Probably at least to get across town, sure. If you wanna flash your knees around once you get here I guess I won't stop you.
( especially because if Eddie is lazy about this, Steve can also be lazy about this. shockingly, unbearably tight Levis aren't that comfortable to wind down in. )
( is that... weird.... . . .. to notice the rips in Eddie's jeans?? it's just. hard not to notice. it's not just his knees, the rips travel up his thighs, too. okay, yeah, maybe that's weird. oops. HAHA MOVING ON A S A P THEN !!! )
Put on whatever pants won't scandalize old ladies and get ready. I'll swing around for you on the way for the food. ( Eddie could drive himself but Steve is very used to chauffeuring his friends, so, it only seems natural that he would drive Eddie around, too.
only seems natural until he overthinks it later. obviously. )
[ well, Eddie is definitely not going to be thinking about this for the next several hours and wondering just how much Steve pays attention to other details other than the rips in his jeans. ]
Okay, okay, I think I've found a passable outfit. I guess I'll see you soon, then?
[ and then, against his better judgment, he adds: ]
( probably no attention at all!!!! nothing to worry about. just a normal amount of perceiving your fellow man. he doesn't hyperfixate on Eddie's fingers or how narrow his waist seems to cut or wonder if there's tattoos he can't see WHATSOEVER
so obviously he won't hyperfixate on the word d-a-t-e used, in this context. that just wouldn't be like him! but there's nothing to hyperfixate on, here. no need to stare at four little letters and lose half his mind. because... well. because obviously Eddie is joking. sarcasm. or something. ha ha, right? hilarious. so there's only one response to someone jokingly (sarcastically) (not seriously) using the word date is to play along. obviously!
did it take him five minutes to think of a comeback and stave off the momentary panic? no. obviously not. the stretch between messages is sheer happenstance. )
( well, EDDIE, that'll be IMPOSSIBLE, because he's really blushing now. Fuck. what is the point of this weird friendly not real flirting? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE??!?!?!? just to be warm and fuzzy and CONFUSING?!?!? )
That's not how it works, smartass. I can't save it, you just gotta make me do it again later.
( is he doing this right? play flirting? not too much, not too little, some kinda Goldilocks impossible middle ground?? Jesus. thank god Eddie isn't actually here, or this would be so much harder.
only he is going to be here, soon. or, more accurately, Steve is going to be there, and then they're both going to be here. why does this feel like so much more of a deal than it did 10 seconds ago? he's gotta knock it off, because it's definitely not a deal. it's just two guys hanging out, that's... he can do that. it'll even be a good time, probably, since Eddie isn't an asshole. )
All right, fine. I'll get you home when you're sick of me, or before your uncle starts freaking about where you went. Whatever comes first.
[ Eddie has really just set himself up for failure now, because he knows that while it's not real for Steve, it is for Eddie. he knows he should probably stop, slow down before he makes Steve so uncomfortable that he decides it's too much to hang out around Eddie anymore, and yet every single time Steve reciprocates the flirting it just sets him right back down to square one.
and shit, Eddie can practically see the blush if he closes his eyes. this is probably a terrible idea, and yet he can't wait. hanging out with Steve is fun in a way he never anticipated. ]
Well, I'm sure I can find a way.
[ because it is pretty damn easy to rile Steve up these days. had been even as far back as the boathouse, pressing broken glass to Steve's neck. which, better not think back to that, because he'll just end up with all these confused feelings, a mixture of fear and something else that he's not really ready to deal with just yet. ]
Looking forward to it. See you soon, big boy.
[ and while waiting for Steve to come pick him up, in addition to changing into something a little more leaving his house appropriate, he needs to freshen up, make himself look presentable. because it's Steve and he can't help but want to look like he's put in a modicum of effort for him. which means that by the time Steve gets there, not only is he wearing a shirt with his usual ripped pants, but he's also got his hair pulled back and maybe even a little eyeliner around his eyes to give the illusion that he's actually gotten sleep recently. by the time Steve arrives, Eddie is already out on the front steps, waiting for his arrival. ]
( big boy. big boy. the eternal curse of big boy. Steve has done all sorts of mental gymnastics trying to understand the meaning of big boy. he's circled all the way around the point from "that's flirting" to "that's too obvious to be flirting" to "that must be some kind of sarcastic flirting that isn't really flirting". the appearance of it here only makes the vibes even MORE confusing. and Steve never needs help being confused.
he doesn't have time to feverishly call Robin with this newest context of big boy, though. because he had to be a big damn gentleman and offer to give Eddie a ride, which... very date like. not that this is a date? it's just. you know. now that he's thinking about it, picking someone up before spending time together. very datelike.
while it is decidedly not a date (only datelike, which is different), Steve might spare some time to making sure his hair isn't a disaster and changing from one shirt to another because the collar was too rumpled for his liking. his hair is somewhat windblown from letting the windows down so Steve not sure what the point was in making the effort to fix his hair in the first place. while it could easily seem like he's plowed halfway through a pack of Mentos because of more fixated on how not a date but date adjacent this meeting is reasons, really it's because Robin always knows when he's been smoking and this is the closest Steve has gotten to a stress cigarette since he quit.
