Work Text:
“Oh my god, Robin.” Steve is whispering into the mouth piece of his desk phone, begging she can hear him. Because he’s not going to be removing his hovering hand from over his mouth, while he groans into the phone, risking being overheard.
“What?” She sounds exasperated but not annoyed.
“You know the new guy? The one starting in IT today?”
“Yeah?” He can hear her clicking the ballpoint pen he thought he hid last week.
“He is so hot, and I need your help finding out if he plays for our team.”
“Your team, Steve. If he played for my team, this would be a different conversation. Why can’t you figure it out yourself?”
“Because Mike was the one that brought him by and you know how Mike feels about me. I’m pretty sure he told Eddie I was an asshole or something because he barely made eye contact. I don’t want to come on too strong and then I make it worse if he’s straight.” Steve glances over his cube wall to ensure no one’s listening. “Please, do this for me and I’ll buy you tacos for lunch.”
“Fine, oh speak of the devil. Here they come.” Steve hears her chair squeak. “I’ll call you back.”
They hang up and Steve leans in his chair trying to peer down the aisle and see if he can watch the interaction. Robin’s desk isn’t quite down the line so he can only see the top of Mike and Eddie’s head. Neither of their skulls are giving anything away so he sighs and accepts he’ll have to wait for Robin’s call.
After a painstaking 7 minutes Steve’s phone rings. He grabs it immediately and grunts an acknowledgment.
“Um.”
Steve’s stomach drops because that’s not Robin’s voice. “Sorry, this is Steve.”
“Hey, um, it’s Eddie. We just met.”
“Yeah,” Steve’s voice lilts up. “What’s up?”
“Oh, Robin said you had a question about something.” Of course she did.
“Uh, did she mention what it was about?” He’s going to murder her.
“No,” he sounds annoyed.
Think quick. “I was…do you play softball? I’m on a league and we’re always looking for new players.”
“No?” He’s probably wondering why he had Robin ask him to call. “Not really a sports guy.”
“Oh, yeah ok. That makes sense.” Steve rubs the back of his neck scrambling for conversation.
“Why does that make sense?”
Shit. “No, I just noticed your rings and nail polish. I can never keep polish on my nails during the season. Gets chipped too easily.” Eddie hums some kind of acknowledgment that Steve can’t interpret. “You’re probably in a band or something, way cooler than softball.” Steve sighs and needs to get out of this shit show of a conversation stat.
“I play guitar,” Eddie states simply.
“See? Yeah, so much cooler than softball. I never learned how to play anything. Wanted to, thought it would get me more chicks in high school.” Steve realizes what that sounds like and rushes to add. “Or anyone now.”
“Yeah, ok. Was there something computer related you needed help with?”
Steve wants to jump off the fifth floor of this building because why is he such a disaster at this? “Sorry, no. You’re probably busy. It was nice meeting you.”
“Yeah, you too, man.”
“Bye,” Eddie doesn’t respond and Steve drops the receiver down like he wants the floor to open up and swallow him whole.
“Well that was embarrassing.” Steve whips around to see Robin hovering behind him. “I set you up an easy hit and that’s what you do with it?” She has her right hand on her hip and her left hanging on the edge of his cube wall.
“You sabotaged me.” He points his finger at her then pushes himself to his feet. He needs more coffee.
“I did nothing of the sort.” She follows close behind as he weaves through the maze toward the break room.
“Yes you did. I asked you to find out and keep me away from the entire thing. You didn’t even send me a courtesy Slack message. This does not equal tacos.”
“Not fair!” She whines as he pushes the door open with his shoulder.
“It’s only fair since you didn’t do anything. I was the one who looked like an idiot fumbling to come up with something to say to the guy because my best friend refused to find out if he’s queer on her own.”
Robin’s eyes are wide and she’s not speaking which slightly terrifies Steve. He turns around to see the man of the hour pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Hmm,” Eddie tuts, then leans against the counter with a level of nonchalance that shouldn’t be doing something for Steve. “That explains that. Glad I won’t be obsessing the rest of the day about what in the world the hot guy was going on about.”
