#got them from the garden section of dollar tree

[archivequinn]

Christmas Love | Steddie

Summary: Eddie's unexpected shift change disrupts their Christmas Day plans, but he makes it up to Steve by turning the night into a special memory with a romantic surprise.

Word count: 2,498

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It was a cold but enchanting December afternoon. Hawkins looked like a cross-section of Santa's village, dressed in the quiet splendor of winter. Every corner of the town was buzzing with the joy of the coming Christmas. Children were enjoying the snow in their thick coats and colorful scarves. Some were engaged in snowball fights, their laughter echoing in the cold air. Others were building snowmen with big noses and crooked hats in gardens and park corners. One, with a carrot stuck in his nose, stood there like a sorcerer smiling at the joy of the children.

The streets were illuminated by lights hanging from the facade of each house. Colored lamps floated over the edges of roofs, wrapped around garden fences and around pine trees reaching for the sky, making them shine like stars. From the windows of some houses, the tender glow of decorated pine trees spilled out, and the flickering lamps set the rhythm of this quiet village.

The Christmas market in the center of town was another matter. Small wooden huts were elaborately decorated as if they were fairy tale houses. The stalls overflowed with the scents of gingerbread cookies, hot chocolate and freshly roasted chestnuts. Families wandered around the souvenir stalls, hot drinks in hand, while children stood admiring baskets full of toys. A man dressed as Santa Claus stood on a small dais waving to children and calling out “Ho ho ho!”. The sky was covered in a white blanket, mesmerized by the slow drifting snowflakes. The wind blew gently, rustling the branches of the pine trees.

The wind blew his hair out of his face as Eddie set his coffee mug down on the edge of the little cottage. His old but comfortable coat did little to protect his back from the cold air of the Christmas market. The sky was colored in the orange and pink hues of the setting sun, and Eddie sighed and stared at the sight for a moment.

Another family approached him, their little boy, no more than 5 years old, clapping his hands excitedly and examining the pine trees. Eddie helped them with his usual fake sales smile. “I think that big one is for you. It's got plenty of branches to hang your lights from, and it smells wonderful,” he said as he lifted the tree he was pointing to. He was feeling very tired. When the family thanked him, bought the tree and walked away, Eddie took a deep breath. As he listened to the sound of the few dollars he had put in the safe, he thought about how this job had become a struggle for survival for him. Performing at the Hideout at night seemed to be the only thing he could cling to. But the hours spent cold in the morning among the pine trees... That made his fatigue unbearable. He knew it would be hard to do double work, but there were times when he didn't even have time to sleep, and he tried not to let his uncle know how tired he was. This was harder than working all the time. 

His eyes drifted to the horizon. “At least I have the night off,” he muttered to himself, a tired smile appearing on his lips. He thought about Christmas with Steve. Maybe they would watch a movie, maybe they would cook together. The important thing was that he was there for him. Just the thought of it was enough to warm him.

Just then, his boss approached him with quick steps. Tugging at the collar of his thick coat, he leaned toward Eddie. “Hey, Munson,” he said. “Bad news. Sarah just hurt her foot. We're gonna need overtime. You're staying the night.” The look of peace on Eddie's face was instantly replaced by distress. “But... I'm off tonight,” he countered, his voice cracking a little. The boss shrugged. “I know, but I need someone else. You get double pay, Christmas spirit and all that. You'll get extra tips. Just hang in a little longer.”

Eddie shuddered inside. As tempting as the double paycheck was, he couldn't get his promise to Steve out of his mind. He didn't want to see his look of disappointment. But this extra money... it could be used to help his uncle.

He sighed involuntarily as his shoulders slumped. “Of course, what else can I do,” he grumbled in a low voice.

Family Video was in full swing towards the end of the day. “I want this day to be done, my feet are about to rebel,” Steve said to Robin as he quickly assisted the customers waiting in line behind the cash register. Robin rolled her eyes as she walked back to the shelves but couldn't hide the smile at the corner of her lips. “Stop using your feet as an excuse, you want it done now because you're spending the night with Eddie.” Steve shrugged as he bagged a DVD for a customer. “You're right, but can you blame me for that? He works so hard that I've almost forgotten my boyfriend's face.’’ He rolled his eyes sarcastically. ’’Tonight everything will be perfect. Maybe we'll have something to eat, walk around a bit. And I have a little surprise for him.’’ Robin's eyebrows rose. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?” When the clock finally struck closing, he took a deep breath and turned to Robin. ’’We were supposed to meet at home, but now I'm going to pick him up, stop by the Christmas market. And I bought these for him…’’ He held up a small bouquet and showed it to Robin.

