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[ When handed the ultimatum by his father, Steve had hoped to be able to get away with another summer spent as a lifeguard at the pool. It would have been fine, he would have a little bit of breathing room before he decided what to do come September when he wasn't among the rest of the college bound kids going to classes.

But when Billy Hargrove showed up, that plan had gone right out the window. Instead, Steve turned to Starcourt, and applied to every possible job. Just like the string of colleges he applied to, all of them turned him down. Not even his mother's name could land him a job.

Until Scoops Ahoy got back to him. The caveat? The damn uniform he'd have to wear. But, a job is a job, and Steve's dad was placated long enough to leave him alone for the rest of the summer with promises to check in.

And so begins the longest summer imaginable, because of course Dustin had to go off to his genius camp, leaving Steve to get guilt tripped by the pack of rascals hassling him for free ice cream and, once they learned they can sneak through the employee break room down a long hallway right to the cinema to avoid paying for a movie, well...Steve was doomed.

But not nearly as doomed as having to serve his fellow classmates and make up excuses for why he didn't get into college while simultaneously trying to flirt with the cute girls. All while Robin Buckley marks down his progress (his shame) on a whiteboard. He just has to keep reminding himself, this is better than having to deal with Billy all summer.

It's Robin's turn for a break now, leaving Steve to man the counter, and Steve is so close to abandoning the hat in hopes that maybe having his hair on display will help with the ladies. But then he remembers the district manager likes to pay visits unannounced and the last thing he needs right now is for the only job willing to give him a chance to find a reason to fire him. So, he stands in his stupid sailor ensemble with his stupid sailor hat, and he waits for a customer. Any customer at all. ]

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[ Normally he wouldn't be caught dead at someplace so shiny and new and neon but business has been slow since school is out. No sports means no games which means no parties to celebrate a win or help people forget a loss. Most of the kids in town usually hang out by the lake during the Summer and it's just a matter of making the rounds, but since the mall came to town everyone wants to hang out here. Brightly lit stores mean competition to steal away his client's boredom and money.

So, no, he's not a fan of the mall and he's refused to set foot in the place on principle until now when some jock had asked him for a drop off at the food court. He'd been so hard up for business that he couldn't refuse and so he'd stepped foot into the monstrosity that was trying to kill Rick's mom and pop weed operation.

He'd made his deal, after the guy had made him wait for half an hour and is on his way to the nearest exit when he passes Scoops Ahoy. Who the fuck thinks cheesy sailor suits and a nautical theme is a good idea for selling ice cream? Even the employee behind the counter looks unimpressed and bored as Eddie passes. He can't help but wonder what poor schmuck got talked into wearing a sailor hat and stops abruptly when he recognizes that trademark hair underneath it.

Instantly, his bad mood melts into something much more akin to glee as he makes a sharp right into the storefront, his boots squeaking against the white tile floor. He squints at the boy behind the counter, his mouth curving into a large grin. ] I thought that was you, Harrington. Almost didn't recognize you under all that blue.

[ Holy shit. Was he wearing shorts?]

( As if it wasn't mortifying enough to be forced to work here under these conditions. He's had a hard enough time pulling girls and now he's got Eddie fucking Munson, Freak of Hawkins High come to torture him some more. It's not like Eddie is a bad person, by any means, but it's embarrassing when even the school freak joins in the relentless teasing.

Then again, considering how Steve's former friends act towards Eddie and his friends, maybe Steve does deserve it. Just a little. )

Yeah, yeah. Take a picture, it'll last longer. ( He rolls his eyes as he leans against the counter, clearly bored out of his mind as he uses his elbow to prop his head up. )

Are you gonna order something? No loitering.

( Though there isn't exactly a manager around to enforce it if Eddie refused. And Steve is, deep down at least, happy for some kind of company to pass the time. Even if that company is probably going to make hm squirm. )

What a great idea! [ Eddie saunters up to the counter, planting his hands across the countertop as if he's about to peruse the ice creams, but his eyes never leave Steve.] I think I heard there's a Radio Shack somewhere in this monstrosity. Wonder how much a camera would set me back?

[ His business is down and his cashflow is low, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve nice things. Nice things being a few polaroids of Steve Harrington in a sailor suit. ]

[ He grins and sighs heavily, looking down at the ice cream options before humming to himself. ] I'm contemplating my taste adventure options. What would a sailor of flavor like yourself recommend?

