Chapter Text
Hushed familiar voices register first when Eddie slowly comes to. He can’t make out what they are saying, and his own tongue feels like lead, heavy in his mouth. There’s a constant beeping sound and a low hum of machines. The air smells antiseptic and sterile. It’s uncomfortable. His throat is dry, and swallowing feels a bit like rubbing over sandpaper. Bright lights burn behind his closed eyelids, and he already dreads the moment he has to open them. Every bone in his body hurts, and his torso burns with every rise and fall of his lungs.
Flashes of memory appear before him. The red sky in the Upside Down, the gruesome mouths of the demobats, a hurricane of dark surreal creatures, Dustin’s concerned face above him with tears welling in his eyes. Echos of the events pierce through his ears. The horrible screeches, the thundering of the flapping wings, Dustin’s pleading voice begging him not to die. In the distance he thinks he can make out Steve Harrington, but he can’t recall what he had said.
Eddie tries to focus on the present. There’s a warm weight in his left hand, someone is stroking circles along the back of it, soothing and caring. Wayne’s raucous timbre is the first to really register in Eddie’s brain, and he strains his ears to listen and understand what the man is saying.
“... be staying with him, yeah? I really need to get to work soon, but I don’t wanna leave him alone.”
He sounds exhausted and concern settles in Eddie’s stomach.
“I’ll be here, sir.”
The voice!
Warm embers lick his skin around his soulmark once Eddie realizes who it belongs to. His soulmate.
“Boy, what did I say? No ‘sir’ necessary.”
This is so typical for his uncle!
Wayne has never been a big fan of authorities and ranks. He always treated everyone as an equal, even Eddie when he was a kid. Well, more of a kid than now. Eddie feels a chuckle bubble up in him, but it dies fast when the constriction of muscles spark more pain. A groan escapes Eddie’s lips and the warm hand around his tightens, grounds him.
“Eds? You with me, ma boy?”
The normally gruff voice is low, like Wayne is careful not to be too loud. It’s appreciated. Eddie squeezes the calloused hand in his palm and flutters his eyes open so he can face his uncle, but Eddie has to shut them immediately when the brightness pierces right through his skull like it’s splitting his brain open. He involuntarily draws in a sharp breath and clenches his free hand into the stiff bedsheets.
Seconds later the light vanishes, and even though Eddie is relieved, he can’t help but panic. What if the comfort of Wayne by his side is just a hoax, like the visions Max told him about? What if it’s not real? What if he’s dead and this is his torture?
The beeping next to him speeds up and the sound is making him nervous. His breathing is picking up and he squeezes his eyes shut. Maybe it’ll all stop and go away.
Strong fingers carefully card through his locks. The thoughtful gesture send goosebumps down Eddie’s limbs. He slowly blinks his eyes open to face Wayne.
“Sshhhh, Eds. It’s okay. You’re safe, son.”
Son?
Eddie’s stomach drops. In all these years, Wayne has never called him that. Even though Eddie sometimes wished he would, he never asked his uncle to. The man who provided him a roof over his head without asking, who picked up more shifts to keep them afloat without complaining.
Before his mental eye there’s a drawing on the fridge. Eddie made it when he was maybe 10, after the summer when Rick had taught him how to swim. They had a barbecue on one of the last humid warm nights, just the three of them. Eddie had proudly told his uncle what he accomplished, and then presented the two adults in his life with his newest artwork. It showed the three of them in front of the trailer - Eddie in the middle, holding hands with both adults on each side of him, his bathing shorts drying on the line in the background. Near the bottom of the page he had written the only fitting title he had for their patchwork rag-tag family - home. That evening Wayne had hugged him tight and carded his fingers through Eddie’s short hair, like he’s doing now.
As if Eddie meant as much to him back then as he does now. A gesture so full of care and love. As if Eddie is his. As if he’s always been his.
The tears spill over Eddie’s cheeks before he has time to reign them back. It’s like a snapped rubber band, nothing to put it back together. He lets it all out. The stress, the devastation, the fear, the hurt, the guilt.
Strong arms engulf him, oh so carefully, like Eddie would break, like he’s a delicate thing. The scent of smoke invades his nose, the brand he’s familiar with, that only his uncle smokes, paired with a soft note of lavender and mint. He can feel the stubble scratch against his forehead when his uncle rests his chin on the crown of Eddie’s head, pushing the boy to the junction of his neck, tucking him in safely while he’s still petting his dark curls. Eddie knows he’s home.