Robin shook her head with a laugh. “You're so silly when you try to be romantic. Anyway, Merry Christmas.’’ She gave him a warm hug.

By the time Steve stepped outside, it was already dark and the streets of Hawkins were lit up with Christmas lights. As he got into his car and started the engine, he gazed out over the peaceful landscape of the town. The twinkling lights in the windows of the houses and the snow-covered gardens created a fairy-tale atmosphere. Children were still playing in the gardens and having snowball fights in the streets. As an old Christmas carol played on the radio, Steve gripped the steering wheel with a warm smile. When he arrived at the Christmas market, he watched the activity among the pine trees.

Eddie, tired but still looking so handsome, was helping the customers. His coat didn't seem to be keeping out the cold air.

As Steve waited for Eddie to see a customer off, he straightened his bouquet of flowers, ran his fingers through his hair and combed it with his fingers. As soon as Eddie dismissed the customer with a smile, Steve quickly stepped behind him and hugged him unexpectedly. “Ho ho ho, Munson!” he said, his voice full of joy.

Eddie was startled at first and then smiled, letting himself go. “Steve?” he murmured, as if he thought the moment was a dream. “What the hell is this?” Steve winked as he handed him the bouquet of flowers. “I wanted to surprise you. It's just the two of us tonight, remember?” As Eddie took the bouquet, the tiredness on his face gave way for a brief moment to a glowing happiness. Eddie hugged him tightly and inhaled his beloved scent into his lungs. But then he sighed and looked into Steve's eyes. “I wish... but something happened,” he said slowly. Steve's brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?” Eddie averted his eyes and gestured with his hand, “My boss asked me to work overtime. I was supposed to have the night off but... things changed,” he said, his voice full of regret.

Steve's smile faded slightly when he heard what Eddie had said, but he quickly recovered. “Okay, I understand why you have to stay here,” he said, trying to keep his voice as cheerful as possible. He didn't want to upset Eddie. He handed the bouquet of flowers to Eddie and added, “ Maybe I can help you a little? What do you think?” Eddie looked into Steve's eyes and couldn't help but realize how disappointed he was. Gently, he put his arms around Steve's shoulders and hugged him tightly. “Thank you. But it's so cold here, I don't want you to get cold. Go home,” he whispered. “Don't worry, I'll come home even if it's late, I promise.” Steve nodded slightly and rubbed Eddie's cheeks. “Okay,” he said, trying to smile. “I'll be waiting for you then.”

As Steve drove back, Hawkins' Christmas lights no longer seemed so bright to him. As he drove in silence, Christmases of the past flashed before his eyes like a movie. Those long, unpleasant dinners where his parents talked about his life... Those moments when they planned his future without asking him anything. For him, Christmas was often more synonymous with disappointment than peace. 

When he arrived home, the lights were off and everything was quiet. He sat in the old, comfortable armchair opposite the fireplace and listened to the crackle of the flames, sinking into the warmth of the room. The heavy burden of loneliness began to weigh on him more and more with each passing minute. As the clock ticked, his eyes slowly closed as he sat in front of the fireplace with a hot drink in his hand.

When Eddie quietly entered the house, the air had grown colder into the night. He stepped inside, everything seemed peaceful and calm. Steve was sitting on the couch, holding the mug in his hand, fast asleep. Eddie's tired footsteps did not echo around the room. With hands shaking from the chill in the air, he slowly took off his coat and hung it carefully on the coat rack.

His eyes shifted to Steve; the beauty of the moment made him forget all his tiredness. He had wanted to spend the night with Steve, but he had to spend extra hours at work.

He came to Steve's bedside and looked at him carefully. Running his hands through Steve's hair, he kissed his head lightly.