since it is not a date (and could he, just maybe, STOP pointing that out to himself, in his head?), Steve does not get out to open the door. but some gentlemanly instincts linger, apparently, because he leans across the seat to shove the door open from the inside. like Eddie would amble into the backseat without some direction? jesus. he needs to get his act together. ) Come on already, ( Steve says, in lieu of a greeting, like somehow Eddie was late when he's the one that had to show up in thirty minutes or less. which he did, so it's not like anybody is late, anyway! look, he's going through a lot right now. )
( the thing about Eddie is that he has a tendency to flirt. with. everyone. but when it comes to Steve, that has gone from his normal baseline to shooting straight up to "totally normal and not at all pathetic crush." he'll blame it on witnessing the man tearing a bat in half; anyone would have had the same response.
but it's not like he can just tell Steve any of this. regardless of whether or not Steve is safe knowing about Eddie's sexuality, that doesn't mean he wouldn't freak out if Eddie admitted that yeah, he likes Steve. and it would really fucking suck if Steve distanced himself after finding that out.
so, he toes the line, and hopes for the best, but expects the worst.
when Steve's car pulls up, Eddie eagerly jogs the short distance to the passenger's side, taking note of Steve just shoving the door open. which is honestly more than he expected, so he'll take it. )
Patience, young Jedi. ( he flashes Steve a grin as he slides into the seat and pulls the door closed behind him. he turns his whole body to face Steve, arm resting against the headrest. ) Thanks for coming to pick me up, you're my hero.
( well, at least for now, Eddie has managed to maintain the world's most obvious secret. Steve's world view has broadened a great deal, with Robin as his best friend. that doesn't mean he has a gaydar. the rare occasions he starts to wonder if Eddie might be flirting, he's quick to come up with all sorts of reasons that just can't be the case. it can't really be flirting because the chances of running into another unicorn in Hawkins has to be statistically impossible. so it's not flirting, it is just... Eddie, being Eddie. and even if the most improbable stars had aligned... there's just no way he'd be Eddie's type. right? right.
and since it's all impossible and improbable, Steve doesn't have to overthink why he gets so weird and wiggly on the inside when Eddie says shit like big boy or has that look on his face when he ambles into the passenger seat like a spider-monkey. but he does have to get another mint to chew on. stress Mentos just don't do the job as well as a stress cigarette.
he lifts both eyebrows at the request to display some patience. does he seem at all like the patient type, Eddie??? in fact his lack of patience is a notable character flaw. ) Yeah yeah. I'm surprised that van of yours can actually move. ( damn Steve, you can't just insult a guy's wheels like that! ) Seatbelt.
( from knocking the functional integrity of Eddie's van to going full overbearing mom mode. yeah, there's no way Eddie would want to genuinely hit on this. )
( Eddie is, if nothing else, incredibly persistent. he also apparently has a death wish, considering despite there being no indication Steve even feels the slightest bit in return, Eddie has kept up his incessant teasing and subtle flirting attempts. if one can call the nickname "big boy" at all subtle, but when it comes to Steve, apparently it is.
he rolls his eyes at Steve's dig at his car and playfully flips him off. he still has yet to buckle his seatbelt, and by the looks of it has no actual plans on doing so. )
Oh, she moves alright, maybe not like this car, but she's got it where it counts. ( it's only when Steve insists with the seatbelt that Eddie sighs and buckles it. he probably wouldn't have bothered if Steve hadn't insisted, but given the extended hospital stay for several dozen demon bat bites, he's not about to argue with Steve over something like this. )
Okay fine but only because you asked nicely. ( and pauses to flash Steve a cheeky grin. oh yeah, he's absolutely hopeless. )
( she's got it where it counts is a sweet sentiment, but Steve pets the top of the Beamer's steering wheel as of to reassure her that he's entirely smitten with her moves and she needn't be concerned by the comparison. Steve cannot imagine driving a van, but, maybe he should, if he has wild dreams of having a huge family. where's he gonna put six kids in a BMW? when that day comes, it'll be a moment of true sacrifice. if he can drive a Winnebago, a sluggish van is entirely manageable. just a little depressing for future Steve, that's all.