( Steve makes a noise, but instead of vocalizing his protest, he just rubs a hand across his face. He really needs to keep this job, and Robin kept trying to instill in him the idea that a little bit of patience goes a long way when it comes to customers.

He just never banked on Eddie Munson being amongst his clientele. )

Hopefully out of your budget. ( He grumbles to himself as he waits for Eddie to pick out a flavor, and then stares at him perplexed when instead Eddie turns the question back on him. )

Uh, I don't really sample the ice cream myself? ( A lie, he and Robin get free ice cream as an employee perk, but Eddie doesn't need to know that. ) I can offer you a sample?

Hopefully not. [ Eddie says, giving him a wink and leaning his hips into the counter between them. He chuckles at Steve's request for recommendations, unable to help himself from a little innuendo.]
I'd love to sample your cream.

[ Eddie glances up and down the case before pointing towards a light pink flavor. ] What about that one?

( This is the worst. He has to sit and take all of this embarrassment and can't say anything, because goddammit he really needs this job. What's worse is that the little bit of innuendo that Eddie does manage to slip into this increasingly strange banter has an effect on him he thought reserved only for women.

Thank christ Robin isn't here to witness him crash and burn.

He feels a sense of relief at Eddie actually choosing something to sample, and swoops in to offer him a small tasting cup of the cotton candy flavored ice cream. )

Cloud Nine, good choice. Let me know if you'd like to try anything else. ( His voice totally doesn't waver or crack at all. )

[ Eddie cocks an eyebrow in surprise when Steve doesn't say anything about him sampling his cream. Either Scoops Ahoy's iron fist of professionalism keeps it's employees in line, Steve was ignoring it or, well - Eddie won't let him contemplate the third option. Too much wishful thinking.

Eddie takes the sample offered, his fingers brushing Steve's accidentally. He sticks the spoon in his mouth and makes a face. It's overly sweet, tasting vaguely of some kind of candy he can't pinpoint. His eyes fly over the neatly printed cards in front of the huge cartons.] What do you like? Wait, let me guess. Vanilla? At least tell me you throw some sprinkles on it.

Edited 2023-06-15 01:40 (UTC)

( It's a shame that Buckley isn't here to witness the inner turmoil that Steve is clearly experiencing. She might even tease him by finally letting him have a line in the You Rule column, even though Steve is very clearly not trying. And maybe that's what he's been doing wrong this whole time. He's been trying, flirting with too much intention, when he should just be himself.

Even though Steve still has no idea who he is, when he doesn't have the popularity or the sports or even the hair to fall back on. Yet none of that are clearly anything Eddie would be interested in.

The moment their fingers brush, Steve feels something. It's not something he's felt since when he and Nancy first started dating, when he realized that she was much more special than any of the other girls he had been with. But wait, that can't be right. Eddie's, well...he's Eddie! Steve isn't supposed to feel this. )

Huh? ( He realizes he has barely been paying attention to what Eddie has been saying since their fingers touched, but he's able to play it back in his head. ) Oh, no, I'm more of a chocolate fudge guy. On mint chocolate chip, to be exact.

[ Eddie hums in appreciation, giving Steve a long glance before grinning. ] There might be hidden depths to you, yet, Harrington. [ He taps his finger against the counter one more time and then flattens his hand down with a slap. A decision has been made.]

Give me a scoop of each. Oh, and extra rainbow sprinkles.[ Eddie winks at Steve and pulls out his wallet to dig up some cash, he sets it on top of the clear display. ] You can keep the change, sailor.

[ Too much? Probably. Would it get his face beat in? Most likely. Worth it? Absolutely, if only for the look on Steve's face. ]

( If this encounter were happening a year or so ago, Steve wouldn't be nearly equipped enough to handle it. Maybe it's the revelation that has just taken place, or maybe Steve is really experiencing a healthy dose of growth since that fateful encounter with Jonathan Byers in the alleyway back in '83, but Eddie's forwardness isn't nearly as unwelcome as it could have been. His mouth falls open as his brain just sort of stops working for a split second, before remembering, oh yeah, he still has to give this guy his order.

So, he moves quickly, trying to recover without so much as looking at Eddie, lest he crumble under what is almost definitely a shit-eating grin. Goddammit.

When he does finally assemble the double scoop and thrusts it out to Eddie to take, he finally dares to look at him and immediately regrets it. He can feel his cheeks start to heat up, but refuses to admit to himself that Eddie is absolutely the root cause. Nope, can't be, Eddie "The Freak" Munson cannot be getting him riled up just as much as Nancy Wheeler used to. )

Here you go, ( he mumbles finally ), enjoy.

