#alittlelaughtime

[rogueddie]

A gay bar is the last place Steve ever thought he'd be, yet here he sits.

He keeps looking over to Robin- not too much, just enough to keep an eye on her. Make sure she's still having fun. Although, he's sure he doesn't need to be worrying.

The girl who'd caught Robins eye is small, feminine. She looks like a sweetheart and she keeps getting Robin flustered. They're cute together, clearly into eachother, and Steve couldn't be happier.

Even sat alone, feeling completely out of place and a little uncomfortable, seeing Robin able to flirt with someone so openly is… he just feels relieved.

He should have thought to bring her here sooner.

"Hey there." The man smiles when Steve flinches. It's a soft smile, kind. "You wanna dance?"

"Oh, uh, I don't- I mean, uh-"

"Woah, don't panic. It's just a dance, right? You look uncomfortable is all and seeing you sat alone with your big fucking puppy dog eyes is just sad." He gently nudges Steves chin up when he tries to look down, feeling awkward. His finger lingers a little, brushing along his jaw. "You don't wanna have a fun night out? I won't be offended if you say no."

And, ok, Steve's a little tipsy. He's sure he'd never agree if he were sober- it wouldn't have felt fair. The guy is clearly attracted to him, not even trying to hide the way he's eyeing him.

But Steve's buzz is more annoying than pleasant and dancing does sound fun. So he agrees, accepts the hand offered and lets the guy pull him into the crowd.

The guy keeps his distance. Anytime the crowd jolts Steve toward him, he steps back the same amount, keeping a solid foot between them. But he's grinning, yelling jokes over the music, unabashedly dancing like an idiot.

It's great, it's fun. Steve can't stop grinning, stomach starting to ache with how much he's been laughing.

Eventually, a slower song comes on, stronger sexual undertones. The guy (Eddie, he'd leant in to tell Steve when asked, explaining that he knew Steve because they used to be in the same year as in Hawkins) shrugs, pulling an exaggerated face that screams 'what-can-you-do'. He's turning away.

But Steve grabs his wrist, Eddie looking back with raised eyebrows.

"This alright then, pretty boy?" He asks after stepping in close. His hands rest low on his hips.

Steve nods, flushing. He automatically puts his hands on his shoulders, letting Eddie lead him through a weirdly intimate sort of slow dance. And Steve is suprised to find himself… into it? He's not sure.

He feels less tipsy, so he can't blame the easy blushes or the way his stomach flips on the alcohol. There's no excuse for how he's started looking at Eddie either, paying a little too much attention to the way he moves, how his hands feel when they slowly start to wonder.

He gently brushes Eddies hair out the way without thinking, tucking it behind his ear so he can see the tattoo on his neck. Eddie tilts his head slightly, baring his neck a little more. When he glances up, Eddie is watching him, curiously.

"Hate to sound pressumptious," he drawls, taking a small step forward so their chests are pressed together, "but it feels like you're making moves on me, big boy."

"What if I am? What happens then?"

"Maybe I'd ask if you're sober enough to drive or if we need to call a cab." He leans back a little when Steve moves to kiss him. He hums, smirking. "Or maybe I'd ask for your number. I'm a classy lady, Harrington; what if I don't put out on the first date?"

"I've never said no to a challange."

Eddie barks out a laugh, loud enough to startle some of the people swaying beside them. "As if."

"What? You're like... pretty."

"Pretty," he repeats, rolling his eyes. "People know I'm a fag, Steve. Even being seen with me like we're 'just friends' would fucking ruin you."

"Your point?"

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wanna put money on that?"

Eddie eyes him for a second, his derision melting into curiosity. "You want to make a bet on whether you'll date me or not?"

"Why not? One of us wins money in a bet, we both score a date, and-"

"I thought you were straight."

"Yeah, me too. But I don't think straight guys think about you like I am, right now."

Eddie steps back, considering. It's a long, tense, moment before he finally sticks his hand out. Steve quickly shakes his hand, grinning.

"You've got yourself a deal."

[rogueddie]

It takes Steve an embarassingly long moment to realise that the spray isn't doing anything. He tries shaking it… nothing. He even checks by spraying it on his hand, shaking it again. Nothing.

