[ Know what. To heck with huge holiday blow-out parties. No big holiday party goings-out allowed. They're overrated, anyway. Like what, a bunch of strangers saying a bunch of stuff they don't mean, wrecking someone's house? Talking about the weather or tax season or whatever? Stupid. Bullshit stuff.
Plus if Steve tries going out and sees another goddamn evil clone or skeleton horse or creepy toy elf, he's going to lose his mind. Like it's not enough to be missing Robin like anything, or the kids, and not knowing how the healing's coming along, if Max started waking up, if they're catching a break per the usual or if even more stuff started going wrong.
But whatever. That's not gonna be the big thing tonight. No near-death experiences. No cursed skulls. No hell portals. No... no moping. Just a cool time. Him and Eddie. Some non-interference for a change. New year, apparently, new start, everything's cool and everyone's totally relaxed and normal. ]
Is tonight when I find out new year's resolutions are too mainstream for you?
[It means something, right? It's new years eve. Steve could be anywhere and with anyone he's met here, and he's in his room, with Eddie. He's already argued with himself about how it could just be the fact that they're the only ones here from home- but it doesn't feel that way. It feels like Steve just wanted to be here, with him. Which is. Hm. Huh.
It's got Eddie nervous. Kinda good nervous, where his stomach keeps swooping and he can't stop clicking his fingers, but he can't stop grinning, either. He's aware he probably looks like a huge idiot, but it's out of his hands.
He tucks his feet up under himself where he's sitting on the bed, and hums up and down at the question.]
[It's too late now, Steve. Everyone knows once you've reached the shoving back and forth stage, you're in too deep to turn around. It's the law.
Eddie sputters, a little embarrassed to be called out so honestly. It takes him a second to rally, and his face is a little red when he narrows his eyes at Steve, still grinning despite himself.]
Okay, well. That's not a no, Harrington. Spill it.
[He kicks Steve's foot gently with his own, and scooches in closer.]
[ God. He swears this guy doesn't even know what he's doing. It's absolutely sickening.
It can't be that different from girls to guys. Like, picking up a vibe. And there is one. Steve's not that dumb. Has he been wrong about the other side of a vibe every time he's been stricken down by real feelings, sure, but his side of the vibe is still part of a vibe. ]
Maybe I'm still working on it. It's one of those things, right? It has to be doable or you're setting yourself up. Like birthday wishes.
[It's not exactly like Eddie has heaps of experience with- y'know. Stuff like this. Spending New Years one on one with a guy he really likes who might actually like him back, against all odds. Who could have possibly been flirting for awhile now. And is potentially maybe setting himself up to make a move?????
Eddie's coping mechanism of choice is sitting on his hands, so they can't fidget or keep clicking or shake or learn sign language of their own accord and start spelling out DUDE ARE WE GONNA KISS?]
Am I sitting here with the same guy who dove into a disgusting lake to investigate a hell portal? Sometimes you gotta take a risk, Harrington. Aim high.
[Eddie nods very seriously, almost successful at keeping his face straight.]
Mm hm. This one was at sea level, which is definitely- that's another-
[It's so bad a joke that Eddie doesn't even commit to finishing it. He just kinda waggles his eyebrows at Steve instead.]
Well sure, yeah.
[The question is more serious than Eddie was expecting, and it catches him by surprise. Instead of pointing out the sudden turn, he just does his best to answer honestly, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling.]
But what's the point of- anything. If you aren't real with people. [If you don't open your heart to them, even those times you wind up embarrassed, or hurt.] I don't know how the hell you're meant to connect with anything or anyone if you just paint over yourself.
[It would hypocritical to say all that and not try to meet Steve halfway, even if it's terrifying.]
Hey, uh, are we still talking about new year resolutions?
Not a new sentiment or anything, the be yourself, be honest, popularity is a juvenile social construct. But it's a Munson way to get to the same end. What's the point of anything, if you aren't real with people. Like the painting over himself thing doesn't compute.
Steve doesn't say "the point is to be wanted," and Steve doesn't say "the point is not to have to be alone." Or that it always made sense to him, when he was doing it.
No one wants to hear moodkiller shit like that. Him least of all. He's figuring his shit out these days. He's doing what feels right to be doing.
So he shrugs one shoulder. Studies Eddie's face a little. ]
[Oh, so this is actually happening. Eddie hasn't cooked this up in his head, it's not the result of selective hearing and wishing thinking and total misunderstanding. Wild.]
No, uh- no. Wouldn't be weird.