When the tears dry on his cheeks and all the emotions swirling in his chest subdue, Eddie carefully extracts himself from Wayne’s arms to face his uncle. He blinks his wet lashes a few times and looks over the man’s shoulder around the room. Eddie is sure Wayne had been talking to Steve before, but the room is vacant. His soulmate has given them space so Eddie could have his breakdown in private. His heart does an excited hop at the thoughtfulness.
Eddie turns to his uncle. He definitely owes him an apology, maybe an explanation too. He licks his lips and forces his vocal cords to work.
“I’m sorry…”, Eddie’s voice is hoarse from disuse, “Chrissy… and I… I’m sorry. I don’t know how to explain, but you have to believe me. I didn’t… I would never…”
He can feel the tears welling up again and swallows down a sob, coughing lightly, which in turn lights up his lungs and torso with pain.
“I know, ma boy. I didn’ believe it one second. I know you, Eds. You couldn’t hurt a fly if ya wanted to, kid.”
“I want to explain but I don’t think you’ll believe me. I’m so sorry. I- -”
“It’s okay. That Henderson kid already told me. Otherworldly evil wizard might be bizarre, but still makes a hell of a lot more sense than ya going around hurtin’ folks. Just don’t do it again.”
What? He just accepted that??
“Didn’t plan on it this time either. But I’ll try.”
Wayne hums approvingly and then slowly pulls back, and Eddie has to fight the urge to chase after him. His muscles fight against leaning forward and his limbs are too tired to move. A pained little whine slips past Eddie’s lips, and he would feel embarrassed if he was with anyone but his family.
A cup of water appears in Eddie’s peripheral, and he’s never been more happy to see the clear liquid. Wayne makes sure he only takes small sips, apparently something the doctors advised them to do. It’s a heavenly experience when the water soothes the dryness and pain.
Then his uncle leans back into the chair at his bedside. He eyes Eddie like he can’t believe he’s alive. There’s a softness to his eyes that doesn’t come out often. A small smile tugs the corners of his mouth as he eyes his nephew son. Suddenly, there’s mischief sparkling in his eyes.
“Henderson kid also says that you’ve been rescued by the Steve Harrington. Anything you wanna tell me about your boy?”
Eddie groans as he flops back into the hospital bed. “He’s not my boy.”
His protest falls on deaf ears as Wayne knowingly taps the inside of his own wrist, a mirror image of where Eddie’s mark sits, safely wrapped under white gauze.
“You sure about that?”
He knows.
But Eddie doesn’t have time to freak out just yet, because there’s a knock on the door and Wayne gets ushered out by a nurse who fusses over Eddie and checks his vitals and his condition. She seems more hesitant and careful than she has to be, and looks a bit guilty the whole time she’s in the room, but Eddie won’t complain about her treating him kindly.
As soon as she clears the room, Wayne is back, on his toe Dustin, hobbling with a cast on one leg and a crutch. Behind him, Steve enters the room and closes the door. Dustin is already crying by the time he reaches Eddie’s bedside.
“Fuck you, Eddie!”
“Language!” Steve says in an automatic response.
Eddie looks between them with a smile. He’s glad they’re both safe.
Everyone is safe it seems, Eddie soon learns. After Dustin’s emotional outburst and making Eddie promise to never do something that stupid again, the kid goes on a full rant of everything that went down after Eddie blacked out. He’s throwing around explanations and names Eddie has never heard of, questions are spinning around in his mind.
Who the hell is Argyle?
And why is there a freezer in the story?
Sensory deprivation tanks??
Piggyback? What?
In the end, it only matters that El has managed to stop Henry, and save Max from the worst.
Vecna is gone for good.
Steve's eyes are always on Eddie, and he can't help but try to escape Steve's attention every time their eyes lock. It makes him wanna squirm on the bed. His rings are nowhere to be seen, so he toys with the edge of the stiff, uncomfortable blanket.
His uncle is listening to them from the chair he's perched on. Eddie is not sure if he fully believes everything the smart kid with the curls is throwing around, but at least Wayne knows Eddie is innocent. All the people that matter to him know it, and that fact makes Eddie's chest a little lighter.
