#(the way wayne said he KNEW eddie wouldn't have done something like that to chrissy during that interview with nancy) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

strangersteddierthings · 8 months

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Steve, Gareth and Chrissy are cousins AU (sad edition) [prologue] [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Final Part]

He knows he promised Robin he wouldn't smoke anymore, but honestly, he thinks he's earned this one. Saving Eddie from his stupidity had been a full time job that still amounted to Steve getting a repeat chow down from the goddamn bats. Not that Eddie made it out much better, but fuck, if Steve hadn't been here to keep Eddie in the trailer for the extra five minutes, all of Eddie would look like hamburger instead of his sides looking like steak (all of those five minutes spent fucking wrestling each other while Dustin kept screaming at him to stop Eddie, don't you fucking dare let him out that door, Steve).

Not that Eddie had won the wrestling match, Steve wasn't joking when he said he knew Eddie wouldn't be able to overpower him. Instead, Eddie'd given up, rag-dolled in Steve's grip with a quiet sob.

"Steve, I have to. I have to make sure they have enough time. That's my uncle!"

And yeah, Steve was surprised to learn Wayne isn't his dad, but that took a backseat to the new issue wiggling its way into his brain. Vecna had taken Chrissy. Had threaten to add Gareth to that list. The fear of losing the only family you have... "Fine. But we go together. A loop around the park and back here. I swear to God, Munson, if you get us killed, I'm ruining your afterlife."

"What!? Steve, no! Steve!" Dustin screams above them.

"As if we'd end up in the same afterlife," Eddie had huffed.

And it had worked well, until the end there. Eddie went down, tripped over a dropped bike just yards from the front door of his home, and Steve couldn't leave him there to become bat dinner. They'd held their own, barely, and then the bats had started dropping.

They'd exchanged startled looks before bursting into hysterical laughter of relief that only slowed when Dustin came busting through door, screaming at them some more.

So, yes, Steve earned this cigarette, which Eddie had climbed the sheets to fetch a pack from the stash in his room. He'd offered to bring a joint back if Steve wanted but he'd declined that, citing Dustin as his excuse. He doesn't feel like having to explain why he doesn't get high anymore, especially since he used to be a frequent customer back in the day. Goddamn Russians under Starcourt.

Eddie and he sit on the porch, side by side, and watch the horizon for any sign of Wayne, Robin, or Nancy.

The monster falls from the attic, and they all advance to look down at the smoldering body. "You girls go down and confirm he's dead."

"Yes sir," Nancy says while he hears Robin mutter, "confirm!?"

He waits for the girls to be down the stairs before he draws his pistol and takes aim. The burning has slowed, and with as much buckshot is in the bastard, he should be dead. But Wayne follows his training anyway. He takes aim, and fires three shots in a row. The first lands next to Vecna's head, and he sees the body startle, but the next two land true, and there's no movement after that.

The girls appear soon after and he watches as Nancy pulls his matching pistol out with no hesitation and doesn't even flinch as she fires point blank.

Well, he's certainly dead now.

Wayne joins them shortly. Vecna's dead, for sure, but the girls hesitate. "What's wrong?"

"It always comes back," Nancy says, "I just. What if it's not done? What if Vecna wasn't the source? If there is something worse out there? What if he's just faking it?"

"Whoa," Robin says, placing a hand on Nancy's arm slowly, both girls tracking the movement, like Nancy's a wild animal. "I am the one who freaks out like this, so you can't be doing that, because then what will I do?"

That gets a laugh out of Nancy. "Yeah. Yeah, you're right."

"What'll make you feel better about this situation?" Wayne asks.

"I don't... How do we know he's dead?" Nancy replies.

"Well, he's a man, ain't he? Magic or not, ain't no man survivin' what we just did to him."

"Sure, he was a guy once but now he's. Look at him!" Robin flaps a hand in the direction of the body without looking at it.

Wayne does look down at him. He doesn't much resemble any person Wayne's used to seeing, but he's distinctly human. Still, the girl's going to worry. "Right. Well, someone give me a hatchet. I'll remove his head."

Robin reaches for her hatchet, the one Steve gave her, but something predatory reflects in Nancy's eyes and she reaches for the hatchet first.

"I'll do it," Wayne says, "you shouldn't have to. You already killed 'im."

Nancy just looks at him. The girl looking back isn't a girl anymore. She looks as hardened and haunted as any other vet he knows. "I got this."

