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Steve was well aware of the fact that Eddie Munson was different, not that anyone who resided in Hawkins wasn’t. That was made painstakingly obvious in the midst of the whole Vecna fiasco, but Steve, who at one point in time would have teased and ridiculed Eddie for that simple fact, now found himself admiring that part of him.
It wasn’t until Eddie had been in the hospital fighting for his life that Steve noticed something else about Eddie. He noticed the thin white tube protected by a dressing, located in the upper left quadrant of Eddie’s chest. The nurses would constantly use it to connect I.V. drips and push different medications that Steve didn’t know the names of into Eddie’s bloodstream, along with the big bag filled with an opaque, milky white substance that the nurses routinely hooked him up to every night. Steve hadn’t really been in any position to question it at the time considering how critical Eddie’s condition was. However, as time went on and Eddie continued to get stronger and all the tubes and wires were gradually removed, Steve’s concern grew when that one tube remained.
. Eddie had just been released from the hospital a few weeks prior, and he and Wayne had been moved into their new shiny government-issued trailer (which Steve knew was just the government’s way of keeping them quiet about the truth of the matter), but regardless, Steve was a frequent visitor. Eddie had at first been taken aback by this, considering he had never seen Steve as a friend prior to what they had all experienced during spring break, but to his surprise, he quickly found that he enjoyed Steve’s presence.
“Hey, Eddie?” Steve asked one afternoon while they were hanging out. He couldn’t contain himself anymore; he needed to know. Each time he and Eddie hung out, he grew more and more concerned. “Hmm?” Eddie hums in response, taking a drag of the joint dangling between his fingers. Steve hesitates, wracking his brain for the right way to phrase his question; the last thing he wanted was to make Eddie feel uncomfortable. “Steve? You’re not like being Vecna-ed, are you?” Eddie asked half-jokingly. Steve shakes his head. “No, no, not being Vecna-ed. Sorry, I was just—just thinking.” Eddie lets out a puff of smoke whilst still eyeing Steve. “Well, that’s a relief because unless you're a secret heavy metal fan, I highly doubt that Iron Maiden and Metallica would save the Great Steve Harrington from an untimely death.” There’s a moment of silence before Eddie speaks up again. “So. Are you going to tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours, Stevie?” “It’s nothing. I just—I kind of have a question, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or anything.” “Consider my interest piqued. Ask away, Stevie.” Eddie says casually.
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t feel comfortable.” Steve warns, giving Eddie the opportunity to back out. When he doesn't, Steve takes that as a sign to continue. “That tube in your chest, why do you—what is it for?” Eddie takes another drag of his joint before letting it out. “If I didn’t know any better, Stevie, I’d say you were worried about me.” Eddie teased with a mischievous grin. Eddie put out his blunt and brought his hand up to the collar of his shirt, pulling it down slightly to reveal the tube coiled up beneath the protective dressing. “This little doohickey is called a central line. It is a catheter that is surgically inserted into my vein in order to deliver fluids, medicine, and nutrients straight to my bloodstream.” Eddie Explains a bit too nonchalantly for Steve’s liking; it sounded rehearsed, scripted, like this wasn’t the first time Eddie had to explain this.
“It wasn’t the bats if that’s what you’re thinking,” Eddie says as if he’d read Steve’s mind. “I was born with this condition. It’s called intestinal pseudo-obstruction, which basically means that I had all the symptoms of an intestinal blockage, but there was nothing actually blocking it.” Eddie elaborated. Steve listened intently, hanging onto every word Eddie said as Eddie explained his condition. How he’d had a transplant at the young age of two and a half that had failed and how the doctors had made the decision to remove the transplanted organ altogether because it was making him worse. Eddie also explains that he has something called a G tube and an ostomy bag and that because he couldn’t eat like everyone else, he was solely dependent on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition), which was the substance the nurses hooked him up to every night, and how he was on blood thinners because he’s more prone to developing blood clots.
