camarod | - INBOX -

[ Steve please. Eddie laughs, but shows no sign of jealousy. ]

Well yeah if they're paying that much just for pics think of how much they'd pay for a skinflick.

[ He pulls a face at Eddie for that, ew, finishing subscribing and closing down the site. ]

There, done. If it takes the money out automatically then at least you have a semi-stable income.

I already got a bike.

[he’s grinning. look, he’s never had this much disposable income before!!]

Strippers are on me.

You got the bike?

[ like an excited little kid. ]

Yeah, I don't need to see strippers.

[ Adventures at music venues, yes, light sword acquisitions and surfing, also yes. Sex? He's a little burned out on trying anything new in that zone. ]

You laughed at my car but we won't be travelling to see Blondie on your fancy bike, will we? Hah.

- Yeah, she’s downstairs.

[also grinning like an excited kid.]

Nah, nah, nah. I have my eyes on a little lady in red. She’s gonna be our chariot to bone town for Billy.

[forgive him because he is. glancing at the tummy again. ]

[ there is maybe a guilty look crossing eddies face at Steve's refusal of strippers. ]

Hence the no Eddies behind the wheel rule. [ an overdramatic sigh. ] Despite the fact I've had my license longer than either of you two, and I bet I've had a hell of a lot less tickets. Perfect record, baby.

[ "Bone town" is mouthed is distaste, glad for the reprieve when it comes of answering the door to collect their pizza. He wants to eat and sleep, and maybe go find one of his thick sweaters to warm up in. Setting the food down on the bed between the three of them, he helps himself to a slice and munches thoughtfully as he leans back and crosses his ankles. ]

When is this roadtrip supposed to be happening?

Couple months?

[plenty of time to get his strippers in vegas.]

We’ve got time to plan. [he glances at Eddie: gives him a an eyebrow raise and a look as he leans forward to grab a slice. then he mouths get laid, for good measure. like he fully expects these two to be dry humping still by September.]

[ he'd already three bites deep when the look comes, and retaliates by rolling his eyes, peeling off a slice of his pepperoni and flicking it at billy. There's a sidelong glance at Steve - once they talk what do you think he's gonna do, genius? Before he goes back to chomping away. ]

We got nothing but time here.

Mmkay.

[ He makes his way through a few slices before he eyes his phone, then the metal screen he applied to the window. He has the sense that if he doesn't leave first then Billy will and, well. ]

I'm kind of, uhh, [ wiggling fingers at his own head, ] still tired from before. All the magic shit. If you guys are good I think I'm gonna head back.

[when he's done, he rests back against the headboard, glances sidelong at Steve, then Eddie, then rolls his eyes, counts to ten and shakes his head. ] I can wake you when I'm heading out.

[look, he even stretches an arm over to give Steve's shoulders a squeeze. his smile is not quite wolfish, but it is a little devious. ] We'll be quiet. Besides, I know I'd feel a lot better waking you up and knowing you didn't give yourself a magic concussion. Right, Munson?

[ those big doe eyes go wide at the not at all subtle attempt to bail. suddenly self-conscious - is he being too casual with Hargrove? or did Steve decide he's too much work to put up with. He's about to stammer out a - yeah man, you get some sleep - when billy steps in
]

Uh... Right. Yeah.

[ ... What. ]

Are you inviting me to stay the night in an apartment that isn't yours?

[ Billy pls. ]

I'm telling you to take a nap, idiot. We'll be quiet.

[they will be. he will also just dip when he gets Eddie high enough to pass out. this is a full proof plan, and he is a self-saboteur of his own jealousy. ]

Jesus, Steve just go to sleep. We don't need you going awol in the morning.

You don't need an invite to sleep here.

[ there a little less of that bombastic confidence when he says it, teetering between sincere affection and apologetic. ]

... Yeah, I don't think I can sleep with you two hovering in the background, thanks but no.

[ Steve wants some space, the kind he had before an emergency meeting convened to keep bats out. He slides off the bed and gives Eddie an awkward, grateful smile for the clarification (he wants to stay, but), then swings Billy a Look. ]

Don't make yourself sick getting high or drunk.

[ Just gonna back his way out to the door. ]

[the look Steve gets as he retreats can only be described as purely exasperated. ]

Then I can go, Jesus. [look at him, getting up, getting his stolen shirt and phone - ] I'm losing braincells watching you two do this weird little dance around each other anyway. Munson, we can jam next week. Harrington, [he says, grabbing his wrist, shifting him so he can exit first. ] At least let us know if you're fine in the morning. I don't know how much funerals are here, and I want my new fortune to go to my car.

[bye losers, he's going home to earn their roadtrip money. ]

[ Christ. Billy's gone before he can blink, leaving him in the awkward aftermath, and Steve looks like he's gonna bolt so he just.. talks fast. ]

We should... Talk. About yesterday. It's - it's not what you think. [ unless it is. But if he doesn't say something now then it'll just be strangling him until Monday, and a smashed phone isn't a functioning distraction. ] If you still wanna bail and get some sleep, I get it.

[ Things on Steve's To Do list: strangle Billy. He folds his arms, unable to leave and having already expressed a wish not to stay. It's so awkward when Eddie speaks, there isn't the buffer of a ridiculous roadtrip between them. ]

I messed up. We don't have to get into it, I know I upset you. I was going to give us some space but ... Hargrove.

He's a meddling little shit, yeah.

[ less fond than he'd usually give. Eddie speaks slowly and with deliberate care, weighing every word. ]

I don't... Want... Space, is the thing. I didn't want you to go, either, I just... If that's what you want then I'm not gonna... Force you to be uncomfortable and pretend like it's fine.

Like you pretended to want me but you were lying?

[ He looks away, swallowing as he fixes his tone. ]

Shit, look. If I hadn't asked you, repeatedly, if you were in the mood, would you have slept with me when you didn't want to? Were you doing it because I asked and you wanted to make me happy, even if you weren't?

I do want you.

[ okay. Okay. He's getting himself off the bed. It takes some doing because his leg is definitely asleep from how he's been sitting. ]

And I did want to sleep with you.

C'mon, man, you were upset and I was too oblivious to notice. You should have been telling me you were mad, not ...

[ The lump in Steve's throat feels so sudden, rising readily. ]

I'm sorry I messed up, I'm sorry you didn't feel like you could tell me. I'm sorry.

Yeah, I know.

[ he crosses the room, giving a respectful measure of space. ]

It's not you. It's - me. It's the same reason why I'm still in highschool. I got - I get overwhelmed, and then I feel stupid, and then I make a mess. And I never know how to explain it.

[ he reaches out a ringed hand ]

I should've explained why I wanted to go for a walk. Not... Tried to shove it all down and lash out. That was fucked of me.

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