"Good morning my sweet bird."

"Ew, god no. Take it back right now." Robin had just sat in the car and closed the door, her face wrenched in disgust. "Oh- I'm sorry. Do you prefer slut puppy?" She rolled her eyes and choked back a smile, "I prefer my name actually."

"Oh yeah that would make sense."

"You think?"

Robin stared at the side of his face for a while, "what's going on with you?" He looked to her, confusion painting his face. "What are you talking about?" She continued to pat him down with her eyes, trying to find any clues that might lead to a hypothesis. "You're- different- this morning." Steve's eyebrows turned down, "Robin what are you talking about?" She shook her head, only taking her eyes off of him for a second before letting it go. "I don't know, I just feel something I guess. I'll figure it out later. But you and Eddie are okay now? Everything's fixed?"

The older man sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I mean- I guess. We haven't actually got the chance to talk about it yet- or a lot for that matter. But something between us has definitely changed. He's being more gentle and- more like we're together. He's trying really hard to be- I don't know. Like I said, we haven't had the chance to talk about it."

Robin nodded her head slowly, "well, that's good right? I mean you guys are together. And if he's trying as hard as you say- he's definitely in for the long run. And don't freak out- you'd marry that man tomorrow if you could. I know feelings scare you, but he loves you and would do absolutely anything for you- don't forget that."

Steve felt his throat burn at the emotions filling his heart and stomach to the brim. He would marry him- and sure as hell he'd live with the man. No one's tried this hard ever to be good for him, to be there for him. Maybe that's what Robin's feeling, the thing Steve truly has been feeling but couldn't figure it out.

"You're right."

"Uhm, what?"

He let out a breath and parked the car (in the actual parking spots this time). "I said you're right." A big smile grew on her face, "about what, exactly?"

Steve leaned his head back against the seat and rubbed his face. "I do want to live with him, god I was to spend every damn day with him. And I absolutely would marry him. For fucks sake I'll probably dream about it now. I don't even understand the way I feel around him and it freaks me out, but I love it and I love him. I love him so much Robin."

She stayed silent.

He looked over at her and she was just staring at him, mouth slightly open. "Robin?"

Steve snapped his fingers in her face, "Rob- hello! Robin-" The woman pounced on him and wrapped her arms around his neck, a warm tear falling down her face. "I'm so happy for you, you shit head."

A small laugh left his lips and he wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tight. "Thanks Rob. It means a lot."

A knock on the window rang through the car and the two looked over, finding Eddie and Vickie standing on the other side. Eddie mouthed 'cute' and Steve rolled his eyes at him while Robin smiled at the little wave Vickie offered her.

The two stumbled out of the car and Eddie's hands were automatically locked around Steve's waist, rocking the two side to side. "What were you two talking about huh?" Steve just smiled and looked at the ground, shaking his head in amusement. "I don't think you're ready to find out. Maybe graduate and get a job first, then we'll talk."

Eddie's face ran cold with fear and he grabbed Steve's stomach, patting it all over. "Oh my god, are you pregnant?!" A hand smacked his arm, "Munson would you shut the hell up! I'm not pregnant you asshole! I can't even get pregnant! What have you been doing in school?!"

The so called 'asshole' laughed and rubbed Steve's sides, his face softening. "I'm just joking love calm down. I actually haven't even thought about getting a job- I'll look into it okay?" Steve nodded, a small smile growing on his face at the sweet affection.

"What the hell do you fags think you're doing?" Steve's head shot past Eddie to find Jason and his 'group' staring at the two of them. Eddie whispered down to him, "remind me to stop bringing you places." Earning a quiet laugh from Steve before being covered up with the feeling of anxiety and fear punching him in the stomach.

"Jason! Where's your sweet girlfriend? I do really miss her so much." Eddie's back was to Steve but he could hear in his voice that he had a giant smirk on, finding amusement in the situation.

"Don't you fucking dare talk about her freak!" Eddie shook his head and tsked at him, "well which is it? Am I a fag, or a freak Jason? Because I'm pretty sure your dad likes both of them. Well- that's what he was telling me last night at least."

Steve choked on a laugh and Eddie looked over his shoulder for a second to wink at him. "You're both Munson. I don't know how the fuck you spread your germs to Steve- but you're gonna get the hell away from him before we beat the hell out of you."

Uhm excuse me? Shouldn't I be the one to decide that? Steve contemplated the sentence.

"Why, you want him all to yourself? I've got to warn you- he's kind of a freak himself. He likes it rough and I just don't think you'd be up to that." Steve inhaled sharply and smacked the back of Eddie's head. "Eddie shut the hell up asshole."

