve brought him lunch. At home, Steve was there, making him dinner. No longer was he jerking off alone or fucking someone else, thinking of Steve.
Steve was there, riding him or letting Tommy fuck him into the bed. Even when Steve went home, he was calling Tommy any time they went longer than an hour apart.
It was...a lot honestly. But still better than nothing, Tommy supposed.
They were out to dinner and Tommy was honestly glad for the crowd and the waiter that would come to check in on them. It gave Steve something to stare at other than him all the time.
"I was thinking...", Steve began. "Might be time to take this to the next level."
Tommy raised a brow. "Next level?"
Steve nodded. "Matching tattoos. I could put your name right over my heart~"
"Steve, you know I hate tattoos."
Steve's smile dropped. "You're right. No, you're right, it was a stupid idea. I just love you so much." He started stretching his arms across the table, reaching for Tommy. "Wanna have your mark on me."
Tommy cleared his throat while pulling his hands off the table. "That's uh, that's a bit much, Steve. We don't need to do all that."
Steve pouted, but slowly pulled his hands back. "I have something for you." He took out a long velvet box and slid it across the table.
Tommy opened it and there was a pearl necklace inside. "Uhh, it's not quite my style."
"It's my mom's. Or it was my mom's. There's this tradition in our family to pass pearls down to your daughter. My mom had me so she had this idea that I would give them to my daughter. They're supposed to represent maturing and becoming your best self. And you're the best person I know."
Tommy vaguely recalled Carol getting all high and mighty when she started wearing a pearl necklace after graduation. "Thanks", he said simply as he closed the box.
Steve beamed. "So are you planning on doing once you upgrade from the shop?", he asked as he buttered his bread.
"Um, I don't know?"
"Oh come on. What's next for Mr. Hagan?"
"Police academy, maybe? Or joining the military", Tommy shrugged.
"Ooooh, taking down the bad guys~ Hope you don't plan on turning me into a widow."
Tommy choked on his drink and tried to play it off as a laugh. He was wiping his mouth when the waiter came to their table.
"There's a phone call for you sir."
Tommy's brow furrowed. "For me?" He followed the waiter to the front where the phone was and when he took it, Carol was on the other end.
"Hey, so I remember you mentioning Steve's dad was sick, so I called his parents and he's not dying. Not even a cough."
"His dad's not sick? Are you sure?"
"I think I'd fucking know if my aunt's husband was dying."
"Why can't you just say 'uncle'?"
"They both suck but at least she's blood. Forget about them.If Steve's still on drugs, we need to get him some help. I talked to him because he's been so weird and he told me-"
"What's so weird about him and me being together?"
"Oh Jesus, Tom. Get your head out of your ass. You don't think Steve's changed? Acting funny?"
"I think you're fucking jealous. Steve's fine. Everything's fine."
"Tommy-!"
He hung up and promptly returned to his seat. His shoulders were hunched and Steve smiled across from him, unmoving.
"Who was that?"
Tommy swallowed. "Did you lie about your dad?"
"...What?"
"Your dad's not really sick. He's fine. Why would you lie about that?"
Steve's smile didn't waver, it was like he was frozen in time. Then he started shaking his head. "No", he said softly. "Noo." He giggled and suddenly stood." "NooooOOOOOO." His volume rose and Tommy jumped out of his seat to calm him.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, it's okay, it's okay", he fretted while looking around.
"Why do you believe other people over me! You're supposed to trust me more than anyone!"
"i do! I do! Please, sit down, I do."
Steve sat down with a pout. "Why does it matter what's real or not? Don't we love each other?"
Tommy thought of the alternative. Of not having Steve. Of watching him slip through his fingers. "It doesn't matter to me", he smiled.
Tommy grunted as he pounded into Steve. He could hear Steve's gasps below him as he buried his face into his neck.
"Feels so good, Stevie."
"Yeah?", Steve breathed. "Am I your king?"
"You're the king, baby, the king."
"You gonna cum inside me?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, gonna cum inside!"
