Work Text:
Steve Harrington never backed down from a dare. All through middle school and high school, he used it to make friends or make himself look cool - probably a side effect of being a bit of a people pleaser and not wanting to be alone, but Steve never really examined that too closely. Once he got out of high school after everything with the Upside Down started, there were more important things than proving he was 'too cool to back down from a dare'.
Like keeping his friends safe.
Like making sure new friends didn't die.
Like making sure one Eddie Munson didn't get arrested the moment he got released from the hospital - that had been a full Party effort.
Like making sure that Max had everything she needed to make a full recovery.
Like making sure the government didn't stick around once they paid everyone off so they could try to have some semblance of normalcy.
But eventually everything calmed down and things started to feel normal. They started having weekly parties - the kids there until about nine and then young adults only after that. Alcohol flowed and games were played.
Like Truth or Dare.
Where that old bug bit again and Steve found himself accepting every dare. Never truth. Too dangerous and Steve didn't want to risk revealing … things.
Things maybe he wasn't willing to even admit to himself.
So dare it was.
"Do you ever back down from a dare?" Argyle asked.
"Guess you'll just have to keep testing me to find out," Steve said as he climbed out of the pool, having been dared by Jonathon to jump in naked (it was early March and the pool was still FREEZING).
"I guess so," Argyle replied.
"Haven't backed down from one yet." Steve wrapped the towel around him and hurried back inside. "Think it would have to be a pretty gnarly dare for me to say no."
***
"Estrogen meeting!" Nancy hollered at the girls and corralled them into the backyard of Steve's house just before the next weekly party got started.
"Emergency?" Robin asked once all the girls were outside.
"Not technically," Nancy replied. "Did you guys know that Steve never backs down from a dare?"
"I remember hearing something about that," Robin said. "But it was way before …"
Before.
"So, do you have a plan?" Max asked.
"Of course she's got a plan," Erica said. "Wouldn't have called an estrogen meeting without a plan."
"I think I have the beginning of one," Nancy replied. "But it's going to take all of us for it to work. And we need to plan it all out carefully."
"You want to use Steve's inability to say no in order to force him to accept things about himself," El said. "It is a good plan. If executed correctly, he would not realize until far too late into the plan."
"Our El is a smart one," Max said with a smile.
"El is very smart," Nancy replied. "Yes, that's the plan. So, let's quickly plot our dares and the order."
They all talked quickly and quietly until …
"Guys, what are you doing out here?" Steve's voice came from the back door. "Food's on!"
"We're coming!" Nancy called.
They all hurried in past Steve, ignoring the confused look on his face.
***
"I've been going to salons since I was barely in puberty, with my mother in control of my hair - I don't know why you thought I'd back down from this dare."
"Because you're so protective of your hair, duh." Nancy gave Steve a grin as they approached Curl Up and Dye - the salon Nancy went to all the time.
"I mean, a lot of it is just habit," Steve replied. "I've had the same hair for so long, maybe it's time to change it up."
"And let me choose?" Nancy said. "Because that was the dare. To let me pick your hairstyle."
"I think I'd trust you more than anyone to pick," Steve replied with a shrug. "Next to Robin, I think you know me pretty well."
"I'll take that compliment," Nancy said as she held open the salon door. "After you."
"Why thank you, milady," Steve replied, then shook his head. "Too many of Dustin and Eddie's dungeon things are affecting my brain."
"You watch?" Nancy asked.
"Sometimes I get there too soon and they're not done, so I watch."
Nancy tucked that bit of information away for later as she followed Steve into Curl Up and Dye, smiling as Steve walked right up to the reception desk and gave the girl there a charming smile.
"Amanda," Nancy said. "There should be an appointment with Charlotte?"
"Yep, there is!" Amanda replied. "Is Steve here to wait for you?"
"Nope, the appointment is for Steve," Nancy said with a grin.
"I took a dare," Steve said with a shrug.
"Interesting," Amanda said. "Well, Charlotte's ready for you!"
Nancy gave Steve a nudge towards the back area where Charlotte was waiting for them.
"Nancy, you were just here," Charlotte commented.
"I put it under my name, but it's for Steve," Nancy replied.
"Yep!" Steve gave Charlotte a flirty wink as he flopped into her chair.
"Okay, why the secrecy?" Charlotte asked.
"Well, I didn't want the confirmation call going to Steve and tipping him off," Nancy replied. "I dared him to let me choose his next hairstyle."
"Oooh, fun!" Charlotte clapped excitedly. "What are we doing?"
"Yeah, Nance, what are we doing?" Steve asked.
"Still gonna be a secret," Nancy said, moving to stand next to Charlotte and whisper in her ear.
"Fine, fine." Steve lounged a bit in the chair, watching Nancy and Charlotte curiously - they both whispered to each other, giggling and glancing over at Steve.
Finally, they both came back over to where Steve was - Nancy pressed a kiss to the top of Steve's head before sitting at the station next to him to watch and Charlotte moved behind Steve and wrapped a cape around his neck.
"Ready?" Charlotte asked.
"As I'll ever be," Steve replied.
"Perfect!" Charlotte said. "Haircut first, then …"
"Then?" Steve caught Charlotte's gaze in the mirror.
"Then you'll just have to see."
"You're not cutting it all off, are you?" Steve asked.
"No," Nancy said from her chair. "That much I promise."
"Okay." Steve watched in the mirror as Charlotte began combing hair, scissors poised in her other hand.
"Are you going to criticize every snip I take?" Charlotte teased.
"He's protective," Nancy said. "But I planned for this."
Steve watched Nancy rummage in her purse, eyes widening when he saw a pink eye mask dangling from her finger.
"Perfect!" Charlotte exclaimed. "And it loops around the ears so it won't get in my way."
"Thought it might come in handy," Nancy said.
Steve watched Nancy stand and make her way over, the mask still hanging from a finger.
"Mask on, Harrington," Nancy ordered.
Steve sighed and took the mask, slipping it over his ears and covering his eyes. He'd learned it was far easier to just do what Nancy said over trying to argue with her.