He tries listening as he shakes it again and, though he's sure there's some product still left inside, nothing will come out.

He reluctantly throws it in the little trash can, just next to the toilet door. He doesn't bother rooting through the draws or cabinets either; he'd used the last of his emergency powder kit yesterday. There's nothing left.

He huffs, folding his arms, glaring at his reflection. Specifically at the very overgrown, bright blond roots of his hair.

It brings up the same anxiety he's been having for the past month. It's taken him a long time to save up for his usual hairdressers. He hadn't thought it would take so long but, with the kids and now Robin and Eddie, it shouldn't be that surprising.

Robin often pays a good chunk for things too, often paying him gas money, but it's usually him paying for everything. And now that he's paying rent in his own little appartment? He's not often left with that much at the end of the month.

He's starting to think it's not worth the trip. But he isn't going to start using box dye or anything cheap. He's spent a long time taking care of his hair, spent just as long struggling to find the right products too.

He doesn't even care that the kids and Robin mock him for it, he has great hair and, screw it, he's proud. He's not going to damage it by getting bad hair dye.

He's already booked his next hairdresser appointment for the next day, already saved up gas money too. He might as well ask for bleach instead, go back to his natural color and save himself from anymore days with overgrown roots.

He almost regrets the idea when he gets to work.

"Holy shit, you're a natural blond?" Robins grin looks almost painful with how wide it is. She's a little too excited for his comfort. "I don't know how I didn't guess before. This explains so much. How have you kept this hidden for so long? It's so light!"

"Don't you have work to do?" He bats her hand away when she, again, reaches for his hair.

"Not anymore. Why do you dye it? How did it grow out so much? When did you start hiding it? Did someone pressure you into it? They didn't make fun of you, did they? Because I will hunt them down and-"

"No one made me dye it or bullied me into it," he huffs. He can feel his attempt at a cool demeaner soften with how quickly she jumps to his defense. "I just... I never liked it. I don't think it suits me. Brunettes are cute."

"Are you dyeing it again?"

"Probably not. The hairdresser I go to isn't exactly cheap."

"You can get box dye at-"

"I'm not using box dye."

"It's not that bad, and if you really hate the blond-"

Steve swats at her when she reaches for his hair again. With a heavy sigh, he braces himself for the shift full of questions and jokes of 'betrayal'.

Like he suspected, they don't get much work done.

When Eddie comes in, towards the end of their shift, Steve is almost relieved.

"Stop bullying him without me," Eddie complains.

"Thank you," Steve says, whilst Robin boos. "What is it tonight? Movie night with Wayne or some of the kids?"

But Eddie is frozen, staring at his hair.

"I think he's broken," Robin says after a pause.

"You're blond?" Eddie blinks. "When did you go blond?"

"Always have been," Steve shrugs. "Just... not dyeing it anymore."

"Oh."

Steve and Robin stare at him. They share a glance after a moment.

"You here for a movie?" Steve asks.

"What? Me? No, I- just stopping by. And you're... yeah. I'm gonna- I've got to go. Wayne is waiting and... you know. Bye."

He turns around and practically runs out the store. His wheels squeal a little as he drives out, most likely breaking the speed limit.

"Did he just..." Robin starts, trailing off with a frown.

"Unbelievable," Steve shakes his head. "Just when I give up, he realizes that he likes me too! What the hell, Bob. Is he only into blonds or something?"

[rogueddie]

Eddie couldn't take his eyes off of the ugliest, evil looking polo top that he's ever had the misfortune to lay his eyes upon. It's everything he hates in one piece of clothing, so horrible that he'd gagged at it when he'd first seen it.

His friends had laughed, agreeing that the top is an abomination and crime against humanity.

But Eddie couldn't stop looking at it.

It's the exact type of thing that Steve would wear. It's the type of thing he would love and brag about.

Even though the party, with the help of Robin, have been trying to 'fix' Steve and his taste. They're currently targetting his wardrobe and they're almost wearing him down enough to get him to stop wearing so many polos.

It's making Eddie feel... conflicted.

He agrees that Steves taste is horrible. He listens to bad pop music most of the time, he has no sense of fashion and loves romance so much that he thinks awful rom-coms are the height of cinema.

