notscary | inbox. duplicity.

hey, I got out of work. on my way back. do you need anything before i head home?

[ steve's house is nice, and no one's yelled at them for eddie to leave yet. so. he'll take his friend up on the hospitality as long as he can. he's been hanging out inside, perking up at the text from steve. ]

yeah man some food
surprise me?
a six pack would be great too

I'll stop and get take out.
see you in like 20

my knight in shining armor
: )
see you soon steve

[ and he will, sort of lurking in Steve's bedroom. he doesn't mind intruding on his friends, but he doesn't know Yelena (yet?) and, well, it's easier to have just found a spot to rest in Steve's room. He'll be ruminating over the workings of the device, trying to piece the whole thing together, from the floor, leaning against the bed. ]

yeah, yeah. don't get too excited

[And it's 22 minutes later that Steve is pushing into his bedroom with a large, extra cheese and pepperoni pizza and a six pack of some off brand booze that he's never heard of, like most of the brands in the city.]

Dinner's here. [And while it's strange to just have Eddie in his room, it's also kind of nice. At least he's alive-- sort of.]

[ You're letting him stay in much better digs than the shitty motel room, Steve. He's gonna be excited!

He hears the door open, eyes flashing up to Steve as he walks in with his hands full. He slides the device away over the floor, not really caring about it now that he has company again. He uses the bed as leverage to stand, putting both hands on it and sliding up until he's sitting. ] Smells great. [ He squints at the beer, never too picky about alcohol choices either. ]

So. How was your day? [ His head tilts, ankles crossing as he gives a broad smirk. He'll get up and they can eat elsewhere if Steve asks, but dining in bed isn't foreign to Eddie. ]

[He doesn't think Nat is home, and Yelena might be around somewhere. He normally would probably eat out in the living room or dining area, but he only got one pizza, and they're two teenaged boys, so his room it is. He plops the pizza box on the bed and sets the six pack in front of it before he's toeing his shoes off. Eddie is welcome to dig in.]

Oh, magical. At least no one was aphro'd, jailed, or fined. But the bus route did get delayed, because someone was fucking on their car in the middle of the road. So you know, typical Duplicity.

[And then he's sitting on the edge of the bed and grabbing a beer. Because yeah, this is their life now.]

[ Dig in he does, opening the box and taking the first slice, no hesitance as he eats and listens to Steve. Not like he can go out and buy anything himself, so he's been relying on the other guy. Maybe more than he should. But. What the hell ever.

He all but devours the first slice, going for a beer next, cracking it open before he replies. ] The exhibitionism is real here, huh? [ A long swig. ] I mean does anyone actually even have sex in bed? Or is that... [ he spins the can in a tiny circle ] too vanilla? [ It's mostly rhetorical. Not like he's been intimate with anyone there yet. Maybe the kink game is always strong. ]

[He's drinking his own beer, legs crossed on the bed as he looks over at Eddie with a mild scoff.]

Yeah, people still have sex on beds-- although I can't actually remember the last time I have now that I think about it. [With Yelena it had been on the couch last, time before that was on Sara's floor, oh and then the amount of sex he had in the Realignment Center. He doesn't really want to think about that.]

Mm, couple months ago.

[ And he's eating another slice, laughing softly under his breath as Steve answers. Sucking sauce off his thumb, he makes a nod toward the head of the bed. ] Well at least you have somewhere more agreeable to bring your paramours. Compared to us new and lowly subs. [ But he's smiling, taking another bite. He's been there a short enough time that there have been no consequences for any of his actions or lack of behaving accordingly in the LIES program. He's still bitter about the motel, though. ]

So. Guy to guy. [ Words he's positive he's never said in his life, another long swig of beer. ] You really think it's not gonna be my own personal hell finding people for, that. [ A beat. ] All the...sex. Not really my forte, man. [ Subtle flirting, sure. ] There, like, a Desperate To Fuck AA-style group people can join? [ He gives a wry smile, serious about his concern but trying to stay light about it, too. ]

[He takes his first slice then, biting into the stringy cheese that pulls from another slice left in the box. He gives a sympathetic nod, because in part he does get it.]

Hey, man. I was there, too. I didn't have anyone. Literal strangers were taking me to the grocery store so I didn't starve. And I got bit by a vampire because of it. [Okay, said vampire was hot, and he ended up sleeping with her, but like he was not expecting to get his blood sucked when some hot girl was riding him.]