Tommy passed out pretty soon after that, but something woke him up late into the night. He could tell Steve wasn't next to him anymore. And he might've figured he'd gone to the bathroom or something. But there was an odd presence in the room. When he rubbed his eyes, he saw the shadow in the corner and flinched before realizing it was Steve.
"Jesus Christ! Why aren't you in bed?", Tommy hissed.
"Couldn't sleep", Steve whispered.
"What? Steve, come on."
Steve was eerily still before responding, his voice breaking. "I have nightmares."
Tommy rubbed his eye. "Steve, we're not kids anymore, just come to bed."
Steve began to sob. "Why don't you love me like I love you?!"
"What are you talking about, man?", Tommy asked desperately.
"Not 'man'!", Steve stomped petulantly. "I'm supposed to be 'baby'."
"Baby", Tommy sighed, tried. "Baby, come to bed."
Steve shook his head, although it was hard to see in the dark. His voice was warmer and more even when he spoke again. "Go back to sleep. I'll watch you."
Exhausted, Tommy slowly laid down. He thought he'd be up all night but it was easier to go back to sleep than he imagined. When he opened his eyes the next morning, he was startled to see Steve standing by the bed, bent at the waist to stare straight at him.
"Huah!"
"Good morning~"
Tommy rubbed at his face and groaned. He was still half asleep when Steve said something about breakfast and skipped off. Tommy got out of bed and went to the bathroom, only to find not only a lock of hair missing from the front, but Steve's name written on his bare chest in horrifying red.
Tommy came out and saw Steve sitting on the couch, reading a comic book. There was gauze wrapped around his hand.
"Steve? Baby?"
"Hm?"
"Did you...?", he pointed to Steve's hand and to his chest.
"Well it's not a tattoo, so it's fine, right?"
"Can we...", Tommy sucked in a long breath. "Can we keep the blood inside our bodies from now on? Please?" Tommy felt like he was going insane when he saw the way Steve pouted.
"Okay. I just-"
"I know! I know you just, whatever. But people are gonna talk. They're gonna think I'm not treating you right or hurting you if you go around with bandages all the time, alright?"
"I don't want you to get in trouble."
"Perfect. Okay, I'm gonna", Tommy mimed washing Steve's name, written in blood off his skin. "And then I gotta go to work."
Tommy did just that, deciding to skip breakfast despite the feast Steve left on the table. He was almost out the door when Steve looked up from his book.
"Kiss?"
"Yeah, yeah, kiss." Tommy pecked his lips and then went for the door, struggling to open it. He wondered why until he looked closer and saw a very inconspicuous line of super glue on it.
Steve came up from behind, hugging him around the waist and kissing the back of his neck. "If you can't go, maybe we can go back to bed. Just spend the whole day together, getting lost in each other."
"Nope, no I got it." Tommy gave it all his might and was able to wrench it open. "I'll see you after work!"
"I'll be here", Steve smiled. It reached his eyes and yet there was still something deeply unnatural about, especially as he prolonged it, staring at the closed door with the utmost affection. He was unmoving except for the trickle of urine going down his leg and making a puddle under his feet.
Tommy felt like he could finally breath when he got to work, only to be immediately bombarded with Billy.
"You and Steve are so tight it's creepy."
"Yeah well, it's, well yeah", Tommy said, staring at the wall.
"I thought you'd be fucking jazzed."
"It's um", Tommy scratched his head, thinking about his missing hair. "It's different than I thought."
Billy crossed his arms. "Okay, ditch him for the night. Don't bring him over to my place."
Tommy dropped his head onto the register. "That's not gonna worrrrrk."
"The hell you mean? Just tell him he can't come. Are you a man or not?"
"I'm-! I guess I'm-okay, yeah, I'm a man."
"That's what I thought." Billy uncrossed his arms and left Tommy to wallow at the counter until it was time for his lunch break.
Not having breakfast, he was starved. He sat with his back against a speaker as he opened up the lunchbox Steve had packed. There was a photo of him sleeping with hearts drawn in marker. A second photo where Steve had snapped one of him next to a sleep Tommy. Except the marker was used to scribble over Steve's face.
Carol plopped down in front of him. "So are you finally ready to talk about how weird Steve's being or are you still in denial?"