Steve rolls his eyes at Eddie's cheeky grin with both canines out, somehow both feral and infectiously pleased. and maybe Steve smiles too, but that's where the infectious part comes in. Eddie has insane smiles that are meant to be obnoxious. more snide than genuine. ones like that, though, the ones that split his face in half with delight — those ones Steve likes. it's kind of wild he can make Eddie Munson smile like that, but, it is sort of a matter of pride that he's accomplished it on more than one occasion now. )
That's nicely to you? ( Steve inquires, eyebrows aloft as he slides out of park and pulls away from the curb. ) So much for making me work for it. ( see, Eddie has created somewhat of a monster, entirely on accident. if one of them in this friendship can seem somewhat flirty with no consequence, what is to stop the other party from experimenting with flirting back? surely nothing, right? it'd be entirely hypocritical of Eddie to complain about. and, maybe Steve is finally getting brave enough (confident enough?) that nothing bad will happen, if he puts his feet in the water. the flirty water, if you will. )
( the thing about Eddie is that, while he is all too happy to dish out the flirting, when it comes to being on the receiving end? completely flustered. so even though it's not that heavy handed of a line, it still stops Eddie in his tracks, and has him pulling a strand of hair across his face to hide the smile that line provokes. )
I guess I should've asked you to use the magic word, huh? ( once he's recovered, he drops the strand of hair and drops one hand on the door, the other resting on his thigh as he drums his fingers along to the beat of whatever atrocious music Steve undoubtedly has playing. )
I'm gonna make you a mixtape one of these days. You know, so you have something halfway decent to play when I bum rides off of you. ( as if he isn't secretly willing to put up with whatever Steve listens to whenever Steve is the one driving. )
( Steve has his eyes on the road. he's a very conscientious driver. it's for the best, though. he may not be far enough on his bicurious journey to properly handle bambi boys grinning to themselves under a veil of crazy curls. it's bad enough that he's started to notice things like Eddie's fingers and how he's constantly moving them and how impressively he can articulate them or how often they end up in his mouth. or that he is pointedly aware one pair of Eddie's jeans has holes substantially higher on his thigh than all the rest. he's gotta take this thing one step at a time, getting all flustered by finding Eddie's smile cute is just so past the realm of acceptable friend flirting that it would probably put him in a tailspin. )
Uh, yeah, ( Steve says, because that is the definition of asking nicely. occasionally aesthetics and sugar need to be involved, too. but, to be fair, ) Unless you're not the p's and q's type. ( is... this flirting, still? polling on Eddie's opinion of appropriate etiquette?? if he likes to be bossed around (in a sexy way)? it is all very blurry and not even Steve is aware of what he's really asking, there, so good luck to Eddie trying to decipher it.
there is a stark gap between them in that Steve is entirely content with whatever the radio DJ decides he should listen to. instead of scrounging for records, or keeping up with new albums, or knowing entire sets by heart, name and all. Steve mostly enjoys whatever on the radio he can hum or sing along to when there's nobody else riding shotgun. he still makes a scrunched, doubtful face. ) Just nothing ear bleedy, all right. ( Eddie has little way of knowing what a remarkable concession this is, since there's no way he is aware that Robin is currently the only friend with radio privileges. not even Dustin, his favorite shithead, can mess with his radio. )
( maybe there's a part of Eddie that enjoys this part. it's the nebulous nature of it, the not knowing if they're really on the same page, that makes it exhilarating, probably more so than it has any right being. but there's no harm in a little bit of flirting, right? at least that's what Eddie tells himself every time he digs just a little bit deeper, as if trying to see just how much pressure he can apply before Steve finally bends and breaks.
and those are probably thoughts he should not be having right now. not while he's still in the car next to Steve, at least, since they aren't doing either of them any favors. there is a line, after all. while Eddie is comfortable toeing it, there's an art in trying to figure out just how close one can come to crossing it without making the other uncomfortable. and Eddie, try as he might, isn't always the greatest when it comes to social cues. it's part of what got him labeled as a freak, after all. ) You know me, always the rebel. But, I'm always willing to make an exception, you know, for a friend. ( the way he says it, it almost sounds like a foreign word. because up until a little while ago, it had been when it came to Steve. and yet now, it feels foreign for a completely different reason. as if Eddie wishes there could be more to it, but he knows better than to ever expect anything like that from Steve. )
Nothing ear bleedy, got it. I do listen to more than just the ear bleedy stuff, I'll have you know. ( while yes, thrash metal is his bread and butter, he also enjoys a variety of other songs, mostly thanks to Wayne, but also from his parents. well, his mother, because he's not giving his piece of shit father any credit. ) What kind of stuff do you usually listen to, anyway? Might help me pinpoint stuff to focus on. You know, for this hypothetical mixtape.
( Steve doesn't actually know what his limit is. he barely had much concept of queer before Robin, besides the fact it was something he was supposed to despise. if there were occasional curiosities — like eyes wandering in the showers, or the realization he didn't exactly hate the feeling of another guy pressed against him during wrestling — they were easy enough to silence. he liked girls more. thought about girls more. so it didn't really mean anything.
after Robin, things are a lot more convoluted than they used to be. started out simple; not being able to hate Robin for liking another girl when she was possibly the greatest person he'd ever been able to form a connection with. from there it had sort of had a bizarre ripple effect. wanting to support her in having feelings for someone, in the complicated feelings of wanting someone that she couldn't have. wanting quite desperately for her to have success that she seemed to think was impossible for someone like her. and maybe, maybe, from there... he's started to wonder about other things. girls can like girls so guys can like guys. wondering what that is like these days doesn't seem as petrifying as it used to be, with someone around that had more or less helped him see being queer didn't have to be as awful as he was conditioned to think it was.