As Eddie carefully draped the blanket over Steve, the gentle rustling of the blanket woke him from his slumber. Steve's eyelids fluttered open, trying to squint against the pale light of the fireplace. He blinked a few times and finally focused on Eddie. Eddie was on his knees, looking up at him with a guilty smile.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” Eddie said, his voice warm and soft.

Steve rubbed his eyes and sat up as the blanket slid off his shoulders. “Eddie? What time is it?” His voice still carried the weight of sleep.

“Late,” Eddie admitted, running a hand through his messy hair. ”But I couldn't let tonight end like this.”

Steve cocked his head to the side, puzzled but curious. “What do you mean?”

Eddie stood up and held out his hand. “Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”

Steve looked skeptical but couldn't help the small smile that spread across his lips. “Where are we going?”

“You'll see,” Eddie said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye . “Now hurry up, or I might change my mind.”

A few minutes later, wrapped in thick coats and scarves, they stepped out into the cold Hawkins night. The streets were eerily quiet, the town resting under the freshly fallen snow. Eddie held Steve's hand tightly, oblivious to the snow crunching gently beneath his feet.

“Eddie,” Steve finally said, unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, ”where are we going at this hour?”

Eddie smiled but didn't answer, instead leading them away from the main streets and into a more secluded part of town. Out of the darkness, the silhouette of the old opera house appeared. Slightly dilapidated, but still stately, it contrasted with the snow-covered ground.

“Wait,” Steve said, halting his steps. “The opera house? Eddie, it's been closed for years.”

Eddie turned to him, his smile turning shy. “Exactly. No one's been here. Isn't that great?”

He pulled a key out of his pocket, unlocked the side door and gestured for Steve to come in.

“Okay, now I'm really impressed - but I'm a little worried about how you got the key,” Steve teased as he stepped inside.

“Let's just say I know someone,” Eddie said, winking.

Inside the opera house was as silent as the grave, only the moonlight filtering through the broken windows illuminating the vast space. Dust particles danced in the air, allowing the place to retain its splendor despite the decay. Rows of velvet-covered seats stretched out towards the stage, and a grand piano stood center stage, gently glowing in the moonlight.

Eddie led Steve to the stage, his steps light but determined. “Wait here, ” he said, gesturing for Steve to sit on the edge of the stage.

Before Steve could ask any more questions, Eddie made his way to the piano, gently wiping the dust from the keys with his hand. He sat down at the piano and ran his long fingers over the keys. He looked at Steve, his cheeks slightly pink.

“Well... I've never done this to anyone before,” Eddie said, his voice almost a whisper.

Steve's eyes widened. “You playing the piano?”

Eddie nodded. “I taught myself a little bit when I was little. It's not very cool, but...” He took a deep breath and started playing.

The first notes were soft and timid, but as Eddie's confidence grew, the melody grew richer and more beautiful. The music filled the large hall, enveloping them in a warm embrace. Steve was completely mesmerized as he watched Eddie's hands move gracefully over the keys.

When the piece ended, Eddie looked up and his dark eyes met Steve's. “What do you think?” he asked, his voice low but determined.

Steve didn't answer immediately. Instead, he got up from the edge of the stage and walked over to Eddie. “I think,” he said softly, embracing him gently, ”that you are full of surprises. And I think I love you even more than I already do.”

Eddie laughed lightly, resting his forehead against Steve's. “Come on, my sweetheart,” he whispered as he pulled Steve toward the open area of the stage. ”Dance with me.”

Steve hesitated for a moment, but then he let Eddie. They moved in unison to an imaginary tune, the echo of the piano melody still in the air. The world outside disappeared, leaving only them, two lovers spinning slowly in the moonlight.

When they stopped moving, Eddie leaned down and gently touched his lips to Steve's. The warmth of the kiss banished the chill of the night, leaving them both breathless and glowing.

“Merry Christmas, Stevie,” Eddie whispered.

Steve smiled, wrapping his arms tighter around Eddie. “Merry Christmas, Eddie.”

In that moment, nothing else mattered. The hardships of the day, the weight of their responsibilities - it all melted away and all that was left was love and the quiet magic of the night.

[jusiri]

birthday cake for me :)