"He's not weird", Tommy denied.
Carol rolled her eyes and was about to reply when the phone rang. She got up to answer it and Tommy was able to take a few bites of his sandwich. Big and quick and down his throat before he could even register the taste of anything except for bread and what might've been turkey.
"Did you know Robin Buckley was out of town?", Carol asked as she sat down next to Tommy.
"Why would I know that?"
"Well she just called and said Steve should have been calling her for...something and he hasn't. You know anything about that?"
Tommy shook his head. Carol scoffed.
"According to Robin, they talk almost every night. But Steve hasn't for a while. Kinda around the time he started dating you."
"He used to talk to us all the time", Tommy said.
"Steve and I still talk."
"Not the way you used to, I bet."
"Get your head out of your ass. Are you really gonna be that guy who hasn't changed since high school?"
Tommy sighed. "Why should anything change?"
Seeing that this conversation was going nowhere, Carol went ahead and changed it. "God you're a messy eater. And is Steve writing you love notes?" She snatched the sticky note from the lunchbox before Tommy could keep it away from her. She stood as she read it. "'Now I'm inside you too'. What's that supposed to mean?"
The words echoed in Tommy's head as he looked down at his half eaten sandwich. Had he taken his time to eat, he might've noticed. But there it was, stark white against the lettuce, thick and viscous. Tommy registered the odd after taste in his mouth now. He heaved once and then grabbed the trash can just in time to spill his guts into it.
Tommy was able to play it off like an inside joke to Carol and throw away the rest of the sandwich before she could see. As he drove, he was rehearsing how to approach Steve about it. He was muttering to himself, as if Steve could hear him in his car.
"That was not-You can't-We eat food only. All bodily fluids should stay inside." Tommy covered his face and groaned, not looking forward to the conversation. He stopped by a gas station, intending to buy a drink before heading into that house where Steve was surely waiting. He grabbed his bag to take out his wallet and heard a strange melody.
The box of the One Wish Willow was still there. He grabbed it, remembering there was a helpline number. Tommy took it to the payphone outside and dialed it. The voice on the other end was nonchalant, almost sleepy.
"Hey."
"Hey, hi, is this One Wish Willow?"
"Yeah."
"I'm calling about my wish. Can I...alter it?"
"You cancel your wish?"
"No, no, no, no. I just wanna change it a little."
"Sorry, we don't really do changes."
Tommy clenched his fist and pressed his head against the booth. "I just... I-I just wanna know is this real? Is his love for me real?"
"Would you like to file a cancel request?"
Tommy kicked at the wall of the booth. "Yes, fine. Cancel it. Fuck."
"We don't really do cancellations."
"Then what fucking good are you?!"
"It's whatever, man."
Tommy was this close to asking to speak to their supervisor. "So he's just fucking messed up like this forever!? What kind of love is this? Who does this stuff?"
"I guess him and Eddie? But yeah, he'll be like this as long as you live."
"As long as I... As long as I live?" Tommy felt like he was spiraling as the other guy went on.
"Yeah, seems to me like it's your responsibility to be there for him now."
Tommy took a breath and gathered his whits. "He does this thing sometimes where he like, freaks out what the hell is that?"
"Do you wanna talk to him?"
"What?"
Suddenly there was screaming on the other end. Steve. It was gut wrenching and terrified and the worst part? In between the screams were cries for Eddie and Robin. Tommy hung up and ran back to his car, speeding home. He almost forgot about the cum sandwich until he got to the front door.
He opened it, jumping back when he saw Steve was exactly where he left him, covered in vomit and piss. "Agh!"
"Hey, baby", Steve smiled.
"What happened? Why are you like this?", Tommy gestured to the mess around Steve. The carpet was ruined.
Steve looked down at himself as if just realizing his appearance. "Oh...", his voice was soft. "I'll take a shower. I'll clean it up. Don't worry, I'm sorry." His footsteps squelched as he walked towards the bathroom.