so he's open. and curious. but completely inexperienced, which isn't helping. he wasn't even entirely sure flirting was happening, much less how to respond, the first few times. to be fair the world was sort of ending, he was a little distracted!!! he's sort of catching on, now, but somehow he's only halfway there. are they flirting flirting, or does Eddie just... act like this with everyone? because Steve has seen Eddie literally bow to girls as he holds a door open for them. the guy is just so goddamn confusing, who the hell knows when he's being serious or if he's just a smarmy charming weirdo whenever he has the opportunity to anyone available at the time. all Steve really knows is that Eddie isn't afraid to be a little flirty so whatever his motives are, why not test the waters a little?
he's pretty sure it doesn't mean anything. but it's fun. and possibly good practice. who knows. Steve does know he's into it and right now, that's enough.
Eddie gets an eyeroll for the strange inflection he gives the word friend. Steve is sincerely unaware of why that word feels awkward to the guy, and instead takes it to mean that he can't quite believe that he's friends with a former jock. Steve does not deign to respond, because he does not apologize for being a former jock! hell, he considers himself a current jock. he's grown a lot as a person and feels no shame in calling a guy colloquially known as a freak his friend. if anything he's glad he's not the guy he was in high school, because it turns out Eddie is definitely a guy worth knowing, and he knows he wouldn't have bothered if life hadn't thrown them together at the right time. )
Radio mostly, ( Steve muses, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. ) Rock I guess. Trooper, or Foreigner, or... ( he pauses, snapping as he tries to remember specifics and ultimately fails to do so. it's fine. he'll rally! improvise. ) The guy with the pipes and the mustache. If you wanna have a good time, just give me a call ... that guy. ( you know, Eddie. Freddie Mercury. that guy. it takes some degree of bravery to sing in front of Eddie Munson, sing Freddie Mercury no less. but Steve knows he can hit the notes, or frankly he wouldn't. he's grown a lot as a person but not grown so much that he'll risk failure in front of somebody he likes if he doesn't have to. )
Radio, psh. ( for as much as Eddie derides convention and conformity, he can be just as judgmental as the very people and things he's complaining about. it is something that he's working on, because he has to admit that a) not everyone fits into neat little boxes and b) Nancy Wheeler is a certified badass and she would normally not be someone he would ever dream of giving the time of day. if he had continued his strict line of thinking, he would never have considered taking her up on her offer to help tutor him and wouldn't be close to actually graduating. a goddamn miracle, if you ask him.
but he still has his weaknesses, and ranting against top 40 radio is definitely up there. then again, he's been known to tune into other radio stations that spun more than just metal, so he isn't sure he has that much room to judge. ) Okay, points for Queen, I'll give you that. ( and if he looks a little shocked, maybe even flushed, at the fact that Steve just...up and sings that effortlessly? it's nobody's business but his own, goddammit. )
You have a good voice. ( no, his voice absolutely does NOT sound strained, thank you very much!!! ) Did you take singing lessons or do you just...naturally know how to do that? Because talk about not fucking fair. ( in more than one way, but Eddie is not going to admit that in front of Steve. )
( Steve rolls his eyes at the psh. yes, the radio, along with everyone else. what's so bad about the radio? he watches MTV, who doesn't, but it's in a mind off as he does something else sort of way. plenty of people get by just fine on whatever the guy on the radio decides to put on, and Steve is perfectly content being one of those people. the elitism does Eddie exactly no favors, and as his friend it is really Steve's duty to remind him that.
points for Queen, huh? well, who knew they could meet in the middle somewhere. Steve's expression shifts into something that is not quite a smirk, not quite a smile, but whatever it is is openly pleased. definitely more rewarding than an eyeroll. it's strangely rewarding to get kudos on music taste from Eddie, who is the antithesis of a guy who is content to listen to whatever is on the radio.
despite all their newfound common ground, Steve can't help a bark of a laugh at the idea he's had singing lessons. he scans Eddie once, like he's waiting for the punchline to the joke, but it never comes. ) No, ( Steve says, shrugging his shoulders, and feeling strange and on the spot in a maybe not-that-bad a way? he can't quite tell. Eddie is probably just being dramatic, but what isn't fair about being able to sing relatively in tune? Steve didn't figure it was that hard a skill to master. ) Just Music with Mrs. Rice til 6th grade. Whatever, knock it off. You're the guy in a band, Munson.
( okay, being in a band doesn't really mean you can sing, Steve, but listen!!! being in a band does imply more musical talent than your average person. maybe singing just gets grandfathered in! )
( Steve really is full of surprises, and Eddie can't hold back the look that says all of that even if he wants to. from the moment in the boathouse until now, Steve has continuously kept Eddie on his toes, it would seem. a Cheshire-like grin spreads across his face as Steve tries to brush it off like it's not super impressive just to be able to sing in key without the music to back you up. )
Yeah, I play guitar in a band. ( then again, Steve does have a point. it takes a similar set of skills to be able to listen to a song on the radio and be able to figure out the matching chords on the guitar. )
I think it's cool, you know. Maybe we'll tap you for a song. ( it's mostly a joke because he can already hear Steve protesting along with the rest of his band, but then he thinks about how cool it would be if Steve were featured even just on one song. he stops himself from getting too carried away. ) Really, though, not everyone can just do that, so, you know, it's pretty impressive.
