didntrun | (no subject)

Eddie meets Steve Harrington's confusingly badass girlfriend by complete accident.

He's kicking around the community college campus, definitely not looking at it as a place he might be able to go eventually, but also absolutely looking at it as just that, when she walks by. Long dark hair with pale violet ends, blunt cut bangs, pierced and tatted -- knuckle tattoos, Eddie notes, which is just so fucking cool -- and wearing all black with a big leather jacket. She's totally metal and he's pretty sure if she wasn't Steve's girlfriend and if there wasn't a burgeoning crush he's completely confused about, he'd be drooling on his own shoes over her.

That she's Steve's girlfriend makes it easy to approach her, though. A lot easier than it would be otherwise, because while she's super hot, she also looks a little scary. On purpose, he's willing to bet. Pretty girls put up with the worst shit.

"Hey," he says, hurrying to keep up with her, but also keeping his distance. Her boots look like they would sincerely hurt if one were to connect with his balls. "Hey, hi, I'm a friend of Steve's."

"Good for you," she answers, barely giving him a glance.

Damn, maybe he'll fall in love anyway.

"I'm Eddie," he offers. Maybe Steve has mentioned him.

She stops at that and turns to face him, eyebrow arched. "Yeah," she says. "I know. You're the reason he got himself bitten by a bunch of creepy demon bats, right? My idiot boyfriend gets himself into enough trouble on his own, he doesn't need help, thanks."

"Right," Eddie says, cringing a little. "Okay, fair point, you're completely on the nose there and I apologize. Sincerely. The demon bats were not my idea of a good time, I promise."

Maeve relaxes a little, still staring at him with a cool gaze, and he wonders how many dudes she's caused to slink away with just that look. He's about ready to do it himself.

"I'm Maeve," she says finally.

"I know," he answers, then risks a grin. "Do you go here?"

"No," she says. "But my boyfriend does."

"Right," Eddie says, then laughs. "Meeting him, that makes sense. When he's out of class? We could hang for a bit..."

By the time Steve finds them at the nearest coffee shop, Eddie has lost count of how many times Maeve has rolled her eyes at him, but he's made her laugh, too. And he's absolutely not into Steve's girlfriend, he's definitely into someone else -- which he also realizes he kind of wants to talk to Steve about -- but he thinks he could be. In another world.

Threaded | Flat

Overall, Steve is doing better than he thought he would in (community) college, but there are definitely days where he just feels like he's dumb as hell. Like, a bag of rocks would understand some of this shit better than he does, he's pretty sure.

This class was a rough one, and he's not feeling super great about himself. None of the tools he used to fall back on in high school work here. It doesn't matter that he's popular or charming or good at sports. No one gives a shit how much money his parents have. And it's not even like he wants to be that person anymore, but it feels like he should have a better idea who he is now, shouldn't he?

At least he gets to see Maeve, and he always knows who he is with her.

When he enters the coffee shop, he's surprised to see Eddie and Maeve sitting at a table together, chatting amicably. It makes Steve stop short, and he leans against a counter and watches them for a bit before they can spot him. Seeing them together makes him feel a weird swirl of emotion, and he can't really pinpoint any of it. He isn't jealous, even if Eddie might be more Maeve's type. Or maybe they're too similar.

Maybe that's why it's weird. Or not weird, but something else. Something confusing, and somehow that makes him feel worse, like he's so dumb that he can't even figure himself out. Or maybe he's just cranky and needs a nap.

"What do we have here?" Steve asks as he approaches the table. He's wearing jeans and a dark blue sweater, and his only accessory is his watch. He doesn't feel cool at all, and he realizes that after so long of finding Munson's whole thing weird, he's now the cool one. Maybe because he's like Maeve in that way, and Maeve is the coolest person he's ever known.