#Eddie never accuses Steve (in his head or otherwise) of cheating again

[artiststarme]

Trust Issues and Resolutions

Based on a mistaken identity/angst prompt from @beesandsunflowersblog. Thank you, I hope it meets your expectations! I hope you guys like it and please leave your thoughts in the comments!

~*~*~*~

Eddie was finally happy. It only took him twenty one years, multiple murder accusations, and fighting a villain in an alternate dimension to get here but he had. Lots of things had changed since the apocalyptic Spring Break in March. He’d graduated his senior year finally, mostly out of pity from the teachers but he’d still done it. He was able to stop selling drugs out of his lunchbox and get an honest job at Thatcher Tire. Corroded Coffin now had a standing gig at The Hideout every Friday since Eddie’s reputation brought people in from all over Indiana. Most importantly though, he had friends that cared about him and he could cuddle up to his boyfriend whenever he liked. 

Steve truly was the best boyfriend a guy could have. He dropped off lunch to Eddie on his breaks at Family Video with a kiss before speeding back to work to clock back in on time. He let him borrow his clothes and steal his comfiest hoodies without too much complaint. And he hugged Eddie whenever he asked, giving him all of the physical touch he could ever want. 

Even now, Eddie was cuddled in Steve’s arms with his face pressed into his comfy teal hoodie, Eddie’s favorite if he had to choose. They were both relaxing after their long days at work, just watching whatever shitty rom-com Steve had brought back to the trailer that day. Honestly though, Eddie couldn’t focus on the drama of the movie. He could only think about how lucky he was to be here with Steve and how happy he was. He felt like nothing could go wrong.

~*~*~*~

That weekend, Eddie was still on cloud nine. He had a good day at work, he’d slept well, and he was about to see Steve for their weekly date. He hummed some Dio songs happily under his breath as he walked through the grocery store but stopped in his tracks when he saw Nancy in the pasta section. 

Now, it wasn’t seeing Nancy that had him frozen in place. She had a gun and he was scared of her but she was also his friend. No, he was frozen because of what she was wearing. She was wrapped in an oversized, teal hoodie that had a little mark on the sleeve. The same mark that Eddie’s cigarette had made when he and Steve had gotten too distracted in their kissing. That was Steve’s hoodie. Why the hell would Nancy be wearing Steve’s hoodie? 

Eddie could do little more than stare at her from his spot frozen in the aisle. He didn’t even move as she waved at him or made her way over. 

“Hey Eddie, does Steve have you running all over town?”

He coughed slightly, “uh no. I’m planning a picnic so I needed to pick up some food. Nice hoodie.”

She blushed slightly and looked away. “Um, thanks. Well, I have to get going but I’ll see you around. Bye Eddie!”

Well, that was suspicious. Almost too suspicious. Eddie didn’t want to doubt Steve but he couldn’t help but think that he was too perfect. The only reason that he could think of as to why Nancy would have Steve’s sweatshirt is if they were sleeping together. Even to Eddie, that seemed like too drastic a decision to make. However, he couldn’t help but think about all of the clues. Steve’s history with Nancy, Nancy acting weird just then, Nancy wearing Steve’s sweatshirt, Robin blushing the other day when Eddie asked about Nancy, etc. What else could it be?

He grabbed his few items hastily before paying and driving home to sulk. He had been naive to think that something good could happen to him after nothing ever had before. He’d become too content, too happy, and now everything was going to fall apart. Why him? Why was the universe so against him that it had to ruin everything good in his life?

By the time he got home, his face was red with the force of holding in his tears and he was well on his way to a panic attack. He let himself into the trailer and let it all go. He screamed and cried and hiccuped on his sobs. He couldn’t believe that he’d fallen for Steve’s lies. Why wouldn’t he get back together with Nancy? They were both pretty, popular in school, and their parents had money. They obviously had a lot more in common than Steve did with Eddie. He shouldn’t have expected anything else, really. 

For some reason, he didn’t expect Steve to come over despite their plans for a date night. He was shocked from his thoughts as Steve knelt into his field of vision with his hands hovering over him. “Eddie? What’s going on? Are you hurt?”

His seemingly genuine concern only caused Eddie’s tears to increase in intensity.

“Oh shit, is this a panic attack? I need you to calm down, Eddie. Everything is fine, you’re with me, Steve, in your trailer. Do you need me to call Wayne?” Steve rambled. 

Eddie just shook his head, “go away.”

“Um, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t really feel comfortable leaving you like this but I can call Wayne to come home and leave when he gets here if you want.”

“Where’s your teal hoodie?” Eddie asked him furiously. 

“Um, I think Robin took that one yesterday but I have my orange one in the car. Do you want me to grab that one?” Steve’s eyes were wide in askance and his worry seemed genuine.

Eddie whimpered. It didn’t matter what he wanted, he wouldn’t get it anyway. “The teal one’s my favorite. I want that one.”

Steve nodded to himself before hurrying over to the phone. He dialed a number before tapping the receiver against his forehead until whoever it was answered. “Robs… Yeah, I’m sorry but this couldn’t wait… You know my teal sweatshirt that I was wearing yesterday? Great, I need it back. Where did you put it? … Why did you give it to Nancy? I need it… I’m aware it was yours first but then you gave it to me so it’s mine! … Can you please get it to me tonight? That’s Eddie’s favorite and he’s kind of freaking out right now… It’s urgent, code red… Thanks! Bye!”

Eddie was staring at him blankly for the entire duration of the phone call. A clearer picture was beginning to emerge and he felt like an idiot. The sweatshirt was Robin’s and she gave it to Steve because Steve was always cold. He probably took it off at the Harrington-Buckley movie night last night and she took it to give to Nancy later. Jesus Christ, Eddie was a moron. 

“Eds? Hey, I called Robin and she’s going to bring the sweatshirt later. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you liked that one so much. I won’t give it back to her next time, I promise.” Steve’s hands hovered over Eddie’s shoulders like he wanted to touch him but was too unsure of what was happening to make a move. So Eddie did it for him. 

He threw himself into Steve’s arms and burst into tears once again. He didn’t deserve this man. His dumbass had immediately assumed Steve was cheating on him and now here he was, arguing with his platonic soulmate to steal her sweater back because Eddie wanted it. 

Steve just confusedly hugged him, muttering soft comforts until Robin sprinted through the trailer’s front door twenty minutes later with the aforementioned teal hoodie in hand. Eddie took it, of course, and buried his face back in Steve’s neck. He had some insecurities to work through and he had to get better at communication but he’d get there. And he and Steve would live together happily ever after.

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