interest | theodore nott x female reader.
warnings : angst, fluff, based on real live events that I am still going through! (Some parts are still made up, I've only experienced the first half, the second half are made up) 😘🙃, slytherin reader (doesn't really affect the story), usage of y/n, short, short, short fan fiction, wrote this in like 30 mins, english isn't my first language and I am convinced that I'm dyslexic, second person pov,
have fun reading!
🦖
it was your fifth year at hogwarts, fifth year being friends with pansy, and your fifth year being hopelessly inlove with theodore.
yes, you've had 'relationships' before him, but he was still at the back of your mind. theodore was still lingering.
Theo seemed funny, moody, and so much more, but, you didn't expect him to like books.
Pansy looked down while eating her food, and simply said "you're reading little women too? Theodore loves that book" To which you hushed her immediately.
But that didn't stop you from asking her about Theo,later that day. "He likes it? " You asked, showing the book to pansy, "who likes what? " Pansy scrunched her eyebrows, and you groaned loudly.
"Theodore, pansy, Theodore! "
Pansy nodded her head, saying "oh yeah, he likes it". You gasped at how chill she is, and you said " This might be it pansy! ".
And oh you were right, it is it. You and daphne were sitting on a bench, gossiping about other people. When all of the sudden, Theodore passed you two, and said "Laurie, mhm? ".
"So you do like little women? " You and daphne's attention were shifted to him "since forever", and just like that, he left.
That became a more and more of a schedule for you to sit on that same bench everyday, on the exact same time. Daphne doesn't know that you still like him, it was well common knowledge that you used to like Theodore, but, everyone thought that you had moved on.
Daphne was so tired of Theodore, that whenever she sees him coming to you two, she'd roll her eyes sand say stuff like 'here he goes again' and make the biggest sigh ever.
Your first 'real' conversation was him coming up to you, saying "I like jo more than amy". At that point you didn't know what to say, neither Daphne or Pansy was there to make you less tense.
You scoffed "Amy is way better". You tried to keep yourself cool, and you did just that.
For days to days you two became closer. You'd have little chit chats after dinner, and your liking for him became bigger, but it shouldn't have.
"I have some little women.. Merch, I can send it to your room, later" Theodore suggested. "First of all, pansy would kill me if I had a boy in my room. Second of all, that will not happen cause if you do the stairs will turn into a literal slide and make you look stupid" You said, to which he just started at you.
You stupidly dreamt of him in your room, which is obviously forbidden.
Unsurprisingly, Daphne eventually found out about you still liking him, and she's convinced that Theo likes you back.
"Do you not remember what he said? 'I used to like little women, now I like it again because of her' and the boy pointed at you! And do you not remember quidditch? "
Oh boy, you do remember Quidditch.
His Quidditch match was last Wednesday, and two days before that, you two made a bet. If he won, you have to give him 15 galleons, and if he lose, he has to give you 15 galleons.
See, that same week, your professors had bombarded everyone with exams. So, if it wasn't for him you wouldn't have watched any of the Quidditch stuff.
That Wednesday, you kept exactly 15 galleons in your pocket. And, unsurprisingly he won. The slytherins celebrated like crazy, and, after that, you came up to him, saying "I could've bought myself candy but, I have your 15 galleons".
"No need for that," Theodore softly smiles, and went back to his friends who were cheering and waiting for him.
That day you couldve swore you spent a thousand hour telling pansy what you felt.
All of the sudden, Theodore didn't seem interested. You hadn't told Daphne about this, but pansy is so mas at him for the sudden stop of interest.
"See, boys are immature" Pansy groaned and rolled her eyes. "I wanted to know about his friend and, theodore-"
"Not so loud! " You sushed her, reminding that you two were still in the great hall. You doubt anyone heard you but, still, for safety reasons. "How about.. My 'him', we can call him uh.. "
"Toaster, cause if he doesn't act right Im gonna-"
"Hold your horses, pansy, let's call him trex"
"Fine, you're way too nice for that guy, and uhm, what should I call my 'him'? " Pansy asked, and, there was one minute of silence.
"Maybe trial number #2? "
That was the day your nicknames were born, and, things excelated from there. 'Trial #2', which is blaise, talked to pansy in the Slightest way possible, and 'trex' which is theo is talking to you, but he makes the conversation as dry as possible.
