[ Shit. Shit. Between Steve's smile, and his compliment, Eddie can definitely feel his cheeks heating up. He tries to look away, but that probably makes it even more obvious. ]
Yeah, well, uh. As it turns out, you guys are good at inspiring people to be heroes.
[ There's a look of mock hurt as Eddie clutches his chest dramatically as if pretending to be offended. ]
Please, it's one thing to be a hero in that game, and another to actually be a hero. Speaking of that "nerdy little game" [ which Eddie absolutely uses air quotes for ] Henderson wants me to convince you to come play with us sometime. I told him it was futile, but, y'know. Gotta at least try.
Yeah, I know. Maybe on the little snot's birthday. [ He has a heart, albeit not the attention span. An effort may be made!] Don't tell him I said that, though.
[ Drive-thru king rolls up, jerking his chin at Eddie. ]
[ Eddie quirks an eyebrow up at that, smirking at Steve's comment. ] What, that you called him a snot or that you're actually considering playing in our campaign? It's fine, I'm sure you can buy my silence somehow.
[ His smirk grows into a grin to show he's joking, and then settles into a genuine smile once they reach the drive-thru. ]
[ Steve flashes him a look that could be either a flirt or friendly banter, he keeps it reined in as they order food. Once they have their stash of supplies he starts driving them back to his house, starting to grow more excited about having someone over while being entirely paranoid it'll be a disappointing experience. ]
I got some movies from work for us to watch, if you want. Or there's the billiards table if you wanna play, or the pool ...
[ Eddie's not really used to someone actually wanting to hang out like him like this, and he isn't sure what to do with it. What he does know is that it causes a warmth to spread from his chest as a small smile that reaches his eyes forms, and he reaches over to clasp Steve on the shoulder in what he hopes is a reassuring gesture. ]
Hey, yeah. Dinner first. A movie sounds great, though, and... [ He pats one of the pockets of his jacket ] I do have a little something if the mood calls for it. My treat.
[ There's a snort that comes easily out of Eddie, though he has never been one to hold back in the way he's expressed himself. So why would he begin to start now?
Though he does look away, biting at his bottom lip when he feels Steve's hair against his wrist. ]
Luckily for you, I still am apparently unemployable, so looks like I'm yours until you kick me out.
[ Eddie reluctantly removes his hand, though with both hands back down in his lap, he's able to drum out the beat of the music currently stuck in his head, his thumbs rapping out against his thighs. ]
You know, that doesn't sound half bad. Not sure that's going to cover rent, though, I might need to find another job on the side.
[ Oh, that's not at all what Eddie expects to hear, and his head snaps to the side to look at Steve with a look of disbelief, like he maybe didn't hear him correctly? ]
You want me...to move in with you?
[ Surely Steve is fucking with him. ]
I mean. If you're being serious? I would in a heartbeat.
[ He doesn't sleep much when it's just him in the trailer most of the time. Maybe he'd fare better sleeping close to someone he knows and trusts? ]
[ He can't keep his eyes off the road for long so he veers to one side of the road and keeps the brakelights on, stopping the car. He twists around to give Eddie his full attention. ]
[ At the sudden stop of the car, Eddie swivels back around to regard Steve with surprise. He isn't used to this level of caring from anyone in his life. Apart from maybe his uncle. ]
I haven't slept more than, like, three hours a night since everything happened. And, uh, no one will hire me even though my name's been cleared, so.
[ There's guilt etched all over his face, because he hates it, hates having to admit that he can't do this on his own as much as he wants to. ]
[ As Steve listens he realises he's been kind of a shitty friend. Fun hangouts for him have likely been a lifeline of contact for someone shunned by the entire town, traumatised and alone. And it's not like all of them don't have nightmares, sure, but it's worse for Eddie. Will. Max.
He glances through the back window of the car and restarts the engine after a moment's silence. Does a u-turn in the road, heading back to Eddie's place. ]
Whatever we can't fit in my car tonight we'll come back for tomorrow, okay? Let's grab what we can, [ a smile flicks Eddie's way, hopefully reassuring him he's not alone and that Steve isn't leaving him behind, not tonight or ever again, ] just don't forget your toothbrush. I only have one of those.
[ Eddie's mouth drops open, stunned as he realizes that Steve is being serious. He's never really felt truly welcome anywhere before. Wayne did his best, and he'll always love his uncle for taking him in, but it isn't the same when he feels like an afterthought.
But this? Eddie feels a warmth spreading from his chest to his fingertips. ]
We're really doing this. [ It's a bit delayed, but a grin slowly forms as he fiddles with one of his rings, eyes trained out the window as he watches the scenery bring them closer and closer to the trailer park once more. ] This is... thank you.
The house is too empty for just me, you'd be doing me a favour by moving in.
[ He doesn't know what else to say, overwhelmed by the idea of not just having Eddie around for the night, but apparently forever. It's not a bad nervousness, just ... thrilling. ]
There are a few guest rooms, you can take your pick. One's right next to mine, actually.
You sure your parents won't mind if I just...suddenly am living there?
[ Eddie can feel his heart racing at the thought of maybe finally feeling like he belongs somewhere. Even if it's just staying in on of Steve's bedrooms until he can find his footing.
Because he will feel like shit if he's just relying on Steve to keep him afloat for the rest of his life. ]
But if I do get the choice, I'd definitely choose the one next to yours.
They're never around, dude, trust me. I haven't seen them for like a year.