But it's Steve. Those things are what make him so... Steve.

He sneaks back to the top when his friends aren't looking, crouching behind racks to get to the till and quickly buy it. He buries it in the bottom of his bag, ignoring the bored and judgemental look the staff are giving him.

"There you are," Gareth squints at him when he rejoins them. "Where did you go?"

"Fainted," he sneers, throwing an arm around Jeffs shoulders. "All these neons and pop are making me dizzy."

They laugh, quickly moving on.

After dropping them off, he goes straight to Steves house. He doesn't want the ugly shirt on his person longer than necessary and the last thing he needs is someone finding it in his closet.

He nearly cheers when he pulls up to Steves house and his parents car isn't parked out front.

They'd only caught him in their house once, when they'd come home early, and he's sure he only escaped with his life because the entire party was there too.

"Eddie?" Steve frowns when he opens the door. "What are you doing here? Are you ok?"

"Yeah, fine, just..." he huffs, rubbing his eyes. He digs through the bag, grabbing the offending shirt, and throwing it at Steve. "Got you that. I thought- whatever. There. Good night."

"Woah, woah," Steve quickly catches his arm. "It's ok, man. If the others ask then I'll say I got it. It's... this is really nice, Eds."

"It's ugly."

"Sure," Steve snorts, looking back to the shirt. "But it's definitely my style. This really means a lot to me. I think it looks cool."

"Uh, yeah, I guessed," Eddie shifts, squirming with how genuine Steve is being. "It's just a polo."

"No, it's not. It's special to me."

"Right, because you think that pattern is 'so-"

"You saw it and thought of me. Like, you hate it, but you knew I'd like it and... it just means a lot to me, that you're thinking of me."

"Alright, it's just a shirt, calm down."

"No, I don't think I will," Steve gently tugs him inside so he can shut the door. "I get it if this is difficult for you but I'm getting impatient."

"If- what?"

"Do you need me to make the first move? Or- is this a move? Is your love language gift giving or something?"

"You've lost me."

Steve huffs, putting his hands on his hips and giving Eddie a look that he can only describe as 'disappointed parent'.

"We've been flirting for months and you haven't done anything about it." Steve falters quickly when he sees the shock on Eddies face. "Or... am I missing something? Is it the whole, like... keeping it secret thing? Because I don't mind! It's not safe to be out in Hawkins, I know, and I'm not expecting a big date at-"

"You knew that I was flirting with you," Eddie interrupts. "This whole time?"

"Well, yeah, I was also flirting with you."

Eddie stares at him for a moment. "And you've been waiting for me to make a move on you?"

"Exactly. Was I not being obvious enough? I didn't want to out you or anything..."

"No... in retrospect you were being very clear. All of Robins cryptic advice makes so much sense now. Oh, God, even Wayne figured it out."

[rogueddie]

"You have got to be kidding me," Eddie says, glaring at the machine. "You said you got it fixed last week!"

"I did!" Steve quickly defends. "It... rebroke?"

"What did Hopper say was wrong with it?"

"... Uh."

"You did call Hopper, like I told you to... right?"

"It wasn't that broken! I got it working just fine and I didn't need to bother-"

Eddie groans, loud enough to cut him off, turning so he can drop his head into the counter.

"Listen, it's fine- I'll call Hopper so we can get this fixed today and you can just... borrow some of my clothes."

"It's the first day back since everyone decided that I'm some murder cultist. If I show up in your preppy shit then I'll look worse! Guiltier!"

"Do you have a better idea?"

Which is how Eddie ends up walking into school in one of Steves darkest polos- a dark green with navy stripes- and light wash jeans.

Somehow, instead of outing them, it helps keep people away from him.

"They think it's Steves way of, like, telling everyone that you're really innocent," Robin snickers. "Someone in band tried to say it's kinda gay and everyone looked at her like she's the idiot."

"How the fuck is this my life now," Eddie groans.

[rogueddie]

996 hours, 39 minutes and 12 seconds.

Gareth has had enough. It's been long enough. He's sick and tired of waiting- he's taking matters into his own hands. He can't wait any longer. It'll kill him.

"Oh, hey," Steve looks surprised when he opens the door. "Gareth. Uh, what are you-?"