Oh, I will. [ He practically purrs as he reaches out to take the ice cream. He gives Steve a small salute.] At ease, sea man.

[ He wants to reach out and steal his cute little sailor hat so that his hair has room to breathe and double in size like it normally does, but he thinks maybe he's pressed his luck far enough today.

Or not, since he glances around the empty store and digs his spoon into the ice cream. ] How about a little company, sailor? [ God, he really needs to stop before he gets his face punched in. The only problem is he's doing it for his own amusement and therefore there's no one here to stop him. ]

( This is really different from how Steve saw his summer going. Humiliation aside, he thought he might get lucky enough to walk away with at least someone's phone number, lest this whole summer ends up a complete waste. But it's like he's lost his mojo ever since Nancy dumped him.

And then Eddie Munson walked into Scoops Ahoy, causing Steve to rethink everything he thought he knew about the world and himself. The way Eddie teases him is so different from the relentless bullying Billy and Tommy had unleashed on him the rest of his senior year. It feels nice, which is a concept Steve does not know what to do with.

When Eddie asks to keep him company, Steve glances around and shrugs. It's not like he has anything better to do with no customers. And with no customers, he feels like he can get away with not wearing the damn hat, so he takes it off and runs a hand through his poor flattened hair. )

I never thought I'd see you caught dead in this fine establishment. What brings you to the mall, anyway?

[He’s more than a little shocked at the noncommittal shrug that Steve gives him, though he tries to school it on his features, not dropping his grin for a second. He had half expected Steve to go off and call him a number of different things before kicking him out of the store in those blue sailor shorts. Instead he takes off his hat, running his hand through his luscious hair.

He tries to ignore the way his stomach flutters a little at the easy way Steve talks to him, like they’re old friends instead of just a freak who comes in to give him a hard time from time to time. Eddie takes a spoonful of ice cream, letting it melt on his tongue before swallowing and answering Steve’s question.] Well, I never thought I’d see King Steve in a sailor’s hat scooping ice cream, but I guess we all have to compromise eventually. I had some business to see to in the food court. Seems like half of Hawkins is here on any given day.

[ He looks Steve over, taking in his expression and noting how much better his face looks when it’s not beat to a pulp like it had been the end of last year.] What about you? Didn’t want to spend another summer lifeguarding at the pool?

[ If he knew about Steve’s usual summer gig, well, sue him. He was only human. Besides, the pool was another good place to drum up business this time of year. Except he’d taken to giving Hargrove plenty of space. He didn’t need that kind of trouble in his life.]

( Eddie's gentle ribbing right back causes Steve to laugh. He shakes his head, the amusement clear in his eyes. ) Ah, that kind of business. ( His lips curve upwards in an amused smirk as his eyes dart down to watch Eddie eat a spoonful before darting back up to his eyes. )

And for your information, the old man made me get a job, or I would've been wallowing at home getting the last few summer rays in before judgment day. But then I saw Hargrove at the pool, and I had enough of him in school, thought it best to steer clear of him. ( He probably could have handled Billy, but why should he have to? At least this way, he's in air conditioning all day. )

They still giving you a hard time? You know. The Man, or whatever. I didn't see you at graduation.

Yeah. [ Eddie shrugs, not bothering to deny it. Steve's been a customer in the past, even if it was usually his henchman, Tommy H, that came to buy.] Speaking of, you got any upcoming soirees in need of some party favors?

[ Business has been slow, a Harrington party would probably give him enough cash to last a little while. He raises an eyebrow at Steve's explanation. Still so casual and cool, almost like their friends and not on totally different levels of the Hawkins High social hierarchy. ] Sounds like the Admiral is a hard ass. [ He scrunches his nose up at the mention of Hargrove.] And Hargrove's a dick. Can't blame you there.

[ Eddie takes another spoonful of ice cream, taking his time and stalling at answering Steve's question. He appreciates that it's not framed as an insult, the way it would've been with so many others of his classmates.] That's 'cause I didn't graduate. [ He leans over the counter, getting within inches of Steve's face as he leans into his space.] I'm beginning to suspect Mrs. O'Donnell is in love with me. She couldn't bear to see me go.

[ He grins and winks at Steve, moving back into his own space.] You should've told me being a heart throb has it's downsides.

