At first, Eddie and Steve keep their relationship a secret. It isn't because they are embarrassed, nor do they even think their friends will be disapproving. It's simply because they happen to be friends with the most annoying, overbearing busy-bodies on planet earth.
It was bound to happen, all of them being so involved in each others' lives to the point that it's probably a serious co-dependent situation that someone (or Nancy) should study with science or some shit. But being bonded by unimaginable terrors from another dimension will do that.
Anyway, the pack of gremlins are always around, always demanding attention, always in the way of Eddie and Steve. So Eddie takes it upon himself to tease the dumbass twerps who remain oblivious to his relationship with their favourite babysitter.
Case in point: Dustin, Will and Lucas have been driven around all damn afternoon by Steve, mostly wasting time and wingeing about him not providing them with enough fun despite the fact they were now living in the near ghost town. All the while Eddie rides shotgun, watching his boyfriend become increasingly annoyed as the likelihood of a date night dwindles with each passing second.
“Our problems would be solved if Steve would just drive us into the city,” Dustin whines, staring at the back of the driver’s seat like he wants to burn a hole in it El-style.
“Absolutely not!” Steve argues as he pulls into the Wheeler’s driveway.
“Eddie?” Dustin asks, voice sickly sweet as he leans in between the front seats. “Can you drive us?”
“Gee, Henderson, love that I’m your last resort,” Eddie scoffs as he continues picking at his nails.
He slumps back in his seat, bracing himself for the same argument Dustin has had with Steve for the past week. That is unless he speeds this up a little and gently teases Steve while he's at it...
“Anyway,” he continues, drawing out his words as he dares a glance at Steve who merely rolls his eyes. “I’m busy.”
“Busy with what?” Lucas asks, more accusatory than curious.
“Nothing,” he responds, waiting on bated breath for more queries.
Steve slowly turns his head and he can’t help but give a teasing wink that leaves his boyfriend white-knuckling the steering wheel.
“It’s a Saturday. There’s no Hellfire because you are keeping us waiting on whatever torture you are concocting," Dustin insists, jostling Steve’s seat with every word and earning a series of grumbles from their chauffeur. “And you don’t have work.”
Eddie shrugs. “I have a date.”
At that, Dustin launches forward, an inch from Eddie’s face.
“You don’t date!” he shrieks.
“Do so,” Eddie says, shifting in his seat to square off with his young friend. “I have a life outside entertaining you dorks. Also, Henderson, that is the meanest thing you have ever said to me.”
He mimics sniffling and uses his index finger to simulate a tear running down his cheek as he pouts.
“So, who’s your girlfriend?” Dustin demands, his eyebrows disappearing up under his cap.
“Yes, do tell,” Steve adds, narrowing his eyes at him as he turns off the ignition, challenging.
Will remains silent in the back seat, despite Lucas opening the rear passenger door at the sight of Mike standing at his front stoop, waiting.
“Oh, you know…” Eddie begins, gesturing with his hand as he searches for some generic details. “Nice… hates her parents, which gives me ample opportunity to do my ‘bad boy boyfriend’-schitck… Very pretty… Great hair! Like, the best... Has a great rack.”
He nods at that last one before twirling a lock of his hair and crossing it over his face.
“You shouldn’t talk about girls like that,” Dustin shoots back, ever the goody-goody.
His words almost conceal a huffed laugh from Steve that only Eddie seems to catch. Truthfully, he can’t help but giggle too, mostly because despite being the brainiac of the century, Henderson of all people, had remained completely oblivious for months now. Also Steve's cheek has turned pink and that's worth him being smug about.
“Says the person who takes dating advice from King Steve,” Eddie counters.
He reaches over to run a finger up Steve's arm and lingers just enough. It makes Steve, already biting his lip from the nickname, squirm in his seat.
“And I have a girlfriend because of it!” Dustin retorts, adjusting his cap with a proud flourish and patting Steve on the shoulder.
It makes him jump, likely remembering that three of his kids are in the back of the car cramping his style.
“Alrighty,” he splutters, giving one of those rousing dad-slash-gym teacher claps that Eddie finds oddly authoritative in a hot way. “Out of the car, assholes.”
Dustin looks at Steve, incredulous as if it’s some great offence to be dejected from the car when they have reached their destination. Steve just raises his eyebrows in defiance at their young friend. He really does look cute when he's grumpy.
The boys huff and exit, taking the loss this time around. Steve watches as they walk towards the Wheeler’s front door and gesticulate wildly as they talk. Mike looks at the car with his signature stink-eye and takes a step forward. Steve promptly fires up the engine.
He intentionally revs the car, giggling as the kids jump at the sound.
“So, where are you taking me on a date?” he asks, rolling the car along and veering away from Mike before he can ask a damn thing.
“I thought we could watch movies at my place,” Eddie shrugs, offering his go-to plan.
“That isn’t a date!” Steve shrieks.
Eddie can’t help but grumble at the foiled idea. He gives Mike the finger as Steve peels out of the driveway, ranting about all the activities he steadfastly considers not a date.
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