Tommy followed, his brain short circuiting between the sandwich and what he'd just seen. He'd just finished a full shift, had Steve been standing there all day? The door to the bathroom closed, Steve promising again to clean up the mess on the carpet. Tommy leaned against the wall just to the side of the door. He heard the shower start to run and gathered the nerve to talk about the sandwich.
"Steve? Did you...my sandwich did you-The bodily fluids thing, that goes for all fluids, okay? Please don't put them in my food."
"Okay, baby", Steve answered.
That was easy. Maybe the next part would be too. "So I was gonna hang out at Billy's tonight."
Suddenly the water shut off.
"At Billy's?", Steve asked.
"Y-yeah, if that's alright with you?"
"I can be ready in a few minutes."
"Yeah, it's just, it was just gonna be a few of us and Jason's gonna be there and you hate Jason-" Tommy jumped back from the wall when he heard Steve make a sound between a sob and a scream and something definitely shattered. Before he could respond, Steve seemed to compose himself back to normal.
"Carol called earlier and said she was going."
Tommy rubbed his temples. He felt like Steve was glued to his back and one night apart was something he really needed. Then he heard the soft crying on the other side of the door and he could see it turning into another night of being watched.
"You can come, if you want."
A sniffle. "Do you want me there?"
"I want you to come Steve", Tommy surrendered.
Billy's house was filled with people, music blaring from the speakers in one room and carrying throughout it. Tommy nursed a drink from a red cup. Steve hadn't left his side the entire night. He was equal parts satisfied and annoyed. Eddie was at this party. He had to keep him from getting Steve alone at all costs.
Billy, the conniving bastard, managed to somehow convince Steve to go off with Carol just so he could dig into him.
"You couldn't even go one night without him?"
"You didn't hear him. Or see him", Tommy argued. If he'd left Steve alone, what would he come back to.
Carol brought Steve to the kitchen and there Eddie was, eyes big and yearning.
"Steve, Stevie, sweetheart, honey are you okay?", Eddie asked, trying to get his arms around him.
Steve took a step back. "I'm fine. Are you?"
"Am I...?"
Carol spoke up. "Steve, you've been acting like a completely different person. Hooking up with Tommy? Really?"
"Isn't he dreamy?", Steve sighed.
Eddie grabbed Steve's face. "Is he...is he blackmailing you? Tell us, baby. Please. This isn't like you."
Steve swatted Eddie's hands away. "I'm fine. You two are acting weird. Tommy and I just make sense. And I'm so lucky he made this happen." He practically skipped off and Eddie wasn't face to face with him until there was a game of Truth, Dare, or Drink in the living room. Tommy had his arm around Steve's shoulders and they sat directly across from Eddie. Carol was playing the game too and the rest were the odd mix of friends and acquaintances made from jobs and school.
"Truth or dare?", Billy smirked.
Jason returned it with one of his own. "Dare."
"I dare you to switch places with Tommy."
There was a chorus of oooohs as Tommy reluctantly gave up his seat to Jason. Eddie noticed how Steve seemed less worried about sitting next to Jason than being separated from Tommy. It was Steve's turn and he chose dare.
"Share something personal", Jason dared.
Steve stood, clearing his throat. "You have craved my taste but now you wish to change the recipe. You are the chef and I but a humble dish to be made by your hand. Whatever I once was, crumbling away, for you are the source of my destruction. Make me palatable. For you will feast on me and I you. Until we have completely devoured each other, until that hunger is finally satiated. Let the willow be our only witness. Let her branches shield us until the world only becomes us. The needlework of the fates threaded us as brothers. But with a single cut, we have become more. You fill me over, and over, and...over again. I am more you than I am myself."
He stared at Tommy for the longest time and Tommy kept his eyes trained on the liquid in his cup. Everyone's eyes were on them, even the ones who didn't know them that well knew something was up. Steve sat down, satisfied.
"Just some lyrics I've been working on."
A few throats were cleared and the game went on, until it was Tommy's turn. "Truth or dare?", Heather asked.
"Dare", Tommy chose.
Heather grinned. "I dare you spin the bottle and kiss whoever it lands on."
