Chapter Text
Steve may have taken some turns too quickly and pulled more rolling stops than normal at the stop signs on his way to Eddie’s; but he just couldn’t get over the feeling that if he didn’t talk to the other man today it was all going to slip through his fingers. He was done waiting around and dropping hints - it was now or never. Putting the beemer in park he shoved his phone in his back pocket, grabbed the shoebox and set the cupcakes on top of it before heading up to Eddie’s.
He felt a little stupid as he began climbing the stairs to the second level trying to make sure he didn’t drop the cupcakes and also didn’t squeeze the box too tight..he was just nervous. As he got closer to the door he was surprised to hear shouting voices - one was definitely Eddie’s but he didn’t recognize the other. Maybe one of his roommates? Suddenly feeling unsure, he backed up towards the door, maybe he should just come back in the morning after all…
The apartment door swung open and a very tall, thin blonde woman stormed out in a huff. Steve would normally say she was beautiful, but her cold expression erased any of the attractiveness of her finer features. She swept her hair over her shoulder and grabbed her purse from an outstretched hand…from the rings it looked like Eddie’s. “I’ll remember this Munson - see if your shitty little cover band is welcome at any of the clubs I perform for anymore!” she shouted as she barreled towards the door…towards Steve.
Steve ducked to the side and looked down at his feet, not sure what else to do as he stood there with the shoebox and cupcakes in hand like an idiot. He couldn’t even pretend to check his phone without putting everything down so he just avoided eye contact, hoping she’d keep going. She nearly did…then she paused and narrowed her eyes first at the cupcakes in his hand but then she recognized what they were propped upon.
“Size 9.5 I assume? I’ll take those back thank you,” she said, holding out a well manicured hand - a bored expression on her face. Steve’s brow furrowed and he started to hand her a cupcake in confusion, “not the cake you idiot, the shoes. Jesus wept, that dick better be 9 and a half too for everyone to want to drop their panties for you so bad.”
Suddenly everything clicked and he realized she was a drag queen and clearly the person Eddie had borrowed the shoes from. He felt relief at knowing that while Eddie hadn’t been fighting with a girlfriend when he arrived, that didn’t mean he wasn’t fighting with someone else he’d been seeing. “Oh sorry, I didn’t realize you were…here,” he placed the box in their hands, awkwardly juggling both cupcakes in a single hand momentarily.
“Bringing your bestest dude bro some cute little confections? Do you think that’ll cure a broken heart? Lord knows a good dicking down didn’t help…” they said with a sigh, reapplying their smudged lip gloss pointedly. “Tell Munson to lose my number or I’ll tell every guy in town he gave me so much clap it sounded like applause. Capisce?” Steve just nodded and scampered away, eager to escape their angry blue eyes - made no less intimidating by the large lashes and glitter surrounding them.
Only once they’d disappeared behind the door in a dizzying spell of sparkles and hair did Steve register what they’d said. Had Eddie been with them tonight? Was he so eager to see them that he left the shoot early? Maybe they’d been together this whole time…they certainly seemed the type to wear the gold underwear. Also the type to be in an on again, off again relationship - though this time seemed really final.
Steve couldn’t shake the image of the two of them together, even if they seemed broken up again now, out of his mind. The fact that Eddie didn’t want to wait until the shoot ended to talk with Steve but rather rushed home to see someone else and immediately be intimate. His stomach churned and he broke out in a cold sweat - once again he just wasn’t good enough, no matter what he did.
Placing the two cupcakes on the doormat outside the apartment he clambered back down the stairs and got in the car, shooting a text to Argyle to let Eddie know the shoes had been returned to their rightful owner. When Argyle fired off a bunch of questions back, clearly confused about what went down, Steve just put his phone on silent and headed home - the street lights reflecting off the dampness on his eyes.
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Thankfully, Steve was off work the next day and Robin was out so he pinned the laminated note she’d made for him that said “Migraine” on it to the outside of his door and flopped into bed. Hopefully that would give him the chance to hide and wallow for at least a day, maybe more if he got lucky.
Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him from going over and over everything that had happened between him and Eddie recently. As he lay in bed listening to a playlist called ‘Mitski ranked in order of sadness’ he analyzed every conversation, every look and every feeling hoping to find some solution.
His phone was face down on his desk but he could still tell that Argyle was blowing it up by the way the songs would occasionally pause for the muted notification to pop up. He laid there in a daze until he eventually dropped off long enough to hear Robin come crashing through the front door. Steve rolled over on his stomach just in case she opened the door so he would appear sleeping but thankfully he heard her skid to a stop in front of his door and then walk to her room with much quieter footsteps.
He decided to hazard a glance at his phone in case she had messaged him about something urgent but he’d only missed one.
~Robin~
[Birdie] omw home, alone 😭 because Chrissy has to open, if you wanna get some disgusting diner food and catch up lmk.
He swiped it away then sighed when he saw how many came in from Argyle…but nothing from Eddie.
~Argyle~
[Plaid] steve?
[Plaid] what d u mean the shoes are back with the owner?
[Plaid] who has them?
[Plaid] im so confused
[Plaid] where y at?
[Plaid] wheres eddie?
[Plaid] did u guys tlka?
[Plaid] please just lmk your home ok
[Plaid] ok?
[Plaid] steeeeeeeeeeve
[Plaid] pickup
[Plaid] pickup or im coming over
[Plaid] and im bringing dustin
[Plaid] ….steve?
Steve didn’t think he’d really show up, especially with Dustin…but the curly headed teen had done dumber things than sneaking out with a bunch of stoners in the middle of the night. With a sigh he typed a quick response and put his phone on Do Not Disturb before rolling over and doing his best to fall back to sleep - his mind still a swirling mess.
~Argyle~
[Kingsman] I’m home, I’m fine, I just don’t want to talk tonight. No need for backup, I’ll reach out when I’m ready.
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Argyle stared down at his phone with a frown as Jonathan finished loading the last of the supplies and equipment from the shoot into the back of the van with a grunt. “Everyone get back okay?” he said, nudging Argyle’s shoulder as he leaned against the now closed doors. “Define okay,” he groaned, shaking his head. “Did they talk?” Argyle looked at Jonathan like he’d grown a second head, “those two?” He scoffed and shoved his phone back in his pockets.
“I know it’s hard to tell someone you like them, especially when you’re friends but these two are like…incapable of communicating normally!” He hated getting all worked up like this…his voice got too squeaky and annoying, “sorry, I didn’t even ask how you’re doing…seeing Nancy again must have been a shock, huh?” Jonathan shrugged and let out a sigh, staring up at the night sky, the stars much brighter back in Hawkins than in Indy.
“I was shocked to see her for sure but…I dunno man, it actually just sort of made me realize how much I didn’t miss her, y’know?” Argyle felt like his eyebrows shot up so high they were going to leave his face completely, “really? I thought she was the one or some shit man…” Jon shrugged, “maybe watching those two idiots circling each other for weeks made me realize I need to figure out what I really want and go for it.” He nodded, looking down at his shoes, “yeah that makes sense bro I-“
In the blink of an eye Jonathan had cut him off mid sentence by gently, but with clear intentions, kissing him and pressing him back against the rear door. His eyes slipped closed and he let himself get lost in the feeling. Jonathan was a much more slight man but he somehow made Argyle feel like he was something petite, precious and to be cherished in that moment - pressed between the warm metal of the van and the heat of Jonathan’s body.
After what felt like an eternity and simultaneously not long enough, he pulled back and looked in Argyle’s eyes, panting for air, “so what do you think? Am I over Nancy?” Argyle pulled him forward for another quick kiss before rushing to the front of the van to start it, “I’m gonna need some more evidence…let’s hurry home so we can discuss this in detail.” Jonathan grinned and slid into the passenger’s seat, putting his hand over Argyle’s on the gear shift, “just drive carefully for once…I want us both to get there in one piece.”
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The next morning Jonathan crawled back into bed with coffee for them both while Argyle frowned at his phone. “Sorry, instant is all I have…but I figured it was better than nothing,” he said, pecking him on the cheek as he passed over the mug. Argyle took it despite his hatred for cheap coffee, “as long as there’s enough cream and sugar to kill a horse I’m fine.” Jonathan laughed and tucked his hair behind his ear, pressing a soft kiss on the side of his neck, “who do you take me for? Of course I made it extra sweet.”