"Are you home alone?"

"What? Yeah, but-"

He grabs Steve by the shoulders, turning him around and directing him into his house, kicking the door shut behind him. He walks them all the way to the kitchen and nudges Steve into one of the seats.

Gareth sits across from him, narrowing his eyes. "Are you a homophobe?"

"What? No!" Steve looks deeply offended at the question, before a more curious, understanding look takes over. "Wait, are you-?"

"No, I just need to make sure you're safe. You don't have a problem with any of that?"

"No, I don't. I'm not an asshole- not anymore, anyway."

Gareth glances at the clock.

996 hours, 42 minutes, 08 seconds.

"Alright... do you like Eddie?"

"What?"

"Eddie Munson. Do. You. Like. Him."

"That- I don't- what- what does that have to- to do with, like, anything?" Steve flushes, shifting uncomfortably.

That's a yes, Gareth thinks, nodding to himself.

"I'm going to send him over here in, like... two, maybe three, hours. He likes horror movies, salted popcorn and diet coke."

"I don't know what you mean."

Gareth sighs, rubbing his head as he glances at the clock again.

996 hours, 42 minutes, 58 seconds.

"I can't deal with his stupid pining anymore," he grabs Steves hands, giving him his best pleading look, hoping his desperation shows. "Just... try one date. Please, for the love of God, I won't survive another day listening to him ranting about your hair."

"What? Wait... does- does he... like me?"

Steves voice is so quiet, timid, it nearly makes Gareth falter. It sounds so much like his little sister, when she lets the cruel shit other kids say get to her.

"Don't let him know I told you, but... yeah. Yeah, Steve, he really likes you."

"Oh."

Gareth can't help but laugh at how starstruck he looks, eyes so wide and awed.

"Wait, what- what does he say about me? You said... my hair?"

"Alright, I'm taking that as a yes," Gareth quickly gets up, waving off Steves excited questions. "Two to three hours, Harrington!"

1,002 hours, 34 minutes, 58 seconds.

Eddie shoves Gareth out the way as soon as he opens the door, immediately starting to pace in his living room.

"You alright?"

"No!" Eddie screeches, eyes almost as wild as his hair. "Steve kissed me!"

"What? Dude, that's great!"

"I know! I just- fuck, I have to thank you for giving him the heads up that I was on the way with his VHS," Eddie grabs both of his hands. "He set up a pillow fort so we could watch Nightmare on Elm Street together. Gar, the movie scared him but he put it on because I like it and... fuck."

"So, it went well?"

"It was amazing."

They sit together, Eddie walking him through every little detail of their date. It just further proves that Steve more than earnt his romantic reputation.

It's also a relief to finally hear Eddie talking with so much joy, and love. Even just talking about Steve, he has a look like he thinks he hung the moon. His own personal sun.

"Hey," Gareth interrupts. "Congrats, man. You deserve this."

[rogueddie]

Soulmate au where everyone always tries to force their soulmates to be romantic- and usually it works, usually that's what your soulmate is supposed to be.

But Steve Harrington doesn't want a romantic soulmate. He keeps hiding his mark, lying and avoiding, hoping he'll never meet them.

Robin Buckley is the same. Something tells her that her soulmate is, as always, a man. She knows what she'll be expected to do, to be, if she meets them. She's determined to never let that happen.

A secret code, some Russians, and a torture session later, they're both faced with undeniable proof that they've found their soulmate. Steve and Robin match.

Robin is surprised that Steve is the one to show his disappointment first. He's the one to huff, annoyed, and jump to his feet.

"This is- it's bullshit!" He exclaims, starting to pace along the bathroom. "Not that you aren't great, Robin, you are. It's... ugh!"

"Yeah," Robin says. She blinks at him, stunned. "I don't want a soulmate either."

That makes him stop. He turns to her with visible suspicion. "You don't?"

"No. And I don't want to date you."

"Oh, thank god," he sighs. He walks back, sitting back down, slumping against her side. "I don't want to date you either."

"Are... are you..?"

"Am I what?"

"It... the reason you don't want to date me."

"Oh. That's, uh... I know it sounds cheesy but... I want to choose. I don't want to love someone because some mark on my wrist says I should. I want to love someone because I want to."

