#MAYBE IF I POSTED QUICKER YOU WOULF NOTICE BUT

[straight4joekeery]

Teach Me How To Love In Your Own Lyrics

(part 11/final) Ao3

prev. part one

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“You taste good?” he groaned, “What in the everloving fuck was that? Huh? You’re a complete dumbass you know? You are actually disgusting. You finally kissed the dude then you pull that? Did you think that's cute? He probably doesn’t ever want to see you again. You know what? I can't even look at you right now. Perv,” he said walking away from the mirror.

Once again, he was pacing. He needed to be at the airport in three hours, and he just woken up. You might say ‘So? You have plenty of time.’ but remember, this is Steve we’re talking about. He rushed around the house completing his daily routine (using an actual physical checklist, because why not?). This list included all the basics, plus: deep cleaning the entire house, actually doing things that needed to be done for work, and even giving Ozzy a bath (horrible idea). By the time he threw on his sweater (who cares if it’s summer?) and made the last check, he still had two hours left. He wanted to cry. He wish time would stop being so inconvenient. He sat down and watched tv until he couldn’t stand it. This house was making him anxious. He patted Ozzy on the head and ran out the door.

“Steve?” It was his neighbor. Great. She had the tendency to talk. For hours. And hours and hours. (More than Julie. And that’s saying something.) In her defense, she was old and had no friends. (what? It’s true.) He was going to be late. He was going to be late and Eddie was going to be furious. He’d probably never want to speak to him again. Damnit. He decided to be bold for once. Once! (And that was a one time thing!) And he was already going to mess it up. “Are you doing alright? You look a little pale.”

“Uh hi, Sharon. Yep, fine. Just in a rush,” he said walking towards his car.

“Where ya headed?” She said, also walking towards his car.

“The airport. Picking my- someone up,” he quickly opened the door and sat down in the car. She, however, decided to hold the door open with her hand.

“My someone?” She raised her eyebrow, “I know that look. You’re dating someone. Is it that girl? What’s her name? Rachel- no that’s not it,” she gave him a puzzled look, “Ruby? No wait… Robin!”

“No-“

“You know I’ve seen you two. Is something going on? Y’all seem super cute together. I think-“

“No! Ew, no! No, Sharon. You’re right okay? I am going to pick up someone I’m dating. Is that good enough for you? Now if you’ll excuse me I need to leave before the plane lands so they won’t have to stand and wait an hour for me,” he said, knowing well no matter how slow he went, he’d make it on time. He moved her hand and slammed the door. He could see her glare at the car, from the rearview as he sped away, mouthing at him. Now he’s down to one neighbor on his side. (Amy will never not love him.)

Fuck. He felt nauseous. It most likely didn’t help that he hadn’t eaten. Oh. Yeah. He should probably do that. He wasn’t really in the mood to pass out behind the wheel. He had time. It was going to be fine. But, like, not enough time to go sit down and eat, obviously. He pulled into a convenience store on the side of the road. He rushed in and grabbed a candy bar (that’s enough right?). He paced to the checkout noticing the display of flowers nearby. (Hawkins takes National Women’s Equality Day very seriously.) He handed a bouquet to the cashier. (“Lucky lady I see?” Probably not the display he should buy these from. “Uh yeah,” he grimaced, “Something like that.”) He, quite literally, scurried to parking lot, and threw the candy bar into the ibis that was his car (which was quickly discarded and never eaten).

And just like that he was off. Again. He made it to the airport a little faster than expected (he only sped a little). With (drumroll please) 58 minutes to spare. Just in time am I right? He drummed on his knees impatiently and looked around. Well folks: to the left, we have ourselves a car, to the right we have (get this) another car, and I’ll give you one guess for what’s in front of Steve’s car… if you said ‘a car’ Congrats! Bingo! Right on the money! You win! Fantastic job! He sighed and looked over to the passenger seat (fortunately, there was no car there). He picked up the flowers and scrunched his face. This is stupid and horribly embarrassing. Who actually would want flowers? Definitely not Eddie. He’s probably allergic or something. He threw them behind his seat and closed his eyes. He took a few breaths to calm himself down and decided it hasn’t been long enough since the last time and needed to check the time. And- oh my god. Oh no.

So apparently that had been a lot more than a few breaths. It was 9:14. The flight landed at 9. Oh, this is bad. This is really really bad. He immediately sprang up and bolted out of his car. His mind went blank, while he stood still for a second not knowing what to do, before realizing that he was inside waiting. When he made it inside the airport, out of breath, he looked around for what seemed like an hour, before he actually panicked. He paced (a simple way to put it) around the airport looking for anyone who slightly resembled Eddie. Luckily, he was the only one who could be mad at him. The rest of the band was being picked up by Gareth's mom since she had a ginormous van. When he didn’t see anyone, he walked over to the arrival/departure board. He bit his nails as he searched for Minneapolis. As soon as he made it to the M’s he felt someone crash into his back. Jesus Christ. First, he loses Eddie’s trust, and now he’s getting kidnap-

“Stevie!” Eddie said, backing up so Steve could move, “Oh no. You look mortified. I am so sorry, the flight was late. I mean it’s not like I had any way of telling you but- I am so sorry!” He let out a huge sigh of relief, “What?”