"Much better!" Charlotte said. "Now sit back, relax, and let me work."
Steve sighed again and tried to relax - he managed not to flinch at every snip of the scissors, but couldn't help but wrinkle his nose when he smelled the distinct scent of bleach and the crinkle of foil. Charlotte and Nancy talked around him to try to keep his mind off things, but Steve knew what bleach did. When he was finally led back to the sinks, Steve was grateful to lay there for a bit while Charlotte did whatever she was doing (toner of some kind, Steve suspected).
"That looks great!" Nancy said once Steve was back in the chair.
"Doesn't it?" Charlotte said. "Finishing touches!"
Steve sat still as Charlotte moved around him with the blow dryer and gently brushed his hair. The heat from the dryer was lovely and the brushing was so nice and the dryer drowned out whatever Charlotte and Nancy were saying until it was just white noise and Steve almost fell asleep until suddenly the dryer was off.
"Are you ready to see it?" Charlotte asked.
"Sure," Steve replied. "Let's see it."
"Okay, give me a minute," Charlotte said.
Steve waited patiently as Charlotte sprayed his hair with hairspray and removed the cape from around his neck. The eye mask was gently removed, but Steve kept his eyes closed.
"You can look, you dingus," Nancy said affectionately.
Pink was the first thing Steve saw when he opened his eyes. Right there at the front in his signature swoop, was a bright, almost neon, pink streak in his hair. The rest of his hair was peppered with caramel highlights and the cut almost the same as what he normally got, but a bit shorter? The shape was definitely different.
"So? What do you think?" Nancy asked.
"It's pink," Steve blurted out before he could control his mouth.
"It is," Nancy agreed, smiling at Steve in the mirror. "Pink looks good on you."
"Everything looks good on me," Steve countered with a knowing grin.
"But you like it?" Charlotte asked, her tone a bit hesitant.
"Wouldn't have picked it for myself, but it looks great." Steve caught Charlotte's gaze in the mirror and gave her a playful wink.
"Oh good!" Charlotte replied.
Steve got up from the chair and moved a bit closer to the mirror so he could inspect the cut and color a bit closer - it was VERY pink, but Steve kind of liked how it brought attention to the swoop in his hair, how it gave his hair more dimension and made it look …
Pretty.
The thought appeared in his head before Steve could try to push it down and he nearly fell over as it settled and stayed. Pretty.
Steve could feel Nancy and Charlotte watching him, so he pushed away from the mirror and turned to face the girls.
"Maybe next time not pink, huh?" Steve said, wearing his most charming smile.
"Well, maybe next time you won't take the dare," Nancy teased.
"Like I ever back down from a dare."
***
The pink streak stayed for about two weeks, long enough for Steve's hair to recover before he covered the pink streak with bright purple dye.
"Purple, huh?"
"Pink wasn't really my color." Steve glanced up from the piles of brochures on the kitchen table and gave Eddie a wry smile.
"Looks good," Eddie commented.
The offhand comment set off tiny butterflies in Steve's stomach that he worked hard to ignore.
"What's all this?" Eddie continued.
"Thinking of trying college," Steve replied. "With all the money, pretty sure I can pay my way into one, even with my shit grades."
"Grades don't mean anything," Eddie said. "Grades are arbitrary and smart is smart."
"Thanks," Steve murmured. "Was thinking of just some basic, general ed stuff for now, see if I'm cut out for it."
"Rad," Eddie replied. "Having another party this weekend?"
"They're not parties," Steve said. "They're gatherings."
"What's the difference?" Eddie asked.
"Presence of drugs and sex," Steve replied with a small smile. "None of that at our gatherings."
"You know Jonathan and Argyle bring pot," Eddie pointed out.
"You know what I mean," Steve said. "It's more mellow."
"Until Truth or Dare starts." Eddie gave Steve a grin.
"We keep it tame around the kids," Steve said.
"Mostly," Eddie said. "See you Friday night?"
"You're always welcome," Steve murmured with a shy smile.
***
"Hey! Hands off my favorite shirt!" Steve snatched the shirt out of El's hands.
"You agreed to wear a crop top for the day," El countered. "That was the dare."
"Yes, but I didn't agree to allow you to butcher my favorite shirt." Steve held the fabric to his chest protectively.
"Fine, then find me a shirt that I can cut up," El replied.
Steve grumbled to himself as he rummaged through his dresser, pulling an old Hawkins High gym shirt out and tossing it to El with a frown.
"Use that one," Steve said.
"You need to put it on so I can see where to cut."
Steve sighed and changed into the shirt, frowning as it hugged him - he'd been working out a bit and it had apparently been paying off. He jumped a bit when El appeared in front of him and then made a tiny snip on the shirt.
"Okay, take it off. I will finish cutting it and then you can wear it," El said.
Steve took the shirt off and then passed it back to El before going downstairs - no use putting a shirt on when he'd just have to change. Jonathan and Argyle each gave him a wolf whistle as he walked through the living room to the kitchen and Steve just flipped them off.
"Giving us a show?" Nancy teased.
"Not me, ew," Robin said. "Where's your shirt?"
"With El at the moment," Steve replied.
"Oh right crop top day." Robin grabbed a can of soda from the fridge and passed it to Steve.
"Yep."
"Here, I have finished your shirt." El appeared in the kitchen, Steve's shirt in her hands.
"Thanks, kid." Steve accepted the shirt and tugged it on, frowning when it stopped just under his pecs, leaving his entire stomach exposed.
Jonathan and Argyle wolf whistled again.
"Fuck off," Steve muttered.
"You know, this does no good if you don't leave the house," Robin said with a mischievous grin.
"Robin," Steve said slowly.
"We're due for a grocery trip," Robin continued.
"No," Steve muttered.
"Yes," Robin said. "We're gonna go on a grocery run."
"Ugh, fine." Steve grabbed his wallet and keys and shoved his feet into flipflops. "Let's go."
"We'll hold down the fort," Argyle promised. "The crop suits you, Steve."
"Th-thanks." Steve ignored the flutter in his stomach at the compliment. "Let's go."