Dustin is reciting the heroic rescue of Eddie now. Complaining that he had to sacrifice his shirt to stop the bleeding, praising Steve for his quick thinking. Telling how Steve had ripped apart his shirt and bandaged up the wounds, explaining to Eddie that, at some point, he had been tied to a plastic garden chair thanks to Robin.
I definitely need to thank Buckley later for her help.
Steve is still lingering in the background, carefully listening to Dustin’s tangent. Eddie tunes the kid out at some point in the ramble, because his mind is latching onto one detail in particular: Steve took care of his wounds. Which means a lot of touching of bare skin. With his hands.
A lump settles into Eddie’s stomach. His eyes track down Steve’s bare arms where his hand cradles around the wrist. He follows Eddie’s line of sight and presses his arms closer to himself.
The imploring looks Steve is shooting him are so intense it makes his skin crawl. Eddie can practically hear the message Steve's trying to get across: We need to talk about it.
So yeah, he definitely knows…
It's dark outside by the time Wayne has to get to work. He's already late, and he only leaves reluctantly after Steve assures him once again that he'll stay at Eddie's side.
Rationally, Eddie knows his uncle has to go, but he's still shooting him a pleading look in the hopes his uncle will not leave Steve alone with him. Sure, he has saved him and dragged him out of the Upside Down, but Eddie is certain that by now, Harrington regrets it.
The moment Steve got his hands on Eddie's chest to stop the bleeding, he had to regret it. But all their friends were around, so Steve had to help him get out, even though he didn't want to. Now he's tied to the freak.
Eddie tries to swallow around the lump in his throat.
Dustin is hobbling out ahead. Wayne promised to drop him off at home before heading to the factory. They're all too exhausted emotionally to do another round of hugging and crying, so his uncle simply waves at Eddie before he follows after Dustin. Eddie just hopes it's not the last time he sees them.
Wayne gives Steve a light squeeze at the shoulder. Eddie is not sure if it's supposed to be reassuring or grateful. After all, Steve promised to look out after Eddie.
He's such a good guy.
Hopefully.
Maybe…
The door clicks shut, and for the first time, he's alone with Steve. Cold sweat is running down Eddie's spine, and he can't help but track Steve's movements in the room. Gasping, Eddie fights for air as his chest constricts. Blood is rushing through his ears, his heartbeat echoes loudly.
Eddie feels like prey, served up on a dinner platter. Weak and powerless. Steve stalks closer.
That's it!
Eddie has nowhere to go! He can't run. He can't hide.
The beeping of the heart rate monitor is picking up. Eddie draws in another sharp breath and instantly latches into heavy coughing.
When Eddie gets it back under control, Steve is already holding out the cup of water for him. With weak arms, Eddie takes it and takes a few sips before placing it back on the nightstand.
The tension is becoming unbearable. Steve hasn't said anything and Eddie is getting nauseous from his nerves.
I have to get this over with.
As it often does, Eddie's mouth works faster than his brain. He doesn't ease them into the conversation, he just blurts out the first thing on his mind.
“So… you dragged me out so you can kill me yourself, Harrington?”
Steve freezes. Then his eyes go wide.
“What?”
The question is breathless, like Eddie just punched the air out of him.
“You know, queer soulmate and all.”
Eddie lifts his arm a bit, so that the soulmark position faces Steve. It's wrapped up in bandages but Eddie sees some of the dark vines peeking through.
“You figured it out, right?” Eddie nods towards Steve's arm, where his hand is squeezing his wrist. Steve's knuckles are nearly turning white by the force he's holding onto it. “I wouldn't be surprised if you're not too happy about it.”
It takes a bit for Steve to register. Eddie can see the other tracking his face, then snapping to his arm, then back. Steve's face is shuffling through a lot of emotions, each too short for Eddie to make them out. In the end Steve mumbles out a quiet: “I... uh. Eddie. I'd never hurt you for that.”
It seems like Steve wants to say a lot more, but he doesn't seem to know how to put it into words. So Eddie fills the silence for him.
“Well, the last time I thought someone was interested I ended up with a bruise the size of a plate and two fractured ribs. I personally don't really see ‘the ladies man’ himself being much interested either, so I don't really know what you're gonna do.”
He still has his hands up from the air quotes when Eddie sees Steve reach for him out of the corner of his eyes. His whole body flinches, ready to curl up on himself. Only the tension makes his sore muscles and open wounds scream in agony. Steve holds his movement.