He walked forward, wrapping his arms around his neck for what felt like the 1000th time. “I’m so glad you're back, I don’t think you get it.”

“Trust me, I get it,” he rolled his eyes and smiled to himself. “Okay not to, like, totally ruin the moment and all but I have been stuck on a plane for god only knows how long and I really have to pee. Okay? Stay put, I’ll be right back,” he set down his bags and ran away like a literal gremlin. He snorted and backed against the wall. The three-month wait wasn’t that horrible.

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“Are you okay?” Steve whispered.

“Obviously! I haven’t been here in three months. Three months! I’m so happy!”

“That wasn’t obvious, you look like you’re about to cry.”

“Oh, I totally am!” He giggled, “Hey and you can’t say anything, hypocrite. Or shall I say ‘Mr. I-am-so-emotional-I’ve-already-cried-three-times-since-Eddie’s-been-home’. Which hasn’t even been half an hour by the way,” he grinned. Steve looked back at Eddie to see him hitting the palms of his hands against his knees. He reached over the center console and held his hand for Eddie to take. When Eddie noticed, he blushed (badly) before taking it. “Thank you.”

“…for?” He questioned.

“Oh ya know, everything ever.”

“Um okay. You’re welcome I think? I'm not sure you should be thanking me for everything ever but, uh. Yeah, I guess?”

“No I mean it,” Eddie sighed without any further explanation. “Hmm, no. I’m kidding actually. Bitch,” he said endearingly after a hot minute of silence.

“Asshole,” he said, trying to remove his hand from Eddie’s with a smirk.

“Fucker,” Eddie said squeezing his hand tighter, so he couldn’t move.

“Dick.”

“Slut.”

He gasped, “Low blow, dude. Low blow.”

“Yeah, that’s fair. I’m so so sorry. Uhm,” he fake-pondered with a finger on his chin, “Ah yes. Gay,” he nodded successfully to himself.

“That’s better.”

These were the moments he missed most. Meaningless things that they would probably forget about in a day. Where they could be themselves without a care in the world.

“Oh, my god. The Harrington mansion at its finest. How I missed this place,” Eddie whispered to himself loudly.

“Three things. First of all, this house is barely considered big, let alone a mansion. Second, you say that like more than one Harrington living here. Third, why?” He said, pulling into the driveway.

“Okay one, have you seen my apartment? And-”

“Aren’t you, like, super rich and famous now? I bet you could afford my house, twice, and still have enough to be considered ‘rich as hell’,” Eddie raised his eyebrows and gave him a look, “Sorry. Continue.”

“And you used to live in a mansion with your parents, ahem number two, and I’m not giving up calling your current place of residence the Harrington mansion. That’s set in stone. Engraved into the stone if you will. Lastly, it's your house, ergo you will be here, ergo I have to like this place,” Eddie smiled, and made a face so you visibly could tell he just had a great (evil. Pure evil.) idea. “Also, revisiting number two, maybe if you let me move in, there might be more than one Harrington,” he winked and threw a ring made out of a straw wrapper (he swears this dude is Mary Poppins’ son) at him, before jumping out of the car. “That is, assuming it’s a yes.”

He quickly slid the ring on his finger (what? He was never letting that out of his sight now) and followed him to the other side of his car, “You are so-”

“Amazing? Charming? Handsome? So completely generous? Irresistible?”

“Interesting.”

“Well, I take that as a compliment. Though I think fascinating would be a better fit,” he said opening the back door to grab his bags, “Jesus H. Christ why did I need to bring- are those flowers?” He grabbed them and smirked.

“Oh, uh- I’m-“

“I’m hoping these are for me and you haven’t been seeing anyone else,” his face went pale, “You haven’t… right?”

“No! Of course not! I just- I thought it was weird and I knew you are clearly not the flower type and plus! I mean they-“ he went on but was interrupted by Eddie smacking a quick kiss on his lips. Nevermind. Flowers were good. Keep buying them.

“I think that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. Purple is my favorite color too,” he blushed, bringing the flowers up to cover his face.

“Really? Purple?”

“Yep,” he said, popping the p, “And you can tell everyone you want I don’t care.”

“Oh, trust me, I’ll be sure to tell my three friends.”

“I mean, it’s not like they’d ever believe you. Three friends you say? Who’s this new mystery-“

“Oh, really Steve?!” They looked over to see Sharon with her hands on her hips, “look, I don’t care that you're dating a- a man,” she stuttered, “but why him?! He’s such a horrible influence!”

Eddie looked over to Steve and gave him an amused look. “Just between you and me,” he put up a hand to his mouth and stage whispered to Sharon, “I’m one hundred percent in it solely for the money.”

“Is that so?” Eddie gasped.

“Don’t act like you didn’t know,” he winked and rested his hand on Eddie’s hip for show. “Bye, Sharon! Have a marvelous day,” he turned around and dramatically rolled his eyes. “Okay anyways back to our scheduled programming, yes I do have three friends. Why does no one belive I have friends by the way? Very insulting,” he ran and unlocked his door, Eddie following shortly behind him, “I have Ozzy now!” Eddie pushed Steve inside and threw his bags on the floor (one of which fell open and sent random junk flying everywhere).