"Relax, it'll be fine," Robin teased. "Just go grab necessities and come back for dinner with the fam."
"Says you," Steve muttered as he led the way out to the car. "You're not the one exposing your midriff."
"Today," Robin countered. "I have exposed it before, as has Nancy. Welcome to the club."
Steve just rolled his eyes and drove them to the grocery store where he grabbed a cart and tried to speed run a shopping trip.
"No, no, we're going to take our time," Robin said. "Peruse the rows and make sure we have everything."
"I hate you," Steve hissed.
"You do not," Robin sing-songed.
Steve grumbled as he followed Robin through the store, ignoring the look he got from some of the older Hawkins residents.
A wolf whistle from the end of the cereal aisle had Steve whirling around to confront the whistler only to find Eddie there leaning on his cart.
"Another dare?" Eddie asked.
"El's," Steve replied. "Crop top for a whole day."
"Doesn't Steve look great?" Robin asked.
"Fantastic," Eddie said. "But he's already said that, right?"
Something flashed across Eddie's face that made butterflies take flight in Steve's stomach but soon it was gone and Steve was left wondering if maybe he'd imagined it.
"You'd think so," Robin teased. "But seems like Steve's turned a bit shy with his midriff exposed."
"I'm right here," Steve muttered.
"Yep, you are," Eddie replied with a grin. "Letting all of Hawkins see you."
"Under duress." Steve resisted the urge to cover his stomach.
"No one's said anything, right?" Eddie asked. "No one made any snide comments?"
"No," Steve said slowly.
"So they don't care," Eddie said. "So if they don't care, then why should you?"
Steve was quiet for a moment - Eddie had a point.
"There it is," Eddie continued. "I see the swagger returning."
"Fuck you," Steve said, but there was no heat to it.
"You wish," Eddie said. "Catch you later, Steve."
Before Steve could think of a comeback, Eddie was gone and Steve was left feeling … something.
"So, all it took was Eddie flirting to get your swagger back?" Robin teased.
"What - no!" Steve exclaimed. "That's not -"
"Oh, that was totally flirting," Robin replied, pushing the cart towards the register. "Come on, gotta check out."
"I … huh?"
***
"He kept the hair and the crop tops," Nancy said. "This is good."
"He does seem happier," El added.
"Did you ask Argyle and Jonathan to compliment him?" Robin asked
"They did that all on their own," Nancy replied. "I'm so proud of them for it, too."
"Are we ready for the next one?" Max asked. "Because I'm totally ready."
"I think so," Nancy replied. "It's been a few weeks since the crop tops and even more since the hair. He just went and got the streak touched up - he made it green now."
"Sick!" Max exclaimed. "I mean, I think the purple suited him better but …"
"I think he's just playing with it for now," Robin said. "Watch, it'll go back to purple."
"No big." Max shrugged. "So, next game night, I get to do my dare?"
"Right," Nancy said with a grin.
"Cool."
***
"We're waiting!"
"Hold your goddamn horses! I'm coming!" Steve stood in the bathroom staring down at the little tube in his hand.
Lip gloss. Max had dared him to wear lip gloss for the day. Steve looked at his reflection in the mirror - wild hair with a bright green streak, cropped tank top … things that he previously had never even thought about. And now this.
"We have places to be, dingus!" Robin yelled up the stairs.
"I'm coming!"
Before Steve could chicken out, he applied a quick coat of the bright pink lip gloss to his lips and tucked the tube into his back pocket before running downstairs.
"Let's see it!" Max demanded as Steve reached the landing.
"What, don't believe I did it?" Steve asked as Max stepped right into his personal space.
"Just making sure you did it right." Max said. "Rub your lips together, like this."
Steve watched Max rubbing her lips together and mimicked her, frowning at the way his lips felt as the gloss spread across them.
"Pretty," Nancy said. "Come on, let's go."
"Go where?" Steve asked. "You guys haven't even said where we're going."
"The new Starcourt," Max replied. "We're meeting El there to go hang out."
"Robin and I want to do some shopping," Nancy added.
"You have a dare to fulfill and it won't count if you stay in the house all day," Robin said. "So you're coming with us."
"Gotta make sure you don't wipe it off," Max teased.
"Hey, I don't back down from a dare," Steve protested, making sure he had his wallet and keys before following the ladies out to the car.
"It's gonna be fun," Nancy said.
"For you guys," Steve replied. "Feel like I'm going to end up being your pack mule."
"Well, a gallant gentleman holds a lady's bags," Max pointed out with a grin.
"So I was right." Steve just shook his head and laughed before pointing to the door. "Let's go."
"You have the lip gloss, right?" Robin asked. "For reapplying?"
"It's in my pocket," Steve answered as he herded everyone to the door. "Come on, time's a wastin'."
Once in the car, Robin took control of the radio as Nancy and Max happily gossiped in the backseat while Steve drove them to the new Starcourt. As the mall came into view, he only started hyperventilating a little.
"Hey," Robin said gently. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Steve murmured. "It just … it's Starcourt."
"But it's not the same," Robin replied. "Promise. It looks different inside."
"Okay," Steve whispered. "Okay."
He parked the car and followed Nancy, Robin and Max through the parking lot to the entrance where El was waiting for them.
"Did Hopper drop you off?" Steve asked El.
"Yes, but he did ask if you could please drop me back off at home when we are finished," El replied.
"As long as you don't mind squeezing in the back with Max and Nance," Steve said.
"No, I do not mind," El said.
"Then we're good." Steve gave her a smile as everyone trooped inside the mall.
"See?" Robin nudged Steve's shoulder as they ventured further into the mall. "It's different."
Steve swallowed and nodded - the layout definitely looked different, but the color palette was definitely similar.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" Nancy asked. "Work in a circle, first floor then second? Pit stop for lunch?"
"Works for me," Robin said. "Plenty of opportunities for Steve to show off his glossy pink lips."
Steve frowned, but rubbed his lips together - it was an interesting sensation, the lipgloss.
"Okay, well let's get going!" Nancy motioned for everyone to follow her and they all set off.
