Summer was in full swing in Hawkins, Indiana, which meant only one thing, a pool party. Graduation had been late because of everything that had happened, but every senior who had returned had been given a passing grade no matter what. However, despite the fact he would have been passed anyway, Nancy and Robin had made sure Eddie did more than scrape through.

Steve had honestly been amazed how well Eddie did when he had two people tailoring his revision to the way he learned best. He was pretty sure Eddie had been more than a little surprised too.

The actual graduation had been weird because of how many memorials were included. Eddie hadn't carried out his plan to flip off Higgins but had worn one of the commemorative pins for Chrissy on his gown. Some of the basketball team hadn't seemed to like that, but Eddie had stared them down and dared them to say anything. It had been a moment to cherish.

Steve thought his boyfriend had looked so very handsome walking across the stage. He'd borrowed his dad's video camera to record the momentous occasion, along with Robin, Nancy and all the others in their group who were graduating too.

All of them were here along with the kids, enjoying the sun and the pool. There was still that weird mark in the concrete at the bottom of the pool, but the water was clear and fresh now.

All the older adults had decided to skip the chaos of teenagers and a pool by taking up Hopper and Joyce on an invitation to a more sedate grill out at their place. Steve could sympathise since the kids were screaming and playing like the teenagers and one not-quite-a-teenager that they were. Not a care in the world for once. El was even using her powers to cheat at several of the games being played, much to Erica and Max's delight and the boys' chagrin. Her antics made Steve laugh out loud, even as he kept a silent eye on her to make sure she wasn't damaging herself.

He was still exploring his own abilities, but since El seemed perfectly happy to open up to him, even sitting on a lounger just watching, he could keep a light connection, just in case. Not that she was pushing it. She gave him a bright smile every now and then.

Eddie was currently over by the grill talking to Jeff. Steve had had every intention of handling the grill himself, but when Jeff had arrived and seen it, the way Jeff's eyes had lit up had said it all. Turned out Jeff was a dab hand with fire and meat and had been utterly overjoyed when Steve had let him take over. The smells coming from that direction were divine and Steve's mouth was watering.

Gareth and Frank were heckling the kids from the sidelines of the pool. They had slotted into the group really well since the debacle in the spring and Steve was pretty sure Eddie had trained up Gareth to take his position of putting jocks in their place at the high school, since he was the only older one who hadn't yet graduated. Not that he would be alone, given that Dustin, Will, Mike and Lucas made a formidable backup. Which didn't even mention El and Max. Although Steve also had an inkling that El might turn out to be the sporty type given a little push.

Nancy and Jonathan were sitting on a couple of the loungers talking quietly. They'd had a bit of a rough patch after Jonathan had admitted he hadn't applied for the school he said he had, but they seemed to be over that now. Steve had kept out of it since it wasn't his business, but he thought they seemed happier for having been through a crisis that didn't involve the Upside Down and come out the other side stronger.

Nancy didn't seem quite so driven now. She was still focused, but there was a definite change in her that Steve was pretty sure was for the better. Whether it had been her near-death experience or just that the danger was finally gone, he didn't know. He was just happy for her.

Argyle was one lounger away from the couple, chatting animatedly to Robin about something Steve wasn't even trying to comprehend. Steve still didn't really understand Argyle very well. The guy came from California, had stolen a pizza truck from there, but didn't seem remotely worried about going back, or returning the truck. All Argyle had said when Steve had broached the subject was 'Oh, it's all cool, Brochacho, don't you worry." Argyle also seemed to have a never-ending supply of weed. He had become the go-to man these days around town, since Eddie had quit the business.

Owens had given Wayne and Eddie an actual house, and Wayne had a new job at the lab as one of Hopper's security people, government benefits and all. So, it had been easy for Eddie to decide he didn't need the extra cash his sideline brought in. It made Steve breathe easier at least. The idea of Eddie being in the line of fire because of an illegal side gig would have given him sleepless nights.

Since Steve had helped Eddie and Wayne move in, Eddie spent half his time at Steve's and Steve spent half his time at Eddie's. They were using the excuse of Eddie's condition and Steve's unique ability to fill that need, but he was pretty sure a few people suspected it was more than that.

The kids had become used to them being together a lot. Rather than Steve and Robin, it had become Steve, Robin, and Eddie. Steve was still working on making that Steve, Robin, Eddie, and Vickie, but Robin had yet to make her move. Robin had been using the excuse of not having time what with catching up on schoolwork and preparing for graduation, but that was all over now, so that wasn't going to fly anymore. If he could, he would have done the hard part for her, but all he could do was support her and hope she eventually got up the courage.

He was hoping the trip to San Fransisco, which would be happening at the beginning of August, would help give Robin some courage. Meeting some bona fide older queers should give his platonic soulmate some hope at least.

He and Robin were still working at Family Video, which had had a successful reopening, especially because people seemed to want to come in and see the local celebrities. Steve had only complained a few times about that. After everything, Robin had decided to take a year out before choosing what she wanted to do next. They each had a nice little nest egg thanks to government compensation, so she had wider options than she had had before, if that was the way she wanted to go.