Wayne reaches for Robin instead, pulling her into him so she doesn't watch. He does, though. Watches as Nancy raises the hatchet up and brings it down on Vecna's skull with a scream filled with grief and anguish and repeats that process again and again and again.

The ambulance doesn't have room for all of them, so Lucas, and Max shuffle into the back of Chief Powell's police car. Erica climbs into the ambulance with Gareth in it. Lucas doesn't know what Gareth did to earn Erica's loyalty and worry in such a short amount of time but he also isn't thinking too hard about it.

Chief Powell follows the ambulances to the hospital. Ambulances because there is one for Gareth, and one for Jason Carver.

Jason. Who had shown up with a gun and pointed it at him. Gareth, who'd taken that shot instead and-

"Hey," Max says in a whisper, squeezing his hand hard, pulling him from his own mind. "Hey. They said you did good. That you bought Gareth time. Like... like, hopefully, we did. For..."

"We had to of. It can't be for nothing," Lucas whispers back.

They arrive at the hospital, where Erica and Max are given a look over, since Erica was tackled by a boy twice her size and Max was limping down the stairs after the paramedics. Erica has a scrape on her arm where she landed on a rock, and Max's ankle is sprained, but otherwise they're fine.

They get shuffled into the waiting room, where Chief Powell stands guard while their parents are on the way to collect them. They do get left to themselves, so they brave talking in public.

"El was there," Max confesses, voice low. "She found me and was fighting him. I don't know if she got to finish him. Or if they did."

"I don't like not knowing," Lucas says.

"They had help," Erica says, causing Max and Lucas to whip their heads to her. "I followed Gareth to the payphone. He wasn't calling his mom. He called Eddie's uncle instead. Said he could help them."

"He what?"

"Shhh!" Erica shushes him, looking around the empty waiting room before leveling a glare at him. "I know, okay. But Steve's not a real adult and we needed a real adult."

"Steve's a real adult."

"Sure," Erica agrees, using the tone that Lucas knows means she doesn't agree. "He's also the guy that sacrificed himself to the Russians and had to be saved by Dustin and me, and it hasn't even been a full year since then. So, hopefully having a real adult made him not take stupid risks."

"Well, we'll just have to wait to find out," Max says, then adds, "do you think Chief Powell will let me go with you guys when my mom doesn't show up?"

Gareth is released from the hospital into his parent's custody two days after getting shot. He is a little surprised the hospital stay was so short -he was fucking shot- but with no organs hit, Gareth was released after minor surgery to remove the bullet and a full day of monitoring him.

It's been a whirlwind. Police wanting statements, and his parents screaming at the police every time they show up to get those statements, that they're pressing charges on Jason as soon as possible. (Which might not happen, because Jason hasn't woken up yet.) The kids come in and out, and he gets to learn that the only person dead in the Upside Down is Vecna. Robin looks very haunted as she says it, but he can imagine that killing a telekinetic wizard is a haunting ordeal.

Steve makes an appearance at his beside and lies to his parents, claims he was out of town and got back to hear the messages on the machine too late for Chrissy's funeral but just in time to hear about Gareth getting shot. Gareth lets him have the lie. How can he explain to his parents that Steve wasn't at the funeral because he was too busy hunting down Chrissy's real killer?

Before he leaves, he asks if Gareth wants to come over, once he's well enough to.

It takes Gareth three more days from his hospital release before his parents agree to drop him off at Steve's. They're worried for both him and Steve. They know there's been a rift in their friendship, and his mom sniffles when she says she's so sad that it took Chrissy's death to reunite them again.

He's not going to say it out loud, but Gareth's sad about it, too.

His dad doesn't walk him to the front door but it's a near thing. He does sit in the driveway until Steve answers the door and gives him a wave. Even then, Gareth doesn't hear the car leaving until he's beyond the threshold of Steve's house.

Steve lets him sit on the couch before apologies and explanations start pouring from him.

"Gareth, I'm so fucking sorry. For everything. For pulling away, and staying away, and also for ever agreeing to act like we weren't cousins to begin with. I should-"

"Steve, shut the fuck up."

And Steve does. Blinks at him, surprised.

"I don't care. None of that matters. You were- fuck, how long have you known about this? About monsters and shit?"

"Since, uh, since '83. With Will Byers and Ba-Barb Holland... They weren't just missing."