Store by store, the ladies shopped and Steve was right - he was relegated to pack mule, carrying all of their purchases.
"I'm going to wait out here." Steve pointed to the bench outside the lingerie store. "You four have fun."
"Wuss," Robin teased, but followed the other ladies into the store.
"Damn right."
Steve sat down, arranging all the bags next to him, and then engaged in his favorite past time - people watching. Pop music playing over the speakers mixed with kids screaming and people arguing and the smell of popcorn and perfume from the nearby stalls …
Pop!
Somewhere nearby a balloon popped but to Steve it sounded like a gun; that mixed with the sounds and scents around him, and Steve was suddenly back in the original Starcourt, battling to save himself and Robin from the Russians. The world around him got all fuzzy and Steve was stuck …
"… Steve. Steve!"
Warm, calloused fingers held his face and Steve gave a sharp gasp, blinking to try focus on the face in front of him.
"You're okay. You're okay, Steve."
The voice was warm and soothing and the fingers gently rubbed his temples. Steve gasped in a shuddering breath, then another, and then another. His vision finally focused on who was in front of him …
"Eddie?"
"That's it. You back with me?"
"Eddie?" Steve blinked again and yep, there was Eddie. "What are you doing … here?"
"Steve, where do you think we are?" Eddie asked gently.
"I …" Steve glanced around and blinked. "Starcourt … new Starcourt?"
"That's right," Eddie soothed. "Wanna tell me what happened?"
"I -" Steve licked his lips and jolted a bit at the taste of cherries, remembering the lip gloss. With a shaking hand, he pulled the tube out and carefully reapplied, eyes a bit glazed and unfocused as he looked past Eddie. "I was waiting for the girls … everything was fine and then a balloon popped -"
"Was that lipstick?"
"Huh?" Steve focused his gaze back on Eddie and saw the small smile tugging at his mouth. "Um, lip gloss … dare from Max."
"Did they decide on the mall?" Eddie asked.
"Robin said it looked different," Steve replied. "And it does, but …"
"Memories linger," Eddie finished. "I think you had a trauma response."
"Um, yeah." Steve was keenly aware of Eddie's hands still on either side of his face, Eddie's fingers in his hair.
"I get them too. Are you feeling better now?" Eddie asked gently.
"I think so." Steve frowned a bit when Eddie pulled his hands away.
"Steve? Steve!" The girls all came from the store and hurried over to where Steve was still seated.
"He's okay," Eddie said.
"Good thing you were around," Robin said. "What happened?"
"Fucking balloon," Steve muttered.
"A balloon popped and Steve had, um, a reaction," Eddie explained.
"Oh shit, I'm so sorry," Robin said.
"You couldn't have known," Steve murmured.
"But I could have suggested the mall in the next town over; it's not a Starcourt," Robin added. "I'm a dingus."
"No you're not," Steve said. "Promise. I really was doing okay until the balloon."
"Thank you, Eddie," Nancy said. "Really."
"Happened to be here," Eddie replied with a shrug. "Needed some more t-shirts."
"Would you like to be a pack mule like Steve?" El asked with a grin.
"If he's ready to get going," Max added. "Steve, are you okay?"
"I think so," Steve hummed when he felt Eddie's hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "Yeah, I think I'm okay. But I think I'd prefer to go home."
"I can help carry all this out to the car," Eddie offered. "Did you all come together?"
"No, El got dropped off," Steve said.
"Well, I can drop everyone off so Steve can go straight home," Eddie said. "He fulfill whatever he needed for his dare?"
"Oh yeah, totally fulfilled," Max said, wrapping her arms around Steve in a hug.
"I even reapplied and everything." Steve rubbed Max's back soothingly.
"You did?" Max asked.
"Can attest to the reapply," Eddie said. "Gotta let him go, Red, so he can go home."
"Right."
"Let's get our bags and let Steve go home," Nancy added.
Steve grinned as Max pulled back, grabbing a couple of bags before moving back back to stand with El.
"Still sorry," Robin mumbled as she took the rest of the bags, handing some to Nancy.
"Forgiven," Steve replied, then turned to everyone else. "I expect to see you all Friday for our weekly gathering."
"Done," Nancy said. "Call one of us when you get home and leave a message so we know you got home safe?"
"Promise," Steve said, then turned to Eddie. "Thanks again for being here."
"Sure." Eddie reached over and pat Steve on the shoulder. "Take it easy today, okay?"
"I will," Steve replied. "See you guys Friday."
***
"We've got to wait at least two weeks for the next dare," Nancy said. "Let Steve recover from what happened during the last one."
"He seems okay now, though," Max replied. "Even caught him wearing the lip gloss earlier."
"No, we give him a couple of weeks," Robin agreed. "Notwithstanding what happened at Starcourt earlier, we've still kind of forced a lot of change on him."
"He seems happier, though," El added. "And he has continued with everything we have dared him to do."
"Still," Nancy said. "I don't know if Steve realizes and if we push …"
"But I'm next, right?" Erica asked.
"Right," Robin replied. "Because I get the grand finale."
"As you should," Erica said.
***
"Remind me again why I'm going on this excursion?"
Steve glanced over to the passenger seat where Eddie sat staring at him.
"Because I can't take Erica to a tattoo and piercing parlor seeing as she's a child and you knew a good place to go," Steve replied. "And you said yes when I asked."
"That's true," Eddie replied. "Mostly because I think you're gonna chicken out."
"I'm not going to chicken out!" Steve glanced in the rear-view mirror to check his lip gloss before peeling off at the green light - he really liked how dewy his lips looked.
"Did Lady Applejack specify what needed to get pierced?" Eddie asked.
"No, but I do have to stop by the Sinclairs to prove I did it," Steve replied.
"Makes sense," Eddie said. "Still surprised you'd willingly spend three hours in a car with me."
"Are you?" Steve asked. "We're not so adversarial - we fought side by side to close the Upside Down and I'd like to think we've become friends."
"True," Eddie replied.
"Plus, you talked me down from a panic attack," Steve pointed out as he got on the freeway. "Would like to think that makes us friends."