( well, for all the times Steve can surprise him, sometimes Eddie knows exactly what Steve will say before he says it. ) Uh, no. ( the denial is even paired with a slicing hand gesture, even though his point was perfectly clear with just the words. Steve is a lot better than he used to be, less caught up with appearances and what people might think. however, he is a guy incredibly reluctant to risk making a fool of himself, and going up on stage in front of people just puts a mic on his potential shame. even if its just in front of the rest of Eddie's band... too many judgmental nerds involved in that situation, it's still a no. while it is important to have aspirations, maybe get the guy to go to karaoke first. baby steps.
complimenting him is ... not not working, though. even though Steve feels somewhat flustered — it can't be that big a deal to sing in tune, but he's not the musically inclined one in this car. ) Shut up, ( Steve huffs, without any heat, because just taking a compliment??? not likely. and from a guy? impossible. Eddie breaks plenty of dude rules, you'd think he'd be used to it by now. but the slight fluster and weird warm feeling indicates no, Steve is not used to it at all.
thankfully, pulling up on their destination is a good distraction. ) Come on, that pizza isn't gonna get itself. ( Eddie should be forewarned that Steve will judge any strange toppings that he puts on their pizza. Steve will eat anything, but he will complain about it. )
( oh, don't worry about Eddie, he'll just be over in his seat, hiding behind a strand of hair, as if that's enough to cover up the blush and grin combination that he has going. as if he's the one that just received the compliment, not vice versa. he gets Steve's point loud and clear, though, and knows better than to persist, letting the subject lapse.
but Eddie's memory is pretty damn good. it has to be to run his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. so Steve can count on Eddie bringing it up again at a most opportune moment. for now, though? pizza deserves their undivided attention. )
Yeah, yeah, you're lucky I deem pizza more important than this. Besides, I'm famished; I feel like I can eat two whole pizzas right now.
( what, Eddie take advantage of Steve's wallet? never!)
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Date: 2023-01-03 06:05 am (UTC)( especially because if Eddie is lazy about this, Steve can also be lazy about this. shockingly, unbearably tight Levis aren't that comfortable to wind down in. )
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Date: 2023-01-09 03:51 pm (UTC)Of course now I'm trying to think of if there is a single pair of pants that I own where the knees aren't completely fucked.
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Date: 2023-01-15 03:36 am (UTC)( is that... weird.... . . .. to notice the rips in Eddie's jeans?? it's just. hard not to notice. it's not just his knees, the rips travel up his thighs, too. okay, yeah, maybe that's weird. oops. HAHA MOVING ON A S A P THEN !!! )
Put on whatever pants won't scandalize old ladies and get ready. I'll swing around for you on the way for the food. ( Eddie could drive himself but Steve is very used to chauffeuring his friends, so, it only seems natural that he would drive Eddie around, too.
only seems natural until he overthinks it later. obviously. )
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Date: 2023-01-27 04:12 pm (UTC)Okay, okay, I think I've found a passable outfit. I guess I'll see you soon, then?
[ and then, against his better judgment, he adds: ]
It's a date.
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Date: 2023-02-03 02:47 am (UTC)so obviously he won't hyperfixate on the word d-a-t-e used, in this context. that just wouldn't be like him! but there's nothing to hyperfixate on, here. no need to stare at four little letters and lose half his mind. because... well. because obviously Eddie is joking. sarcasm. or something. ha ha, right? hilarious. so there's only one response to someone jokingly (sarcastically) (not seriously) using the word date is to play along. obviously!
did it take him five minutes to think of a comeback and stave off the momentary panic? no. obviously not. the stretch between messages is sheer happenstance. )
Dressing up for me? Wow, Munson, I'm gonna blush.
I'll try and get you home before curfew.
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Date: 2023-02-16 02:59 pm (UTC)[ did he notice how long it took for steve's response? absolutely. does he know when to stop, or at least slow down on the flirting? absolutely not. ]
Aw shucks, Wayne'll definitely appreciate that.
Not that I actually have a curfew.
should we action? thinking emoji
Date: 2023-02-25 10:32 pm (UTC)That's not how it works, smartass. I can't save it, you just gotta make me do it again later.
( is he doing this right? play flirting? not too much, not too little, some kinda Goldilocks impossible middle ground?? Jesus. thank god Eddie isn't actually here, or this would be so much harder.
only he is going to be here, soon. or, more accurately, Steve is going to be there, and then they're both going to be here. why does this feel like so much more of a deal than it did 10 seconds ago? he's gotta knock it off, because it's definitely not a deal. it's just two guys hanging out, that's... he can do that. it'll even be a good time, probably, since Eddie isn't an asshole. )
All right, fine. I'll get you home when you're sick of me, or before your uncle starts freaking about where you went. Whatever comes first.