He took a long swig of the coffee and while it was still too bitter, just by the virtue of it being instant, it was hot and felt good on his sore throat after last nights’ activities. Jon leaned over and peeked at his phone, “still nothing from Steve?” “Not since last night…I also never texted Eddie about the shoes, should I?” Jonathan took a sip of his own coffee, black - which made Argyle’s stomach hurt just looking at it, and sighed, “I don’t know…actually, I might have an idea.”
~Sexy Shoot Group~
[Jon Boy] hey guys - we’re actually a little ahead of schedule and I’m kinda burnt out, so can we take a break for a few weeks?
Argyle looked over in confusion, “are you burnt out? I’m sorry babe…” “No,” Jonathan said with a laugh, “I’m fine - I just didn’t want to rub our new relationship in Steve’s face, and I want to spend the next few weeks focusing on you. Plus I think it’ll be good for them to get some time apart - Steve can lick his wounds and Eddie can hopefully pull his head out of his ass a little bit.” “You’re a genius,” Argyle said, booping his nose before picking up his phone too.
~Sexy Shoot Group~
[Argy] works for me
[Argy] Stevie and I have already talked his wardrobe for the next one and it won’t take a lot from me so a break is no problemo
[Argy] Eddie needs the most time tbh he’s got a big set to build so maybe while we’re resting you can get busy Munsono
[Metal Lord] wait what am I doing?
[Metal Lord] also a break works for me - gives me more time to work on music
[Argy] oh right you left early so you dont kno
[Argy] the theme for next month is pride so we need a platform that looks like a float
[Argy] signs / posters / flags to decorate it in - the works
[Argy] *gif of Mark Kanemura dancing in head to toe rainbow attire*
[Metal Lord] **three dots appear then disappear several times**
[Jon Boy] you good Munson?
[Metal Lord] yeah no worries…I’ll do my best
[Metal Lord] does it need to be like…on wheels?
[Jon Boy] nah it can be on a platform to make it easier to photoshop in other people at the ‘parade’ but no need for anything super fancy
[Jon Boy] just wanna make sure it’s sturdy and safe for Steve <3
[Soy Latte Boy] thanks guys
[Soy Latte Boy] see you in a few weeks
*Soy Latte Boy has notifications silenced*
~Eduardo Munsono~
[Purple Palm Tree] hey bro btw the shoes got back to bawdy last night so ur off the hook
[Dungeon Daddy] what?
[Dungeon Daddy] how?
[Dungeon Daddy] I didnt even kno you knew them
[Purple Palm Tree] I have my ways
[Purple Palm Tree] ill get you the studio keys later
[Purple Palm Tree] have fun the next few weeks w/out us
*Purple Palm Tree has notifications silenced*
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Eddie locked his phone with a sigh and dropped it on the bed next to him - his thoughts a swirling mess that had him spiraling and feeling completely adrift. Why were they doing a Pride theme with a straight model? Why did Steve agree to it? Who the hell found Henry and gave them the shoes? Don’t get him wrong, he was glad he never had to see Henry again after what happened last night, but he just had so many questions and everyone seemed to be pushing him away so he didn’t expect he’d find answers anytime soon. He rolled back over on his stomach and groaned thinking about how last night ended…
He texted Henry before leaving the Wheeler house and they’d agreed to come over for a quick hookup before their performance that night. They’d been on again off again friends with benefits over the years - a blowjob for some pills, a quickie in the green room for a spot on the set list that night, etc. No strings, no attachments, and absolutely no kissing. Henry didn’t need Eddie; he just liked having him at his beck and call, and he’d made that perfectly clear.
When Eddie finally thought he’d found a boyfriend in Billy, Henry understood and they ended the arrangement. But of course, he’d been wrong about that too, and everything Billy ever told him was a complete lie. He’d just been using Eddie for access to good drugs, wild parties and easy groupies who were there at his band’s shows. One night he went to the bathroom before going on stage and found Billy railing some squeaky redhead in the handicapped stall.