Steve feels his heart drop. Eddie always seemed so goddamned confident in himself. He never would’ve imagined that Eddie Munson of all people would be dealing with something as serious as this. “Holy shit.” Steve muttered in complete and utter disbelief; Eddie nodded. “Yeah, ‘Holy shit. You’re allowed to ask questions, by the way. I know it’s kind of a lot, so—“ Steve rakes his fingers through his hair, still at a loss for words. “Yeah, uh, I don’t know, man. Are you, like, okay?” “Totally fine, Stevie. I promise you I won’t drop dead on you.” Steve nods thoughtfully. “You’re not in pain or anything, are you?” “I got ripped apart by interdimensional demon bats, Steve; of course I’m in pain.” Eddie deadpans. Steve rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.” “No pain whatsoever, Stevie boy. At least not anymore.” “Not anymore.” Those two words echoed in Steve’s head as Eddie continued. “Sometimes my G tube will leak, and that sucks because it’s like straight stomach acid leaking out of me, and it irritates my skin, and sometimes I’ll get these random mysterious stomach aches, but other than that? No pain.” “You know you’re actually the first person I’ve talked to about all this? I mean, aside from like Gareth and Jeff. My uncle always told me not to tell people because he knew how kids could be, and as I got older, he saw how the kids at school treated me just for the way I dressed and the things I liked, so I didn’t want to make myself even more of a target, so now I make it a point to only tell people I trust.” Steve feels his heart flutter at the fact that Eddie considered him one of the people he trusts enough to talk about this with. “Well, I’m honored to be one of those people.” Steve says earnestly. “What about the kids? Do they know yet?” Eddie shook his head. “Nah, it’s not that I don’t want them to know; it’s just—they’ve been through so much, you know? I kind of want to give them a break before I spring something like this on them. Plus, I don’t want them to worry about me. Especially Henderson, I already traumatized the kid by dying in his arms, so—“ Steve understood. He didn’t think he’d ever get that image of Dustin sobbing over Eddie’s bleeding body out of his mind. Even now that Eddie was home, Steve could see how Dustin would constantly cling to Eddie and throw worried glances his way. “Yeah, I get it, man, but one thing I know about those little shits is that they won’t treat you any differently. I mean, Henderson already thinks you’re the coolest, most metal person on the planet, so as far as I’m concerned, this’ll only add more fuel to his fire. He’ll probably go to the library and take out every medical textbook he can find so he can learn everything he can about your condition or whatever.” “God, don’t remind me,” Eddie groans jokingly. “Thanks, by the way, for being cool about this.” “Of course, dude. I mean, it’s basic human empathy, right?” Eddie nods. “Yeah. Still though, I appreciate it.”
“Could you teach me?” Steve asks, cutting through the silence, “Teach you what?” Eddie asks, Not following what Steve is asking. “To do your TPN?” Steve elaborates. Eddie gapes at Steve, not knowing if he had heard him correctly. “Listen, Steve, I know you’re all about helping people and shit, but this Steve? This isn’t like a one-step process. It takes time and focus, and everything needs to be one hundred percent sterile." Eddie found himself rambling, bubbling with an odd mix of shock and something else Eddie couldn’t quite place. Anxiety? Nervousness? Eddie didn't know. It’s not that he didn’t trust Steve; hell, the guy had Quite literally brought him back from the dead; to say that Eddie trusted him with his life is an understatement, but Eddie had never had anyone handle his medical equipment aside from himself, his uncle Wayne, and trained medical professionals. “Eddie? Look, I get it if you don’t trust me. I know this is, like, really serious shit, and I know I’m not exactly the smartest, but I figured if you could learn, I could learn too, right? Fuck. That sounds weird, doesn’t it? I’m sorry, I just— You’re still recovering, and I just want to help you—.” Well shit, Eddie couldn’t really argue with that. Eddie was still healing, and with Uncle Wayne back at work, Eddie could use some help. Plus How could he deny him when he was so desperate to help him?. Eddie sighed. “I guess if you really want to learn, which I’m not sure why you would, but since you’re so adamant, I guess Uncle Wayne and I could teach you.” Eddie relented. “Wait, really?" Steve asked, clearly not having expected Eddie to actually agree. "I don’t know how you managed to do it, Harrington, but you’ve taken a serious step down from The Babysitters Club, Eddie quips.
And so on Wayne’s next day off, once they had made sure Steve washed his hands thoroughly and explained to him the importance of keeping everything as sterile as possible to prevent risk of infection, he and Eddie carefully walked Steve through every step, and to both Eddie’s and Wayne’s surprise, Steve had managed to pick it up fairly quickly.