“Sorry…” he sounds truly remorseful. He brings both hands up with open palms, a pacifying gesture. Steve nods towards Eddie's arm. “It’s just, uh, my... my mark. Can I see?”
Eddie feels off kilter, like someone dropped him off a cliff into icy waters.
Steve's tone sounds... hopeful?
Don't get carried away! Just because he seems fine so far doesn't mean he won't freak out when it becomes real.
He's done hiding, Eddie promises himself. Steve deserves to see his mark, and Eddie would be lying if he wasn't curious about his own, now forever branded on Steve's arm.
With a shaky hand, Eddie reaches out for the bandage which is obscuring the black and reddish mark underneath.
Steve is sucking in a harsh breath cutting through the tension of the room like it's thin paper. Eddie freezes mid-movement to glance at his soulmate.
Steve's wide eyes are glued to Eddie's wrist, shining with tears. But there is no crease in his brows, no wrinkles on his forehead or near his mouth. Nothing that indicates distaste - no resentment nor disappointment.
It looks a lot like awe.
Like he's pleasantly surprised that Eddie bares his soulmark, even though Steve obviously has Eddie’s mark; evident by the way Steve’s clutching his wrist. It’s the only explanation for Wayne’s teasing.
So why does he seem so astonished?
Tentatively, Eddie continues to tug the bandages off, mindful of his injuries. He reveals the edge of the dark ink, nothing more than a few of the vines in front of an ominous background that, in retrospect, looks a bit too much like the Upside Down sky for Eddie's taste.
"You really got it."
Steve's voice is nothing but a breathless whisper.
His tone lets Eddie pause his task once more, and he faces Steve.
"What?"
Steve squirms a bit in his chair, pressing both hands between his thighs. After all his intense stares, he now seems to try and evade Eddie's eyes.
"I know, chances are small, but some people just don't spark back. And I... I wasn't the best person... before,” Steve nods his head back over his shoulder, and he doesn't need more words for Eddie to get it, so he just nods encouragingly.
Before the world flipped Upside Down.
Before we all nearly died.
Just before.
Eddie instantly knows that he is talking about his ‘King Steve’ era.
Steve clears his throat awkwardly. When he continues, his voice is low and even more hesitant than earlier.
"I wasn't sure if you'd really have it…”
Apparently, Steve thinks he doesn't deserve a soulmate because he was an asshole once. It breaks Eddie's heart a little because he knows Steve now. The way he shows up for the people he cares about, how compassionate and protective he is, how sweet.
“Yep. Definitely yours."
Eddie's throat is dry. His hand is still hovering above the bandages. It makes absolutely no sense that Steve is fine with them being soulmates. That he's happy about it, even.
There has to be a catch somewhere.
Sure, Steve is supposed to be his perfect match. They are bound by destiny to love each other. But maybe the universe is somehow tricking Steve. It can't be this easy, can it?
When Eddie wrangles pieces of the gauze off to reveal the infamous nail bat, Steve’s breath hitches. Steve's eyes look like liquid caramel when Eddie catches his glance, glistening with unshed tears and a fondness that warms Eddie's heart.
Steve slowly extends his hand, mindful of their conversation before and Eddie's response to sudden movements.
"May I?"
He indicates Eddie's wrist. His mark there.
Carefully Eddie places his hand in Steve's, who lightly trails his fingers over the sensitive skin. A familiar buzzing is coursing through Eddie's blood, all encompassing, passionate and strong. Steve guides Eddie's arm up a bit so he can take a closer look. No yanking or forcing. It's a quiet invitation and Eddie easily complies.
Steve traces along the pieces of the crown, shattered and scattered, discarded. His emotions are so openly on display when he thinks Eddie isn't looking. Relieved that Eddie has his mark, but also guilty and sad of the person that he used to be.
Eddie doesn't think Steve ever was that person to begin with. Just as Eddie proudly wears his ‘freak’ mask and puts up all the protective layers, Steve had put on that crown, not as a status symbol or a true representation of his personality for who he was - it was his armor.
Hesitantly Eddie reaches out to his other hand and carefully links their fingers together.
"It's alright. I gotcha,” he murmurs, gently squeezing their entangled hands reassuringly.
Steve's voice is barely above a whisper, like he's afraid that any noise would vanish Eddie into thin air. "You're my person." His tone is full of wonder and awe.