Steve heard a noise from behind him and Robin was eyeing him. He mouthed, it's fine, I promise.

Jason yelled and started coming towards Eddie, the man freezing in his place. Steve heard Robin yell his name and she tossed his- improved- baseball bat to him.

Steve stepped in front of Eddie and held it tight in his grip. "Look Jason, you're about to graduate and I just don't think it'd be a good idea to get in a fight right now. I mean- take it from me, I got in a few."

"And lost!"

"Shut the hell up Robin!"

"Anyways, I know you didn't mean to threaten this sweet, innocent boy. So please, if you'd like to remain in my place as the perfect king of Hawkins- back the hell away from my boyfriend. Or I'll have to mess up that mediocre face of yours."

Jason was seething in anger, the guys behind him trying to copy it- but their faces betrayed them as soon as he tightened the grip. Steve took a step towards them.

"And if I hear even a fucking rumor of you laying a fucking finger around any of my friends, I'll kill you. Got it? And I wouldn't take that lightly."

Steve leaned his head against the bat lightly and smiled at the boys, Jason shoving past them and walking away. "Bye guys. Make good decisions!" As soon as they were far enough away, Steve kissed the bat sweetly and walked to his trunk, laying it back in it's home and closing it.

He looked around at the three people staring at him and his brows furrowed, "what?"

"Where the hell did that bat come from?"

Of course that was his boyfriend's first question.

"Would saying my trunk be a good enough answer?" The raised eyebrow from Eddie told him no, no it wasn't.

Steve sighed, "it was an old friend's." Of course that isn't how he'd exactly describe Johnathon, but it'll do.

"Okay, why the hell does it have nails through it?"

Steve threw his hands in the air and huffed, "halloween costume."

A lie.

"And why the hell was it in the back of your car?"

Steve made a dumbfounded look and gestured to the scene that had just happened. "Protection? I think you can easily answer that one for yourself."

"And you just threatened a group of assholes with it- to protect me?"

Now Steve was nervous. He couldn't at all tell what Eddie was thinking and it was driving him crazy. "Yes?"

Eddie stepped towards him and grabbed Steve's hips, pulling them together. "You're insane."

"Well excuse me for not wanting them to talk about you like that. It's disgusting and they're just a bunch of fucking assholes who have daddy issues and get angry because they can. I wasn't going to let them hurt you idiot. I'd never let anyone fucking touch you if I could help it."

Eddie whispered, "you're insane."

Steve's eyebrows furrowed and he crossed his arms. "Yeah, you already said that Munson. Thank you so muc-"

Those damn gymnastics in his stomach again. They really should take a break soon.

Eddie pulled them together and wrapped his lips with Steve's, moving and molding them together as if they were an artwork.

"You're absolutely insane."

"Oh my god Eddie I get it!"

Eddie's hand came up to Steve's cheek and he rubbed it gently. "No love just- I can't believe you did that for me. I can't believe how protective you are of me. That you'd pull shit like that when someone says something I've heard many, many times."

Steve's head rested against the hand on his cheek, a lump settling in his throat. "Well you shouldn't have to hear it. High school people are fucking stupid. They don't even know you."

"Well, like you said love. High school people are fucking stupid. And I don't honestly give a shit what they say, or who else gives a damn about me. I have you Harrington, and for fucks sake that is enough for me, and will be for a very long time."

Shit shit shit. This is not the right place to cry. Or agree to marrying Eddie- he didn't even need to ask. Steve was on board the second he walked into Family Video with Dustin.

"You should uhm, probably get to class. I've been thinking and maybe if you take notes I can try to help you tonight with homework and stuff."

Nice, avoid your feelings.

Eddie pressed their foreheads together and kissed the tip of Steve's nose. "I was being serious, even if you don't want to talk about it because it's embarrassing or you feel like you're gonna cry. I love you and I will for a long time to come. And yes I'll let you help me out with my goddamn homework if that's what you want."

Steve let out a laugh and rubbed Eddie's neck, smiling against his lips. "I'll see you later then?"

A quick peck was placed on his lips and Eddie stood up, "of course. When have you ever known me to not bother you at work? Or in general?"

Steve's smile grew and he threw his arms around Eddie's neck and held him tightly, "I do love you, so much." Hands came around his waist without hesitation and a nose was tucked into his neck. "I love you too. Forever."

The beginning of these two's relationship is in the thought process of a new book as we speak and I can't tell you how excited I am, even though I think this book in itself is perfect enough.

I've thought about just writing little short stories to go with this book, and having ones from when they were younger be in it. Especially the first time they talked because that would be perfect. Or- maybe it'll show up before I end this book.

I love you guys and thank you for making this so amazing for me!