"Was that... related to the other dimension?"

"Yeah. A demogorgon took 'em. Will got away. Barb didn't."

"And it's been like... a yearly thing?"

"Yeah. I didn't want you or Chrissy involved, and look what good that did."

"Dude, I'm involved because of Eddie. I didn't go looking for you."

"Chrissy's dead because of me!" Steve shouts, "I pulled away! And we- I tried to reconnect and it wasn't enough. Chrissy was struggling and she didn't tell me."

"She didn't tell me, either," Gareth says, voice quiet and even. "Is it my fault she's dead, too?"

"What? No, of course not."

"We reconnected. Last year," Gareth confesses. "Hung out every weekend until she got with Jason. Then it was less, once a month about. But we talked, were friendly. And she didn't tell me what was bothering her. It's not your fault any more than mine."

Steve's pinched face says how much he wants to argue, and because he's Steve, he opens his mouth and argues verbally, too, "I knew about the Upside Down! I should have told you guys. Warned you about it!"

"Dustin said you guys didn't know Vecna existed until this year. What would you have warned about? The Demogorgon I've heard about but never saw?"

"Well, they were in Russia this time, apparently, so-"

"What do you mean they were in Russia!?"

"Oh, uh, not important right now. But. I just..." Steve huffs and deflates against the couch. "I thought I was doing the right thing. For you, and for Chrissy. By keeping you at arm's length. Pretending I didn't know either of you. And then it wasn't pretend! I don't know you, not anymore. But I... You got hurt anyway. And- and Vecna had said- Fuck!"

Gareth blinks at him. "Hey. You did your best. We were safe for years, and it's. This situation is shit, and fuck, we'll miss Chrissy the rest of our lives, but she'd want us to keep living, right? Even if you think you didn't know her anymore, you have to know that. So, fuck whatever Vecna told you in your head. Whatever it was, it's not true."

And that. That makes Steve sob. A full, loud, choked noise before he curls in on himself, shaking his head. "It is true. He said- he made all of you say- and it's true but the truth is-isn't e-even the worst of it."

Gareth scooches down the couch to rub awkwardly on Steve's back. "Um. It's. He lies, right? Twists things in your mind to make them worse. That's what Max said wh-"

The mention of Max brings out a whole other sad, wailing noise from Steve and Gareth is not equipped to handle this. He needs Robin. Or Dustin. "Hey, hey. It's okay. Shhh. Shhhh..."

He keeps shh-ing until Steve's sad noises gives way to a hiccuping laugh.

"You're shit at this comfort thing," Steve says.

Gareth snatches his hand back, offended. "Well, fuck you, too."

Steve looks at him, eyes red but otherwise looking like regular, snarky Steve. "Hey. Are we... okay?"

"Man, I forgave everything when Vecna was giving you that shit vision, or whatever. Nancy told me it was Vecna's curse and I just. I thought you were gonna die. All the anger left. I thought it might come back but I'm still just glad you're alive. So, yeah. We're okay. Friends again?"

Steve nods, smile a little watery. "Alright. Then, can I tell you a secret? I haven't even told Robin yet."

"Shit, dude, spill. I love secrets."

"I- I think I like guys, the same as girls."

"Good for you man," Gareth says easily.

Steve looks at him like he's surprised. "That's it? Your- it's okay? That I do?"

"I'm not the police of you," Gareth scoffs, "whatever makes you happy, dude."

"Cool. Cool," Steve nods to himself, then looks at the time on the clock. "Oh, shit. We're late."

"Late? To what?" Gareth asks.

"Well, just to going to the basement. But it's an important basement trip, so come on."

"Are you going to murder me now that I know your deepest secret?"

"I will if you keep talking about it," Steve says as he stands from the couch, heading towards the door to the basement. "Seriously. The surprise down there involves people so you cannot say shit once I open this door."

"Got it. Wait. People!?"

The surprise, it turns out, is Eddie and Wayne. Eddie, still wanted while someone works on clearing his name, has been hiding here with Steve apparently, and Wayne comes and goes, but is here to thank Gareth for calling him. Wayne seems to be under the impression that if Gareth hadn't, he would have lost Eddie forever.

Steve is avoiding Max. Hopper has come back from the dead. The Hopper-Byers have moved back to Hawkins. Eddie has been cleared of all charges thanks to government intervention and many eye-witnesses putting Jason Carver at the scene of all crimes (does not help that the police found him holding Patrick's body, nor that he can dispute the chargers, what with being brain-dead, possibly. Still comatose for sure). Wayne and Eddie have moved into a little duplex near the Hendersons.

