The video began with a far away shot of Eddie and Steve, taken from the crack of the door as Eddie walked out of the school to meet Steve in the parking lot. Dustin’s voice was heard in the background.
“Two members of different species have come into contact with each other. Is cohabitation possible? And if so, what is the potential for crossbreeding?”
“Hey get out here and let’s go!”, Steve shouted towards the school. Dustin and the others gathered their things, waving Eddie goodbye as they got into Steve’s car.
----------------
The next shot showed Steve and Lucas dribbling down a basketball court. Lucas looked fully attentive as Steve gave him some tips and adjusted his technique. Dustin’s voice was heard again as the camera panned to Eddie, sitting in the bleachers, nose deep in a novel.
“The first species, Jockus Sitterus, attempts to show his worth by exhibiting two desirable traits: his athleticism, and his natural ability with children. But thus far, his target: Metalli Shepardis, seems unimpressed.”
Then some other guys came into the gym and a pick up game happened. The camera looked back between Steve playing and Eddie still reading his book until-
“Oh? What is this?”, Dustin narrated as Eddie began to peek over his pages. “And interest is forming?”
-------------------------
Dustin was filming Steve through a crack in the bathroom door. Steve had an array of bottles on the sink as he obsessed over himself in the mirror. This time Dustin was whispering so he wouldn’t be caught.
“And here we find Steve, primping his appearance in order to attract his target. The evening’s proceedings will tell if he is successful.”
Then he started coughing as Steve put on even more hairspray, alerting the older boy to his presence.
“Are you recording me in the bathroom? Dude, what the hell?!”
“You’re gonna treasure these memories one day, Steve!”
---------------------------
“A common courtship tactic is the exchanging of gifts”, Dustin narrated when the camera fumbled. “Careful Will!”
“Sorry. Sorry”, Will said from behind the camera.
The view returned to a group around a Christmas tree. Robin had wrestled some antlers onto Eddie’s head. Steve was looking positively paternal in his knit sweater as he handed a cassette with a big red bow on it to Eddie.
“The gift is given....”, Dustin said, anticipation easy to hear in his voice. “And it is well received”, he finished when Eddie smiled and gave Steve a one armed hug.
The camera view shifted again, this time from the living room of the Harrington household, to a view of the backyard from a window. Eddie had brought Steve out there for his gift, saying it wasn’t meant for the eyes of mortals or children. Everyone had taken that as a hint that they were going out to smoke but Dustin had a hunch and so he followed it.
They both sat on pool chairs and Eddie had taken Steve’s acoustic outside. Winter was killer in Indiana, but Dustin had the suspicion that Steve’s blush wasn’t from the cold.
“Often it can take a partner anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to reciprocate. It is rare to see the favor returned on the same day. But could it be? Yes! Yes it is!”
Eddie began strumming and singing to Steve. Behind the window and at this distance, Dustin couldn’t pick up everything, but it was clear in the picture.
“The mating song of this species is rarely heard, if ever, as they are typically a solitary beast, choosing instead to surround itself with other pack members. Eddie’s species are musically gifted, but often don’t use this skill for attracting mates. Unless it’s someone special. But will it be as well received as Steve’s gift?”
When the song was over, Steve reached out and took Eddie’s hands in his own and cupped them, breathing hot air over them.
“A good sign”, Dustin said.
The two outside were doing a whole lot of staring and Dustin feared they’d actually frozen out there before they both started to lean in.
“What the hell are you doing?!”, Erica shouted, causing Dustin to drop the camera, missing anything that came after.
-------------------------
Max, Lucas, and Mike were snickering from behind the camera. The view showed Eddie, Dustin, and Steve, cuddled up together on the couch in the Henderson living room. It was past midnight on New Year’s. Steve and Eddie were supposed to take them all home, but that probably wasn’t happening.
Mike cleared his throat. “And here we find a bonded pair with their offspring. One wonders how such a magnificent specimen finds itself with the bottom of the food chain, but that is the wonder of nature.”
“Mmm, shut up Mike”, Eddie groaned without ever opening his eyes. His arm stretched across the back of the couch to find Steve’s hair and bury a hand in it.
“And that dear watchers, is the natural order”, Lucas closed out.
Part 2
2K notes
·
View notes