I'll be there in twenty. Half an hour tops.
yes absolutely we should
Date: 2023-03-11 03:59 pm (UTC)and shit, Eddie can practically see the blush if he closes his eyes. this is probably a terrible idea, and yet he can't wait. hanging out with Steve is fun in a way he never anticipated. ]
Well, I'm sure I can find a way.
[ because it is pretty damn easy to rile Steve up these days. had been even as far back as the boathouse, pressing broken glass to Steve's neck. which, better not think back to that, because he'll just end up with all these confused feelings, a mixture of fear and something else that he's not really ready to deal with just yet. ]
Looking forward to it. See you soon, big boy.
[ and while waiting for Steve to come pick him up, in addition to changing into something a little more leaving his house appropriate, he needs to freshen up, make himself look presentable. because it's Steve and he can't help but want to look like he's put in a modicum of effort for him. which means that by the time Steve gets there, not only is he wearing a shirt with his usual ripped pants, but he's also got his hair pulled back and maybe even a little eyeliner around his eyes to give the illusion that he's actually gotten sleep recently. by the time Steve arrives, Eddie is already out on the front steps, waiting for his arrival. ]
🎬 love that eddie gets confusing gay thoughts about holding boys at bottlepoint
Date: 2023-04-02 11:47 pm (UTC)he doesn't have time to feverishly call Robin with this newest context of big boy, though. because he had to be a big damn gentleman and offer to give Eddie a ride, which... very date like. not that this is a date? it's just. you know. now that he's thinking about it, picking someone up before spending time together. very datelike.
while it is decidedly not a date (only datelike, which is different), Steve might spare some time to making sure his hair isn't a disaster and changing from one shirt to another because the collar was too rumpled for his liking. his hair is somewhat windblown from letting the windows down so Steve not sure what the point was in making the effort to fix his hair in the first place. while it could easily seem like he's plowed halfway through a pack of Mentos because of more fixated on how not a date but date adjacent this meeting is reasons, really it's because Robin always knows when he's been smoking and this is the closest Steve has gotten to a stress cigarette since he quit.
since it is not a date (and could he, just maybe, STOP pointing that out to himself, in his head?), Steve does not get out to open the door. but some gentlemanly instincts linger, apparently, because he leans across the seat to shove the door open from the inside. like Eddie would amble into the backseat without some direction? jesus. he needs to get his act together. ) Come on already, ( Steve says, in lieu of a greeting, like somehow Eddie was late when he's the one that had to show up in thirty minutes or less. which he did, so it's not like anybody is late, anyway! look, he's going through a lot right now. )
totally normal thoughts to be having
Date: 2023-04-16 01:51 am (UTC)but it's not like he can just tell Steve any of this. regardless of whether or not Steve is safe knowing about Eddie's sexuality, that doesn't mean he wouldn't freak out if Eddie admitted that yeah, he likes Steve. and it would really fucking suck if Steve distanced himself after finding that out.
so, he toes the line, and hopes for the best, but expects the worst.
when Steve's car pulls up, Eddie eagerly jogs the short distance to the passenger's side, taking note of Steve just shoving the door open. which is honestly more than he expected, so he'll take it. )
Patience, young Jedi. ( he flashes Steve a grin as he slides into the seat and pulls the door closed behind him. he turns his whole body to face Steve, arm resting against the headrest. ) Thanks for coming to pick me up, you're my hero.
absolutely it's on par with getting hot and bothered about biting heads off bats
Date: 2023-04-30 10:16 pm (UTC)and since it's all impossible and improbable, Steve doesn't have to overthink why he gets so weird and wiggly on the inside when Eddie says shit like big boy or has that look on his face when he ambles into the passenger seat like a spider-monkey. but he does have to get another mint to chew on. stress Mentos just don't do the job as well as a stress cigarette.
he lifts both eyebrows at the request to display some patience. does he seem at all like the patient type, Eddie??? in fact his lack of patience is a notable character flaw. ) Yeah yeah. I'm surprised that van of yours can actually move. ( damn Steve, you can't just insult a guy's wheels like that! ) Seatbelt.
( from knocking the functional integrity of Eddie's van to going full overbearing mom mode. yeah, there's no way Eddie would want to genuinely hit on this. )
what doesn't everyone get hot and bothered about that?
