#steve calling eddie 'eddie baby' has been rattling in my head for ages

[ghosttotheparty]

love me softly p11

part ten

Steve lets Eddie play his tapes while they do homework. Or rather, while Eddie does his homework and Steve gazes up at him while laying on the floor of the van next to his legs. Eddie occasionally reaches down and bops him on the nose just because it makes him giggle, and Steve’s giggle makes Eddie think God might actually exist.

Somehow he actually manages for focus on his homework, even with Steve staring at him almost the whole time. Steve doesn’t say anything at all, even when Eddie thinks out loud and whispers to himself about the work, even when Eddie fidgets just reaching down and twisting his fingers in Steve’s hair, probably pulling on it too hard, but Steve doesn’t seem to mind.

As Eddie is starting on his next assignment (a packet from literature, which isn’t nearly as daunting or dreadful for him as chemistry), Steve sits up and moves to sit across from him, his back to the wall as he pulls his backpack close. Eddie rereads the excerpt on the front page as Steve is getting settled, and he glances up after a while as he’s flipping the page to see Steve staring down at his notebook, his brows furrowed and lips pursed in concentration.

“Steve, you’re distracting me.”

Steve looks up, blinking at him adorably in confusion.

“I’m not doing anything,” he says, his pencil still hovering over the page.

“Yeah, but you’re so cute it makes me a little stupid. I forgot how to read.”

Steve’s cheeks turn pink and he rolls his eyes to the ceiling, shaking his head, and even his eye roll is adorable. Eddie lets out an ugh.

Steve just laughs softly.

By the time Eddie finishes, Steve is almost done with his drawing,but he doesn’t notice Eddie putting away his school stuff. So Eddie leans back against the wall of the van and gazes at him. Watches the way his eyes move back and forth across the page, listens to the pencil scratches and the slide of his hand over the paper.

“Can I help you?” Steve asks when he finally notices Eddie staring, glancing up before he keeps drawing.

“Not really,” Eddie says lightly. “Just admiring.”

“You’re so annoying.”

“And yet.” Eddie sighs heavily, slumping back and grinning. “I’ve heard you really like me.”

“Who told you that?” Steve asks, acting shocked.

“Some pretty little birdie.”

Steve shoots him a look over his notebook before he keeps drawing.

Eddie watches.

Steve’s hair is falling in his face as he works but he doesn’t seem to notice at all, ignoring it as he works in silence, drawing and leaning his head back against the wall to analyse the paper. He frowns when he analyses it, almost pouting. Eddie wants to kiss him.

Eddie grins slowly when Steve’s head starts bobbing in time with the music. Steve doesn’t seem to realise he’s doing it, absently nodding as he draws.

“Steve Harrington,” Eddie says slowly. Steve looks at him over his notebook. “Are you dancing to Diamond Head?”

Steve’s eyes squint under a smile and he looks back at the notebook.

“Don’t think nodding counts as dancing.”

“But… Diamond Head moved you.”

Steve snorts.

“Sure, Eddie.”

Eddie coos, leaning forward, and Steve’s eyes find his above the notebook. He’s smiling.

“I’m gonna make you a metalhead.”

“Sure you are.”

“You should get an electric guitar,” Eddie says. “We can start a two-man band.”

Steve just shakes his head.

“No? King Steve and the Freak? Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Steve shoots him a look, glaring half-heartedly, his smile faltering.

“I don’t like when you call yourself that,” he says, his voice softer.

Eddie shrugs lightly.

“‘S what they call me.”

Steve blinks at him, and his smile fades completely. He nods a little bit like he doesn’t know what to say, and then he looks back at his drawing, but his hands don’t move.

“Hey.” Eddie reaches out and carefully takes the notebook, raising his eyebrows to make sure it’s okay, and Steve lets him, his hands falling. Eddie takes his pencil next, setting it on top of the notebook before he moves forward, gently pushing Steve’s knees apart so he can settle, kneeling, between his legs.

“Hi,” Steve says softly.

“What is it?” Eddie whispers. Steve looks up at him, his hands in his lap, and Eddie takes one, lacing their fingers. Steve’s head rests on the wall.

