The Perfect Storm

Out In The Cold, Pt. 1

"GODDAMN IT, HARRINGTON, HURRY UP!"

Eddie shouted, his voice competing with the loud cracks of thunder, and the pounding rain of the storm. Steve picked up the pace, holding his favorite grey, Members Only bomber above his head, and rushed through the open door of the trailer. Eddie quickly slammed the door shut behind them, locking it, and shaking himself off like a dog.

They were both completely drenched. Steve caught himself staring as Eddie peeled off his leather jacket, accentuating his sharp, angular shoulder blades. His ratty, faded Dio shirt completely stuck to his chest and back, and curls slick with rain. 'Damn, he looks good wet...' he thought to himself. He snapped out of it at the sound of Eddie's voice.

"Staring problem, Harrington?"

Steve reached up to adjust his coif, fumbling a bit, attempting to hide the flaming blush on his cheeks.

"Uhh, no I'm good.. just spaced out, that's all..."

Eddie took a few large steps to close the distance between them, his face now only a couple of inches from Steve's.

"That blush on your face says otherwise, big boy."

The lump in Steve's throat grew as he choked down the words he really wanted to say. He could feel his face getting hotter by the second, but he couldn't manage a single word. Eddie brushed a finger against Steve's cheek, sending a shiver down his spine, flashing his signature smirk before turning to head down the hall, to his room. Steve stood there, frozen in place for a few moments, until Eddie reappeared, poking his head around the corner.

"You want some dry clothes? I've got some clean ones in here" he asked, gesturing towards his bedroom.

"Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.."

Eddie walked back down the hall, entering his room, Steve trailing behind, once again lost in thought. By the time he reached the door and pushed it open, Eddie was shirtless, and struggling to remove his rather tight jeans.

"Shit, sorry!" Steve said, embarrassed, as he flung himself back out the door, hand still clutching the knob, swinging it shut behind him. He could feel his heart practically beating out of his chest, his breaths heavy, and thoughts racing. He released his white-knuckle grip on the doorknob, and sank to the floor, his back against the wall, head in his hands.
'Fuck, I don't know if I was supposed to see that... but I kinda want to.. Shit. He's my friend. How am I supposed to tell him? What if I'm misreading this whole thing? He's not flirting with me, right? What if he's not into guys? Am I? Fuck..' His eyes began to water, as his head sank further into his arms. Eddie walked out, now in nothing but his underwear, noticing Steve on the floor.

"Steve? You alright?"

He dropped into a squat in front of Steve, and tilted his chin up with his finger. Eddie's concerned gaze met with his tear-filled one. He extended his thumb, gingerly wiping away a tear that slid down Steve's pretty face.

"What is it, Harrington? Talk."

Steve's eyes flicked between Eddie's deep, chocolate eyes, and his perfect lips. His heartbeat fluttered in his chest. 'Now's my chance... fuck it.' He cleared his throat, but no words came to mind. He knew what it would mean if Eddie rejected him, but he couldn't hold it in much longer. His eyes returned once more to Eddie's.

"E-Eddie.. I um... I kinda.. see the thing is.. well... goddamn it."

He hung his head in defeat, recalling the last time he fell for a friend. Robin had come out to him that day... he was grateful that she trusted him enough to tell him, and he loved her as his best friend, but it still stung. Eddie stood up, crossing his arms.

"Jesus H Christ, Steve, out with it!"

Eddie's voice held a commanding tone that he wasn't used to. It flipped a switch somewhere in his brain, and he simply couldn't take it anymore. Steve quickly stood up, not wanting any more distance between them. He took a step closer, and crashed his lips into Eddie's, who, much to his surprise and pleasure, kissed him back. Steve gripped Eddie's damp hips, sinking his fingers into his scars, and took a few steps forward, pushing Eddie's back against the wall, never breaking their kiss. Eddie's hands flew up between their chests, and gently pushed Steve just far enough away from him to look him in the eyes.

"Steve... what're you doing?"

'Fuck... I knew it..' Steve thought, as he braced himself for the rejection.

"Aren't you straight?" Eddie asked, looking puzzled.

"Apparently not... I thought I was, but then we survived Vecna, and the bats, and started spending all this time together, and..." his voice trailed off for a moment, while he collected his thoughts. He had to say it. He had to come to terms with it. "And I... I started to realize that I like you.. that way..."

He nervously ran his fingers through his hair, feeling the familiar heat return to his cheeks. Eddie stood there for a minute or so, stunned.

"So... lemme get this right..You, Steve Harrington, Mr. Perfect, the King of Hawkins High..you like me, Eddie "the freak" Munson, as more than a friend?"

"Yep.. but please don't call yourself a freak.. I don't think you're a freak.."

Eddie grabbed Steve by his polo, pulling him within an inch of his face.

"I take offense to that, Harrington.." he quipped, the coy smile creeping up his face, showing off the dimples that Steve had spent the summer admiring.

His eyes scanned Eddie's face for signs of discomfort, but he couldn't find any. He honestly looked rather pleased with himself.

"Steve... I'll make you a one-time offer, here. If you're sure that you want this, kiss me again. Right now. Like you mean it. If you don't, I'll let go, and we never have to talk about this again. We'll just stay friends, and I'll take it to my-"

Steve didn't bother to let Eddie finish. He pressed his lips to Eddie's once more, this time pulling him into a much deeper, slower, more purposeful kiss. Gently sliding his tongue against Eddie's, raising his hands up to cup his face, his chest heaving more with each breath he took. His kiss tasted like Fruit Stripe gum, sweet tobacco, and the cheap beer they had been drinking that night, but he didn't care. It was Eddie.. that was all he wanted.