Theo is almost always the conversation starter, but when it comes to keeping the conversation going, it's you, and it is hardwork to keep Theo talking to you
That also reminded you of a conversation you had a long, long time ago with millicent. About how he's broken home and doesn't have a mother, and turns out it was true.
"So, that explains the on and off thing with you and him" Pansy shrugged "if you're really in love with him, you're in some really deep shit. Trial #2 barely talks to me"
and in deep shit you are, as the days became longer because he didn't want to talk to you. Pansy convinced you enough to just stop talking to him.
You felt better but, there is still something in you still craving him dearly.
"He's just there, pansy, like.. Like a word about to be spoken, but then vanishes out of our brains! One second he's there and the next he's gone! " You complained.
What made you more confused is that, you and him became more confusing. You felt like you're more than a friend, but you don't know what it is because of one thing he said.
It was common for you friends, lorenzo, and Mattheo, to tease you about Theo. It's as if they know.
Obviously, Theo was there too, along with Daphne next to you. "Y/n, I think you and Theodore are a good fit" Lorenzo laughed, and the others chimed with agreement. But, it was a subtle whisper from Theo that made you down for the rest of the day. "Don't say that, I like astoria"
You kept laughing, though it was obvious for those who actually knows you that your laugh was so fake.
You kept ignoring him, and you truly do feel better for once. As pansy says 'give him taste of his own medicine ' and you did what she said, and you felt better, for awhile.
Till he came up to you and forced you to confess.
"The fuck is wrong with you y/n? " Theodore said. "What do you mean? " You said, but, the pit in your stomach tells you exactly what he means.
"You're avoiding me. I thought we were friends"
"That's the problem" You said, in a confusing tone, which made him think.. Was it a question or a statement?
"I thought we couldve been more, Theo" You rolled your eyes at his oblivion, and you paused "you like astoria, don't you, mhm? You said it yourself".
Theo frowned "don't act so innocent, you and Macmillan were so close I thought you two were dating".
"I wasn't" You paused, "I moved on a long time ago, unlike you, no one moves on in the span of two weeks".
"Her friends told me she doesn't like me! "
"So what? That makes it right? I don't care if she likes you or not, I care if you like her or not. If I'm just your second choice, this won't work. Pansy told me that I'm better than any boys in Hogwarts, and I agree with her! Because boys like you suck"
"I like you, okay? Will you get that into your thick skull?" Theodore groaned and rolled his eyes.
"You're weird" You said, "what about me Is weird? " Theo asks.
"Your on and off stuff. You act interested, then when I actually wanna talk to you you get so dry, do you not think of that? Or you're actually really dumb? "
"You ignored me too"
"That's because I wanted you to feel what I felt! "
You honestly felt sad but, anger was more visible. But Theo looked emotionless. He wasn't happy, angry, sad, he was just there.
You both wanted to say something, but you didn't. Neither you nor Theo said a thing. You opened your bag and found your book, well, technically his.
"Here's a book that i borrowed" You said, giving it to him. "You can keep it" Theo pushed the book back to you, but your hand didn't budge. "No thanks, theo.. Ive written somethings in pencil. Don't worry too much because it's so thin you could barely tell what I wrote, a single swipe with your finger or eraser, it'll be gone".
A week has passed. And you knew for a fact he didn't re read the book.
On your favorite page, you wrote 'three broomsticks, next month, 9:00 AM? ' a month ago.
You knew way more than to come there, or did you?
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You are in love
pairing: jake peralta x reader
cw: none
word count: 1600
summary: literally just based off the song you are in love by taylor swift, was written so quick but i love it
════════════════
One look dark room, meant just for you
“Jakes staring again,” Amy hummed nudging you to look.
You made eye contact with Jake who quickly looked away, your face went red and you tried to hide your smile.
“He wasn’t even looking at me.” You reply, shutting down Amy’s ideas.
“If you say soooo,” she blew you a kiss and stumbled over to the bar.
Before you knew it Jake was over sitting beside you, you smiled and took a sip of your drink.
“Hey.” Jake said.
“Hi.” You replied.
“Having fun?”
“I guess, just very loud in here,” you shrugged.
“I can’t believe you’ve been with us for three years now,”
Time moves too fast, you play it back
“I remember how shy you were, how you were scared of Holt.” Jake teased.
“Shut up Jake.” You playful shoved his arm, then resumed fidgeting with the buttons on your coat. “I remember you being oh so adamant to help me.”