Date: 2023-05-10 01:15 pm (UTC)he rolls his eyes at Steve's dig at his car and playfully flips him off. he still has yet to buckle his seatbelt, and by the looks of it has no actual plans on doing so. )
Oh, she moves alright, maybe not like this car, but she's got it where it counts. ( it's only when Steve insists with the seatbelt that Eddie sighs and buckles it. he probably wouldn't have bothered if Steve hadn't insisted, but given the extended hospital stay for several dozen demon bat bites, he's not about to argue with Steve over something like this. )
Okay fine but only because you asked nicely. ( and pauses to flash Steve a cheeky grin. oh yeah, he's absolutely hopeless. )
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Date: 2023-05-24 10:01 pm (UTC)Steve rolls his eyes at Eddie's cheeky grin with both canines out, somehow both feral and infectiously pleased. and maybe Steve smiles too, but that's where the infectious part comes in. Eddie has insane smiles that are meant to be obnoxious. more snide than genuine. ones like that, though, the ones that split his face in half with delight — those ones Steve likes. it's kind of wild he can make Eddie Munson smile like that, but, it is sort of a matter of pride that he's accomplished it on more than one occasion now. )
That's nicely to you? ( Steve inquires, eyebrows aloft as he slides out of park and pulls away from the curb. ) So much for making me work for it. ( see, Eddie has created somewhat of a monster, entirely on accident. if one of them in this friendship can seem somewhat flirty with no consequence, what is to stop the other party from experimenting with flirting back? surely nothing, right? it'd be entirely hypocritical of Eddie to complain about. and, maybe Steve is finally getting brave enough (confident enough?) that nothing bad will happen, if he puts his feet in the water. the flirty water, if you will. )
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Date: 2023-06-03 07:19 pm (UTC)I guess I should've asked you to use the magic word, huh? ( once he's recovered, he drops the strand of hair and drops one hand on the door, the other resting on his thigh as he drums his fingers along to the beat of whatever atrocious music Steve undoubtedly has playing. )
I'm gonna make you a mixtape one of these days. You know, so you have something halfway decent to play when I bum rides off of you. ( as if he isn't secretly willing to put up with whatever Steve listens to whenever Steve is the one driving. )
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Date: 2023-07-02 09:46 pm (UTC)Uh, yeah, ( Steve says, because that is the definition of asking nicely. occasionally aesthetics and sugar need to be involved, too. but, to be fair, ) Unless you're not the p's and q's type. ( is... this flirting, still? polling on Eddie's opinion of appropriate etiquette?? if he likes to be bossed around (in a sexy way)? it is all very blurry and not even Steve is aware of what he's really asking, there, so good luck to Eddie trying to decipher it.
there is a stark gap between them in that Steve is entirely content with whatever the radio DJ decides he should listen to. instead of scrounging for records, or keeping up with new albums, or knowing entire sets by heart, name and all. Steve mostly enjoys whatever on the radio he can hum or sing along to when there's nobody else riding shotgun. he still makes a scrunched, doubtful face. ) Just nothing ear bleedy, all right. ( Eddie has little way of knowing what a remarkable concession this is, since there's no way he is aware that Robin is currently the only friend with radio privileges. not even Dustin, his favorite shithead, can mess with his radio. )
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Date: 2023-07-07 01:05 pm (UTC)and those are probably thoughts he should not be having right now. not while he's still in the car next to Steve, at least, since they aren't doing either of them any favors. there is a line, after all. while Eddie is comfortable toeing it, there's an art in trying to figure out just how close one can come to crossing it without making the other uncomfortable. and Eddie, try as he might, isn't always the greatest when it comes to social cues. it's part of what got him labeled as a freak, after all. ) You know me, always the rebel. But, I'm always willing to make an exception, you know, for a friend. ( the way he says it, it almost sounds like a foreign word. because up until a little while ago, it had been when it came to Steve. and yet now, it feels foreign for a completely different reason. as if Eddie wishes there could be more to it, but he knows better than to ever expect anything like that from Steve. )
Nothing ear bleedy, got it. I do listen to more than just the ear bleedy stuff, I'll have you know. ( while yes, thrash metal is his bread and butter, he also enjoys a variety of other songs, mostly thanks to Wayne, but also from his parents. well, his mother, because he's not giving his piece of shit father any credit. ) What kind of stuff do you usually listen to, anyway? Might help me pinpoint stuff to focus on. You know, for this hypothetical mixtape.
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Date: 2023-07-17 03:38 pm (UTC)after Robin, things are a lot more convoluted than they used to be. started out simple; not being able to hate Robin for liking another girl when she was possibly the greatest person he'd ever been able to form a connection with. from there it had sort of had a bizarre ripple effect. wanting to support her in having feelings for someone, in the complicated feelings of wanting someone that she couldn't have. wanting quite desperately for her to have success that she seemed to think was impossible for someone like her. and maybe, maybe, from there... he's started to wonder about other things. girls can like girls so guys can like guys. wondering what that is like these days doesn't seem as petrifying as it used to be, with someone around that had more or less helped him see being queer didn't have to be as awful as he was conditioned to think it was.
so he's open. and curious. but completely inexperienced, which isn't helping. he wasn't even entirely sure flirting was happening, much less how to respond, the first few times. to be fair the world was sort of ending, he was a little distracted!!! he's sort of catching on, now, but somehow he's only halfway there. are they flirting flirting, or does Eddie just... act like this with everyone? because Steve has seen Eddie literally bow to girls as he holds a door open for them. the guy is just so goddamn confusing, who the hell knows when he's being serious or if he's just a smarmy charming weirdo whenever he has the opportunity to anyone available at the time. all Steve really knows is that Eddie isn't afraid to be a little flirty so whatever his motives are, why not test the waters a little?
he's pretty sure it doesn't mean anything. but it's fun. and possibly good practice. who knows. Steve does know he's into it and right now, that's enough.