Steve still had little idea if there was anything in particular he wanted to do. He still had the option of higher education since the colleges he had applied to for music were willing to hold a place for him. The whole hero thing hadn't hurt with that at all. In fact, a couple of the places who had turned him down for business degrees had even been in touch. Those he definitely had no interest in.

So much had changed in just a short span and the only decision he had made was to take his time with any of the bigger ones. His mom had just told him to let her know if he needed her help with anything.

The only solid choice he and Eddie had made was that they wanted their friends to know the truth about their relationship. That was the one plan they had for the pool party. They were going to come out. They'd decided as soon as they realised all the older adults would be elsewhere. It wasn't that they didn't want some of them to know, like Joyce and Hopper and Claudia, but there were others who were definitely not on the need-to-know list.

"You're looking thoughtful," Eddie said as he wandered over, perching on the edge of Steve's recliner.

"Just enjoying everyone being here," he replied. "It feels ... soothing."

Eddie lifted an eyebrow and glanced at the chaos in the pool.

"You call that soothing?" Eddie asked.

Steve grinned.

"Yeah," he said, "because it's just fun. There's nothing hiding in the background. It's happiness."

"Are you getting philosophical on me?" was Eddie's immediate response, narrowed eyes and all, but he couldn't keep it up, grinning back in moments.

"Don't get used to it," Steve responded.

"I would never," Eddie said, hand on his heart.

"Did you put sunscreen on?" Steve asked, looking at how Eddie's nose was already pink.

"Oops," Eddie said, "I got distracted. Can you fix me?"

Steve rolled his eyes, but reached out and took Eddie's hand, closing his eyes. It only took a second as he let his instincts rise. When he opened his eyes again, Eddie's nose was back to its pale normal.

"If you forget again and turn into a lobster in the pool, I'm not doing it again," he warned.

Eddie pouted. Steve knew he so would heal his boyfriend again, he couldn't bear to see Eddie in even slight pain, but he bit his lip, so he didn't say it out loud.

"You know I'd make it worth your while," Eddie said, leaning in close and whispering in his ear.

"You're the worst," Steve replied as he felt a blush begin creeping up his face.

"But you still love me," Eddie said quietly.

"You got me there," he acknowledged.

That confession had come in the middle of finals when Eddie had been going slightly mad with it all. Steve had managed to blurt it out completely by accident, but since Eddie had been kissing him within an inch of his life and immediately returned the sentiment, it had all been for the good.

"So, shall we tell them?" Eddie asked, glancing around the yard. "Is it time?"

Steve followed his boyfriend's gaze. Nerves fizzled in his stomach, but there was no outright fear. Some of the kids could be entitled twerps at times, but he didn't think any of them would take it badly.

"I think it might be," he replied. "How do you want to do this?"

They had talked about it, but there was always room to change their minds. He wanted to be sure they were both on the same page for this. When Eddie's face suddenly broke into what Steve could only describe as a wicked grin, he began to worry a little more.

"What?" he asked.

"Well, I was just thinking," Eddie said, "we could always tell them, but it's going to take us at least ten minutes to get their attention."

Steve nodded, that much was true.

"So maybe we could just show them," Eddie suggested.

"How?" Steve said carefully.

"Well I couldn't help noticing how delectable you looked sitting over here," Eddie replied, "and it would take a stronger man than I to resist such charms. I could straddle your lap and we could make out for a while, see how long it takes them all to notice."

"Just kissing," Steve said.

"Totally PG," Eddie promised, eyes alight with mischief.

Steve couldn't help smiling too as he let the idea sink in.

"Show me what you've got, Munson," he said, smile morphing into a grin to match Eddie's.

Eddie needed no other permission, standing up and quickly returning to kneel over Steve. As Eddie leaned down, Steve leaned up and their lips met in a sweet little kiss. It didn't stay sweet for long.

Steve heard someone choke on their drink as he and Eddie deepened the kiss, but he was too busy to figure out who. Keeping his hands in PG places took concentration, because he was usually allowed to touch wherever he felt like. Not that he was complaining too much because he loved Eddie any way he could get him, even if it had to be family friendly.

"Well that's one way to do it, I guess," he heard Robin say.

And slowly all sound from the yard ceased.

"What the fuck?"

That was definitely Mike.

"I told you, didn't I tell you!"

And that was Dustin, because of course it was.

"Yet you still sound surprised," and that was Erica. "How did you not know this?"

"Do you think they noticed?" Steve said in a loud stage whisper as he and Eddie finally broke apart.

His boyfriend just put his head back and roared with laughter.

There were going to have to be explanations, and actual talking, but it was all going about how they had expected so far.

"Oh my god, he's going to be insufferable now."

And that was from Gareth, which was the final prediction. Eddie found that even funnier.

All was good with the world.

The End

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