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gleefully-macabre · 2 days ago

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DM & DH

(or Corroded Coffin is big and Steve plays for the Chicago Cubs)

Eddie and his band got a lot of requests to use their music. They went over all of them because they didn't want their music to end up on a hate site or in some asshole's campaign video. But most of the time they just asked "how could it possibly hurt?" and then approved the request.

Baseball star Steve Harrington's request was no different. Jeff might have been a little star struck when the request came through, but Eddie didn't feel any particular way about it, except for maybe confused. What did a jock-type want with their music?

Eddie all but forgot about the request they approved months ago until one night in the studio when Jeff started screaming from the "crash room" (where they hung out when they weren't recording).

"What?" Eddie asked, running into the room.

"Harrington! Harrington is using our song!!" Jeff pointed at the screen. Eddie looked over to see a Chicago Cubs player with a bat held up, ready to hit. He didn't hear any of their songs...

"Uh... what?"

"His walk up! He's using Hellbeast as his walk up!" Jeff explained... or tried to. Eddie had never watched a baseball game in his life.

"What's a walk up?" Eddie said, sitting down on the couch next to Jeff. He had to admit, the guy on the screen was kinda cute. In a jock sort of way.

"Each batter has a snippet of a song they play when they come to bat, to kinda psych the crowd up. And Harrington is using Hellbeast!"

"...What snippet?"

"Like the first 10 seconds."

Holy shit. Eddie understood now. The first 10 seconds of Hellbeast took them days to record. It involved some pretty heavy drums, a riff that Eddie always worried about nailing live, and a scream that all but murdered Gareth's voice because he wanted to get it just right.

In other words the front end of Hellbeast was brutal, and if Eddie was understanding the point of a 'walk up song', absolutely perfect.

For the first time, Eddie sat through a baseball game. He got to hear one of their songs play out over a baseball stadium for ten glorious seconds two more times.

Maybe he could start liking baseball.

Three weeks later Gareth was reading emails from their manager when he looked up from the computer, perplexed.

"Uh... why would the Chicago Cubs want us to come to a game?"

"What?" Jeff asked.

"The Chicago Cubs... want us to come to a game, July 17th."

"Harrington! It's because he's using our song! This is so cool!!" Jeff was practically bouncing off the walls now.

"Could be fun." Eddie shrugged, feigning nonchalance. In actuality he was giddy. After the game he watched with Jeff he had watched several others, mostly to see Steve Harrington, Designated Hitter for the Cubs. So what if Eddie liked watching him run the bases in his baseball uniform, watched his arms flex as he waited for a pitch, laugh with the other players in the dugout... That was Eddie's business.

July 17th found the band following a Chicago Cubs representative to private box seats in Wrigley Field. Eddie didn't want to admit he was excited. Hearing Hellbeast played as Steve Harrington's walkup song in person was a kind of a thrill. And he couldn't pretend that being in the same building as Steve Harrington wasn't an exciting prospect as well. Sure it was a huge place, and the email hadn't said anything about seeing Steve personally, but this might be the closest Eddie would ever get.

"This is your private box." The woman said, before opening a door and stepping aside. The band walked in, a huge picture window looking out over the stadium, comfortable seats in front of it with a bar up against the wall. Jeff let out a low whistle.

As they walked farther into the room, someone stood up from one of the chairs. Eddie felt his stomach drop to his feet.

"Corroded Coffin! I'm so glad you guys could make it!"

Steve Harrington, living, breathing, man sculpted by God was standing in front of Eddie. He blanked out for a second. When he came too, Jeff was shaking Steve's hand, talking to him excitedly about the season so far.

"I'm glad you're such a big fan, I was afraid you guys wouldn't even take the offer. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you letting me use Hellbeast. The fans love it, and it really helps me focus, you know? It's my favorite song of yours."

"You're a fan?" Eddie asked, maybe sounding a little awestruck. He always figured that Steve had just picked it because of the energy, not because he actually liked the song.

"Yeah, actually. Most people wouldn't figure it, but I really like your sound." Steve replied. "Something about the weight of it, and how amazingly detailed it is... I don't know, that's probably stupid, I don't actually know that much about music." Steve trailed off, rubbing the back of his head. Adorable, Eddie couldn't keep himself from thinking.

"No, uh, that's makes sense." Eddie said, intelligently, but Steve beamed at him. "I actually didn't watch any baseball until Jeff found out you were using our song. Maybe after this we can get these other two to be fans too." Eddie said, pointing to the other two members of the band.

"Challenge accepted." Steve replied.

After that Steve got into a pretty deep discussion with Jeff. Eddie walked around the box, looking out at the stadium, checking out the bar, trying not be act like he was hanging off Steve's every word because his voice sounded just as good as he looked.

Eddie had made the rounds of the room and was back to looking out over the field when he was caught off guard by Steve.

"So, do you like the seats?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, they're great!" Eddie said, hoping Steve did notice his surprise. "Just thinking it would be great to do a concert here."

"I think you could sell it out easy. I'd buy a ticket." Steve said.

"Nah, I'd let you in for free, big boy." Eddie replied, not having the slightest clue where any of that confidence came from. Luckily Steve was looking at his shoes with the most bashful smile on his face that Eddie had ever seen. His stomach did a little flip.