Eddie had watched Carefully as Wayne walked Steve through The process of connecting Eddie’s TPN to his central line port, Steve periodically glancing up at Eddie over his mask, silently ensuring that he was alright and that he had done each step correctly. Once Eddie had gotten situated, he and Steve decided to watch a movie. They had been watching together in comfortable silence for some time before Eddie spoke up. “You know I’ve never been to a sleepover?” Steve looks up at Eddie with a look of disbelief. “Seriously? Never?” Eddie shakes his head. “Nope. I mean, I didn’t have many friends to begin with, but aside from that, there was always the fear that something might happen. That someone might step on my tubing or the tubing might snag on something and pull at the line; the parents wouldn’t have known what to do if my pump started beeping or if I started showing signs of an infection, so my uncle played it safe. That being said, Hospital sleepovers, I have attended countless times. ” Eddie says in an attempt to lighten the mood, which ultimately ends up falling flat. Steve genuinely doesn’t know what to say in that moment; he doesn’t think there’s anything he can say.
The two of them turn their attention back to the movie, allowing the silence to wash over them, Eddie completely unaware that Steve has something planned.
A few weeks had passed, and Eddie was in the middle of hosting Hellfire. Eddie had finally been feeling well enough, and he had planned a new campaign, one the kids had been greatly anticipating since this would be the first time all the kids would be playing together. Max had been reluctant, but after being pestered relentlessly by the rest of the party, she had eventually agreed.
They had all been deep in concentration, the kids so enthralled by the story unfolding before them, so immersed in the world Eddie had created, that they all violently flinched when the phone rang from the kitchen. The gaggle of teenagers all shouted in protest as Eddie paused the game to answer it. “Hello?” Eddie said as he brought the receiver up to his ear, “Eddie! Hey, man. It’s Steve.” Steve’s voice echoes cheerfully from the other end. “Harrington To what do I owe you the pleasure?” “Listen, I know you’re in the middle of your Dragon Game or whatever, but Robin and I were going to have a movie night at my place, and I was just wondering if maybe you’d want to come over and join us?” Eddie rolls his eyes in mock annoyance at Steve’s purposeful misnaming of the game. “Don’t get me Wrong, Harrington, I would be honored to join you and Lady Buckley tonight, but I kind of need to have this thing hooked up at a certain time, and I can’t really do it at your place.” Eddie explained, clearly referring to his TPN. “So? You can do it beforehand, right?” Steve asks, completely disregarding Eddie’s previous argument. “Well yeah, but like you already mentioned earlier, I’m kind of in the middle of my Dragon game, and I’m kind of worried the little heathens will throw me back to the demo bats if I don’t get back in there soon.” “Okay, so it’s like, what? Four? Come over at seven. That’ll give you enough time, right?” Jesus Christ, He really wasn’t going to let this go, was he? “Christ Steve, you really have all the answers, don’t you? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were desperate.” “Shut up, Munson,” Steve quips playfully. “Are you coming over or not? Because I would hate for you to leave me all alone to deal with Robin’s hyperactive, chatty ass all night.”
Eddie was completely unaware that Max had silently wheeled up behind him. The others had gotten restless and sent her to see what the hell had been taking him so long. Max had stayed silent, eavesdropping on practically the entire conversation. Finally, unable to take any more of this, she spoke up, cutting Eddie off as he opened his mouth to speak, “Jesus Christ, Eddie. Stop flirting and just say yes so we can finish this fucking game already.” Eddie spun around with a start, clutching at his chest. “Jesus Christ, Red, I already died once. I don’t need you giving me a heart attack! And for the record, I am not-" "flirting?" Max interrupted, cutting him off. “Right. I may be blind, Munson, but I sure as hell am not deaf. Plus, in case you forgot, I have supersonic hearing now, so next time you try to lie about something you said, at least make sure I’m out of earshot. .” Eddie gapes at Max as she wheels her way out of the kitchen and back to the others. Eddie had been so distracted by Max’s little interruption that he had briefly forgotten that he had been talking to Steve. He quickly brought the phone back up to his ear, but Steve had already hung up.