"Okay, okay, I get it," Eddie said with a laugh. "Do I get to have a say in the music?"
"We'll trade off," Steve offered. "Change it ever half hour."
"I can live with that," Eddie teased.
"Great, then I start," Steve replied with a wink.
The drive from Hawkins to Chicago was actually fun - trading jokes and barbs and teasing each other about their music choices, Steve and Eddie were still laughing when they pulled up to the tattoo shop.
"So, what are you piercing?" Eddie asked. "Nips?"
"Ni - no!" Steve laughed. "Ears, Eddie. Piercing my ears."
"Could have gone to the mall and done your ears," Eddie countered. "Starcourt - or not, but another mall. Sorry."
"You're fine," Steve said. "And yeah, I probably could have gone to Claire's and had it done, but I don't trust those girls with their staple guns to do it right."
"Good point," Eddie replied after a moment. "Come on, these guys are great and will get you pierced up."
The shop did feel a bit daunting, but the people there greeted Eddie with loud hellos and big hugs. They were all just as nice and welcoming to Steve, not even teasing him as he asked them to pierce his ears.
They did also suggest he pierce his nipples, but Steve politely declined.
Just thirty minutes after stepping in, they were leaving and Steve was sporting silver hoops hanging from each ear.
"Bravo," Eddie said. "Really didn't think you'd do it."
"Of course I'd do it," Steve replied. "Wanna grab a bite before we drive back? Seems like a bit of a waste of a trip if we don't get a good meal, do a little sightseeing?"
"Sure, I could eat," Eddie said. "Maybe a burger or a steak? Rare?"
"Yeah." Steve gave Eddie a slightly worried look. "Your anemia under control?"
"Pretty much," Eddie replied. "No more iron infusions, thank fuck. But the doc says I need to make sure I eat a bit more red meat and we'll check at my next appointment."
"Okay," Steve said. "I'm sure there are plenty of burger places."
"Nearby? Oh yeah - there's a good one a few blocks away that I'd go to after getting a tattoo."
"Are you going to get more?" Steve asked as they set off towards food.
"Tattoos? Fuck yeah," Eddie answered. "I have a few ideas."
"Of course you do."
They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying a late lunch and then meandering around the city a bit, just taking in the sights. The drive back was just as lively as the drive out, switching off music and chatting - Steve was still arguing with Eddie about who was the better swordsman between Westley and Inigo when he came to a stop outside the Sinclair residence.
"Well, you're clearly wrong," Steve said as he climbed out of the car. "Also, sit tight - I just gotta show Erica I did it and then I can take you home."
"Take your time."
Steve shook his head as he closed the driver's door and jogged around the car and up the walk the Sinclair's front door.
"I heard you coming." The front door opened and Erica stood in the doorway, hands on her hips. "Show me!"
Steve laughed and turned his head from side to side, showing Erica the earrings in his ears.
"They're not clip ons? Eddie'll confirm?" Erica pressed.
"They're real Erica, damn," Steve replied.
"Okay, fine," Erica replied. "Dare complete."
"Thanks." Steve laughed when Erica gave him a quick hug before stepping back and closing the door on him.
"Go well?" Eddie yelled from the open car window.
"Yeah." Steve jogged back down to the walk and around the car, climbing back behind the wheel. "Want to stop for dinner before we head back to my place? Burger King or something?"
"You're not sick of me, yet?" Eddie teased.
"Not hardly," Steve replied. "I … I had a lot of fun today."
"Me, too," Eddie said. "Sure, more burgers sound good."
"Wanna just go through the drive thru and then go back to my place?" Steve asked.
"All right with me," Eddie replied.
Steve drove them to the Burger King, getting them each a meal before driving home. The two of them trooped inside and settled in the living room, TV on quietly in the background as they ate.
"You've gone through some changes recently," Eddie said around a bite of burger. "Your hair looks great - looks like purple's the permanent color?"
"I tried a couple of others, but I like purple the best," Steve said, carding a hand through his hair.
"Stuck with the crop tops too," Eddie continued. "And the lip gloss?"
"They feel … right." Steve felt his cheeks warm, staring down at his fries.
"You seem a lot happier," Eddie said. "Lighter."
"I feels like … it's silly." Steve ate a couple of fries.
"What?" Eddie pressed.
"Like I'm finally being me," Steve whispered. "Like I was wearing a mask before? Being who I thought everyone expected me to be?"
"Steve, none of us expected you to be anything other than your true self," Eddie murmured.
"I know that now," Steve replied softly. "But I didn't before. So all of this?" He gestured to his appearance. "Is me finding myself."
"Well, I like it," Eddie said. "Really, you look a lot happier."
"Thanks," Steve murmured. "I think I am."
"Gonna add any more piercings?" Eddie teased.
"We'll see how I like these," Steve said. "Wanna hang out a bit more?"
"It's been a long day," Eddie said. "So I should probably head home."
"Okay," Steve replied. He started to stand to clear the trash, protesting when Eddie got to his feet and took over. "Eddie, I can do it."
"Nah, I'll throw it outside on my way to my van," Eddie said. "Really, thanks for today, I had a lot of fun."
"Me, too," Steve said. "Really."
"Make sure you clean those piercings." Eddie finished clearing the trash. "Would hate for them to get infected."
"I will, I promise," Steve murmured.
"Good," Eddie replied. "See you later." A pause. "Sweet dreams, Steve."
"Sweet dreams, Eddie," Steve whispered, giving him a wave as Eddie let himself out.
***
"Steve looks so much happier," Nancy said.
"Lighter," Robin agreed.
"He and Eddie keep making Princess Bride jokes," Erica added.
"That is interesting," El said.
"Seems the trip to Chicago went very well," Max said. "So Robin, you're the last one up - what's your bet?"
"I think you're just going to have to wait and see," Robin replied. "But I think it's going to give Steve that final push towards his true self. And maybe it'll get him to stop accepting every dare."
***
"Wait, what?" Steve squeaked. "Repeat that?"
"I dare you to ask Eddie out on a date," Robin said. "I didn't stutter."