It sucks. I know. [Which is why he's helping with the pizza and booze and whatever else Eddie needs. No one needs to be that desperate for basic necessities.]

It won't. Trust me. This place pretty much invents easy ways to get you to fuck. Plus someone will like write up a dating app for you probably next month, called the D/s Finder, and people will start talking to you about whatever messed up details the city decides to add without your permission. It's an easy way to meet people and hook up if you need to meet quota. [He shrugs a little. Steve's never needed to really worry about sex, here or back home, but he's not really worried for Eddie either.]

You'll find some cool people. Might just suck for this first month though.

[ Eddie's eyes narrow, pang of regret over his immediate disbelief that Steve didn't have anyone. But he stifles his sigh, head tilting just so as he polishes off his second slice and goes back to now nursing his beer as he listens. It's another onslaught of information, yet it feels easier to take in with just the two of them in a room that could be one from home. It's not a welcoming place outside in the streets, but there in Steve's bedroom he finds the only solace he thinks he can.

His eyes pop at the mention of being bitten by a vampire. HELLO?? They're going to come back to that, right??

He really does listen, keeping eye contact, noting the shrug. Eddie hums very softly, nodding languidly. ] Well. You're not concerned. [ A pause for a drink. ] You've really got it all figured out, haven't you. [ His voice is calm and even, only a hint of disdain for the sake of the situation. ] Well if King Steve deems me as not a lost cause then -- [ he leans back, laying down onto the bed for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling, hand holding his beer up high in the air ] I've gotta just fight the good fight.

[ He shifts around, moving the beer to his pizza-holding hand as he grabs one of the pillows with his clean hand and uses it to lean onto, propping his head onto his hand and elbow on the pillow as he lounges horizontally on the bed, angled to look at Steve. ] I've met a couple nice enough people so far. I don't think they wanna fuck me though. [ His shoulders give a little shrug. ] How long do I got again before...the, um, before I get in trouble?

[He leans back on the headboard, propped up by two pillows himself, taking another drink before he's inhaling the rest of his pizza as Eddie lays back and is clearly just taking this all in. It's a lot. Steve gets it completely. He's had almost a whole year to process it himself. It's also not the first time he's given all this information before.]

Man, not even close. This place keeps you on your toes. Like in the worst way possible. [He wipes at his face, because the amount of shit he's gone through in the last two months is a lot for him to handle. He's actually really glad to see Eddie even with all that means for him being there.]

I mean we're all in the same boat. And there's like ways you can sort of be more comfortable with it. There's aphros and stuff, like bars and clubs you can hang out in and like purposely order it. Most places have rooms you can go back to, make it all easier for this sort of thing. There's also brothels here as like a back up. And like I said, if you get stuck, let me know. [It's a little awkward to offer himself.] Doesn't even have to be me. Like I know people and places here. I just don't want to see you get thrown into jail here over something stupid.

[He's awkwardly scratching at the back of his neck for a second.] You have to do it three times in a month, you have to have a contract in three months, and you can stay in the Up for three days without a contract.

[ More sips of his beer, looking over at Steve as he shifts, gaze intent while he listens. His expression turns empathetic when the admission of how his friend does not have it all figured out, wry smile holding on his lips.

He squints at aphros, brothels, creases softening when an offer of help is extended again. He nods with the clarification, another long swallow of beer.

Question answered and expanded upon, Eddie's lips purse down a tiny bit. ] So there's a timetable on how long you gotta be stuck with me? [ A genuine smirk, leaning toward Steve enough to clink their cans together. Turning a touch more serious -- ] Thanks, if I haven't said so. [ A long pause, another drink. ] For letting me stay here, and for offering to help out. [ With names and locations. Of course Steve wouldn't offer himself, that never would've been the intention behind his words, right? ] I'll let you know if I'm down and outta luck.

Aphros and brothels? So. There are measures for the hopeless. [ Eddie can't hide his little frown, displeased at the idea, staring down at the bedspread for a few seconds. ] Well I guess there's no time like the present for welcoming casual sex into my life.

[Steve just doesn't want to assume this Eddie might have some interest in him. It's a big assumption to make, and he doesn't really know how he feels about all of that, and it might make it more awkward for Eddie if he doesn't feel that type of way. So it's just easier to like keep the offer as open as possible, for whatever Eddie might be comfortable with.