By the time he got back to the apartment that night all of Billy’s stuff was gone along with Eddie’s entire stash and all the cash he’d made from dealing the past month. All that was left was a sticky note that said, ‘heading back to LA, sorry.’ He’d had to pawn a lot of his stuff, give up his apartment, and move in with the band to make back enough money to pay Rick, but he managed. After that, he swore no more relationships and no more heartbreak. Went back to casual hookups at bars and clubs, but when he couldn’t find what he wanted on the streets he’d text Henry.
Granted…he hadn’t done either in weeks, not since starting to spend more time with Steve, but after tonight he just needed to do something to get himself out of his head. Preferably by getting some head. When Henry showed up they were already in full drag which shocked Eddie, “so I’m getting Bawdy tonight? Not my usual type but we can make it work.” Henry’s eyes narrowed, “oh can we? I’m so honored,” they scoffed, “what about what I get out of this, hmm?”
Eddie sighed and grabbed a bag of leftovers he’d cobbled together, “a handful of molly, some benzos, and I even got a few percs just like you like.” They snatched the bag, swallowing a molly right away, then grinned at him maliciously, “you better not mess up my wig or my makeup - let’s get to business.” With a quick shove Eddie was on the couch and Henry sank to the ground and began undoing his pants to pull out his cock.
He wanted this…he wanted to forget, it didn’t matter if this felt wrong and dirty and he was sick of it all. Eddie tried to remind himself of that as Henry started to get him worked up…or tried to anyway. “You been drinking? I didn’t come all the way over here to deal with whiskey dick.” They leaned down to try and get little (big, tbh) Eddie on board but the second their sticky, cheap lipgloss touched his skin, Eddie recoiled. “Sorry, I can’t do this,” he stammered as he got up and redid his pants, pacing the living room in frustration.
Henry groaned and got back up on their feet, “seriously? First you beg me to come over and I oblige, even though I am a very busy woman, then I get this? Limp dick and I’m guessing no return of service either.” Eddie blanched at that and shook his head, running his hands through his hair nervously, “I’m sorry…you can keep the pills I just-“ “You’re goddamn right I’m keeping these pills - are you serious? They’re the least you can do after this stunt.”
“This is about the little straight boy isn’t it? You’re hung up on him. Wake up Eddie, it is never gonna happen. If you can’t see that then I’m done dealing with your stupid ass!” They rushed to storm out, nearly forgetting their purse, but Eddie followed to hand it to them. They shouted “I’ll remember this Munson - see if your shitty little cover band is welcome at any of the clubs I perform for anymore!” and slammed the door behind them. Eddie locked the door with a sigh, looked at his phone and debated texting Steve, but knew deep down that was a bad idea so he just went to sleep.
In the cold light of day he knew that he’d fucked up all around - he shouldn’t have left before the shoot was really, truly done. He definitely should have never texted Henry, in fact he took a moment to block him in his phone and on IG - better to put that part of his past truly behind him. While he was on a roll he texted Rick telling him he’d drop off the money and what was left of his stash but he was done dealing.
While life had certainly handed him a lot of shit sandwiches over the years he knew that he needed to start thinking about what he really wanted and stop just letting things happen to him. He opened his notes app and wrote a quick to do list:
1. Drop by Ricks
2. Get keys from Argyle
3. Sort your fucking life out mate
Was making a Trainspotting reference the day he stopped dealing a little weird? Maybe, but it made him laugh for the first time all day. He quickly showered and got ready to go but on his way out the door he skidded to a halt - narrowly avoiding ruining his docs. “What the fuck?” he looked down at the doormat and what was clearly two cupcakes once upon a time was now a gooey mess - the icing melting in the sun, ants crawling all over the place and a few bites taken out of one by what was probably a raccoon.
He went back inside to grab the stuff to clean it all up and as he scrubbed the last of the red and white goop off the doormat the best he could the pieces clicked together in his mind. Someone gave Bawdy back the shoes…but it wasn’t Argyle, it was Steve. He’d been here last night, he’d brought Eddie more cupcakes even. His heart clenched as he realized he must have run into Henry…oh god what had Henry said? They never missed an opportunity to be cutting and cruel.