The oooohs that went up had Tommy spinning the empty beer bottle on the table in front of him before his brain had time to catch up to what he was doing and the consequences but it was too late and it landed on the person right next to him - Carol.
They looked at each other, then looked at Steve who suddenly stood. There was a deep frown, but there was something childish in it. He marched until he was behind Carol and he pulled her chair backwards, then knelt by Tommy's side, lips puckered for a kiss. The dramatics had Tommy looking around, knowing this was a bit of a scene. But he quickly pecked Steve's lips, knowing the alternative would be worse.
Steve sighed dreamily. He reached up to pet Tommy's hair. "People could live for a thousand years and never have what we have." His voice was soft but then he stood back up and then it was booming and resounding throughout the house. "And there is not a soul, alive or dead, that could ever fathom the depths of our love!"
Tommy was looking at the faces of the other party goers and then down at his shoes, wishing this night could be over. Steve started chuckling.
"C'mon you guys, I was just joking. Or I wasn't. Fuck off."
Billy was the first to try and break the awkward tension. "Anyone want shots?"
"Yes, please", Patrick seconded.
"Who thinks they can beat my record?"
That moment of normalcy was broken when Steve suddenly jumped away from Tommy, tripping over chairs and falling to the floor, continuing to crawl backward and scream.
"It's not me! IT'S NOT ME!!"
No one was quick enough to stop him from breaking a bottle against the table and stabbing himself in the face with it. Eddie tried coming to his aid first while Carol was shouting for Tommy. Tommy just sat in the chair, staring down at his lap, exhausted.
He managed to get Steve in his car and convince the rest of the party that he'd get him to a hospital. The ER was a no-go because Steve vehemently refused to and thus be separated from Tommy. Tommy managed to keep Steve from following him into a convenience store where he bought an alarming amount of NyQuil.
"Look, just drink a whole bottle", Tommy said once they got home. Steve needed more medical attention than that but Tommy also needed a break. He set the bag onto the table and Steve sat down, starting to unwrap one of the bottles.
"I'm going to the bathroom", Tommy mumbled.
Steve grabbed his hand. "Can I hold it while you go?", he asked softly.
Tommy followed Steve's line of sight to his crotch and tore his arm away. "No! NO! God, what ARE you?"
Steve smiled. "I'm your King Steve. And don't kings always get what they want?"
"No! You can't just. That's not what I want!"
"I'll be whatever you want me to beeeee", Steve whined.
"I just want you to be Steve! Regular Steve!!"
"I CAN'T BE STEVE!!!!"
Tommy flinched at the intensity and the truth finally slapping him in the face. But Steve, or this thing pretending to be Steve was already apologizing profusely and grabbing at his hands but Tommy was pulling back and stepping away.
"I can't-I-I can't do this anymore. It's too freaky. You wanna hold my dick while I'm pissing, the blood, and you keep switching-"
Steve suddenly stood, starting and stopping from rushing Tommy, making him fall back against a lamp. "Steve, stop! You're scaring me!"
Tommy couldn't really describe what he saw but it was as if Steve had completely rewound, including his voice. "Eiddedluowtaertemekilassecnirp."
Tommy held up his hands in surrender even though Steve was on the other side of the room now. "Look! Look, I'll just stay at Billy's tonight, I think we need some space."
"Okay!", Steve said brightly. He walked down the hall and for a gracious moment, Tommy thought it was over until he heard things being thrown around.
"Steve? Steve!?" Fear coursed through his body but not any nerve to actually move himself. Steve appeared moments later. Tommy had broken the lamp when he fell and so he couldn't see Steve's face. He thought there might be something in his hand, but he couldn't be sure.
"You can stay at Billy's", Steve said. "But if I have that bed all to myself, I'll be left with my thoughts. I'll be thinking about how I'm so alone, and how you don't love me the way you should be loving me. I'll be thinking how I should cut out every single part of me that you are not achingly and devastatingly in love with."
Tommy felt glued to where he was on the floor. But he managed to get himself ready for bed. The mattress and covers were akin to a jail cell. And Steve's arm around his waist were the bars on the window. But at least he was asleep. When the phone rang, Tommy snatched it off the hook without thinking. All he wanted was to keep Steve asleep until morning.