Buttons on a coat, lighthearted joke
The two of you went back and fourth, Jakes only goal was to torment you. Something he done very often, you didn’t mind you thought he was funny but never would you admit that.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Jake asked.
“Actually yeah, I’ll call a cab.”
“No need, I’ll drive us I haven’t been drinking.”
“Okay.”
No proof, not much. But you saw enough.
Jake stands up and holds out his hand to help you up, this of course had your face turning red and your heart thumping. It was the little things he done that mislead your heart, there were times where you swore your feelings were mutual. Maybe you were wrong, but sometimes you allowed yourself to dream.
Jake even went as far as opening the car door for you, usually you’d roll your eyes at the gentleman approach but for some reason it was sweet when Jake done it, as much as you’d joked that he was a womaniser you knew he was far from that.
Small talk, he drives.
“So how are you enjoying work recently? Feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” You ask as Jake drives.
“The usual, busting drug lords, bringing down the mafia, saving the world day by day.” Jake replies.
“Ha ha very funny Peralta.” You roll your eyes, and his only response is a bashful grin, one that you know will reply in your mind.
Coffee, at midnight.
You and Jake went back to your apartment, you read the clock which hits midnight as he hands you a mug of coffee.
“Gonna be up all night,” Jake jokes.
“Oh I can image, you high on caffeine like a little child.” You tease, Jake just pulls a mocking face at you.
You go sit out on your balcony, Jake follows behind you and you sit in a comfortable silence drinking your coffee.
The light reflects, the chain on your neck.
“The moons reflecting on your necklace,” Jake says, bringing you out of your thoughts.
“Really?”
He says, “look up” and your shoulders brush.
“Look up,”
No proof, one touch. But you felt enough.
As you do you brush shoulders with Jake, the touch sending chills down your spine. It was as if he sent electrical waves coursing through your body, it just solidified your undying commitment. You ever longing attraction. It spoke volume.
You can hear it in the silence, you can feel it on the way home, you can see it with the lights out.
A comfortable silence emerged yet again over you both, that happened often with Jake. It’s not that you it was awkward but because you simply didn’t need to talk. As you watched him admire the moon the feeling that settled in your stomach grew, you found yourself reflecting on your feelings. It was simple. That feeling was heard in the silence that feeling was felt on the way home, and you could see it with the lights out. There’s was only one answer.
You are in love.
True love.
════════════════
Morning, his place.
You and Jake had been on your second date together, he asked you out two weeks ago. It came out in a complete blur.
You and Jake had just chased down a fugitive on the run, you ran two blocks which included jumping over fences and dodging hotdog carts. God this job was going to kill you. But finally you got the guy as a result of you lunging forward and landing on top of him knocking you both to the ground. Jake arrested him and you turn to make your way back to the car when he calls out for you.
“(Y/N)?”
You turn around, “yeah?”
“Go on a date with me tomorrow night?” He blurts out in one breath. You didn’t catch a word.
“What?”
“Go on a date with me tomorrow night?”
You couldn’t stop the stupid grin that overtook your face, of course you said yes. The date had gone so well, so well that when you got home you stayed awake all night thinking about him. And of course you had no hesitation asking him out for another date.
Burnt toast, Sunday.
Now you lay in his bed, slowly waking up. Although when you hear the fire alarm you jump up and run to the kitchen.
“Jake?! What the fuck!”
“Burnt toast…” Jake pulls a face and grabs the toast from the toaster, the toast which is fully cremated.
You look between Jake and the toast, the situation of course has you both laughing as you make him sit down. You from now on are appointed to make the food. You sit together on his couch eating toast (not cremated of course).
“You wearing my shirt?”
“I can take it off if you want… sorry it was just the first thing I grabbed.”
You keep his shirt.
“No why would you apologise keep it. Looks better on you.”
“Just my ex, got mad when I used his stuff.” You shrug, you didn’t realise how much that upset you until Jake lifted your chin.
He keeps his word.
“I promise I’ll never get mad at you,”
And for once, you let go, of your fears and your ghosts, one step, not much. But it said enough.
Usually you didn’t believe promises, but how could you not with Jake? Jake who was fiercely loyal and dedicated, Jake who would do anything to make someone smile. You knew he would keep his promises, and two months in that still withstood.
════════════════
“Jake!” You squeal running down the sidewalk.
He catches you and grabs your waist.
“You completely dodged the mistletoe.”