Checking his phone he saw Steve was still on do not disturb so he just resumed his day with a sigh. He’d have to figure out how to untangle that particular problem later. Rick was thankfully very chill - Eddie had never done him wrong over the years plus he always had plenty of new college kids in town to recruit so he wasn’t hurting for dealers. Argyle left the studio keys under Jonathan’s doormat, of all places, so Eddie just picked them up with a shrug and left - unaware of what was happening behind that closed door.
He ran by the hardware store and the art supply store to get started on what he’d need for the set and backdrop, but on his way out something caught his eye. Pinned to the message board by the calendar of events for the month was a stack of pamphlets for Herron School of Art and Design. Feeling something unlock in his chest that he’d long forgotten was there, he grabbed one with a grin and went to go get to work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eddie spent the next month throwing himself into working on the set - normally he would try to outsource more things and get help from someone on something like this but he wanted it to be 100% his blood, sweat, tears and glitter in this thing. He’d, of course, been to Pride before but a certain amount of his identity as a gay man was also tied to his lack of self-worth. So he felt like he shouldn’t be there - shouldn’t be proud, because who wanted him? But this time he was really feeling the energy and hope he knew he should have had for Pride’s past, even if this one wasn’t real since it was actually April.
The ‘float’ was a very sturdy raised platform - complete with stairs on the back so Steve could safely go up and down. It was covered in every pride flag you could think of, streamers, balloons, glitter, the works. He’d even made fake signs for Jonathan to put on the photoshopped attendees he’d be adding to the final composited image with various pride slogans and he was really…well, proud of them. The backdrop was thankfully partially done already - he took the March rainbow and just painted clouds over the pot of gold. Now it just looked like the sky itself was celebrating pride behind the float.
He’d taken lots of photos as he worked and compiled them with all the other set work he’d done thus far on the project, and other older art of course, to use as his portfolio for art school. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea at first but when he brought it up to Wayne at their monthly dinner his uncle surprised him by getting up from the table. He reached under the sink and pulled out a can of Chock Full O’Nuts, setting it down next to his plate.
Feeling oddly nervous Eddie joked, “I didn’t know they still made that stuff.” Wayne’s lips twitched into a smirk behind his mustache but then he got serious again, “over the years any time I got extra cash - from overtime, holiday pay, hazard pay, etc. I set it aside. Now don’t get me wrong, I never really expected you’d be going to college - you always had a hard time in school, but I figured you’d need it for something big one day. I wanted to be ready, just in case.”
He slid the can over to Eddie and popped off the plastic lid revealing bundles of cash, how much he couldn’t be sure. “…Wayne,” he squeaked, speechless for one of the first times in his life. “Now I know it ain’t enough for everything but it should help get you started anyway…I’m really proud of you Eddie. You can do this, I know it.” Choked up, eyes swimming, he just nodded and hugged his uncle tight before they got back to eating.
It’d be a lie to say he’d been so busy working he hadn’t had time to think about Steve, he definitely still haunted his thoughts regularly but he was smart enough to know they needed to talk face to face. He also knew that Steve needed to be ready to talk and thus far he’d been silent, so Eddie decided it was best to respect his space. He hadn’t heard from Argyle and Jonathan much either, but that made sense since those two had finally figured their shit out and got together.
Eddie was happy for them, really he was, but he couldn’t help but wonder when his turn was coming as he worked. Ultimately, he knew he needed to just work on himself and find his own happiness, move past this thing with Steve once he apologized for whatever Henry said, but he still liked to dream. Of course on the day of the shoot he arrived after everyone else so there was no time to talk to Steve beforehand. He steeled his nerves and told himself it was fine - they could speak after. He just had to be patient.
When Steve finally emerged from the changing room, Eddie’s heart ground to a halt in his chest. His hair had gotten longer and fell around his face in delicate waves, glimmering with some kind of glitter Argyle must have put on. His eyes are painted in what looks like a mask that fades from pink, purple, then to blue. Tiny white stars and freckles cover the face paint and some are even drawn into little constellations, just making him shine even brighter. The same glitter as he has on his head is also covering his chest hair, Eddie can’t help but note with a gulp, and then there’s his ‘outfit.’