"That is cheesy."

"Shut up."

"Who would you choose? Nancy?"

"No. Not anymore, anyway. What about you?"

Robin turns, eyeing him. He looks back, head tilted, curious and waiting.

He's her soulmate, Robin reasons. He wouldn't betray her- at least, not so severelly as to make it public knowledge.

"Tammy Thompson," she admits.

Steves eyebrows shoot up, after a pause, incredulous. "Tammy Thompson? That's your standard?"

"Wha- she's great!"

"She can't even hold a tune!"

[rogueddie]

"Hey Steve," Eddie asks, turning to him.

Steve perks up, finally looking away from the tapes he's been rewinding, excited for a distraction. "Yeah?"

"Have you ever seen a movie or TV show with gays in it?"

"Yeah? Who hasn't?" It's such a boring question that, shaking his head, Steve turns back to his work.

"Wait, no, stop," Robin snatches the tape out his hand. "No, you haven't. Name one."

"Uh, Star Wars, for one. Duh."

"Star Wars isn't gay," Eddie sounds dejected. It doesn't help that Robin is giving him a smug grin.

Steve frowns, looking between them "Yeah, it is. I know that it's usually... uh... fuck, what's the word?"

He tries to mime it. He makes a gesture like he's sliding his hand underneath something.

After a moment, Robin hazards a guess. "Subtext?"

"Exactly!" Steve grins, snapping his fingers. "Like the stuff with Luke! They can't just come out and say that he's gay, they'd lose profits and shit. So it's all in the subtext."

"Holy shit," Eddie breathes, looking at him with awe. "You're reading into gay nerd subtext."

"Well, it's not all subtext. Those robots were clearly gay. They kinda give it away."

"You're absolutely right, Stevie," Eddie grins at Robin, wide and smug.

"Alright, but that only half counts!" Robin pushes Eddie off the counter by his face. "Have you seen anything that's actually gay?"

"Star Trek."

"Star Trek isn't gay!"

"No, no, it is," Eddie quickly argues. "It totally is. He's got you there."

"It's still subtext and shit!"

"They got alien married!" Steve cries, outraged. "That's not... it's right there! It's so obvious!"

"They didn't say anything though!"

"So?!" Steve nearly yells, ready to start pulling his hair out in frustration. "God, I've had this argument so many times, Robs. The only way they could make it more obvious is if they suddenly stopped, turned to the camera and said something like, 'we are in a relationship and in love and gay'."

"Who are you arguing with about gay Star Trek?!"

"My gran!"

"She's a homophobe! Don't compare me to her!" Robin throws a VHS at him, light enough that he's able to catch it. "You're alone on rewind duty."

"What? Robs, noooo, please."

"Nope, I don't wanna hear it. Go. Take your punishment like a big girl, go on."

Steve flaps his hands at her, rolling his eyes. But they share a teasing little smirk as he heads to the backroom, a subtle check-in to make sure it's still a joke.

"Oh my god, he's a K/S truther," Eddie whispers. He leans on the counter, chin resting on his hand. "I'm in love."

"Ew."

[rogueddie]

Dustin hears about Murray matchmaking in S3 and tries to be like "hey sir, look at Steve and Robin. Aren't they such a great couple?"

But before either of the two can complain, Murray is grimacing, putting a hand on Robins shoulder and saying "sorry sweetheart, you're barking up the wrong tree with that one."

Robin gasps, turning to Steve and pointing at him because, "why didn't you say? In the bathroom - dude, I was so freaked out!"

"I'm not!" Steve insists, flapping his arms around in a panic. "I am not! He's getting us confused! He meant you! Right?!"

"Oh, boy," Murray tutts, rolling his eyes. "Let me guess; that guy you fooled around with is 'just a friend'?"

Steve frowns at his use of air quotes. "We were just friends. What the hell are you-"

"Oh my god," Hopper groans, trying to rub at his temples hard enough to rid himself of his growing migraine. "We can discuss this later! Let's move!"

As Steve, Robin, Dustin and Erica head out to the car, Dustin tugs at Steve's shirt to get his attention.

"What did he mean when he said 'just friends' like that?" Dustin asks.

"I'll tell you when you're older."