( At the question of any upcoming parties, Steve's face fell slightly. It wasn't Eddie's fault; he couldn't know why Steve suddenly wasn't hosting any high school parties. )

Sorry to disappoint, ( he replies quietly. ) Not even a graduation party. My parents are gonna be home for most of the summer, and after not getting into any school, I guess they're really cracking down. ( How would Steve be able to explain that the reason everything suddenly went downhill is because his whole outlook on life had dramatically shifted? That Carol and Tommy no longer were the kind of people he wanted to associate with?

Hell, he couldn't even admit to them that Dustin just finished middle school, a friend of his ex-girlfriend's brother's.

When Eddie is suddenly in his face again, Steve's brain quickly shorts out, and his eyes immediately flick to Eddie's lips before remembering himself. It feels incredibly hot in here all of a sudden, despite how cold the cabinet where they keep the ice cream is. )

I, uh. I'm sorry to hear that. But hey, I'm not going anywhere, so, uh. ( Why is he even saying that? It's not like they hang out at all. Shit, this is the first time they interacted outside of picking up party supplies in a...in, well...ever. ) I guess we'll still bump into each other then, huh?

What the fuck? [ He doesn't mean to blurt it out, but the fact that King Steve isn't going to celebrate the end of high school makes it feel like the world has spun off it's axis. He straightens up suddenly, as if someone's pulled his strings, the movement jerky and wild.] You're kidding me, right? You've got to have a graduation party, man. It's the end of an era.

[ And sure, he could use the money, but it's more than that. He doesn't subscribe to the high school hierarchy normally, but the idea of Harrington not celebrating his graduation feels deeply, deeply wrong. Almost as wrong as how good he looks in those sailor shorts.] Where's your fawning entourage when you need them? Where's your adoring jocks? That's bullshit.

I'm taking you out graduation night. [ It slips out of his mouth before he can even think about stopping it. Is it pity? Is it opportunity? He's not sure. He just knows that the idea of spending a night partying with Harrington should be the worst idea ever and suddenly, it's not. He wags a finger at Steve, reaching out to flick at his cap. ] And I'm not taking no for an answer, sailor.

( Steve is taken aback by Eddie's reaction. Of all people to give a shit, he didn't think Eddie would be among them. But maybe it's not about the party, but more...the principal of the matter. It's about his parents being hard on him even though they've barely been more than a blip in his life for the past few years, ever since he's proven he can be alone for extended periods and take care of himself.

Maybe it's about not having any friends to invite him to theirs. Nancy and Jonathan could hardly be counted as more than friendly acquaintances after everything, and they're not graduating for another year anyway.

The rest of his friends had just finished middle school...It's kind of depressing when he lays it all out there.

He perks up when Eddie suggests taking Steve out on graduation night. Why does that cause his stomach to do a somersault? It's probably nothing, right? Eddie is just finding another excuse to make fun of Steve all night. Even though Eddie hasn't really been doing it in a mean-spirited way. This kind of teasing...it's been nice. So nice that he can't stop a smile from forming as he contemplates his answer. )

Well, then, I guess it's settled. Where you gonna take me? Or is it a surprise? I gotta at least know how to dress.

[ Harrington is just full of surprises today. Eddie's pretty sure he's going to tell him to get lost or at least dismiss his invitation, but he actually looks excited about the idea of hanging out together. King Steve and Eddie the Freak spending time together outside of the forced interaction of a classroom is hilarious to him. Where is he going to take him? That's going to take some real thought and planning. Where do you take the guy that has had doors flung open for him for as long as you can remember? Eddie takes another spoonful of ice cream, barely tasting it before he's speaking again.] It's a surprise.

[ He grins at Steve, looking him up and down.] Is it wrong if I say I want you to wear this? Like, always.

( Steve finds it way too easy to play along with Munson's antics. It's surprisingly easy to forget that Eddie is a dude, and this teasing is crossing the lines into flirting territory. Steve likes this feeling, though. It doesn't feel wrong the way it felt wrong when Billy leered at him, pushing into his personal space like he ruled over the place, people and all.

With Eddie, it's different. It feels like he's testing the waters as if he'd back off if Steve wanted him to. Except, Steve doesn't want him to. Even when he gives him a once over, apprising him like a piece of meat, Steve feels his cheeks heat up but doesn't want to tell him to knock it off. If anything, he wants to egg Eddie on. )

I like surprises, ( Steve replies finally, a lopsided smile on his face. ) I might be convinced to wear this again. Just not sure I wanna wear this in public outside of work 'sall.