All these things happened before Steve spoke with Max.

He'd still be avoiding her if it wasn't her on his doorstep currently, two months post-Vecna. He was expecting Dustin when he pulled the door open in annoyance. "Max."

"Steve."

"I-what-why are- do you want to come in?" Steve asks, wincing at himself.

Max rolls her eyes. "No. I just have something to say to you before I head to El's."

"Ah."

"I forgive you. But I'm still..." Max pauses, breathing harshly through her nose as if mad at the situation. Or Steve. That would be fair. "I'm still hurt, but I get it, so I forgive you."

Steve swallows. "He told you. Didn't he?"

"Vecna? Yeah. Said he asked you to pick, and you picked me," Max says it, so matter of fact. The grass is green. Sky is blue. Steve would rather Max die than Gareth.

"You shouldn't forgive me until I apologize."

"No, don't think I want to hear it. 'Cause here's the thing, Steve. I get it. Billy was awful, and I hated him, hate him so fucking much. But if he were still alive? If he were, and Vecna said him or you. I'd give you to Vecna. And it's fucked up, hell, it's worse than the choice you were given! At least Gareth is worth having a life, getting to live, and Billy's not but. Like I said. I get it."

Steve is stunned to silence. He doesn't know what to say, or if there's anything he can say. Doesn't really have it in him to call her on all her cussing either, because if any kid has earned swearing around him, it's Max. "Max. I am sor-"

"DON'T!" she shouts, "I'm not ready to hear it yet! I'm hurt, and I- that might take a while to change or whatever. But. I know you. So, I have to tell you that I forgive you. Or, like, I will one day. It was a shit choice to be forced to make. I get it. So, just take the forgiveness and quit avoiding me while walking around like a kicked puppy. It's unbecoming and I'm never going to really forgive you if you avoid me."

"Ok. Alright. No more avoiding."

"Good. You still got that letter I wrote you?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. Do you... want it back?"

"No. I want you to read it after I've actually forgiven you, and not a second sooner. Okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, okay."

"Good," and she turns on heel and heads down the drive to a car Steve doesn't recognize, and realizes it's because he's never seen it. The driver is Max's mom, and she gives a small wave to Steve when they make eye contact. At least until Max bats her mom's hand out of the air and then must say something that makes her mom laugh.

Steve stands in his doorway and watches them drive away.

Max is hurt, and that's his fault. But she's not mad at him, so that's great. Max is a woman of her word, so Steve thinks that one day, they might be good again. One day, he'll be able to look her in the eye and not feel like the scum on the earth.

Until then, he'll be okay. Gareth's back in his life, he has a new crushfriend in Eddie Munson, and Robin and he have been gotten even closer since he told her he likes boys, specifically one boy at least.

Chrissy is gone, and Steve will always mourn that. Will probably always feel like it's his fault, deep down. But he's got reasons to make it to each new day, and that has to count for something.

#steve‚ gareth‚ and chrissy are cousins au #my fic #nancy gets to be a little feral. as a treat #whew! what a fun little fic to explore #pre steddie #because i couldnt make it be established here but just know that it happens eventually #i dont know the process for caring for bullet wounds so like dont come for me. i did four full seconds of googling isnt that enough?

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headoverheelss · 2 years

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The Song The Birds Sang | Chapter 3: Decisions

Tags: Mentions of Child Abuse, Neglect, Nightmares, Bullying, Homophobia, Internalized Homophobia, Bullying, Eating Disorders, Everybody Lives Au, No Upside Down, Age Change, High School, Pining. Summary: Eddie comes to terms with his feelings. Notes: I really like where this story is going!

The turmoil that was rolling into Eddie's mind did nothing to help his mental state. The nightmares that usually plagued him seemed to increase after the first day.

It only ever increased when he was going through something. That something or someone had a name but Eddie ignored everything about that.

He tried to fill his free time with activities, none of which included doing any homework but currently he was passing all courses with a solid D so he didn't need to worry.

Time flew by quickly but each month was filled with certain memories he would never forget.

September was the month when Eddie got in trouble, a new personal record for how long he could hold out before he would get his first suspension.

It wasn't his total fault though.