He cheers his beer back at him before finishing the one in his hand. It's not an easy conversation to have, but at least he doesn't need a couple of shots first to have it. They're making progress.]

You can come back in a few days. They just like being obsessive with these contracts. [He rolls his eyes. It's annoying. He knows.]

You don't have to thank me. I know how shitty it can be here. You don't have a lot of choices, and I'm sure in the next week or two the city will fuck with us. On the bright side you might get your whole quota filled in a day, and be totally over it, not even caring about the quota. It just sort of happens. [He shrugs again.]

I mean, it's fun. The casual sex. I'm not saying it's not. It just also gets a little... [He gestures. He was kind of over it back home before coming here. The only plus side is that he's sort of been able to explore his sexuality and discover some kinks he didn't even know he had.] I lost two people I was close to recently though. So sometimes you don't really have a choice.

[ There's still a heavy fog of uncertainty that hangs over Eddie, so he's not inclined to assume too much. He's trying his best to listen to trusted sources, Steve the person he can lean on the most.

He huffs a little at the contract obsessiveness, smiling warmly when he sees those eyes roll. To the deflection, earnest as it is, to his gratitude has him ready with a quip, but he waits and listens. Then, Steve shares how he's lost people of late, intrigue at who they might be and pain for the other young man crossing his face. ]

So. [ Another long look down at Steve's blanket, a shift of both of his legs in place. ] I'm sorry, man. I can't promise I'll stay. Obviously. But. [ He looks back, brown eyes soft and warm. ] Since it sounds like you're cool with me staying, I can promise I'll take you up on the offer. I...really ain't go nowhere else to go, but... [ he gives a sidelong glance ] I'm glad it's you here, I mean, you pick out a pretty good pizza.

And you've been so... [ he gives a little flourish of one hand ] nice to me. Did I rub off on you last time I was here, Steve? 'Cause it sounds a little like we were close, or feels that way, with you being...well, how you're being. [ His tone is all sincere, just smiling softly and appreciatively. ] Not that two versions of me, maybe from different dimensions? Who the hell knows. But not like they have to be the same, I guess. [ Now he's just rambling, taking a drink. ]

[Steve opens the second can of beer, tossing the empty in the can across the room. It naturally bounces into the trash, and maybe he's a little proud like he's still got it clearly. It's the little things really.]

Hey, it's fine. You got a place to crash if you need it. I know the Down sucks, and the submissive apartments, if they can even call them that, are awful. Whatever you need, man.

[He offers a small smile though, glad that Eddie's taking him up on any of it. He could totally push him away given what he's told him already, but Steve's genuine about what he's said, and he does care. One hand awkwardly goes into his hair again.]

I don't know how it works. Maybe Dustin can explain it to the both of us someday. Not here hopefully. [He laughs, though he really hopes the kids never make it here.] But I don't know. I guess we were close. You were like my best friend here for the couple months we were here. We went through some really weird, typical city bullshit. And actually you were the one to get me out of the Down more often than not. Well I'd signed with Yelena already, but it wasn't like I really knew her too much then. I didn't care if I got in your hair.

[He jokes with a wide grin.]

[ Little wins every day, Steve!

A sound of derision sounds from Eddie, nodding emphatically at how much the Down indeed sucks. From everything that Steve has told him so far too, there's even more shittiness potential ahead for him.

His face beams a little when Dustin is mentioned, their little geeky friend missed but he nods with not wanting to see the kid there. No, none of those littlest teens should be subjected to the fuckery of the city. A smile lights up on his face as Steve answers, head cocking, eyes shining with a pleased surprise. ] Okay then. Consider it favors for favors. [ He empties his first beer, chucking the can over toward the trash, eyeing it long enough to be sure that it goes in. Hey, it's not as clean of a shot, but at least he didn't get your floor messy with dripping booze. ] Not that it's necessary, I know, we're friends. Best friends, somewhere, someway.

[ He grabs another beer, taking a long drink, sitting up and bringing the pillow into his lap, resting his arms on it. ] Gotta stick together, power in numbers, even if it's just a duo. [ He smirks at that. ] I'm here for you, too. Whatever I could do. [ A beat, tongue poking out as he considers his next thought. ] Which is just being fantastic company for now.