[ Eddie can't help but smile widely at Steve's reply. He can't blame him for not wanting to wear the sailor get up outside of work, but unless he's going to surprise Steve with just how badly he is at basketball, he may have to give up getting to see him in shorts.] Okay, fine. You don't have to wear the seaman outfit. Just wear something comfortable. We're not going to the country club, that's for sure.

[ He actually has no idea where they'll be going. He could take him to the Hideout, maybe talk Bev into giving him a beer or two. They could smoke a celebratory joint somewhere. Not at the trailer, since Wayne's working a day rotation, but maybe the quarry or the woods. Somehow, he thinks King Steve will want more. They could just crash one of the numerous graduation parties that will be inevitable that weekend, but Eddie's pretty sure that would just end with Steve leaving with his usual buddies and Eddie going home alone.

Shit. He's thinking about this as a date. This is not a date.] What do you want to do to celebrate your freedom?

( What would Steve want to do to celebrate his freedom? He doesn't feel like there's much to celebrate besides not having to go to school anymore. But instead of school now, he's stuck in a job like this for the rest of his goddamn life until he figures out how to straighten himself out. Without his daddy's help.

He shakes his head free of these thoughts. He needs to stop being pessimistic and dragging Eddie down with him. Just because he's stuck at this job now doesn't mean he will be stuck for the rest of his life. At least there's no Upside Down bullshit...that has to be worth celebrating, right? )

Why don't we just...I don't know...do something normal? I mean, I'm not going away to college, so it's not like we need to do a grand farewell to Hawkins. Just, I don't know, burger and milkshakes, dick around at the quarry, one last high school hurrah before I have to at least pretend I'm an adult.

[ Eddie studies him for a moment like he's waiting for some kind of catch or punchline, but when none comes he sucks in a deep breath and nods. ] Yeah, okay. I can manage that.

[ He wants to make a joke about how they could go to Lover's Lake instead, but he thinks maybe he's lucked out about as much as he's going to without going bust. Besides, the quarry is another popular make out spot, not that Eddie really thinks they're going to end up making out. Though, he might spend the next two weeks daydreaming about it.

He scoops out the last bite of ice cream and lets it melt in his mouth.] You sure that's enough to satisfy King Steve? I can at least provide some party favors for this party of two. Free of charge, of course. On account of your glorious achievement.

[ Graduating high school was barely an achievement, but it was a notable life event. One that he hasn't' been able to achieve for himself yet.]

Edited 2024-01-29 20:59 (UTC)

Stop calling me that, ( Steve whines, placing his head in his hands. Once upon a time, he would have reveled in being considered royalty. He loved being popular and getting first dibs on the female population in school. He loved the celebrity status that being the basketball team star would net him. Now? He loathes it. He can't believe he ever craved that kind of attention.

If he reflects closer, he will realize it had been a replacement for the lack of attention he'd get at home, only exacerbated once his parents realized they could leave him alone to fend for himself while they went off on business trips.

None of this was Eddie's business, though. He can't really fault the guy for not getting the memo. )

To tell you the truth, I don't think King Steve ever really existed. But hey, I'm not gonna say no to party favors. ( He shrugs. A night of debauchery with Eddie Munson sounds way better than anything he would have done with his old friends. )

[ Eddie tilts his head to the side, studying Steve for a moment before taking a step back. ] Okay, okay. No more King Steve. How about just, sailor, from now on?

[ He grins at him and then tosses the cup into the nearby trash can, bouncing on his heels a little when he actually makes it. ] Hey, look at that. What's that called in laundry baskets? A five pointer?

[ He knows he's wrong. He doesn't care. He wipes his fingers on his jeans and gives Steve one last smile. ] All right, Sailor. I'll pick you up at nine on graduation night. Outfit's optional.

( Steve makes a pained noise at Eddie's new nickname. He opens his mouth to protest but is distracted by Eddie's reaction to making the shot into the trash can. He's caught between wanting to chastise Eddie for not gently tossing it in the trash can even though it made it in and playing right into Eddie's hand by correcting his basketball misnomer. He sighs, rubbing at his hand. He's surrounded by children.

He pulls his hand away when Eddie announces he'll pick Steve up at nine. This is starting to sound a lot like a date.

And Steve, to his horror, is actually considering showing up in this outfit. )

Uh-huh, sure. You won't make me change if I show up in a polo and jeans? ( He returns Eddie's smile with one of his own, leaning over the counter. ) I'll see you then, Eddie. I am looking forward to it. Even if I'm almost scared to see what ideas you've got for us to do that night.

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