Eddie gets an eyeroll for the strange inflection he gives the word friend. Steve is sincerely unaware of why that word feels awkward to the guy, and instead takes it to mean that he can't quite believe that he's friends with a former jock. Steve does not deign to respond, because he does not apologize for being a former jock! hell, he considers himself a current jock. he's grown a lot as a person and feels no shame in calling a guy colloquially known as a freak his friend. if anything he's glad he's not the guy he was in high school, because it turns out Eddie is definitely a guy worth knowing, and he knows he wouldn't have bothered if life hadn't thrown them together at the right time. )
Radio mostly, ( Steve muses, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. ) Rock I guess. Trooper, or Foreigner, or... ( he pauses, snapping as he tries to remember specifics and ultimately fails to do so. it's fine. he'll rally! improvise. ) The guy with the pipes and the mustache. If you wanna have a good time, just give me a call ... that guy. ( you know, Eddie. Freddie Mercury. that guy. it takes some degree of bravery to sing in front of Eddie Munson, sing Freddie Mercury no less. but Steve knows he can hit the notes, or frankly he wouldn't. he's grown a lot as a person but not grown so much that he'll risk failure in front of somebody he likes if he doesn't have to. )
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Date: 2023-07-26 12:19 pm (UTC)but he still has his weaknesses, and ranting against top 40 radio is definitely up there. then again, he's been known to tune into other radio stations that spun more than just metal, so he isn't sure he has that much room to judge. ) Okay, points for Queen, I'll give you that. ( and if he looks a little shocked, maybe even flushed, at the fact that Steve just...up and sings that effortlessly? it's nobody's business but his own, goddammit. )
You have a good voice. ( no, his voice absolutely does NOT sound strained, thank you very much!!! ) Did you take singing lessons or do you just...naturally know how to do that? Because talk about not fucking fair. ( in more than one way, but Eddie is not going to admit that in front of Steve. )
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Date: 2023-09-10 11:25 pm (UTC)points for Queen, huh? well, who knew they could meet in the middle somewhere. Steve's expression shifts into something that is not quite a smirk, not quite a smile, but whatever it is is openly pleased. definitely more rewarding than an eyeroll. it's strangely rewarding to get kudos on music taste from Eddie, who is the antithesis of a guy who is content to listen to whatever is on the radio.
despite all their newfound common ground, Steve can't help a bark of a laugh at the idea he's had singing lessons. he scans Eddie once, like he's waiting for the punchline to the joke, but it never comes. ) No, ( Steve says, shrugging his shoulders, and feeling strange and on the spot in a maybe not-that-bad a way? he can't quite tell. Eddie is probably just being dramatic, but what isn't fair about being able to sing relatively in tune? Steve didn't figure it was that hard a skill to master. ) Just Music with Mrs. Rice til 6th grade. Whatever, knock it off. You're the guy in a band, Munson.
( okay, being in a band doesn't really mean you can sing, Steve, but listen!!! being in a band does imply more musical talent than your average person. maybe singing just gets grandfathered in! )
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Date: 2023-10-02 01:35 am (UTC)Yeah, I play guitar in a band. ( then again, Steve does have a point. it takes a similar set of skills to be able to listen to a song on the radio and be able to figure out the matching chords on the guitar. )
I think it's cool, you know. Maybe we'll tap you for a song. ( it's mostly a joke because he can already hear Steve protesting along with the rest of his band, but then he thinks about how cool it would be if Steve were featured even just on one song. he stops himself from getting too carried away. ) Really, though, not everyone can just do that, so, you know, it's pretty impressive.
🎀?
Date: 2023-10-24 05:36 pm (UTC)complimenting him is ... not not working, though. even though Steve feels somewhat flustered — it can't be that big a deal to sing in tune, but he's not the musically inclined one in this car. ) Shut up, ( Steve huffs, without any heat, because just taking a compliment??? not likely. and from a guy? impossible. Eddie breaks plenty of dude rules, you'd think he'd be used to it by now. but the slight fluster and weird warm feeling indicates no, Steve is not used to it at all.
thankfully, pulling up on their destination is a good distraction. ) Come on, that pizza isn't gonna get itself. ( Eddie should be forewarned that Steve will judge any strange toppings that he puts on their pizza. Steve will eat anything, but he will complain about it. )
🎀!
Date: 2023-10-29 01:00 am (UTC)but Eddie's memory is pretty damn good. it has to be to run his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. so Steve can count on Eddie bringing it up again at a most opportune moment. for now, though? pizza deserves their undivided attention. )
Yeah, yeah, you're lucky I deem pizza more important than this. Besides, I'm famished; I feel like I can eat two whole pizzas right now.
( what, Eddie take advantage of Steve's wallet? never! )
After you, pretty boy.