The movie was on—some “nerdy romance” thing Dustin swore was essential viewing. It had spaceships and Shakespeare quotes and weird orchestral music playing every ten minutes. Steve had been trying to keep up for the first twenty, but now? He didn’t even know what planet the characters were on anymore.

He sat in one of the big chairs in the Wheeler basement, legs spread comfortably, slouched with a half-empty soda in one hand. Eddie was on the floor between his legs, leaning back against the chair like it was second nature. His back rested lightly against Steve’s shins, his wild curls brushing against his jeans.

The proximity wasn’t new. They were together, and Eddie had a habit of just settling wherever Steve was—lounging across him, curled against him, or now, nestled on the floor like he belonged there. Steve didn’t mind. He liked it.

But his brain had long since abandoned the movie, and now all his attention was on Eddie’s hair. It was fluffy and curly and a little frizzy from the rain earlier. It looked soft. Like really soft. He tilted his head, staring at it, tempted. He wondered if it was softer than it looked. Probably.

Without thinking too hard about it—because if he did, he’d talk himself out of it—Steve leaned forward and started gently separating the strands. His fingers found a rhythm, moving slowly, braiding Eddie’s curls with quiet focus. Not tight. Loose and lazy. Just enough to keep his hands busy.

Eddie felt it about halfway through. His whole body froze. His eyes widened. His brain screamed.

Steve Harrington was braiding his hair.

He was braiding his hair.

He stared at the screen, not processing a single thing, face slowly turning crimson. His heart thumped against his ribs, and he was ninety percent sure he forgot how to breathe.

Meanwhile, Steve finished, satisfied, and glanced up. “Hey,” he called casually, like he hadn’t just sent his boyfriend into a silent spiral of internal screaming. “Either of you got a hair tie?”

Robin didn’t even blink. “Yeah, hang on.” She tossed one over.

Nancy smirked but said nothing.

Steve secured the braid without missing a beat. Eddie still hadn’t moved. Still bright red. Still staring blankly ahead like the meaning of life might be hidden in the subtitles.

“Cute,” Robin mumbled under her breath.

Eddie said nothing. He couldn’t. He was still buffering.