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Steve's in a Chicago grocery store a world away from Hawkins, contemplating just how the hell he's going to afford dinner with the meagre amount of change in his pocket when he runs into his soulmate.
Or, more accurately, his soulmate runs into him.
Hard. With a shopping cart.
"Oh fuck, I'm so sorry, are you ok?" The alpha scrambles over to where Steve's sprawled on the aisle, cheeks flushed red, long black curls falling wildly across his face.
Steve winces, knowing he's gonna have a bruise on his back from the impact, and contemplates the outstretched hand offered to him.
The frazzled man is hot.
"I came round that corner way too quick, sorry, I'm late for band practice but also the fridge is completely empty and Gareth wanted snacks and I'm out of cat food and…" The stranger takes a sharp breath, holds it for a second, shakes his head. "Anyway, doesn't matter. Are you ok?"
Steve nods. "Yeah, s'fine. Kinda my fault for just standing in the middle of the aisle, I was trying to count my money."
"Here, let me help you up." The man waggles his fingers. Long, adorned with rings, Steve notes.
He reaches out. His hand slips into the stranger's.
And his world flips on itself.
The alpha's eyes widen, his hand freezing around Steve's.
Pine and citrus scent pours from the man despite the blocker patches Steve can see on his neck.
They'll be no use in this scenario.
Not when two soulmates have just found each other for the first time.
Steve's lungs forget how to work for a moment. Oxygen is kicked from them, leaving his parted lips silently. The canned goods beside him vanish; the aisles, the baskets, the other customers all fading away into the background.
There's only him and the wide-eyed alpha, and the mingling scents of orange and brown sugar, of a rain-drenched forest and sea spray.
"Hi," the alpha croaks.
"Hi," Steve whispers.
The hand tightens on his.
It's warm. Gentle, but secure.
"Holy shit," the alpha breathes. "Holy shit, holy shit. Is this…really happening?"
"I think so," Steve replies, heart hammering away.
"I run into my soulmate, which is rare as hell on its own, in Aldi's of all places? And he's the most stunning fucking omega I've ever seen?"
Steve's cheeks flush red at the praise. He's still sitting on the floor, his hand still clutched in the alpha's while the other man is having his mini freak-out, free hand running through his long hair, his feet stomping up and down just a little.
"Jesus H Christ, I literally ran into you," the man continues, tugging a lock of hair across his mouth in an anxious move that's way too endearing to Steve. He exhales slowly, then crouches in front of the omega, gathering himself. "I'm so sorry. This is…wow, what a way to meet my soulmate, huh? I'm Eddie."
Eddie.
Steve blinks. Once, twice, half drunk on the scent of pine and sweet orange, his eager nose picking up the more subtle hints of whisky and leather.
"I'm Steve," he says quietly.
Eddie smiles, eyes crinkling, and suddenly Steve can breathe again.
His lungs let go, his body relaxes, and a sense of calm washes over him.
Because he's safe. His soulmate is here, and he has the kindest eyes Steve has ever seen.
"Steve," Eddie repeats, like he's trying out the word on his tongue. "Well, um…how about…dinner? You and me?"
"Now?"
Eddie shrugs. "Sure, why not? It's not every day you meet your soulmate."
"What about your band practice?"
"Postponed. As of now."
Steve swallows. Smiles back at the alpha, at Eddie.
Dinner sounds…really good.
Except that his pockets are almost empty. Supporting himself, out of the shadow of his parents that would never be happy with his omega designation, was worth it but hard.
He can't afford a restaurant.
His shoulders slump. "I don't have any money," he mumbles, eyes downcast.
Eddie tilts his head. "My shout, sweetheart. Call it an apology for basically running you down."
Steve snorts. "Ok. If you're sure?"
"Never been surer."
Eddie helps him up. Face to face, Steve stares at the alpha. At his large brown eyes, long lashes, at the black ringlets framing his face.
"Hi," he breathes again.
Eddie grins. "Hi, Steve."
He's still holding his hand.
Despite meeting only moments ago, Eddie's touch feels like home.
Steve follows him to the checkout, grabs one of his bags of groceries, and they head on out the door like they've done this a hundred times.
On the busy sidewalk, Eddie sticks close to his side. "We'll drop all this shit at my place, and then head on out?"
Steve nods. "Where do you want to go?"
"Your choice, sweetheart. Anywhere you want to go, I'll follow."
Steve smiles. Eddie's eyes shine back at him.
The Chicago winter is bitingly cold, but Steve's never felt so warm.