“I don’t like how they all treat you,” he says quietly, almost sullenly, squeezing Eddie’s hand.

Eddie tilts his head, moving closer so Steve’s legs rest over his.

“I know,” he says. “It’s okay, Stevie.”

“How are you so fine with it?” Steve asks, his brows furrowed, frowning again in that way that makes him look like he’s pouting. Eddie bites his lip, touching his cheek.

“I’m used to it,” he says, shrugging.

“You shouldn’t be,” Steve says adamantly, leaning toward him, pressing his face into Eddie’s hand. “It shouldn’t happen enough for you to get used to it. It’s fucking bullshit, Eddie.”

Eddie smiles, letting go of his hand to hold Steve’s face gently.

“You’re the coolest guy I know,” Steve adds shyly, still pouting. “You’re not… a freak.”

Eddie sighs, moving closer to him, pulling Steve closer and pecking him gently before he shifts so he isn’t kneeling, wrapping his legs around Steve.

“You wanna know why I embrace being a freak so much?”

“Tell me,” Steve whispers.

Eddie pauses to find his words, resting his hands on the sides of Steve’s neck, gazing at Steve’s lips.

“When I say that I’m a freak, I’m… taking ownership of it. I’m making the word mine. So when those assholes say, like, Oh, you’re so such a freak, and I just say Yeah, I am, I’m taking it from them.”

Steve blinks at him, listening, hanging onto every word.

“And then they don’t have anything to use against me,” Eddie says. “Because that’s mine. They can’t use it if I’m agreeing with them.”

Steve’s lips curve into a soft smile.

“And I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” Eddie adds. “Being a freak.”

“Why not?” Steve asks quietly. One of his hands lifts to Eddie’s wrist, holding it so gently it almost tickles. Eddie leans close and presses a kiss to his chin.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being different,” he says softly. “‘M not hurting anyone. People just hate when other people don’t conform.” He pauses. “I think everyone has a little freak inside them. Even if they don’t know it.”

Steve’s eyes are shining thoughtfully, and he’s smiling that tiny, barely-there smile. (Eddie wants to take a picture of him posed like the Mona Lisa.)

“I think you’re cool,” Steve whispers.

“I think you’re cool too.”

“Even if I’m a dumb jock?”

“You’re not dumb, Stevie. And yes.”

“That’s sweet.”

Eddie presses a finger under Steve’s chin and makes him tilt it up before he leans in and nuzzles his face into Steve’s neck. Steves fingers push into Eddie’s hair and play with his curls as Eddie’s lips press to Steve’s skin.

“You smell good,” Eddie murmurs, opening his eyes to find the moles on Steve’s neck and press kisses to them.

“You smell like weed. And cigarettes. And… cinnamon?”

“Yummy.”

Steve laughs softly, digging his fingers into his hair. There’s a triangle of moles on his neck that look like a constellation, and Eddie kisses them before he hesitates, looking. Steves fingers tug lightly. Eddie leans down and traces the moles with the tip of his tongue, smiling when Steve exhales shakily.

Eddie wraps his arms around Steve’s neck, pulling him until their chests press together, and he closes his eyes. Steve’s fingertips scratch and his scalp, and he wants to fall asleep.

“You finished all your homework?” Steve asks quietly. His voice is rumbly in Eddie’s ear.

“Yes,” Eddie says sassily. “Obviously.”

“Mhmm.”

“Shut up.”

“Okay. Thanks, boyfriend.”

Eddie giggles, hiding his face in Steve’s neck.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop making me blush?”

“But you’re so pretty when you blush.”

“Only when I blush?”

“You’re always pretty, Eddie baby.”

“Oh my god.” Heat floods his face, and he’s glad Steve can’t see him. “You’re really putting the moves on now, aren’t you?”

Steve just laughs softly and turns his head to kiss Eddie’s temple.

part twelve

read the whole thing on ao3

taglist: @mackdaddyofheimlichcountyy @vecnuthy @thehumblefigtree <3

comment to be tagged in part 12 :)