There's no disappointment that it's Eddie. No sneer or reservations about the fact that he's destined to be with another man.
Steve is so mindful and sweet. How could I ever doubt him?
For the first time since they sparked, Eddie feels like he can breathe again. He lets out a content sigh. The heavy weight constricting his heart lifts and his heartbeat slows, even though he's ecstatic he gets to hold hands with Steve Harrington on his hospital bed after nearly dying. Eddie didn't ruin it. He's getting his second chance in life - with Steve. More than he could have ever hoped for when he was bleeding out on the dirty ground, regretting that he wasn't brave enough to tell his soulmate. It's a nudge from the universe, and he's happy to take it. It's his destiny.
Steve is his destiny, forever branded on his skin.
A small tingling sensation starts up at his fingers. At first, Eddie thinks it's just the sensation of holding hands, but it continuously gets stronger. His chest grows warmer, and it's a phantom echo of the bursting heat he felt during his spark. When it flares up, Eddie lets out a surprised hiss. It doesn't hurt, but the feeling is overwhelming and strong.
Concerned hazel eyes rake over his face, and Steve's strong hand squeezes Eddie's once again, making his presence and support known.
Then a unique heat engulfs Eddie's arm and he lifts it higher, drawing both of their attention to it before Steve can ask what's wrong.
The dark ink on the inside of his arms starts to swirl, creating patterns as ominous and uncontrolled as smoke in the air. Steve gasps while Eddie's eyes remain focused on his wrist, afraid that if he looks away for a single second he'll miss it.
It's a beautiful dance of shapes and smudges, accelerating into a vortex of color, accompanied by a comfortable warmth similar to a fierce hug under a fluffy blanket. Eddie's mouth tucks up into a content smile.
Sure, soulmarks can change. They all heard about it. When someone falls out of love with something that defines them or they find something new, something bigger, something more significant, the mark can adjust. But it's pretty uncommon, especially once people get older. Even if a part of it changes, it's never like this. Not the whole thing.
Wide eyes dart between Eddie's face and his arm as Steve clearly tries to make sense of what is happening. The overwhelming warmth from the original spark is back, surging up Eddie's arm right into his chest, filling him with an overwhelming sense of acceptance, comfort and love.
Gradually the swirling of the dark ink subdues and reveals a new mark. Some elements of it are similar, but it has a different tone now.
The vines are gone, together with the bat. The new center of the mark is a strong feline. From Eddie's point of view it takes a second to make it out as a lioness, lying strong and proud. The eyes sparkling with a touch of coquettish mischief. Perched between the alert feline ears sits a small bird, a robin, just like before. Only now it's not trying to flee, and it's not bound down. It's made its home with the lioness, comfortable and content. Between the strong claws the lioness holds a crown. It appears to be the same as before, the difference is, now it's in one piece. It's tilted to the side a bit like the proud animal is playing with it.
The whole mark looks so much more alive now. It looks at peace.
When Eddie's eyes finally leave the new mark and wander up to Steve's face, he sees nothing but pure joy. Tears are streaming down his cheeks, while his lips are upturned in the most honest and beautiful smile Eddie has ever seen.
Contentedness settles in Eddie’s chest, together with the subsiding feeling of warmth and comfort, he feels his own eyes grow misty too. He lifts his arm from Steve’s hold and tenderly swipes away the tears, cupping Steve’s cheek softly, guiding him forward. Eddie’s eyes flit down to Steve’s lips and in the next moment, they connect to his own.
There are no fireworks sparking, no butterflies bursting from within. It’s more a feeling of connection, of coming home. Steve’s hand sneaks to the back of Eddie’s head, cautiously steering it to a better angle so they can deepen the kiss.
Everywhere they touch, Steve’s warmth is seeping into Eddie’s skin as he relaxes into Steve’s strong and protective hold.
They stay connected in their kiss, only separating for air and slight adjustments, till Eddie’s torso is screaming in pain. Reluctantly, he lets Steve go and leans back into the bed. Their hands are still connected, fingers tangled together. Eddie is sure Steve’s smile could light up an entire city, so bright is the joy on his face, unaware that he himself is grinning just as widely.
“Wow.”
“Yeah, wow.”
They sit in comfortable silence for a few moments before Steve is getting up. Eddie is ready to protest against him leaving, but Steve gets on the edge of the bed. He nudges closer, wiggling his hips into the firm mattress.
