hairspraying | ( dup ) contact post

[Steve doesn't know the extent of everything that Eddie's been through, especially with literally being hunted for what happened to Chrissy. He just knows that his friend, someone he cares about, is going through a tough time here, and if he can help, he will.

It might be simple. It's not swinging a bat at a monster, but that doesn't mean he can't do something. So he just keeps himself as close to Eddie as he can right now. The fact that Eddie reciprocates and leans into this does make him feel like he's doing something right though. He can be an anchor for him here. That feels good and what he knows he's been longing for here.]

I know. I'm just sort of used to it here. Not that like bad things don't stop happening, but to some extent, you also learn what you need to like get through the day. Things like this though? It's good to have. [And he hasn't had a whole lot of that. The people he did are all gone now.]

[ Tucking into Steve, comfortable and easing into his bed the longer they're laying down, does feel like the safest harbor Eddie has been in for days. Maybe since he'd come to the city, perhaps even before in Hawkins. He trudges through a lot alone, isn't used to this sort of affection and compassion, easing into it like a thirst being sated.

His breathing is steady, former panic finally gone, as he listens. There's a little sad smile: he knows what it's like learning how to cope through the harder days. His head faintly nods. ] Yeah. It's. Well. It's the best, Steve. It's...what I needed.

[ His eyes shut, yawn interrupting the quiet pause he could've been making. ] Just, don't know what anyone gets from me reliving that. Seeing her die. It...doesn't make sense, man. [ His voice is a touch shakier and his chest tightens, but he's able to say the words without breaking down, cuddled up to Steve and staying tightly there. ]

[He's never really had this before. He likes to think Nancy could come to him when they were dating, but it's not like he had fully matured, yet. This place helped in that as much as every challenge the Upside Down threw at them, too. Doesn't make it any easier, but he likes to think if anyone needed him, he'd be there no matter what.

Especially when it's someone he clearly cares about. It might be even more complicated with Eddie than Steve realizes, but he's not really thinking about any of that. In his defense he hasn't thought a whole lot about a lot. He sort of stumbled into his own sexuality in the city when doing things with guys just felt right. He's dated a bit, too, but nothing that's ever made him commit despite the fact that settling down has been something he's wanted.

But this just feels right, so he keeps his arm tight around Eddie's middle, just listening for now.]

Think it keeps us down. If we're always distracted, always reacting to the things they do to us, can't ever really fight them. It's fucked up, and you don't deserve that. None of us do. [Some people in the city have been through too much already. Like Eddie. He doesn't need to be reminded about the horrors he's already lived through.]

[ Eddie had hesitated on reaching out to anyone once Kalecgos had flown him out of the forest and went back to the Down's motel with him. He'd gone on a walk to get away from everyone, ending up at the Solace Tree (which, worst name ever considering the (uncustomary) effect it had on him) before locking himself in his room. When sleep wouldn't hold without nightmares, his fingers had rushed to finally text Steve. There's really no one else he would've wanted to go, could trust with how heavy he feels.

He's able to slowly compartmentalize the harder parts again, slipping recent and past memories into their boxes again, now that he can breathe with Steve's arm around him. There's no room to think about if there's more between them, not while he's as fatigued as he is. And really, he's not had much room to ever really contemplate if there's more between anyone else and himself.

His breath comes out a little shaky with Steve's direct answer. He agrees with it, smile tugging at his lips with the compassion. He's not sure how he ever thought Steve could be anything other than a good guy, not even when he was a dickish, more immature version of himself. Not like Eddie's always a ray of sunshine: plus, jocks are the kids he's been the most loud and obnoxious to, really.

That warmth building in his chest, he shifts to look at Steve over his shoulder, leaning in awkwardly and suddenly, planting a quick kiss on his lips. Best as he can, with the awkward angle. And he's looking back over the bed again right away, nothing suggestive or sexual about it. He'd wanted to do it, appreciating Steve for all he says and does. ] No, we don't. But at least neither of us are alone. I'm glad, that we have each other.

[ Because he really doesn't think he could survive the way he's felt that day without someone who provides so safe a space as Steve does. ]

[His eyes are on Eddie, well mostly the side of his face that he can see from the position of laying behind him. He doesn't move, keeping himself like a steady force behind the other. He knows what it's like to be shaken by this place, and while Nat had tried to help, he could have used something like this. And he thinks Eddie deserves that sort of comfort.

The kiss catches him off guard for a moment. They've already fooled around, made out, but that was something sexual. This clearly isn't, and it hits him. He has wanted something more for awhile, and while there were people he had gotten close with in the city, it just worked out for various reasons. Steve holds him closer then, reciprocating the feeling.]

I am glad you came back. I know it's shitty, and you don't remember, but... I'm glad. [He isn't alone. That's a good feeling.]

[ Eddie doesn't overthink, he rushes forward with what feels right and good. In this case, he's still a bundle of nerves and anxiety that's held together only by Steve's arm around him, the warmth they build centering him. Those all too familiar sheets and linens, soft pillows and the rise and fall of Steve's breathing. The kiss felt natural, necessary as it shot out of him, lips and brain on the same wavelength of needing to deliver the gesture.

A breath, shallow and deep from his throat, rolls up and into his mouth, forming a small sound of relief and satisfaction when Steve pulls him closer.

He hums a faint laugh at 'shitty,' pressing in against Steve, eyes shutting with a roll of his head where it rested. ] Not remembering, it's okay. Think I played catch up pretty okay. [ A yawn, another little push back toward Steve, wanting to be as confident as possible that there was no room between them, that he was as close as he could get before falling asleep. ]

Guess someone thought we should both be here, huh? [ Another shorter yawn.

A faint hum, and Eddie's breathing starts to even out, hand under Steve's growing limper as he drifts off to sleep. ]

[Steve lays on his side, keeping himself still. He's not that tired, but he doesn't particularly mind laying like this. It's a good chance to unwind, getting things off his chest already. It's slow going, building up to what he can start to feel in his chest, but there's a lot of factors in the city.

But he'll take this, hearing the way Eddie breathes and lays against him. He doesn't really answer the question he posits, but he does think about that. About being with him in the city. It's phrased in a certain way that just hits Steve again, and he just stays there considering it until he can hear the steady breaths coming from Eddie. It's a telltale sign he's fallen asleep. He'll lie there for awhile, just taking in the feeling of the other laying curled against him.]

( dup ) contact post

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

end?