"You did not stutter, but … I'm straight," Steve said. "And so is Eddie."
"Eddie is very much not straight," Robin replied. "And let me ask you a question - why do you blush whenever Eddie pays you a compliment?"
"I do not," Steve protested.
"You do," Robin said. "You get this giddy little grin and you'd be twirling your hair if it was long enough."
"I …"
"And there it is," Robin replied. "Sorry to pull you from the closet, dingus."
Steve was quiet for a few minutes, replaying all his and Eddie's recent interactions.
"Eddie was flirting with me?" Steve whispered.
"Probably not intentionally," Robin replied. "But it's clear he likes you. I mean, why else would he willingly spend a whole day with you going to Chicago? You really could have just gotten the information from him and gone on your own."
Steve went quiet again, staring down at the floor until Robin stepped closer and pulled him into a hug.
"It's okay, you know," Robin murmured. "You've grown so much in the past few months, really found yourself."
"Wait … was that what all of this was?" Steve pulled back from the hug and frowned at her. "Pushing me to Eddie?"
"No," Robin replied. "It was a way to help you discover things about yourself. We've all watched you accept these dares, initially balk and then grow to love whatever change we've foisted on you."
"The hair, the crop tops, the lipgloss … the piercings." Steve reached up to gently touch the hoops hanging from his ears and run a thumb across his lips.
"You're happier though, right?"
"I am," Steve said slowly.
"It was all done with love," Robin said gently. "I promise."
"Do you think he'd say yes?" Steve asked after a couple of minutes.
"I do," Robin replied. "And I promise no repercussions if you don't fulfill the dare."
"Okay."
"And there's no time limit on it, either," Robin added. "Mull it over - just not for too long. Don't get stuck in your head about it. If you want to date him, date him."
"Okay," Steve repeated, smiling when Robin hugged him again.
"Love you, dingus."
***
Steve wiped his hands on his jeans as he stepped into the comic shop - after recovering from his injuries, getting cleared of murder charges and then getting a huge amount of money from the government to keep quiet, Eddie had decided he still wanted to work. He'd gotten a job at a small comic shop and honestly, it was the perfect job for him.
"Hey." Eddie smiled at Steve from behind the counter. "What're you doing here?"
"Just stopped by to say hi," Steve said, then frowned. "That's a lie."
"You didn't come to say hi?"
"Doyouwanttogoonadatewithme?"
"Could … could you say that again, but a bit slower?" Eddie asked with a small smile. "I mean, I think I heard right but …"
"Do you want to go on a date with me?" Steve asked, staring down at the carpet.
"Another one?" Eddie asked.
"Another …"
"I mean, the Chicago trip was one hell of a first date," Eddie replied with a grin. "I mean, mini roadtrip and a meal is a real winner."
"I … did you think of it as a date?" Steve whispered. "Because I didn't - I didn't know that I, or that you, or that -"
"Relax," Eddie interrupted. "Robin dare you to ask me?"
"How'd you -"
"She was the only girl left who hadn't dared you to do something yet." Eddie shrugged. "Figured it was a matter of time."
"You … you don't mind?" Steve asked.
"Got you to get off your butt and make a move," Eddie replied. "Credit where credit is due."
"It was a dare, but I do actually want to go on a date, or second date or whatever."
"Well that's good," Eddie said. "Because I want to go on a date with you, too."
"Good." Steve resisted the urge to wipe his hands on his jeans. "Good. So, um, Friday night?"
"Friday night, seven okay?" Eddie asked.
"Yeah, seven's good," Steve replied. "So ... it's a date."
"It's a date."
***
In the four days between when Steve asked Eddie out and the actual date, Steve went to the salon and got the purple streak redone and the rest touched up. He gave himself a facial and a manicure at home before going through his closet to pick out the perfect outfit to wear.
He felt so nervous as he dressed in his jeans, purple tank top, black crop top and combat boots. He took a moment to fix his hair before he made sure he had his wallet and keys and left to go pick up Eddie.
Eddie was still living in Forest Hills, but had a much bigger trailer that he shared with his Uncle Wayne. Steve was still nervous as he pulled up outside the trailer and climbed out, jogging up the steps to the porch. Before he could knock, Eddie was there.
"Damn, you look good," Eddie said. "Is that new lip gloss?"
"Yeah, picked it up this morning," Steve replied. "Label says it's supposed to taste like strawberries."
"Will I get to test that?" Eddie asked.
"M-m-maybe," Steve stammered.
"No pressure," Eddie soothed. "We'll see where the night goes."
"Yeah," Steve murmured. "So, ready to go?"
"Yep," Eddie replied. "Where are we going?"
"I was thinking dinner." Steve said. "And not Enzo's - just the diner on the edge of town."
"The one with the great pies? I love that place," Eddie replied.
"Then I thought a little stargazing?" Steve offered. "I have a couple of thick blankets in my trunk and I figured we could lay them on the hood of my car and watch the stars a bit."
"That sounds absolutely perfect," Eddie replied as they walked together to Steve's car. "You really like the purple, don't you?"
"Yeah." Steve ran a hand through his hair as he gave Eddie a shy smile. "Just seems like it fits."
"It does."
Steve reached the car and went to the passenger side first, unlocking and opening Eddie's door.
"Gallant," Eddie said.
"I try," Steve replied, waiting for Eddie to get in before closing the door and hurrying around to the driver's side.
"Did you ever decide about college?" Eddie asked.
"Think I'm going to try some general education classes next semester," Steve replied. "Not a full class load or anything, just a few classes to see if I like it."
"That's great," Eddie said. "And there's no pressure - even if all you do is just take fun, interesting classes."
"Thanks." Steve gave Eddie a quick smile as he drove them through town to the diner. "You're the first person I've told."
"I'm honored, really," Eddie said.
Steve just blushed, reaching out to take Eddie's hand in his; soon enough they were at the diner where Steve parked and then immediately climbed out and raced around to get Eddie's door.
"You don't have to keep doing that," Eddie said.
"Yes, I do," Steve replied. "You deserve an amazing first date - or second date."