But, well, he'd answered. So now he had to speak to whoever was on the line. Otherwise they might just call again.
"Hello?", he whispered.
"Hey." It was Carol. "Can you come to my place? I need to talk to you."
"This can't wait until tomorrow?"
"It really can't. Unless you want me fucking call the cops."
Tommy looked to Steve sleeping next to him. He knew Carol wasn't bluffing. And even just police sniffing around make his stomach twist in knots. "Be there in a few minutes."
Carefully, almost at a snail's pace, he peeled Steve off of him and pulled on a jacket. He was almost out of the bedroom when he heard Steve's voice, small and soft.
"Tommy?"
"Just getting some water", he lied.
"Kill me."
"Wha-", Tommy's voice began to rise as he turned but Steve shushed him. Steve was lying like he was still fast asleep.
"He's sleeping. Don't wake him", Steve said. "Kill me, please. Just let me go."
Steve sounded broken. And that shook Tommy to his core. "You hate being with me that much?"
Steve sniffled. "Tommy please, please."
Tommy left, Steve's cries fading away as he left to see what Carol wanted.
Tommy drove up to Carol's house and on the first knock, she opened the door and pulled him inside, not even letting him get a hello in before going off.
"Okay, you need to listen and only listen for a goddamn second. I don't know what's up with you and Steve but I know it's weird as shit and you need to fess up. How is this possible?"
"Why is us dating so farfetched?", Tommy got defensive. "We've known each other for years. You and I hooked up too. Do YOU think I'm that repulsive?"
Carol crossed her arms. "This isn't about you. It's about Steve. There's something you should know."
"What?"
She didn't answer at first, pacing around for a bit before turning back to Tommy. "Steve clearly never wanted you to know, but screw it. He and Eddie are dating. And it's serious."
"Eddie? ....That fucking freak?!"
"And they're in love."
"Bullshit, why didn't Steve say anything?"
"He said you'd be weird about it since you and Eddie never got along. I told Steve he was treating you like a baby but", Carol just shrugged.
Meanwhile, Tommy was reeling. All those times they seemed oddly close. He didn't want to believe it but...
"It doesn't matter. Steve's with me now."
"Tommy, I'm begging you. For Steve's sake, can you take a look at the bigger picture. If Steve was dating Eddie, why would he suddenly change his mind?"
"Sounds like your fucking jealous that you didn't lock me down when you had the chance. And now you wanna get in the way and take me back. Too little too late, Carol."
Carol's eyes blazed. "You fucking slimeball! I'm not-!"
Something broke through the window, nailing Carol in the head and knocking her to the floor. A baseball rolled away. She rubbed at her head while Steve smashed the rest of the window with a bat and climbed through. When she saw the culprit, Carol's eyes got wide. And she remembered Steve's outburst just earlier that night.
"You're not him. You're not Steve. Tommy do something!", Carol shrieked when Steve took another swing. She rolled away to dodge but her head was still reeling with dizziness. It dawned on her just before Steve cracked her skull that Tommy wouldn't help her. He was the source.
Tommy was frozen in place, choking on his own spit as he watched Steve bash Carol's head over and over. When he was finished, he turned, smiling at Tommy gleefully.
"You-you killed her", Tommy's voice was soft and then he shouted, "You killed her!"
"Oh no, shh shh shh", Steve came over and shushed Tommy, stroking his cheek with a bloody hand. "No, baby, no. You killed her. This is what you wanted. And that", Steve used the bat to point to Carol's corpse. "Is what's gonna happen to anyone who makes your eyes stray from me. Anyone who tries to get between us."
Tommy couldn't look away. He had just been talking to Carol. She had been right there. And now she wasn't. Her hair was even more red, thanks to the blood seeping out. Pearls were scattered around her. Could a wish bring her back? Or would that blow up in his face too?
"Don't worry, baby. I'll take care of everything", Steve promised, his voice like honey. "You go on home."
Steve kissed his cheek like he was seeing him off for work and Tommy's legs moved on their own. He drove his car down until he was on an empty street and parked. Everything crashed down on him then. He screamed until it turned into a sob. There had to be something. Something he could fucking do.