Eddie’s eyes flick up to Steve and when Steve sees the corner of Eddie’s mouth tick up he can’t help it when a blush spreads across his cheeks. Steve thinks he hears Robin back out of the room but he’s not going to turn around to verify.
“My band has a show this Friday. You should come.” He says while pushing his body away from the counter and stalking toward Steve.
“Yeah,” Steve watches the man move closer.
“I’ll email you the info.” Eddie stops a foot in front of Steve, much too close for casual, and it sends a rush of butterflies through his gut. “Harrington, right?”
“Uh huh.”
“Cool,” Eddie puts his hands on Steve’s shoulder and gives it a squeeze as he steps past. “Oh and it’s too bad you don’t paint your nails more. I bet your fingers look pretty wrapped around…that bat.” Steve feels the weight of the pause and so does his dick if the twitch it gives means anything. “See ya later, man.”
When Eddie disappears through the doorway and Steve’s alone he exhales loudly just before Robin’s pushing her way back into the break room.
“Soooooo?”
“Wanna split the carne asada plate?”
“Yes!” She fist bumps into the air. “Knew it.”
“Also, how does manicures at lunch tomorrow sound?” She cocks her head at him. “He thinks my fingers would look good painted when holding-“
“Don’t!” She interrupts.
“A baseball bat,” he says innocently.
“Uh huh,” she narrows her eyes. “As long as you’re driving, I’m game.”
Eddie hears the familiar ping of a new Slack message. He switches applications and rolls his eyes when he sees who it’s from. He met this douche during this morning’s walk through, and thinks he’s never met more of a Napoleon complex in his life.
With a heavy sigh he types out a standard response and then switches back to what he was doing.
“Hagan?”
“Yeah,” Eddie replies to Dustin through their shared wall.
“Stay away from that guy. He’s a total prick, and an idiot. We just pushed updates through over the weekend. Every single time we do, he messages us about some bullshit.” Dustin puts on a high pitched whiney voice. “What happened to the picture on my screen? I liked the old one. Why did you change the font on that document? Like, dude, we’re not Microsoft. He’s the VP’s kid, so he gets away with everything.”
Eddie stands up and leans on their half wall. “What about Harrington? You know him?”
“Steve?” Dustin perks up. “Yeah, man. Steve’s the best. I lost my cat one time and Steve offered to walk around my neighborhood and help me find him. He’s how I met my fiancé. Gave me really great advice about women.”
Eddie cocks his head at that. He is pretty sure they set a 'date' earlier in the break room.
“So? What’s his deal?”
“What do you mean?” Dustin’s chair squeaks as he shifts around.
“I don’t know,” Eddie shrugs. “How long have you known him? Does he have a girlfriend or something?”
“No? And before you ask, because everyone does, no he and Robin aren’t together. She’s dating Vickie in Marketing. And we’ve been friends basically since I started working here. He was dating Mike’s sister back then. Mike absolutely hated it.”
“Ah,” Eddie nods. “That explains the hostility this morning.”
“When Mike walked you around?”
“Yeah, it was weird. So, he mentioned a softball league?”
Dustin shakes his head with a fond smile. “He’s always trying to get people to join that thing. It’s the first Hawkins queer league, and kinda his baby. He started it four years ago and back then he welcomed anyone even if they weren’t a member of the LGBTQIA community. Now, he has players driving 45 minutes or more to participate. You don’t seem like a softball player, though.”
“I’m not, I think there was a hidden agenda behind this request.” Eddie smiles but doesn’t think Dustin understands what he’s implying. “So, he’s good people?”
“Yeah, actually, I think you two would get along. In a weird opposites attract kinda way. You know what? You should come over this weekend. We’re having a game night at our place. Steve will be there. So will Mike, Will, Lucas, his girlfriend Max. Like a bunch of us from work actually. Dude, you gotta come.” Dustin grabs his phone from his desk. “I’ll text you my address. It’s Saturday night at 7. We order food and BYOB. You in?”
