𝐢 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟

iii. AMERICAN HEROES

THE NEXT day, Icarus and Steve go into the back room of Scoops Ahoy, Steve was gonna lean in and kiss Icarus but Icarus stops him with a hand on his chest. "Talk first.." He says.

Steve sighs, sitting down on the chair. "It's about.." He paused and looked up. Steve gets up again, sighing, "I lied, I didn't get into college.." He says and Icarus gave a confused look.

"What? You told me.." He paused and crossed his arms. "You lied to me?" He asked and Steve sighs, looking away. "It's embarrassing, okay? I couldn't even get into Tech." He says and Icarus' eyebrows furrow together, not even in a confused look, more like in an angered look.

"Steve.. you could've just told me."

Steve looks away, "you're probably going off to some fancy ass college once you graduate next year. Even if we're dating, I don't think I'll ever be on your level, I'll never be good enough for you. It's not a damn surprise we never hang out and you're always with Chris." He says and Icarus scoffs.

"I'm not going to college. At all. It's a scam and a waste of my time." He says and Steve looks at him. "And what the hell does Chris have to do with any of this? He's my only friend right now." He says and Steve crosses his arms.

"Yeah, but I'm your boyfriend.. Yesterday, we could've hung out." He says and Icarus gives him a look. "We're dating, yeah, but I don't have to blow off people I have plans with for you." He says and Steve turns away, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever.." He mumbled and Icarus notices the whiteboard. "You suck? Is Robin keeping track off how much you suck?" Icarus starts laughing and Steve turns around to face him. He grabs the whiteboard and wipes it all off.

"It's all the times I never told you.."

"Robin knew and I didn't?" He says in disbelief but then Steve walks out. Icarus follows him to scold him but stops when he saw why he walked out. "Henderson." Steve said excitedly and Icarus looks at Robin who also looks at him.

Dustin just laughs, pointing to him as Steve walks around the counter. "Henderson! He's back! He's back!" He said too excitedly as he looks at Robin then at Icarus who crossed his arms. "I'm back! You got the job!" Dustin exclaimed.

"I got the job!"

Icarus stands beside Robin as Steve pretends to play some instrument and then does some weird handshake with Dustin, which involves them pretending to have a lightsaber fight that ends with Dustin stabbing him in the stomach. Robin and Icarus look at each other with the same look before looking back at the two who are laughing.

"How many children are you friends with?" Robin asked and Icarus chortles. "Six, right, Steve?" He says and Steve looks at him.

The three, Steve, Dustin and Icarus now sit in a booth as Dustin ate his ice cream, telling them all about the girl that he met at the camp he went to. "No, no. No way. Hotter than Phoebe Cates?" No." Steve says as Dustin hums and Icarus looks at him. "Well, I believe you, Dustin. I'll always believe in you." He says as he patted the boy's shoulder.

"Brilliant, too. And she doesn't even care that my real pearls are still coming in. She says kissing is better without teeth." He says and Icarus slowly pulls his hand away as he looks at Steve. "Wow.." Steve said first. "Yeah, that's great. Proud of you, man." He said as he looked back at Dustin.

"Yeah, that's.. that's romantic.." Icarus lied as he nodded to convince himself and Dustin. "Hmm.." Dustin hums as he nods. "So, do you really just get to eat as much of this as you want?" Dustin asked as he stared down at the ice cream.

"Yeah. I mean, sure. It's not really a good idea for me, though. You know, I gotta keep in shape.." He gestured to his body then winked at Icarus who rolls his eyes. "So, where at the other kiddos?" He asked as he looks back at Dustin.

"They ditched me yesterday." He says and Icarus frowns. "No." Steve says and then looked at Icarus. "My first day back. Can you believe that shit?" He asked and Steve leans over. "Oh, seriously?" He asked and Icarus looks at him.

"I swear to God. Mm." He says as he puts a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. "They're gonna regret it, though, big time, when they don't get to share in my glory." He says and Icarus and Steve glance at one another. "Glory? What glory?"

Dustin looked away, shrugging a bit before moving a bit closer to Steve, Icarus moves closer as well. "So, last night, we're trying to get in contact with Suzie.." He explained to the two, glancing at Icarus for a few seconds before looking back at Steve. "Oh.." Steve says, shrugging.

The two just nod and hum smugly. Icarus rolls his eyes, "and, uh.." Dustin trails off, looking around the ice cream parlor. "I intercepted a secret Russian communication.." He whispers. Icarus and Steve look at each other again.

"What?" They say at the same time. "Uh.." Dustin clicks his tongue, inhaling deeply. "I intercepted a secret Russian communication." He whispered again, too quietly. "Just speak louder." Steve said as Icarus said, "too quiet, buddy."

"I intercepted a secret Russian communication!" He said loudly, looking at Steve. Everyone looks at them. "Jeez, shh.. Yeah, okay, that's what I thought you said." Steve said and Icarus shakes his head, rolling his eyes. "What, what does that mean?" Steve asked as he looks at Dustin again.

"It means, Steve, we could be hereos." Dustin says as he looks at Steve. "True American heroes." He added as he looks at Icarus next. "Huh.." Steve nodded as he smiled. "Mm-hmm?" Dustin says and Icarus looks at Steve. "American heroes," Icarus said mockingly as he looked down at the table.

"Just think, we could have all the ladies we want and more.." Dustin said and Icarus looks up. "Dustin.. we're gay." He whispers. "Fine, I could have all the ladies I want and more." He says.

Icarus rolls his eyes, looking at Steve who shrugs. "What's the catch?" Steve looks back at Dustin. "No catch, I just need you guys to help." He says and Icarus sighs. "With what?" He asked and Dustin looks at him with a smile, opening his backpack. He takes out a book he shows them.

"Translation."

authors note max and el in the scene after this one, ugh i love my best girls <33