#Also a humble experience noticing how bad I am at english hahaha

[danadaria]

The Words Between Us

@steddiebang2024 Project #095 Posting on October 02, 2024

Author: @DanaDaria l Artist: @cemeterylight | Beta: @altbadumm

Summary:

Eddie discovered he was in love with Steve Harrington years after he lost contact with him. It's fine, that’s just life. 

But all he needed was a postcard, a couple of letters, and some calls to fall for him again.

And magazines. Don’t forget the magazines; after all, that started it all.

↳ Keep reading below for a sneak peek!

The elevator stopped at floor 20, opening the doors to a lively place. 

The first thing he saw was “BEGINNERS MAGAZINE” in silver letters attached to a wall. He walked a little and then arrived at the open floor.

Pretty and stylish people were all around the room, some at their desks writing on their computers and others screaming on the phone. Some girls with robes and hair rollers were lounging around and some kind of assistants ran with their binders across the room. 

“Excuse me” 

Eddie stepped aside to let pass two giant clothes racks. So many clothes.

“Hi darling. Are you here for the photoshoot?” Behind the front desk an older woman who looked like Cher, smiled at him. “Because if that’s the case, let me tell you, you’re awfully late.” 

C’mon Eddie. You got this. Confidence. 

Eddie took a deep breath, stood up straight and gave her his most charming smile.

“Actually, no. I’m Eddie, and I’m here for the interview for Beginner’s new section.” 

“The new sec- Oh! Eddie, darling, you're awfully early. That’s next week”

“Yes, of course…” he continued smiling beatifically. 

Wait. 

“What?!” 

“Yes. Check my agenda.” Secretary-Cher raised a desk agenda that stated clearly and brightly in the month of June: “MON 4th, boys interviews 10am - 2pm” 

Eddie felt how the smile in his face became strained. This was bad. 

“I’m so stupid” he muttered, covering his face with his hands.

“Oh, sweetie, don’t beat yourself, it happens all the time.” 

“Really?”

Desk-Cher laughed hard, but looked at him with tenderness “No, sorry, but I wanted to make you feel better.”

Fuck his luck. This was so embarrassing. You can bet Eddie is not going to put a foot in this place again. Interview be damned. 

“Hey, Jules. Have you seen Luca? The bastard said he forgot his sunglasses on his car, and he’s not on the set yet.” A black man with pink pants and a golden shirt arrived. 

“If Anna it’s not on set, she’s doing her. If she’s there, then he’s doing some dust.” The secretary said sincerely. 

The man looked so done. 

“These brats, they never learn.” The man, then, noticed Eddie's presence. “If you’re here for the photoshoot, you are late.”

“Harry, no. This poor thing is early!”

“Early? Early for what?” 

“He mismatched dates and came a week early for the boy’s interview!” Jules said cheerfully.

Now the man’s gaze was full on Eddie. Judging his black jeans, his boots, and his jacket. Which, hey, it was a clean denim jacket, but you never know with rich people.

No. Eddie needed to get out of that place immediately. 

“Yeah. Don’t mind me, I’m heading out. And I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I’ll show my face in this place again, so you can reschedule the 12:30 slot.” Eddie’s instincts said he should shrink and run. 

And yes, this was an awfully embarrassing experience to start the week, but at least, he was going to leave the place with dignity.

“If you excuse me, Lady Jules and Lord Henry, this jester is going to abandon the palace.” Well, dignity under Eddie’s standards. 

Eddie turned around to leave the office when he heard:

“Kid, are you free for the day? If you can hold a pose and pretend to be a heartbreaker, you got a job for a day, and I can interview you at makeup.”

Eddie looked surprised at the man. He looked intimidating, but he could see it in his face… he wasn’t joking. He wasn’t joking.  

Eddie smiled wild. “I’m Eddie and I’m your man.” 

“I’m Harry. C’mon, this way.” The man took Eddie by the shoulder and started to guide him to the depths of the office. “If Luca arrives, tell him he can come back in 1997!” 

Julia gave her a military salute with her hand, but the man just rolled his eyes at her antics. 

“Hey, I’m not going to say I don’t appreciate the turn of events, but on a scale of 1 to 10, how heartbreaker do I need to look? Because I’m not going to lie, I’m super bad at that. 

The man snorted. 

“My gaydar can recognize other fairies in a fifty mile radius. Even if they are court jesters. That’s why I said pretend, kid”

“Oh” Eddie was speechless. It was the first time outside bars and clubs where a stranger admitted being gay to him. It felt weirdly empowering “Okay.” He smiled at the older man. “I can do that.” 

C’mon Eddie. You got this. Confidence.