Dustin’s beaming at him like he just invited him to his 6th birthday party. How can Eddie say no? Especially if it gives him another chance to hang out with Steve.
“Alright, pipsqueak. I’m in. No Twister though.”
“Yes! Oh this is awesome.”
Eddie's bouncing on the balls of his feet backstage. He always gets worked up before a show. He's been doing this for the last several years, but every time there's something that bubbles under his skin getting him pumped up.
Tonight, though, might have a little extra spice added to his nerves. Steve was supposed to be there. Adorable surprisingly dorky Steve.
They bumped into each other a few times throughout the week. Eddie loved catching Steve in the break room refilling his coffee. He'd get the cutest, little, shy smile that generated the sweetest, softest blush. It was easy to fluster Steve. Eddie kinda reveled in it, wanted to do it all day every day.
They didn't eat together, or hang out, it felt like they were both waiting for tonight to do anything more. Eddie's chest is fluttering at the idea of what more could mean. He noticed after lunch on Tuesday, Steve's fingernails were suddenly a pretty shade of pink, and wonders if it was done just for him.
He can't see the crowd from the back, so he isn’t sure if Steve's even there, but his nerves feel like he is. He wonders if Steve brought Robin, or if he'll show up on his own. He loves Robin, but it would be a lot easier to flirt with Steve if she wasn't around.
"Munson? You guys are up." Warren the bar's owner motions from the doorway.
"Thanks man." Eddie nods, scoops up his guitar, and then slings it around his back. "Let's get it, boys."
When the band steps off the stage Eddie’s glowing, and it’s not just from the sweat dripping down his forehead. Steve was in the audience and had squeezed his way close to the front. He hadn’t been head banging with the crowd around him, it was adorable, instead he bopped along to the beat and watched Eddie. In fact, he kept is eyes on Eddie the entire time. It was exhilarating.
Eddie warned the guys beforehand so he’s rushing to get his gear packed up. He doesn’t want to make Steve wait too long. He’s ignoring the false insecurity that if Steve waits too long he’ll grow annoyed or tired and leave.
“Good show, guys. I’ll see you Sunday. Thanks for taking my shit, Gare.” Eddie waves at them from the doorway.
“Go get some, man.” Gareth gives Eddie a teasing wave.
“Shut up,” Eddie rolls his eyes and bounces down the tight hallway to the bar door.
When he heaves it open, the noise of the crowd fills his ears but his eyes take in the view of Steve leaning nearby. Steve’s face lights up and he’s smiling wide. Eddie feels like heat is emanating from the man’s smile, and he could soak in it for days.
“Hey,” Steve says.
His hand raises like he wants to touch Eddie, but he pulls it back and slides it into his pocket. Like if he doesn’t restrain himself he won’t be able to not touch Eddie.
“Hey, I’m glad you came. What’d you think?”
“You were- really good. You looked really good.” Steve’s vibrating and Eddie wonders if he’s having to hold his whole body back.
Eddie takes a step further into Steve’s space, and leans his shoulder against the wall mirroring Steve’s body. “I looked good, huh?” He teases.
Steve blushes and it looks heavenly on his cheeks. He doesn’t speak but ducks his head and nods shyly. Eddie wants to eat this man up. Eddie reaches out and takes the tips of Steve’s fingers. He lifts them and looks over the sweet pink paint color shining on Steve’s fingernails.
“These are pretty. They match your cheeks.” Eddie winks. “Did you do this for me?”
Steve’s mouth is slightly agape when he nods in response. Eddie leans forward while lifting Steve’s fingers to his mouth. He places delicate featherlight kisses to each of Steve’s fingertips.
“Do you want something to drink?” Steve’s head wobbles as he shakes it. “No? What do you want, big boy?”
“Can we-? Do you wanna-? Fuck.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Eddie squeezes Steve’s fingers and steps in closer. When Steve opens his eyes Eddie watches his pupils grow. “Come home with me?”
Eddie gives Steve a wicked smile accompanied by a slow nod. “Alright, let’s go.”