"We can call it a first date," Eddie said.
They walked together from the car to the diner, shoulders brushing as they reached the door where Steve stepped in front and held it open for Eddie.
"After you," Steve said.
Once inside they found a table and a waitress brought them over a couple of menus and glasses of water. Under the table, Steve nudged Eddie's foot with his, grinning when Eddie returned the nudge.
"We're not going to make this weird, right?" Eddie asked. "This date?"
"No, definitely not," Steve replied, nudging Eddie's foot again under the table. "You look good, by the way."
"Huh?"
"You look good," Steve said with a grin. "Hair's all shiny, good curls, tight t-shirt, tighter jeans … you dressed up for me?"
"A little," Eddie admitted. "And, erm, I got a little help with the hair."
"Someone other than me?" Steve's tone was mock offended.
"I asked Nancy," Eddie mumbled.
"That makes sense," Steve replied. "Since she got her curl help from me." Steve watched Eddie for a moment, smiling at the soft pink flush on his cheeks. "You're cute when you blush."
"I - you mean I'm not cute all the time?" Eddie countered with a wink.
"Smooth," Steve replied with a laugh. "Sometimes you're downright delectable."
"Talk about smooth," Eddie said. "Is this what all those girls you dated experienced? This Harrington charm?"
"This? This is just for you, " Steve replied.
"Oh."
"Too much?" Steve asked, seeing the look of absolute panic cross Eddie's face.
"No, not at all," Eddie answered. "Just … it's real, right?"
"It's real." Steve reached over and rested his hand on top of Eddie's.
"Okay," Eddie whispered. "Okay."
"Let's have dinner," Steve soothed. "And we'll see where the rest of the night goes, okay?"
"Stargazing, right?" Eddie asked.
"Stargazing," Steve replied. "But first dinner … and pie."
"Okay," Eddie said.
Steve gave Eddie's hand a squeeze before turning his attention to his menu so he could decide what to have. Dinner was nice - Steve and Eddie fell into familiar banter, trading jokes and foot nudges under the table. When the dinner plates were cleared away and replaced with pie - apple for Steve and key lime for Eddie - Steve definitely felt the mood shifting a bit. Friendly banter back to something more … romantic.
"Want a bite?" Eddie asked, offering a small forkful of pie.
Steve slowly leaned in and took the pie off Eddie's fork, eyes on Eddie the whole time.
"Fuck," Eddie whispered. "Steve."
"'s good pie," Steve murmured after he swallowed. "Wanna try a bit of mine?" Steve got a small forkful of pie and offered it to Eddie with a smile.
"Yeah." Eddie took the bite of pie off Steve's fork and hummed. "Delicious."
"You know, I think you're gonna find out if my lipgloss tastes like strawberries." Steve gave Eddie a wink as he went back to his pie.
"Fantastic," Eddie replied.
Steve gave Eddie a soft smile before turning his attention back to his pie - the faster they finished the faster they'd get out of there. Their waitress dropped the check and gave them both a knowing grin as Steve tossed some bills on the table and got up, snagging Eddie's hand when he was by Steve's side and practically dragging him from the diner and out to the car.
"Eager?" Eddie teased.
"That and I wanted to be away from prying eyes," Steve said. "Wanted to be alone with you."
"I like that sound of that."
Steve grinned and made sure to hold Eddie's door open for him, closing it carefully before hurrying to the drivers side and getting in, peeling out of the parking lot and driving them out past the trailer park near the forest. Stopping the car in a field near the edge of the woods, Steve kept the car in accessory mode and turned the radio up before getting out of the car, moving to get the blankets out of the trunk before hurrying to help Eddie from the car.
"Stargazing?" Steve murmured.
"Stargazing," Eddie said.
Steve grinned moved around to lay the blankets down on the hood of his car and motioned for Eddie climb up before following him and settling next to him.
"I'm glad you asked me out," Eddie murmured.
"Yeah?" Steve turned his attention from the sky and glanced over at Eddie.
"Yeah," Eddie replied. "I … I've been watching you the past couple of months. Watching you figure yourself out."
"With some nudging from the ladies," Steve muttered.
"A bit, yeah," Eddie said. "But I just hoped that when you finally figured yourself out that maybe I'd have a chance."
"Definitely have a chance," Steve whispered. "Hey Eddie?"
"Hmmm?"
"Kiss me?" Steve asked.
"Gladly."
Steve leaned in as Eddie did and hummed when soft lips pressed to his - one of Eddie's hands cupped the back of his head as Eddie deepened the kiss and Steve relinquished himself, letting him control the kiss. Kissing Eddie was different than kissing girls … Eddie had a bit of stubble that rubbed against Steve's face as they kissed, and Eddie's big hand gripped Steve's hair and tugged and …
Oh.
Steve broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to Eddie's, panting softly.
"Strawberries," Eddie breathed. "Definitely strawberries."
Steve gave a soft chuckle and pressed his lips to Eddie's in another kiss.
"Addicting," Eddie murmured.
"Hmm?"
"Those kisses are addicting," Eddie said.
"You get as many as you want."
"I'm going to take advantage of that," Eddie warned.
"I'd expect nothing less." Steve gave Eddie another kiss, allowing a hand to slip under Eddie's shirt and explore the planes of Eddie's stomach.
"Fast learner," Eddie whispered, arching into Steve's touch.
"Figuring it out as I go," Steve replied. "Please be sure to tell me if I do something wrong."
"Oh I will - but so far, so good."
"Good." Steve took a chance and crawled on top of Eddie, pressing shy, hesitant kisses to Eddie's jaw. At Eddie's hum of approval, Steve continued to a spot just behind Eddie's ear, where he sucked experimentally at the spot.
"Fuck," Eddie groaned. "Learning fast, baby."
Baby. Steve liked the sound of that. Steve continued to suck and kiss at the spot behind Eddie's ear while sliding a hand up Eddie's shirt, stroking Eddie's stomach.
"Steve," Eddie whispered.
"Doing good?" Steve pulled back and gave Eddie a teasing smile.