"So, I've been meaning to ask," Steve said once he recovered himself, "Why do they call you the DM? I noticed it in a few places on your records and concert posters and stuff."

"Wow, you really are a fan, huh?" Eddie asked, still surprised that the Designated Hitter for the Cubs was a metal fan. Steve was nodding, looking at his shoes again with that little smile. Adorable, Eddie thought again. "I uh..." Eddie got his train of thought back on the tracks "I used to host D&D... Dungeons and Dragons campaigns when I was in high school. I was always the Dungeon Master. It's kinda like a..."

"Game leader." Steve filled in.

"Yeah... how'd you...?"

"Used to babysit a bunch of kids when I was in high school. They played D&D all the time. Even got me to join once or twice." Steve admitted.

"Steve Harrington, you are full of surprises." Eddie said, not even bothering to keep the awe out of his voice that time.

"Gotta keep 'em on their toes." Steve said, that time aiming his smile directly at Eddie. Eddie smiled back. "Uh... I... Have to get back. Coach is probably already looking for me." Steve said, looking down at his watch. He gave Eddie a sad little smile before heading for the door. "It was nice meeting you guys!" Steve called to the rest of the band.

"Hit a home run for us, Harrington!" Eddie called after him, getting to see that beautiful smile one more time before the door closed behind Steve.

"Jesus Christ! Were you flirting with him?" Gareth exclaimed.

"What? No!" Eddie replied.

"You're doing the hair thing, dude." Jeff said. And sure enough, Eddie had his hair pulled in front of his mouth, other arm crossed over his waist. He dropped his arms.

"Shut up."

The game started a little later and when Steve was up, Hellbeast blared though the speakers of the stadium, the fans clapping and yelling their support. Eddie couldn't keep the smile off his face.

The game was a nail biter and at the bottom of the ninth inning, with the score tied and the bases loaded, Steve got up to bat. The crowd was screaming, clapping and stomping to the beat of Hellbeast. It was deafening.

Eddie held his breath as the first pitch was thrown, a ball. Then a strike. Another ball. And then a swing! The crack of the bat echoing around the stadium before it was swallowed up by the screams of the fans. Eddie watched as the ball sailed to the outfield and dropped over the wall.

"Holy Shit!" Jeff screamed, grabbing Eddie's shoulder and shaking him. Eddie watched as Steve trotted around the field, fist pumping, the smile on his face probably huge. When he finally got to home plate he looked up, directly at the box the band was in, and pointed at them. Eddie had to force himself not to drag his hair in front of his face.

Later that night, Eddie was laying on the bed in his hotel room, mindlessly watching TV, when the phone rang. He rolled over and picked it up, mumbling a "yeah" into the receiver, expecting it to be one of the guys.

"Hey... It's Steve... Harrington." The voice came down the line. Eddie sat straight up.

"Steve? How... How'd you know where we were staying."

"My people know people." Steve replied with a little chuckle. "So um... If I bring beer, can I crash your hotel room?"

"Well..." Eddie said, pretending to think about it. "You did hit that grand slam. I suppose you've earned it."

"I'll be there in fifteen." Steve said.

"See ya, big boy." Eddie replied before hanging up. He stared at the phone for a second before jumping out of bed "shit shit shit." He breathed as he ran around the room, pulling on pants that weren't sweatpants and brushing his teeth and tidying up. Before he knew it there was a knock on the door.

He couldn't keep himself from smiling when he answered it. Steve was there, six pack of beer in his hand, wearing the softest looking yellow sweater and a pair of jeans. Adorable.

"Hey." Steve smiled.

"Hey. Come in." Eddie said, stepping back from the door.

..........

The next morning there was a knock on Eddie's door. He grumbled and burrowed his face into the warm body next to him. The knock came again and the body groaned. Eddie cracked open an eye and looked up at Steve who was rubbing his eye with the back of his hand. Adorable.

"Should you get that?" Steve murmured.

"Nah, too early." Eddie replied, pulling Steve closer.

"What time is it?"

"Too early." Eddie replied helpfully and he felt Steve chuckle. There was quiet again for about five minutes before they heard the lock click and the door open.

"Eddie?" Jeff called into the room.

"Shit!" Steve yelled, pulling the covers up to his chin. Eddie sat up and glared at Jeff.

"Oh! Oh shit!" Jeff yelled when he realized what was going on.

"What?!" Eddie snapped at him.

"Just. check out in an hour, dude. Sorry." Jeff said, retreating from the room.

"I'll be out in 30!" Eddie yelled back before flopping back down on Steve.

"Uh..."

"Don't worry, he won't tell anyone." Eddie assured Steve.

"Oh... Okay." Steve said, relaxing back into the bed, letting his hand rest on Eddie's back.

"I'm surprised you're still here, actually." Eddie said as Steve's thumb started a soothing up and down rhythm on Eddie's skin.

"Really?"

"Most guys tend to dip out once the actions done." Eddie said.

"Did you want me to... dip out?"

"No! no." Eddie said tilting his head to look up at him. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." Steve replied. Eddie smiled and tucked himself into Steve's neck, trying not to fall asleep.

The next year, if you matched the dates of Corroded Coffin's tour up with the Cub's schedule, you would find a lot of cities and dates matched up.

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