So, Harrington, city bullshit aside, did we do anything for fun? Or was it all pizzas and beer? [ He knows what he thinks fun is, but he hasn't found a place to play his guitar yet, and there's been no time to put feelers out for starting a D&D club. Plus, he does wanna pry, wants to know what his former self and Steve got up to, if it wasn't just all weird camaraderie over uncontrollable shit. ]

[Steve watches to make sure that the can also goes into the trash, because no, he does not want leaky booze spilling on the brand new carpet. But it makes it in, and Steve goes for his second slice.]

Yeah. We're even, man. [Even if Eddie was the Dominant before, Steve still would have done this for him, but if he wants to feel like squared up, that's fine with him.]

Mostly we hung out, listened to records. Some of those are yours over there, [He nods to his collection stacked up on one of the shelves.] There was a record shop here, but I think they went digital. Oh, also-- I met this guy Lee, he's like our age and I think from like 1988, maybe? Just got here like a couple months ago-- you two listen to the same kind of music, I think. He told me you'd like Metallica's album Master of Puppets.

[Steve has no idea how much Eddie actually loves that album. He's from 1985 before that album came out. He gives another shrug.]

We did what we could to like survive this place with our sanity in tact, I guess.

[ Eddie listens to the answer, curiosity and nosiness having been -- he felt -- oozing from his words. But. Well. Steve certainly answers the question, doesn't he?

He brings one hand up to rest fingers along his jaw, easing into how he sat as if he were listening to a comforting story. The records cause his eyes to light up, glancing over before his gaze slides back to meet Steve's once more. Humming softly, he knows the utter lack of awareness Steve has past simply knowing the band name and the song, having remembered it from another person telling him both. If you don't know Ozzy or Black Sabbath, you certainly don't know the names of Metallica songs! His head does this lilt back and forth, endeared in a weird way that Steve somehow mentions such a significant and beloved song.

He hums again, head nodding several times. He takes another drink, breathing in through his nose. ] Like? No. Love it more like it. But this Lee guy, gonna have to meet him. I'm glad I could broaden your musical horizons, in appreciation. But.

[ His head cocks to the side, eyes widening. ] Steve. [ A pause, head tilting back to the other side, still cocked. ] My nosiness isn't glaring? I wanna know if... [ he shrugs, shoulders holding tight for a moment ] you broadened mine, Steve. It's been months since you've done it in your bed. Was it with me, other me, or someone else? Us being... 'best friends' and all... [ It's a presumption the size of a level 7 earthquake, but here he goes. ]

[Look, just the fact that Steve got the names right at all, he's going to also take as a win. It's not entirely his music style, but he doesn't mind it either. He can appreciate some of it between his Billy Idol or Duran Duran records. So he'll just smugly sit back with a grin, and mentally he has to get Lee and Eddie to meet.

But then Eddie's shifting the conversation back, and while Steve usually catches a come on pretty easily, knows when someone is interested, Eddie always has a way of catching him off guard. That's not new.]

Oh. You said like city shenanigans aside-- [Which technically the city had nothing to do with what ended up happening between them.] You and me? It-- ugh, didn't get that far. Like all the way, I mean.

[Suddenly he's feeling a little more embarrassed, not because something happened between them to begin with, but just trying to actually explain it.]

I guess back then I hadn't really figured things out, you know. And you hated this place. Yeah, we kinda had some awkward moments because of the city-- [Although Eddie sending a dick pic was a first.] But I mean if you're asking if we slept together... [He shakes his head. That isn't to say other things hadn't happened, but if Eddie wants all the details, he might have to actually ask for them.]

And ugh, you're totally the first person in my bed in this place. If that counts. [Probably not in the way Eddie is implying.]

[ Steve should be proud, though Eddie won't be afraid to bring up his total lack of awareness over one of the most metal moments of music history with Ozzy. It feels nice to have someone show an interest in what he'd like, much less have a record collection that may have similar tracks.

He knows he's pressed, maybe too far, but it's a sex city, and Steve has said he's been nice to him, nice enough that they were best buds. None of that has to run in tandem, but if there's a chance that it could've? He wants to know.

He pays close attention, watching Steve's body language, curious and quiet.