Eddie, completely ignoring what Steve had said, backed him against the counter, “So we’re dating now?”

“Oh uh, sorry about that. She was bothering me this morning so I kinda just spit out words and sped away. That was weird. Sorry, I’ll tell her that I was-“ he was once again interrupted by Eddie pressing his lips against his. (He was definitely not complaining.) This time it was better, deeper. More meaningful. Magical. They almost instantly tangled their fingers into each others hair, like it was habit. And he was going to do everything in his power to make sure it was.

“Stevie, wait,” Eddie pulled back, (after about the longest 3 minutes of Steve’s now glorious, wonderful life) eyes widened.

“What? What is it? Are you okay? Did I do something? Is it-“

“No,” he giggled, “it’s just… did you say cat?”

“Yeah? Like 5 minutes ago? Why,” before he could finish he was already gone, searching the house for said cat. “Did you just now process that?" he giggled.

"Shut up, I'm slow," he popped his head out from where he was searching under the shelves, "You know this. Therefore you cannot be mean."

"I don't think that means anything actually," he groaned when he didn't see a cat and moved onto a different spot, "Eddie, he’s over there. He hides in the pantry when someone comes in the house.”

He bolted in that direction immediately (slipping on the hardwood like scooby-doo), “Oh my god I love him,” he said triumphantly holding the cat in the air, “I’m keeping him. He’s mine now.”

“Hmm, I don’t believe that’s happening. You can see him when you're here, you’ll survive I promise.”

“Well,” he said, skipping over to the couch and throwing himself on it with a smirk, “I guess I’ll just have to move in won’t I?” These are the time Steve’s glad Eddie was the bolder one. (Again: One. Time. Thing.) He’d wanted to ask that for about a year now but never got the courage.

“Is that so?” He said while, more gracefully, sitting down.

“I mean, little man said he wants me to. And you cannot resist that face can you?” He held Ozzy up to his face and poured.

“Which one?”

“Mine obviously,” he scoffed, “Is that a yes? Because I’m taking that as a yes.”

Steve sighed and smiled, “Yes, Eddie. Whatever will satisfy,” he waved his hand at Eddie, “your needs.”

“Wait really?” Eddie beamed.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t you?”

“Because I’m not cool enough duh.”

“I think you are almost too cool.”

“Nobody could be too cool for Steve ‘The Hair’ Harrington,” he said, setting Ozzy down and laying his head on Steve’s shoulder. He wanted to cry. He’s never been this happy.

“I don’t know man. Oz is pretty cool.”

“True,” he looked up at Steve and smiled, before looking serious, “I hope it will always be like this.”

“It will be,” he let out a shaky breath.

When Eddie didn’t reply he went to say more, take it back, but didn’t have the chance. Because just like he took the words right out of his mouth, “Right.” And he was.

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End

and this is what I call "thank fuck, it's finally over." BUT YAY I THINK. I honestly have no clue what to say besides uh thanks. Love how I went from a part everyday to a part almost exactly every month. I like to tortue myself with that info. I could have been done in January. But I think it’s better this way. Now I can finally put this on Ao3. Um anyways. I’m really unenthusiastic about this. I’m tired (wow what a shock). It is kinda crazy tho. I’d like to restate that all of this was all based off a dream. Also I’d like to inform that my most interesting dream was me getting chased by a big butterfly sooooo. Somehow this was a decent length. Idk how. I kinda just woke up and poof part 11 spawned. Okay so in other news,

Since I can no longer go on my how to get tagged spiel: I will now ask if you would like to be tagged in my next fic/ or if you want to be permanently tagged in all of my works such a as- all my fics, incorrect quotes, and random misc stuff.

One thing abt the new fic, remember how slow the last few updates of this were? It will most likely be like that. I kind sorta have it planned out but I am STRUGGLING with the povs. I’m also probably going to wait Untill I’ve written part 2 before posting pt 1. That worked out a lot better and kept me motivated for this one! )The fic is pre st1 btw and I’m rly excited cause I LOVE LOVE LOVE pre st4 fics.)

Tag list:  @asbealthgn @queerbeansworld @bird-with-pencils @vecnuthy @artiststarme  @captain-winter-wolf-aehs @piningapplewitch @rowendyss @steve-themom-harrington @lofaewrites @azreadytodie @thequeenrainacorn @pastel-dreamscape @importanttimemachinenerd @jehneeg @swagaliciousmarie @mightbeasleep @krazyperson @milkshakeflowercreator @fando-random @bumblebeecuttlefishes @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @fluffyreturns @scheodingers-muppet @wonderland-girl143-blog @briceslayed @youaremylobster @juststeddiebrainrot @pr3ttyb0yindie @scarlet-pandrian @drips-from-breaking-bones @plasticcrotches

I LOVE AND WILL MISS ALL OF YOU (That is unless you get tagged in the next fic ofc 😉)