[Eddie has no chill. His hands have come back out to tug at his clothes and his hair, betraying his nerves even as he starts to grin. He struggles to meet Steve's eyes head on, instead darting back and forth to meet them from the side.
The thing is, even now, when it would be pretty hard to misread, he kind of doesn't believe it. Because he's Eddie Munson, and this is Steve. Not Steve Harringon, the hair or the king or whatever stupid god damn moniker comes next- but Steve. Almost stupid brave, and smarter than he gives himself credit for, occasional smartass and actual hero heart of gold in real life. This shouldn't be happening, really.
So Eddie better take the chance while he can.]
You're not gonna make me sweat over here until we hear a countdown, are you?
[ Achievement unlocked: it's not weird. There is a vibe.
So this is already more successful than he's been in a minute, just in terms of actual romantic connection versus, like. Oops it turns out there wasn't one of those after all.
It probably won't turn out like that this time. Or Steve's gonna hope it won't and put his 100% out there. ]
A music buff who doesn't appreciate good timing.
[ Fine be that way. No fun, no sense of drama. smh.
[He'd laugh, if he knew Steve had been doubting it. Eddie feels like even while trying to be subtle, he's been about as obvious as a freight train roaring right through the station. No slowing down.
Eddie turns his head to quip back, a real zinger all lined up, but Steve kisses him and he's lucky to remember how his mouth even works. He blinks stupidly a few times, and his face burns so hot that his hand feels freezing when he leans back and presses one over his mouth for a second. He mumbles through it,]
Man, I didn't expect you to just do it.
[It's not exactly his first kiss, but it might as well be. He'd like it to be. It's the first one that's made him feel like his insides are full of marshmallows, anyway. Yikes! That's super god damn embarrassing! He's definitely not saying that out loud, no sir.
Still, Eddie can't fight down the huge grin on his face, and he nudges Steve, tugging some of his hair over his face while he speaks.]
[It's such a good laugh. One of the first things Eddie really noticed, when they got a chance to actually talk. He soaks it in, feeling sort of dizzy about it all- the Steve laughing because of him part, and the kiss part. Couple of nat twenties, right there.]
But there was a plan. So. Important part.
[It's so dumb, but that makes Eddie feel buzzed. The fact that Steve cared enough to have thought it out right down to the time. Not that he's gonna make assumptions! It could just be- it could be anything. But it's a nice anything. Eddie dramatically swoops out a dramatic breath and falls back onto the bed, still grinning. One of his ring covered hands inches over to tug on one of Steve's fingers.]
Pretty cool that I don't have to wonder if you just accidentally flirt with everyone, now.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; ~nye~
Plus if Steve tries going out and sees another goddamn evil clone or skeleton horse or creepy toy elf, he's going to lose his mind. Like it's not enough to be missing Robin like anything, or the kids, and not knowing how the healing's coming along, if Max started waking up, if they're catching a break per the usual or if even more stuff started going wrong.
But whatever. That's not gonna be the big thing tonight. No near-death experiences. No cursed skulls. No hell portals. No... no moping. Just a cool time. Him and Eddie. Some non-interference for a change. New year, apparently, new start, everything's cool and everyone's totally relaxed and normal. ]
Is tonight when I find out new year's resolutions are too mainstream for you?
👀
It's got Eddie nervous. Kinda good nervous, where his stomach keeps swooping and he can't stop clicking his fingers, but he can't stop grinning, either. He's aware he probably looks like a huge idiot, but it's out of his hands.
He tucks his feet up under himself where he's sitting on the bed, and hums up and down at the question.]
Nahhh. Cliché, maybe. But I'm not above wishing to be a better person. [Which cuts a little too close to his chest, so Eddie pokes at Steve's side.] Why? Don't tell me, you've already got one lined up, don't you? This year, I vow to have even shinier hair.
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Steve snorts and gives Eddie a little shove back. ]
Like I'd waste a resolution on something you already noticed.
[ Clearly his hair game has done its grim work. ]
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Eddie sputters, a little embarrassed to be called out so honestly. It takes him a second to rally, and his face is a little red when he narrows his eyes at Steve, still grinning despite himself.]
Okay, well. That's not a no, Harrington. Spill it.
[He kicks Steve's foot gently with his own, and scooches in closer.]
no subject
It can't be that different from girls to guys. Like, picking up a vibe. And there is one. Steve's not that dumb. Has he been wrong about the other side of a vibe every time he's been stricken down by real feelings, sure, but his side of the vibe is still part of a vibe. ]
Maybe I'm still working on it. It's one of those things, right? It has to be doable or you're setting yourself up. Like birthday wishes.
no subject
Eddie's coping mechanism of choice is sitting on his hands, so they can't fidget or keep clicking or shake or learn sign language of their own accord and start spelling out DUDE ARE WE GONNA KISS?]