He had on all 3 pieces of the new Calvin Klein underwear set layered together, and yes Eddie shouldn’t know them by brand but he’s a weak, weak man and anytime he spots a new jockstrap on the market he pays attention okay? The base is pink boxer briefs that are SO short not much hangs out beneath the blue briefs, and honestly it only does because they’re so high cut and then…praise Cthulhu, there’s a purple jockstrap over the top.
Somehow, despite how much of Steve’s skin is on display, Eddie’s rational thought kicks in for a minute and he wonders what Argyle has been working on since these are clearly purchased items but then he approaches with an armful of chiffon and a grin. He then spends the next several minutes artfully draping swaths of soft fabric in those same colors - blue, purple and pink, over Steve’s mostly nude form. Not hiding anything because they’re completely see through; and in fact they make the whole thing more sensual by making it feel like the viewer, or in this case Eddie, is peeking at him through curtains. Seeing something they shouldn’t.
Now…Eddie never claimed to be the smartest man, barely graduated high school, never planned to enroll in college until recently and was content to just get by with street smarts for as long as possible. So y’know…it took a minute to click that there was a definite theme beyond just pride in Steve’s ensemble; in fact he seemed to be wearing just one flag. Subtlety was also not one of his strong suits so without thinking of the best way to word it, or to adjust his volume, Eddie just screeched out, “wait…are you bi?”
Everyone froze and turned to stare at him in shock, even Jonathan who was adjusting the lightning turning with a look that just seemed to scream ‘what the fuck?’ Steve, thankfully, took it in stride with a grace that was honestly fitting, “yes, clearly, that’s why we decided to do a pride theme. I’m tired of having to tiptoe around it and feel like I can only be my true self around a select few people who understand. So this photoshoot is a bit of a double edged sword - Jonathan said he wouldn’t mind if I used some of the spare shots for my coming out post so,” he shrugged nonchalantly, “here we are.”
“Here we are…” Eddie echoed, unable to make his brain form more words because the wheels turning over and over in his mind just kept blaring, ‘STEVE IS BI AND YOU COMPLETELY FUCKED IT UP…AGAIN.’ Thankfully Argyle chimed in and saved him from trying to think of something not idiotic to say, “we’re so proud of our Stevie! Bi bros - right Jonny?” Jonathan blushed a bit at being caught out and mumbled, “I prefer pan but the distinction really isn’t important and y’know being queer is what unites us we shouldn’t focus so much on the differences…anyway…” he went back to fixing the lights position but he had a small grin on his face.
“Well…that’s great man! Hey, twice as many opportunities to find a date on Friday nights right?” Eddie said with what he hoped was a convincing chuckle, trying to get his heart and head to calm down. Apparently the joke did not land though because Steve excused himself saying he needed air and walked out of the studio, thankfully remembering to throw a robe over his lack of clothing on his way. Argyle looked at Eddie and muttered, “puta madre,” before going back to his sewing station with a sigh.
Jonathan walked over, shoulders more squared than Eddie was used to seeing on the timid man, and gave his shoulder a gentle shove. “Go talk to him man…and be honest for once, okay? For all our sakes.” Eddie nodded, feeling very caught out by the whole situation, and headed to the exit. He started to push the door open but paused halfway when he realized Steve was on the phone, not quite yelling but also not exactly calm as he paced.
“I don’t know what else to do Robbie - he actually suggested that this was good because I could date more people. Clearly he still just doesn’t see me as someone worth his time so I just need to get over him. He’s been so hot and cold this whole time, then there was all the weird stuff with his ex and now this? I know that just because we’re both queer doesn’t mean he has to be attracted to me but I just thought there was something between us, y’know?”
As guilty as he felt for listening in, Eddie had to say something at that, and threw the door open all the way blurting out, “there is!” as he rushed over to Steve. He was frozen, staring at Eddie with a slight blush forming on what skin Eddie could see under the makeup, Robin’s voice chattering loudly from the phone - clearly pissed at suddenly not being part of the conversation anymore. Eddie leaned over, almost close enough to rest his head in the palm of Steve’s hand, and whispered, “he'll have to call you back later,” before pushing the hang up button.