Tommy sped to the store that he'd bought the One Wish Willow from. He burst through the doors, sweaty, a bit of blood on his face and shirt and looked around frantically for the display. He grabbed a handful and in his rush, ended up dropping most of them on the way to the register.
The cashier looked him up and down. "Are you going to clean that or?"
"Just ring me up, dammit! Come on!"
She rolled her eyes and did just that, charging him for the two willows. Tommy took them back out to his car and opened up the first. That melody would be in his nightmares if he didn't fix this. He took a deep breath as he held the stick between his hands.
"I wish Steve only loved me a normal amount." When he tried to snap the branch, it didn't budge. "I wish he didn't love me at all!" Again, it was hard as a rock. "I wish he was back to normal!"
Tommy tried pressing it against the wheel, biting down on it, giving it all his strength. Nothing. He checked the box and that's when it finally hit him. One Wish Willow. It was right there in the name and instructions. Everyone got a single wish. He had to give one to someone and have them wish Steve back to normal.
Billy? No, that jerk might just wish for Steve to be his instead. And Carol was...Carol was dead. And Robin was still MIA. That really only left.
"Eddie. He can help fix this." Tommy broke a few laws speeding to Eddie's place and when he knocked on the door, he wasn't expecting a warm welcome but the glare Munson gave him still put him off.
"What the hell are you doing here, Hagan?"
"Okay, look, I know how this is all gonna sound but you believe in that supernatural shit, right?", Tommy began as he came inside.
Eddie crossed his arms. "Depends on what you mean."
"I know about you and Steve. C-Carol just told me. I had no idea, man. I wouldn't've made a move on Steve if I had already known you were a thing!"
Eddie cocked his hip. "You wouldn't? You'd accept it just like that?"
"Yes! And I fucked up. I fucked up so bad! But you can fix it." Tommy pulled the unbroken willow from his pocket. "Here, you gotta make a wish a-and then you break it and it comes true and it's real. But be careful how you word it."
"A wish? Really?" Eddie took the stick, looking at it unimpressed.
"You can wish for Steve to love you again. You just gotta help me, man. He's been so fucking weird and I can't take it anymore, it's too much."
Eddie's eyes snapped back to Tommy. "Is that the wish you made? For Steve to love you?"
"I wished he would love me the way he loves you. I didn't know you guys were a thing but I knew he treated you different and I...but something went wrong, he wants to do all this freaky stuff."
Eddie laughed humorlessly. "Of course it had to be goddamn magic." He sighed, his shoulder relaxing. "Have you been fucking him?"
"What?"
"Have you. Been fucking. Steve?"
"I-yeah, but I know it was wrong, it's been wrong but I didn't wanna see the truth but NOW I know it's been fucked up and you're the only one who can save this. I can't make another wish and they told me he's stuck like this until I die. Please. I know you'd do anything for Steve."
"I would. Take me to him. He's at your place, right?"
"Probably? But why-"
"We gotta make sure the wish is granted", Eddie said.
Tommy brought Eddie along, his mind addled with desperation and just the glimmer of hope that there was finally someone that could help him. Before they went inside, Eddie handed Tommy a bag of pills.
"Take some of this, you look like shit."
"How many?"
"How much of a goddamn wreck do you feel like right now?"
Tommy shook the whole bag into his mouth and then entered first, calling out for Steve.
Steve had cleaned the carpet but the whole place was in disarray anyway. Steve had been busy. On the coffee table, a shrine to Tommy had been built. Candles dripped on pictures of him, most taken while sleeping, or candids of him from around town where Steve was nowhere to be seen. A couple locks of his hair, what looked like small doll, and a few other items that belonged to him.
On the tv played a running loop of Tommy working at the shop but it had clearly been filmed from the bushes outside. Had Steve just been....following him around and filming him?
"Steve?", Tommy called out again.
"We're ready for you, baby~", Steve sang, appearing from another room.