“Can I?”
Okay. Don’t panic! Steve Harrington wants to get into bed (not like that, you idiot)! With me!
Of course, Eddie is not a fool. Plus, the idea of Steve leaving makes him queasy. He scoots over, and Steve curls up into bed with him. It’s the ‘cozy-blanket-by-the-fireplace’ feeling all over again.
Slowly Steve turns around his wrist, dragging Eddie’s arm with it because they both refuse to let go of each other, to reveal Eddie’s mark on him.
It’s the Hellfire throne. Even flipped upside down Eddie recognizes the familiar chair instantly. There’s his sweetheart, the wonderful guitar he just used in the Upside Down for the most metal concert ever, and it fills him with pride to see it inked onto Steve’s skin. The final piece at the center of the mark is a heart, reflecting the light like a crystal.
Eddie reaches out for it, hovering his fingers inches from the mark on Steve. His soulmate brings his arm up, connecting their skin. Sparks of joy fizzle through his body, and Eddie wonders if Steve is feeling the same.
Thoughtfully, he caresses the drawn crystal heart.
What is that supposed to mean?
Steve leans in closer to Eddie’s side, mindful of their injuries, and watches Eddie’s fingers running over the mark.
“I think…,” Steve’s voice is quiet and light, “I think it symbolizes that you have a big heart. But it’s also fragile.”
Dreamily Eddie lets out an attentive hum, and then lays their linked hands down onto the bed between them.
“I promise you, Eddie, that as your soulmate, I will do my best to keep it safe.”
God, I want to kiss you again so badly.
Then Eddie remembers he actually can do that now and turns his face to Steve, placing a loving peck on the apple of his cheek, before sinking back into the pillows contently.
“So, soulmates, huh?”
Steve hums affirmatively.
“Certainly not the pretty girl you expected, huh, Harrington.”
“Nah, you're plenty pretty.”
He sounds unbothered. Like Steve is saying ‘the sky is blue,’ stating simple facts.
The sky is blue and Eddie Munson is pretty. What a world.
“I... uh... I'm still sorry you got stuck with me…”
“Eddie, listen to me.” Warm hands squeeze Eddie’s cheeks, guiding him so he can face Steve who looks at him determinately and with a fondness in his eyes that makes Eddie’s legs weak. “I'm not stuck with you. You're my person. We're destined to be together.”
“Even though I'm a man? It doesn't bother you?”
Steve shakes his head. “No, it doesn't.”
“You're way more okay with all that than I thought…” Eddie muses as he sneaks away from Steve’s hold, even though he misses the soft warmth as Steve puts down his arms.
“Well, it certainly helped that I already freaked out about liking men about 3 months ago, when I got a little too invested in Young Sherlock Holmes, and Robin pointed out that rewinding the tape a bunch of times to watch the fencing scenes to see Sherlock move wasn’t entirely straight behavior.”
Eddie can’t stop the chuckle erupting from deep inside him, smiling affectionately at his soulmate. He thanks the universe for attractive actors.
“Plus, I never thought I would get this.” Steve is snuggling closer into Eddie, tucking himself under Eddie’s chin.
"What? A boyfriend?" Eddie asks, hesitation in his voice.
"A soulmate,” Steve whispers, his fingers running across Eddie's mark once again in pure awe, then he turns to face Eddie, "but I like boyfriends, too."
There's still something in the back of Eddie's mind, ever since the conversation between Steve and Nancy in the Winnebago. A possible deal-breaker. Eddie worries his lower lip between his teeth. They have to discuss it sooner or later, so better get it over with before he gets even more attached to Steve.
"What about kids?"
Steve halts for a second to listen to Eddie and then gets back to caressing his inner arm. He's quiet for a minute, and Eddie knows his soulmate needs a bit to think things through. He swallows past the nervous lump in his throat.
"For now, we have enough of those with Dustin and his bunch around. And when they have kids, we can be the fun uncles."
"Do you think that'll be enough?"
What if it's not sufficient to make Steve stay? Maybe he didn't think it through, what it meant to be soulmates with a man?
"If it means I get to be with you, then yes. It'll be enough."
When their lips meet again, Eddie can taste the slight tinge of salt from his own tears on it. He didn't even realize he started crying, so relieved by Steve's words.