It was lunchtime and Eddie wasn't paying attention. He should have been concerned about the way the jocks were quiet. Too quiet. Unknown to him, James had moved a table up to be one behind him. The jock had proceeded to ball up a piece of gum, turning around to throw it perfectly into Eddie's hair.

Eddie felt rage seep through him. His hair was special to him. It was who he was and now that he most likely had to cut it, well, it didn't fly with him.

Eddie knew he shouldn't have done it but he didn't regret pouring his half-drunk milk on the jock while his back was turned. He also didn't regret getting into a fist fight with the jock which led to a two-week suspension.

He did regret bothering Wayne in the middle of the day as the man had to wake up so he could pick him up from school.

Eddie got into the beaten-up pickup. Wayne looked at the boy, a bruise was forming on the kid's right cheek.

He knew his nephew was different and that kids could be especially cruel but he wished that Eddie wouldn't make it so hard on himself.

"You should see the other kid," Eddie picked up his fist which was cut up and bloody.

His uncle smiled, ruffling Eddie's hair that he would definitely have to fix later.

October was fun. Eddie always loved October. It was his favorite month. Halloween was the first time his band performed at a party, somewhere two towns over.

Danny already had his license and a car so they packed in there, making their way over.

He got $200 and a taste of stardom that day.

Let's just say Eddie was hooked.

His uncle smiled, ruffling Eddie's hair that he would have to fix later.

November was pretty okay. Hellfire started a new campaign that Eddie had painstakingly planned out for weeks. It was also Chrissy's birthday so with some money put aside from dealing. He was able to buy her this bracelet she had been wanting. It was at the right time too because birthdays were always hard on Chris. Her mom's bitchy comments were always the worst on her especially as she got older so seeing the smile on her face made it worth it.

Throughout the three months, Eddie could feel Steve watching him. It was weird but luckily there were no more weird glances or smiles.

That was okay.

Eddie tried convincing himself. It was good for him. It had to be good for him.

It helped that he heard Steve had been busy lately. It seems the freshman had a new girlfriend every other week that it was insane. The nickname "King Steve" had been going around. They had never seen anybody this popular or charming in Hawkins before.

Like I said, jock-in-training.

December was a welcomed month. It signified the end of another school semester and a much-needed break. Eddie actually liked December but not as much as October.

Uncle Wayne and him usually got take-out then gave each other a gift. His uncle had been hinting that Eddie might get a guitar he had been wanting so Eddie was excited but he would be grateful to get anything on that day.

The last day of school before the break was hectic. Eddie had skipped lunch to do his last deals before the break started. He liked having the extra cash but hated that he had to go all the way to the forest, freezing his ass off to do it.

He snuck back into the school, grabbing his theater stuff from the little nook he had hidden it in. Eddie hadn't been paying attention to what he was doing, he didn't see the kid walking his way.

He hit the solid body, letting out a rough "oof".

"Watch where you're going-" The voice faded out.

Eddie finally looked up and was met with brown ones. His heart beat faster, blood rushing to his face. He took in Steve's hair, the full lips, and the hair.

Oh fuck, he's cute.

"Hi," Steve croaked out. A hand flashed to cover his own mouth. A blush crept up from his neck.

Eddie was confused. First, he bumps into the boy, and now he's saying hi instead of beating him up.

"Hi?" Eddie didn't know what to say but he didn't like the awkwardness that filled the air.

Suddenly, the bell rang making them both jump. He picked up his things off the floor, giving one glance to the tall boy who looked like he wanted to say something.

After a minute, Eddie came to his senses and walked past Steve, bumping lightly into his shoulder.

He swallowed, feeling his heart go wild.

No denying it now I definitely like him

----

Winter break had been a saving grace. He had come to terms after that last day about the whole Harrington thing but it made him feel mad.

The nightmares were becoming more descriptive than ever, instead of his dad hitting him, it was Steve. Eddie had woken up more than once in a cold sweat.

As a rule, Eddie didn't smoke in the house. It was out of respect for Uncle Wayne as the man didn't like it but after particular nightmares like that, it was a quick remedy to calm him.

It had gotten so bad that Chrissy and his Uncle had started to notice. On Christmas, Uncle Wayne had changed things up on him. His Uncle gave him his present the first thing in the morning.

Wayne hoped that it would help bring the boy's spirit up and it did just a little.

The guitar was his most prize possession. Something that he would keep by his side until the day he dies. He hugged his Uncle hard that day, mumbling "Thank you" over and over again.