His hair had been dyed a blazing red, some of it dripped down the sides of his face. He wore what was left of Carol's pearl necklace and a black lacy thong. In Steve's hand was a knife. He had carved Tommy's name all over his chest.
"Holy fucking shit", Eddie hissed.
"Jesus Christ Steve!", Tommy wailed.
"Babyyyyy~", Steve smiled, twirling the knife around. "It's your turn."
"Eddie, make the fucking wish. Make it now!"
Eddie took out the willow and looked at Steve from top to bottom. But Steve's eyes never strayed from Tommy. "We were gonna elope. The day Steve quit, he was supposed to meet up with me and we were finally gonna ditch this town."
"You what?", Tommy uttered.
"You're a fucking piece of shit", Eddie said. "I wish for a billion dollars."
Tommy screamed in despair as wads of cash hailed from above, covering the floor with money. Steve just took another step towards Tommy, holding the knife like a bouquet. He had one last hope.
"Steve, here." Tommy took out the last One Wish Willow and thrust it towards him. "I know it sounds crazy but this little stick can grant wishes. And I need your wish to help me, okay. Just say what I need you to say, and then break it and it'll come true. You got that? Stevie please tell me you understand."
Steve looked the stick over in his hand. "I can make a wish?"
Tommy nodded furiously, Steve had to believe him, right? He was obsessed with him. Steve smiled.
"I wish you loved me like I love you." Snap.
Tommy didn't even have time to scream. He didn't have a voice to protest with. He was there, he could feel his limbs. But it was like they were being tugged on by strings. Something was curling his lips into a smile. Something was making him walk towards Steve. So this was it. A life with Steve. Like this. Just trapped inside each other with no one to save-
His throat gurgled and his stomach twisted and turned. The pills. The fucking pills Eddie had given him. Steve cried out, grabbing Tommy as he faltered and holding him close, begging the universe to keep him from meeting his end. But Tommy's body went limp and Steve was inconsolable. He held the knife tight was Eddie grabbed his wrist before he could join Tommy.
"DON'T STOP ME!! I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT HIM!!" Steve sobbed as he tried fighting Eddie off while still holding Tommy with one arm.
Eddie kept him from hurting himself until suddenly the fight went out of him. Steve let Tommy drop to the floor along with the knife. Tears began to stream down his face. Sobs began to hiccup out of him. And then it turned into wailing. Eddie simply held him close, whispering in his ear, promising to fix it.
That was how Robin found them, Hopper right behind her. She had expected chaos when Steve stopped talking to her. She hadn't expected this...
9 months later
Steve watched the waves lap at the shore. His hair was a little shorter, having cut it all off after....everything. A pearl necklace was around his neck. Robin was sitting with him, as she often did when he needed to look out at the ocean.
She'd been as much of a mess as he felt. In the months following, berating herself for the what-ifs. What if she had found a new home for them sooner? What if she had waited a few days before going in search of it. But there was nothing to forgive. How could she had known what Tommy would get his hands on.
Nights were the hardest. If he wasn't wide awake, he was screaming awake from nightmares. Eddie held him until he felt like himself again, helped him put words to how he was feeling and turn it into music. California was a great place for an independent artist trying to find his voice.
"Are you guys ready?", Eddie called from afar.
Steve stood, helping Robin to her feet. "Ready."
A plane ride later and they were back in Hawkins, trudging through a cemetery. Steve hadn't been back here in over half a year. He hadn't been able to face it back then. He knelt by Carol's grave, laying down a bouquet of chrysanthemums, her favorite. Robin stayed by Steve's side as he spoke to Carol.
He told her of the lovely house on the coast that she shared with Robin and Eddie. How he was finding the courage to sing his thoughts in front of coffee shop crowds. That he never felt alone. And that sometimes, despite himself, he missed Tommy. The one that he knew anyway.
"I should have told him about Eddie and me sooner. Maybe then..."
Robin put a hand on his shoulder. Steve finished talking with Carol and then stood just in time for Eddie to rejoin them. Eddie kissed his temple and put an arm around his shoulder, guiding him from the graves.
A few rows down from Carol lay Tommy's headstone. Over his name in bright red paint it said 'BURN IN HELL'