Steve's lips brushed against his softly at first, as if unsure, but then Eddie tugged at Steve's shirt and pulled him closer, running his hands through Steve's hair, and pretty soon his back was against the couch and Steve's hands were slipping under Eddie's shirt, his touch sending a shudder scurrying down Eddie's spine.

He couldn't believe this was happening. It all felt so real yet distant at the same time, like a dream, all hazy and intense and dizzy. He felt his anxieties and fears melt away under the warmth of Steve's body and the trail of kisses left along his neck, and all Eddie felt was joy and the only thing he could think was I should have done this a long time ago.

But nothing lasts forever, and eventually his worry began to creep back and he felt himself pull away, although every instinct he had was screaming at him not to. He looked up at Steve, at his bedraggled hair and soft eyes, and shook his head slightly.

"What the hell are we doing Steve?"

Steve blinked, staring down at Eddie, whose back was still against the couch, Steve's body pressed against his.

"What?" He asked blankly.

Eddie sighed, gently pushing Steve off him and taking his mug to the sink. "Wayne will be back any second. You should go."

Steve ran a hand through his hair, getting up and leaning on the counter. "But I'll see you tomorrow right?"

"I'm busy tomorrow," Eddie mumbled, not meeting Steve's eyes.

Steve cupped his face with his hand, and a thrill ran down Eddie's spine. "So I'll come at around eight, yeah?"

Before Eddie could answer, Steve leaned in and kissed him, then spun on his heels and walked out the door, the taste of coffee still dancing on Eddie's lips.

Eddie thought about it the entire night, as he tossed and turned in bed. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Steve's smile and heard his laugh and it was driving him crazy. His room was too big, too empty without Steve next to him. Eventually, he abandoned all hopes of sleep and got out of bed, stumbling into the living room and dialling Robin's number into his phone.

She didn't answer.

He rang again, and then again.

Still no answer.

"Fuck."

Eddie stood there for a moment, then punched Nancy's number into the phone.

It rang five times before answering.

"Hello?" Came Nancy's tired voice, and Eddie felt a twinge of guilt for waking her up.

"Uh, hey, Nancy, it's me. Sorry to bother you, but is Robin there?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, then Nancy's voice came through, unsure and wary.

"One sec."

Eddie listened closely to the sound of hushed voices and scrambling and then, finally, Robin. Eddie let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding and slumped against the counter.

"Eddie?"

"Robin, I need your help."

"At two in the morning?"

"Steve kissed me."

There was a pause, then a deafening crash and a scream. Eddie abruptly held the phone away from his ear.

"Robin..?" He whispered gingerly.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Nancy screamed into the phone and Eddie nearly dropped it from shock. "YOU KISSED STEVE? STEVE HARRINGTON?!"

"You know another Steve?" Eddie remarked, holding the phone away from his ear and massaging his head. "And, Jesus Nancy, will you stop shouting, I'm freaking out enough as it is."

There was a scramble and muffled voices. Eddie was beginning to wish he'd never called.

"Listen, I have to go calm Nancy down before she wakes up the whole house and we get caught. Can I come to yours, say, six?" Robin said, the faint shouts of Nancy still rippling in the background and echoing in Eddie's ears.

Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, partly because he'd get to see Robin again and partly because he'd get to hang up the phone. "Yeah, see you then."

"And Eddie?"

"Mhm?"

There was a pause.

"Be careful, okay?"

Eddie opened his mouth to reply, but suddenly there was a crash and the line fell silent.

Tomorrow it is then.