He chuckles, reaching to pat the bed. ] I guess. But it is...comfy. You should use it more for one of the purposes whatever...god, designed this place intended it for. [ Just some levity, or that's what he aims for. With whoever Steve wants, probably not Eddie! Probably. ]

Honestly I thought I'd ask. If I were me, past other me, well...I'd want me to know if I'd, ya know. [ His brows flick up, shrug of one shoulder. ] Done anything with you. Slept together or, whatever. [ He won't push Steve to say what their encounters together may have entailed though. ] Something did. So...your offer. With you, with someone else. Help if I need it. Just...overly curious how that all could've...panned out.

[ He breathes in slowly, trying to collect his thoughts, working to say whatever feels like the most important thing. ] 'Cause I've, never done that before. With a guy. So. It just. You've said this place messes with us, so...doesn't sound like it keeps anyone on the straight and narrow. [ He shrugs. ] I dunno. Never really thought about that before now... [ Another shrug, words hanging awkwardly there. He glances away, waiting for Steve to speak again. He's not sure what else he can say, his curiosity being no more nuanced than curiosity. His voice is nearly neutral, a hint of intrigue there but soft and trying to stay steady. ]

[Oh, so they're still going to talk about this. He clears his throat, shifts a little, and figures he might as well lay it out on the line because-- well Eddie can disappear again, and now that he knows what happens, he can't just beat around the bush. So he inhales through his nose.]

I gave you-- him, other you, whatever you want to call him, the same offer. He never took it. I don't know how you got your quota done. I just know you hated the rules. [He chews on the inside of his lip.]

There were a couple times things almost happened, like when the rain made us really horny-- but I think like you said, you never did anything with a guy before, and I think I had just barely started. So I don't really blame you for like trying to figure all of that out. I never really questioned it until I guess it kept happening, and I really kind of liked a few guys. [Another awkward head scratch.]

Last time I saw you before you left, I kissed you. It got a little heated. I think we were going to see where it went, and then-- well, I never saw you until you sent me that picture, like seven months later.

Me. Just. Me. [ He mutters under his breath, knowing he'd complicated it by referring to himself as he had. He'd been there before, even if he doesn't remember (or there's another dimension! but. they can never really know.)

Eddie couldn't hide the fact that he's eager to gauge just how Steve feels about all of this, eyes intense and intentional in continuing to peer at his body language. There are any number of comments he could've asked, but his focus draws to those last bits.

He knows he's never thought of kissing Steve Harrington; sure, he's suggestive to the point of being perceived as flirtatious to get a rise. Now though, he's hung up on Steve having kissed him, that it got heated, and he finds that he stares at his friend's lips for a few seconds. He didn't know the conversation would veer hard in this direction, to matters explicitly between the two of them, but Eddie is suddenly grateful he's settled a pillow on his lap. Curiosity turns to a deeper intrigue, and Steve's words got a reaction. Just a twitch of warm arousal in his groin, but uh, that totally happens when people talk about sex and kissing. Totally.

So, Eddie swallows, clears his throat a touch, back a little rigid. ] So you liked kissing me? [ A pointed and explicit question, zero percent rhetorical. Now, there's a desire to have affirmation. He doesn't realize that it just feels nice, the idea of someone wanting to kiss him. He's more focused on the fact that it felt like he liked the sound of the physical rather than the emotional component.

It's all he has to say, the rest of Steve's words heard but put on the back burner for the immediate question at hand. ]

[Of all the things to focus on, of course that's what Eddie picks up on. It actually eases some of the awkwardness up, because at least Eddie, this Eddie, doesn't think him weird or gross or something. Of course he wouldn't when Steve thinks about it. They didn't really have the words for people like them, people that didn't really care about gender or liked them all. Or maybe they did, but it wasn't like Hawkins, Indiana was really on the up and up for Pride lingo.

The fact Eddie kind of just takes all this in stride makes sense for the kind of person he is though. He's unabashedly himself, so he might not have to flounder around as much as Steve has, though really he didn't think much on it until he really couldn't deny it.

But he nods at the question, a smile blooming.]

Yeah, I did. [There's a bit of teasing in his tone when he looks up at him.]

Why? You wanna find out how good it was? [He really didn't expect things to get to this point so quickly, but honestly he isn't going to pass up the opportunity either.]

inbox. duplicity.

un: hawkinsheroes

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