Am I sitting here with the same guy who dove into a disgusting lake to investigate a hell portal? Sometimes you gotta take a risk, Harrington. Aim high.
no subject
Dude, anything I do related to hell portals doesn't count. That's a whole other level.
[ A complex hell dimension level.
(It is not complex. His priorities are very straightforward in hell portal contexts. But he likes to pretend it's complex.) ]
Are you not into worrying about- you know, emotional stakes?
no subject
Mm hm. This one was at sea level, which is definitely- that's another-
[It's so bad a joke that Eddie doesn't even commit to finishing it. He just kinda waggles his eyebrows at Steve instead.]
Well sure, yeah.
[The question is more serious than Eddie was expecting, and it catches him by surprise. Instead of pointing out the sudden turn, he just does his best to answer honestly, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling.]
But what's the point of- anything. If you aren't real with people. [If you don't open your heart to them, even those times you wind up embarrassed, or hurt.] I don't know how the hell you're meant to connect with anything or anyone if you just paint over yourself.
[It would hypocritical to say all that and not try to meet Steve halfway, even if it's terrifying.]
Hey, uh, are we still talking about new year resolutions?
no subject
Not a new sentiment or anything, the be yourself, be honest, popularity is a juvenile social construct. But it's a Munson way to get to the same end. What's the point of anything, if you aren't real with people. Like the painting over himself thing doesn't compute.
Steve doesn't say "the point is to be wanted," and Steve doesn't say "the point is not to have to be alone." Or that it always made sense to him, when he was doing it.
No one wants to hear moodkiller shit like that. Him least of all. He's figuring his shit out these days. He's doing what feels right to be doing.
So he shrugs one shoulder. Studies Eddie's face a little. ]
Would it... be too weird if we weren't?
no subject
No, uh- no. Wouldn't be weird.
[Eddie has no chill. His hands have come back out to tug at his clothes and his hair, betraying his nerves even as he starts to grin. He struggles to meet Steve's eyes head on, instead darting back and forth to meet them from the side.
The thing is, even now, when it would be pretty hard to misread, he kind of doesn't believe it. Because he's Eddie Munson, and this is Steve. Not Steve Harringon, the hair or the king or whatever stupid god damn moniker comes next- but Steve. Almost stupid brave, and smarter than he gives himself credit for, occasional smartass and actual hero heart of gold in real life. This shouldn't be happening, really.
So Eddie better take the chance while he can.]
You're not gonna make me sweat over here until we hear a countdown, are you?
no subject
So this is already more successful than he's been in a minute, just in terms of actual romantic connection versus, like. Oops it turns out there wasn't one of those after all.
It probably won't turn out like that this time. Or Steve's gonna hope it won't and put his 100% out there. ]
A music buff who doesn't appreciate good timing.
[ Fine be that way. No fun, no sense of drama. smh.
PLANTS ONE ON HIM
this is a victory for loserguys everywhere. ]
no subject
Eddie turns his head to quip back, a real zinger all lined up, but Steve kisses him and he's lucky to remember how his mouth even works. He blinks stupidly a few times, and his face burns so hot that his hand feels freezing when he leans back and presses one over his mouth for a second. He mumbles through it,]
Man, I didn't expect you to just do it.
[It's not exactly his first kiss, but it might as well be. He'd like it to be. It's the first one that's made him feel like his insides are full of marshmallows, anyway. Yikes! That's super god damn embarrassing! He's definitely not saying that out loud, no sir.
Still, Eddie can't fight down the huge grin on his face, and he nudges Steve, tugging some of his hair over his face while he speaks.]
You plan that out when you invited me here?
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But he won the kiss war, he thinks. Eddie doesn't seem not into it. Which was the biggest stake at... stake. ]
I planned on midnight, but someone got antsy.
no subject
But there was a plan. So. Important part.
[It's so dumb, but that makes Eddie feel buzzed. The fact that Steve cared enough to have thought it out right down to the time. Not that he's gonna make assumptions! It could just be- it could be anything. But it's a nice anything. Eddie dramatically swoops out a dramatic breath and falls back onto the bed, still grinning. One of his ring covered hands inches over to tug on one of Steve's fingers.]
Pretty cool that I don't have to wonder if you just accidentally flirt with everyone, now.