“I’m sorry I have been confusing you and pushing you away…so in the interest of full transparency, I’m crazy about you Steve. I had no idea you were interested in men, much less interested in me, until today. I thought Robin was your girlfriend, then I thought Argyle was trying to get with you and then Nancy showed up too - it was all very confusing. If I knew I had a snowballs chance in hell with you I would have done everything I could to show you how I felt.”
Steve sniffed and gave a little shrug, “you could show me now?” before holding out his hand. Eddie beamed and grabbed onto his hand, interlacing their fingers, before pulling him into a gentle kiss. He sighed and tilted his head to deepen the kiss, the two of them completely oblivious to anything other than the passion between them. His free hand tangled in Eddie’s curls while Eddie just held onto him as tight as he could, crushing their bodies together.
“Ahem…sorry to break it up but we need those underwear to stay clean for the shoot if you know what I mean,” Argyle said with a wink before closing the door again to give them a moment to talk. “So…” “So,” Steve said with a shrug, “clearly I’m not straight, I am single, and Argyle is definitely not interested in me. But what about you? I know you mentioned an ex when you gave me those underwear then I ran into your drag queen friend outside your place and they alluded to…something going on between you two.”
Eddie winced now that his fears were confirmed, “I’m so sorry about Henry - they are a real piece of work. I won’t lie to you, because I want to make sure everything between us stays honest,” he emphasized, linking their hands again. “Henry and I have hooked up in the past - always casual, never in a real relationship. I did invite them over that night to try and well…get over you, I guess?” Steve paled visibly at that, even with the makeup, “but nothing happened - I was too hung up on you to…ummm…rise to the occasion?” Eddie said with a squeak.
“And even when Henry tried to keep going despite my lack of interest I pushed them off and asked them to leave. Needless to say they weren’t happy about that…I’m sorry if they said anything to make you uncomfortable or made it seem like things between us were serious. I have blocked them now and don’t ever want to see them again. The way they treated me was…” he trailed off, looking down at the ground for a moment. “Plus the things they said about how I felt about you were not nice. I don’t want someone that cruel in my life.”
“As for me ex, trust me, he’ll never be back and if he does I would sooner put my dick in a cheese grater than ever go near him again.” Steve winced then laughed and shook his head, “well then I guess that means we’re both unattached…if we want to be.” “I think it’s too late for me baby, I’m already very much attached…in fact I might be turning into a half man half barnacle. Ooh I should use that for a D&D campaign,” Eddie said, leaning in to gently kiss the side of Steve’s neck in an effort not to mess up his makeup further.
“I think I could get used to that…does that mean you want to go out for seafood tonight?” Steve joked, eyebrow raised. “Ohhh hahaha, very funny Stevie. I’ll take you wherever you wanna go - sandwiches at Dagwoods, waffles at the diner, hell we can skip dinner all together and I’ll just take you for a nice long walk in the park. Whatever your heart desires, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.” “I just want to be with you…the rest isn’t important,” Steve whispered, kissing him desperately one last time before they headed inside to get to work.
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Once the photoshoot began Eddie thought that he’d be okay, well better than okay now that they’d aired all their issues, but he didn’t think about what was actually going to be happening in the shoot. Steve stood on top of their fake pride float dancing to their playlist for today and having fun. Jonathan assured them he’d make it look like it was at an actual parade with other people later but Steve was doing a great job pretending he was surrounded by other partying queers. That wasn’t the problem…the issue was him slowly losing layers.
Eddie was so caught up in how beautiful he was he didn’t really catch on at first other than to internally say ‘aw sad face’ when the jockstrap was removed along with the layers of matching chiffon. When the briefs and their remaining fabric also went he realized that he was standing there with his new ……boyfriend? They hadn’t said the word but it felt right. Either way, definitely someone he would be fantasizing about for the rest of his life, just stripping down casually in front of the camera.