Chrissy had come over a couple times over the break. They had spent those days watching movies and talking like they used to. One day Chrissy had turned to him, puppy dog eyes on display.

"What do you want, Chris?" Eddie had known her for years already, it was easy to read when she wanted something.

"Eddie, can we pretty pretty please go to the basketball game tomorrow?" Her hands were clasped together.

Eddie raised an eyebrow, "Why do you want to go to that? And why me? What about Jason?"

Chrissy rolled her eyes, "Because I want to see the cheerleaders perform since I'm going to try out next year and Jason's on vacation."

Eddie huffed thinking it over then groaned throwing his head back.

"Ugh, fine, I guess."

Chrissy squealed, jumping up and down. He could never say no to her.

----

They were able to ride their bikes there as the snow was cleared off the sidewalks. It was January, school started in a week so the snow was starting to stop but it still was cold.

Chrissy was excited. He had heard about her dream to become a cheerleader since 6th grade. She was decked out in Hawkins gear from head to toe.

Eddie meanwhile wore his usual clothes along with a big black coat. Midwest winters were nothing to play about. Eddie hated being cold which was funny because for some reason Eddie was always naturally cold.

They walked into the gym. There were a minimal amount of people there which relieved Eddie. He didn't want to deal with so many people today.

Hawkins was a small town, high school athletics was king there. The small crowd was probably due to it being winter break. A lot of people were still on vacation.

They sat in the middle of the bleachers.

Chrissy wanted the best view of all the action.

The basketball team was average this year. Eddie spotted the three seniors, Jason, Eric, and a boy named Nathan. They were all leaving this year. Word around town was that the Coach was looking for more players that could take up those leadership positions. They wanted to make a run at state which proved to get harder each year.

Eddie leaned back so his arms were spread out along the bleachers. He looked over at the other team warming up, the Cougars. They were a team from three towns over. They all looked tall and good.

This was bound to be a blowout.

The whistle was blown for the start of the game. Just like Eddie predicted, the game started out rough. The Cougars had taken an early lead and ran with it.

He had enjoyed some things like watching Chrissy trying to memorize all the cheers and during halftime when she screamed loudly for the cheerleading routine.

He liked especially in the third quarter when James got his shot block. The coach on the sidelines yelled loudly, turning back to the bench for a substitute for James.

"FRESHMAN FORWARD #5 STEVE HARRINGTON IS IN FOR SENIOR CENTER #34 JAMES EVOY."

Eddie leaned forward, watching as Steve clapped James on the back taking his place on the court.

A lot of things were running through Eddie's mind. How did he not notice Steve was on Varsity?

Since when do they put Freshman on Varsity?

Eddie watched intensely as Steve played vigorously. Harrington was all over the court trying to do everything for the team.

Eddie was 5'9'' so Steve had to be like three inches taller than him but for some reason, he looked even taller on the basketball court.

There was one play when Steve brought the ball up, screaming directions to his teammates. Eddie watched as Steve crossed over the Cougars' leading scorer then made it all the way to the hoop for a layup.

"HARRINGTON FOR 2!"

Eddie felt the heat spread along his face. He groaned inwardly.

Oh god, he was good.

The final buzzer rang signaling the end of the game. The Cougars had won by 20 in a blowout win.

Eddie stood up from the bleachers, Chrissy was rambling about the game but he couldn't hear her. His focus was entirely on Steve.

Harrington looked like he was mad as he was walking to the locker room even though he had 10 points this game.

He's probably mad they lost.

Just as if Steve could read his mind, the boy looked up, locking eyes with Eddie. Steve's eyes widen as if he wasn't expecting Eddie to be here.

There was a girl creeping up behind Steve. Eddie watched as Steve jumped when the girl put her arms around him. Steve turned around with a big smile on his face. The blonde girl, Eddie recognized was Sherri Williams, a sophomore.

Eddie couldn't look when Steve pulled the girl into a kiss. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay Eddie? You look pale?"

Eddie sighed, he hated worrying Chrissy but these feelings about Steve had been holding him down for the past months. It was time to tell someone. Chrissy was like family to him. She was the closest thing he had to a little sister and he wasn't ready to tell his Uncle yet.

He walked down the bleachers, Chrissy following.

"No, but I'll explain later."

He felt eyes on him all the way to the exit.

#steddie

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