As Eddie re-entered the room, the kids immediately stopped their bickering. “Jesus Christ, finally! Who the hell was that?” Dustin shouts impatiently, “It’s none of your business, Henderson. Now are we going to finish this thing or what? I’ve got somewhere to be after this.” Eddie immediately regrets having said that because immediately Lucas teases, “Oh, got some hot date we don’t know about?” Lucas had originally meant it as a joke, but Eddie’s silence only caused more uproar from the rest of the group. “Oh shit! Do you?” Dustin asked with a questioning look, to which Eddie didn’t respond. He knew that obviously this wasn’t a date, but on the other hand, Eddie couldn’t help but think that Steve had never invited him over before. “Holy shit! Look at him; he’s like bright red In the face right now, he totally does!” Mike interjected. “EVERYONE SHUT UP!” Eddie snapped, finally having lost his patience. “Are we finishing this thing or not? And for your information, Wheeler, not that it is any of your business, but I have been cordially invited for a movie night at Steve’s house. Now, if I hear one more smart-ass comment about my love life, and I’m looking at you four—“ Eddie emphasized by gesturing towards Dustin, Max, Erica, and Mike. “I’m killing you all off. Do. You. Copy?” Everyone nods in agreement, and Eddie resumes the game.
Once the campaign had reached its end and the gaggle of teenagers filed out of Eddie’s trailer, Eddie got to work cleaning up before getting ready to head over to Steve’s.
By the time Eddie arrives at Steve’s house, the sun had already begun to set, casting an almost heavenly glow overhead. Eddie stands on the doorstep of the Harrington’s front door, one hand raised to knock while the other clutches the portable backpack that carries his TPN. Before Eddie even gets the chance to knock, the door swings open, revealing Robin, smiling brightly and practically bursting with energy. “Eddie! It is so good to finally see you back to your weird, dramatic self again and not, well, you know, unconscious and close to death.” Eddie lets out an amused chuckle. “It’s good to see you too, Buckley. Where’s his Majesty?” Robin thrusts her thumb over her shoulder, the entrance of the house. "He’s just finishing up in the living room.” Robin pauses for a moment, leaning in towards Eddie to whisper something. “And perfecting that gorgeous hair of his.” Just then, as if on cue, Steve Harrington himself appears in the doorway. Eddie takes in Steve’s appearance, noticing that Steve is in his pajamas. He supposes it's not all that odd; it was almost dark out. “Eds! Hey man, glad you could make it. Come on in.” Steve says, gesturing inside. “Oh! Wait, hold on, first close your eyes.” Eddie gives Steve a skeptical look but ultimately does as he’s told.
Steve places his hands on Eddie’s shoulders, gently guiding him towards the living room. “Okay, you can look now,” Steve says. Once they’ve come to a stop. . Eddie opens his eyes and glances around the room; the only thing amiss seemed to be the table filled with junk food and soda, which seemed like pretty normal essentials for a movie night. Eddie’s gaze then fell to the floor, where he noticed the pillows and sleeping bags that had been laid out.
It takes Eddie Admittedly much longer than it should’ve, but Steve watches as Eddie’s eyes widen in realization, and Eddie looks back at him in stunned silence. “Steve—“ is all he manages to say. “Eddie Munson? Welcome to your very first sleepover! What do you think, man?” For once in Eddie’s life, he’s at a loss for words. This had to be hands down the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him. God, who the fuck gave Steve Harrington the right to be the sweetest man on the fucking planet? After a long moment of silence, Eddie turns and throws his arms around Steve. There was a brief moment where Steve stiffened, caught off guard by Eddie’s sudden burst of affection. “Steve, I—thank you.” Eddie stutters, his voice slightly muffled against Steve’s chest. Steve wrapped his arms around Eddie’s back. “Of course, Eds, I’d be a total Dick if I let you go the rest of your life without ever going to a sleepover.” Steve replied half jokingly. “Umm, I hate to interrupt,” Robin interjects, “but did Steve just say this is your first ever sleepover?” Robin asks in disbelief, “I know you’re not exactly Mr. Popular or anything, but seriously, Munson? You do realize this means we have to do all the stereotypical sleepover shit, right? Truth or Dare, Never Have I Ever, Tell Scary Stories Although I guess our lives are already kind of scary enough, oh, we can paint our nails!” Robin rambles excitedly, “Eddie Munson, this is going to be the best first sleepover you’ll ever have!”
And Robin had been Absolutely correct. This may have been Eddie’s first ever Sleepover but Eddie didn’t think Anything else would top it.