Of course this had been going on for weeks but it felt different when Steve was just an unattainable crush compared to now when he knew that one day he might be the one getting to undress him like this. His face was bright red and hot, he felt like he couldn’t see straight (pun intended), and he just wanted to take that last layer off and worship him right there on the soundstage - audience be damned. After Jonathan shot a few more of Steve just in the boyshorts he hopped down and whispered with Argyle before going back to the changing room.
Jonathan shot Eddie a small grin, quiet as always, but he knew it meant he was happy they’d finally sorted their shit out. In a matter of seconds Steve came back out this time…just in the jockstrap and a new fabric that was sort of like a cape but just attached at his shoulders and hung down from there, leaving his arms bare along with well…the rest of him. Eddie practically choked on his tongue and did everything he could to keep his eyes off what was on display of that perfect ass he’d dreamt about.
Steve looked like he was blushing, though it was hard to tell under the makeup, as he approached Eddie before they resumed shooting. “Do you like it?” “Steve…baby, if we were alone right now I would show you just how I feel about this. For now lemme just say you are the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Eddie said, holding his hand to help him up on the float. He deserved a Nobel prize for how hard he kept his eyes on Steve’s and didn’t let them wander.
When he got back to his mark on the float Eddie just felt a joy bursting from his chest he couldn’t contain and shouted, “I’m so proud of you!” Everyone had tears in their eyes as they finished the last set of pictures - thankfully Steve was able to keep his from running down and ruining his makeup. When Jonathan went to announce that they were done Steve said, “wait…can we do one more?” “Sure, what’s your idea?” Jonathan said, picking his camera back up.
Steve walked to the back of the float and reached for Eddie, he dashed over to eagerly help him down but instead Steve pulled him up - so quickly that he almost fell. He let himself freak out internally for a few seconds about how strong he was and how much he’d like to take advantage of that strength in the future but then looked at him in confusion. “What’s up baby?” “I don’t want this one for the calendar, just for me, but would you kiss me here? I always want to remember today…” Steve said, biting his lip.
Eddie reached up, tugging his lip free of his teeth with his thumb before taking him in his arms gently, “Are you sure? I don’t look as good as you today…or ever, honestly. I’ve got paint all over me and my hair is a frizzy mess.” “You look beautiful to me,” Steve said, his eyes damp again, overcome with the emotions of the day. Eddie just nodded gently and whispered, “as you wish sweetheart,” and closed the space between them.
He couldn’t hear the sounds of the shutter, definitely didn’t see Argyle jumping around behind them with one of their signs from the float that said ‘LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE,’ all he could focus on in that moment was kissing Steve again and how much he wanted to touch him all over. Eddie’s head was swimming but eventually he had to pull back for air, and to keep himself from turning this into an X-rated photoshoot.
When he did, Steve burst into giggles and he couldn’t help but feel nervous, “what’s so funny?” “Oh don’t worry, you’ll see,” he said with an easy going grin and the two climbed down from the platform. Steve slipped his robe on and went to go look at the laptop with Jonathan like always but before Eddie could join Argyle just pointed towards the restroom and said, “trust me dude.”
Upon seeing himself in the mirror he also burst out laughing as he realized Steve’s makeup was smeared all over his face and he had big purple smudges on his cheeks, not to mention glitter all over his hands. Several minutes of careful cleaning later he was finally done and went to look over all the pictures with the group. After they finally selected those that were for the calendar and those that were for Steve’s personal use Eddie took him back to the dressing room to help take off the last of the makeup.
Steve was completely different to the last few times they’d done this, boneless and giggly as he leaned against the sink - letting Eddie’s fingers gently massage away the paint and glitter. Once he’d wiped it all away Steve started to get dressed while Eddie was still in the room - staring at him with something dark in his eyes as he slid his jeans on over the purple jockstrap. "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" Eddie joked to try and clear some of the tension.
“What if I am?” Steve challenged, slipping on his henley, but leaving the buttons undone so that his chest hair was back on full display - still shining with some errant glitter. “Well then I guess we’d better get out of here before we give Jon and Argyle a show,” Eddie whispered, grabbing him by the hand. “Text ya later, don’t do anything I would do!” he hollered at the other two men as they rushed out the door laughing, hearts full at last.