"Awesome," Eddie breathed. "But we are in the middle of a field where I know for a fact Hopper patrols regularly."
"Cockblock," Steve teased.
"Well, I'd like to not get arrested," Eddie said with a chuckle. "But, you know what we can do?"
"Hmmm?" Steve hummed.
"Go back to your place," Eddie said. "And take things a bit further in the privacy of your house."
"Oh you are a smart, smart man," Steve praised.
"Sometimes," Eddie joked.
"Don't sell yourself short." Steve leaned down and gave Eddie another kiss before rolling off of Eddie and climbing off the car.
"It took me three times to graduate," Eddie pointed out.
"Extenuating circumstances and stuffy adults with biases," Steve replied. "Doesn't mean you're not smart."
"Okay, okay,"
Steve waited by the passenger door, opening it when Eddie slid off the hood of the car.
"Such a gentleman," Eddie murmured, pressing a kiss to Steve's cheek before climbing into the car.
Steve grinned, closing the passenger door and hurrying back to the driver's side, pausing to grab the blankets off the hood before sliding behind the wheel.
"Speeding would be bad, right?" Steve joked.
"Yeah," Eddie replied, chuckling softly. "Trying not to get arrested, remember?"
"Fine." Steve gave Eddie a wink before driving them back to his place.
"Good boys get rewards."
"Oh." Steve's cock jumped at that and he gripped the steering wheel tighter to keep from reaching for Eddie as he drove.
"Like that?" Eddie asked.
"Think so," Steve whispered.
"We'll tuck that away for later," Eddie murmured. "Tonight's just baby steps."
"Yeah." Steve kept his eyes on the road as he navigated them back to his place, breathing a sigh of relief when he pulled into the driveway.
"We need to get inside," Eddie said.
"Yes," Steve hissed, fumbling to unbuckle. "Inside and up to my room."
"Deep breaths," Eddie said. "We'll get there."
Steve finally got the seatbelt undone and almost fell out of the car in his eagerness to get inside. At Eddie's chuckle, Steve blushed and threw him a look.
"I want to try - " Steve started once they were inside.
"Whatever you want - we go at your pace," Eddie said.
"Okay."
Steve locked the door behind them and led the way upstairs to his room, feeling Eddie close behind him. Entering his bedroom, Steve turned a couple of lights on and then turned down the bed, turning to find Eddie close behind him.
"What do you want to do tonight?" Eddie asked.
"I want to touch you," Steve said. "And have you touch me."
"I am so down fo that," Eddie murmured. "I have dreamt of touching your chest hair."
"Is that so?" Steve tugged his crop top and tank top off and tossed them aside.
"Yes," Eddie hissed.
"Then I think we'd both better get undressed and into bed,"
Steve laughed when Eddie jumped like he'd been shocked and started fumbling with his clothes, tugging them off and tossing them aside. Steve kicked his shoes off and then shimmied out of the rest of his clothes before practically jumping onto the bed, laughing when Eddie jumped in after him mere seconds later.
"Can I?" Eddie asked softly.
Steve blushed and nodded, humming when Eddie reached out and stroked Steve's chest hair, then groaned when Eddie buried his face in Steve's chest, nose tucked right between Steve's pecs.
"Eddie," Steve moaned.
"It's so soft." Eddie's voice was muffled against Steve's chest. "You used to shave it …"
"Wax it," Steve replied breathlessly, a hand entrenching itself in Eddie's curls. "For swim."
"I 'member," Eddie mumbled. "Used to go to the swim meets."
"Never saw you there," Steve whispered, then gasped when Eddie's teeth began worrying one of his nipples. "Oh!"
"Was very well hidden," Eddie said before going back to suckling at Steve's chest.
"Eddie … oh fuck …"
"Could you come just from this?" Eddie asked. "Without touching your cock?"
"M-m-maybe," Steve replied. "Eds …"
"Like that nickname," Eddie murmured, licking Steve's nipple before moving to the other.
"Fuck, Eds." Steve released his hold on Eddie's hand and scraped his nails down Eddie's back. "I've never …"
"Has no one ever played with your tits before?"
Steve whimpered and shook his head - no one had ever tortured him like this and it was the sweetest torture. Steve's cock was leaking and he grabbed at Eddie's shoulders as Eddie's teeth worried his nipple. Eddie's hands gripped at Steve's hips, thumbs rubbing circles onto Steve's hipbones as he continued his assault on Steve's chest.
"Eds … oh fuck, Eddie … I won't … I'm gonna …"
"Let go, baby," Eddie urged. "Want to see you come."
Steve gave a soft whimper, but then Eddie bit down hard on Steve's nipple and Steve nearly blacked out as he came all over Eddie's torso.
"D'you break th'sk'n?" Steve mumbled as he flopped back onto the bed. "D'you come too?"
"Yeah, baby, I came," Eddie murmured. "I may have broken the skin just a bit."
"'s okay." Steve gave Eddie a sleepy smile as Eddie slid up, noticing a bit of blood on Eddie's lip. Steve pulled Eddie down for a sloppy kiss, licking the blood off Eddie's lip with a hum.
"We need to clean up," Eddie mumbled.
"Can we go again?" Steve asked. "Wanna try it all."
"We have all the time to try whatever you want," Eddie promised.
"Good." Steve gave a little whimper when Eddie left the bed, then squeaked when Eddie dropped a wet washcloth on his dick. "Rude."
"Nah." Eddie cleaned himself off before carefully wiping Steve clean and rejoining him in bed.
"S'good t'take care 'f me," Steve mumbled, snuggling close and tucking himself against Eddie. "Just a short nap. Wanna do more."
"Whatever you want, baby," Eddie whispered. "Whatever you want."
"Good." Steve pressed his face to Eddie's neck and breathed deep, drifting to sleep to the feel of Eddie gently rubbing his back.
***
Years later, they're standing in front of an Elvis impersonator in a 24-hour chapel in Las Vegas …
"Steve Harrington … I dare you to keep me forever," Eddie said with a wink.
"Gladly," Steve replied, leaning in for a kiss. "Gladly."