[ The older he gets, the more they travel. He doesn't care, Steve's parents have always been their own people and he's just his dad's heir, a technicality. ]
I get bad dreams too, gonna apologise in advance for any time I wake you up if we're sharing a wall.
[ He shrugs about his parents, blinking widely a moment later at the invitation to sleep next to Eddie. Mindful of the fact Eddie is being kind, Steve tries to straddle the line between grateful and testing the waters. ]
It's not like that would be a hardship.
[ His smile flickers, touching his eyes before he refocuses on the road. ]
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[ He slides a warmer smile over, brown eyes thoughtful. ]
That was some real big boy heroism you pulled.
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Yeah, well, uh. As it turns out, you guys are good at inspiring people to be heroes.
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[ Neeerd. But his smile remains wide as he raises his brows. ]
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Please, it's one thing to be a hero in that game, and another to actually be a hero. Speaking of that "nerdy little game" [ which Eddie absolutely uses air quotes for ] Henderson wants me to convince you to come play with us sometime. I told him it was futile, but, y'know. Gotta at least try.
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[ Drive-thru king rolls up, jerking his chin at Eddie. ]
What do you want?
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[ His smirk grows into a grin to show he's joking, and then settles into a genuine smile once they reach the drive-thru. ]
Just a burger and fries'll do.
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[ Steve flashes him a look that could be either a flirt or friendly banter, he keeps it reined in as they order food. Once they have their stash of supplies he starts driving them back to his house, starting to grow more excited about having someone over while being entirely paranoid it'll be a disappointing experience. ]
I got some movies from work for us to watch, if you want. Or there's the billiards table if you wanna play, or the pool ...
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Hey, yeah. Dinner first. A movie sounds great, though, and... [ He pats one of the pockets of his jacket ] I do have a little something if the mood calls for it. My treat.
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[ It's impulse to tip his head sideways and lean it on that hand, hair tickling Eddie's wrist. Affectionate, a kind of appreciation. ]
Hope you don't have to be anywhere tomorrow.
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Though he does look away, biting at his bottom lip when he feels Steve's hair against his wrist. ]
Luckily for you, I still am apparently unemployable, so looks like I'm yours until you kick me out.
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You can be the beer guard at my house, paid in snacks. If any of the kids turn up uninvited you have full permission to toss them in the pool.
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You know, that doesn't sound half bad. Not sure that's going to cover rent, though, I might need to find another job on the side.
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You want me...to move in with you?
[ Surely Steve is fucking with him. ]
I mean. If you're being serious? I would in a heartbeat.
[ He doesn't sleep much when it's just him in the trailer most of the time. Maybe he'd fare better sleeping close to someone he knows and trusts? ]
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[ His eyes widen then quickly dress down his own surprise, latching on with concern. ]
Do you seriously need a place? Because yeah, sure. Absolutely. My parents are never home anyway.
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No, it's uh. Forget about it. It was stupid, anyway.
[ He turns to look out the window, mostly so Steve can't see the way his face definitely is starting to flush right now. ]
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[ He can't keep his eyes off the road for long so he veers to one side of the road and keeps the brakelights on, stopping the car. He twists around to give Eddie his full attention. ]
Hey, if you're serious then tell me.
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I haven't slept more than, like, three hours a night since everything happened. And, uh, no one will hire me even though my name's been cleared, so.
[ There's guilt etched all over his face, because he hates it, hates having to admit that he can't do this on his own as much as he wants to. ]
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He glances through the back window of the car and restarts the engine after a moment's silence. Does a u-turn in the road, heading back to Eddie's place. ]
Whatever we can't fit in my car tonight we'll come back for tomorrow, okay? Let's grab what we can, [ a smile flicks Eddie's way, hopefully reassuring him he's not alone and that Steve isn't leaving him behind, not tonight or ever again, ] just don't forget your toothbrush. I only have one of those.
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But this? Eddie feels a warmth spreading from his chest to his fingertips. ]
We're really doing this. [ It's a bit delayed, but a grin slowly forms as he fiddles with one of his rings, eyes trained out the window as he watches the scenery bring them closer and closer to the trailer park once more. ] This is... thank you.
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[ He doesn't know what else to say, overwhelmed by the idea of not just having Eddie around for the night, but apparently forever. It's not a bad nervousness, just ... thrilling. ]
There are a few guest rooms, you can take your pick. One's right next to mine, actually.
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[ Eddie can feel his heart racing at the thought of maybe finally feeling like he belongs somewhere. Even if it's just staying in on of Steve's bedrooms until he can find his footing.
Because he will feel like shit if he's just relying on Steve to keep him afloat for the rest of his life. ]
But if I do get the choice, I'd definitely choose the one next to yours.
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[ The older he gets, the more they travel. He doesn't care, Steve's parents have always been their own people and he's just his dad's heir, a technicality. ]
I get bad dreams too, gonna apologise in advance for any time I wake you up if we're sharing a wall.
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[ He knew Steve's parents weren't around a lot, but he figured Steve at least saw them more frequently than that. ]
You know, if you get bad dreams, like. I don't mind being woken up. Or if it'd help having someone sleep next to you.
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[ He shrugs about his parents, blinking widely a moment later at the invitation to sleep next to Eddie. Mindful of the fact Eddie is being kind, Steve tries to straddle the line between grateful and testing the waters. ]
It's not like that would be a hardship.
[ His smile flickers, touching his eyes before he refocuses on the road. ]
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