You kiss on sidewalks.
You roll your eyes and turn around, you wrap your arms around his neck and pull him close. You share a passionate kiss, one that has your head fuzzy and lips swollen by the end of you. When he pulls away you blush like an idiot and take his hand, you walk towards the car.
You fight, then you talk.
“No but seriously,” Jake starts as he gets into the car. “Why did you dodge the mistletoe. Is it about your family again?”
“Jake we’ve had this conversation.” You sigh as you turn on your engine and start the car up.
“I know but I don’t understand, you bring me to family events but you refuse to introduce me as your boyfriend.”
“Because it’s not that simple!”
“What’s not simple? All you have to say is ‘mom, dad this is my extremely handsome boyfriend Jake’ see easy.”
“Jake be serious come on,”
“Sorry. But please just tell me what’s so wrong with it, are you embarrassed of me or something?”
“How can you say that? Of course I’m not embarrassed of you Jake.” You sigh. “I don’t tell my family because I can’t handle them ruining this for me. Every time I’ve been happy they ruin it for me, either it’s them discrediting me becoming a detective because my sister has became a doctor, or it’s them making me feel bad for feeling sad when someone disappoints me, or most frequently it’s them picking apart all of my boyfriends because god forbid I’m happy for once. That’s why Jake. That’s why I refuse to introduce you as my boyfriend because I refuse to let them put things into my head.”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea.” Jake rubs a thumb over your hand.
“No it’s not your fault, I should have told you.”
════════════════
One night, he wakes
You smile looking at Jake before returning to your book, the lamp on your beside table dimly lights up the room. And again you find yourself staring at Jake, who’s so peacefully sleeping. His features outlined by the light, making him look ethereal. You were staring so intensely that you almost didn’t notice him waking up.
Strange look on his face
“Why are you looking at me like that.” You softly laugh, “everything okay?”
Pauses, then says;
“You’re my best friend.”
And you knew what it was.
The simplicity of the words has your throat stifling. You could recognise that realisation anywhere.
He is in love.
You knew he shared it too.
You can hear it in the silence, you can feel it on the way home, you can see it with the lights out.
Finally you weren’t alone in this. You shared it, the love lingered all around. It was heard in the silence by both, it was felt on the way home by both, and it was seen with the lights out, by both.
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I'll Pay the Price, You Won't.
It's a Delicate Need
Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5
18+ minors DNI
Masterlist
plot: you've never met eddie munson before...and even if your reputation's never been worse, desire is the sound of the whiskey and you're prepared for the risk. but are you willing to let it go to waste?
Pairings: modernrockstar!Eddie x fem!popstar!Reader (curvy!reader, bisexual!reader)
Warnings: drinking, mention of weed, there's genuine smut in here so sorry for the length, mention of body shaming
easter egg count: 32
wc: 6.9k
This chapter is inspired by the sound and lyrics of “Delicate” and her unreleased Lover track “Need” that I haven’t stopped thinking about since it leaked. This is one of my favorite things I've ever written and I can't believe I get to share it! Okay, have fun! I love these two so much! (special thanks to @munsonsbtch for helping chill out my frantic screaming about writing smut)
Late April, 2024
You met him in those weird ways celebrities do. Usually, it’s an award show or some house party thrown by mutual famous friends. For you, it was the Grammy after party.
Corroded Coffin won Best Rock Album for “Fire Shroud” and Best Metal Performance for the title track. (Ozzy Osborne presented their award and you couldn’t believe how jealous you were.)
You’d won Song of the Year for “Cradle Me”. The night was electric, one that would go down in history for you and your ever-growing career.
Because you’d done it. You won a Grammy.
And that was the only reason you decided to even go to the after party, really. You rode the high of your adrenaline, your tears. The squealing and stomping of victory as you basked in a kind of pride you’d never felt before. A kind of pride that you didn’t even know existed.
The room boomed with music, everyone seemingly on the same wave as you. You’d been practically shredding up the dance floor all on your own, taking time to close your eyes and feel a release for what seemed like the first time since you’d started your career. You were on top of your game, on top of the world. Nothing could derail you now.
As a remix of Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” came to a close, you remembered where you were. Opened your eyes to look around you as another song sounded, the bass pulsating in your ears.
And despite the noise, everyone noticed when Corroded Coffin walked in.
Even you.
Here they were, all five members decked out in lavish outfits, all five shimmying their way through the parting crowd with drinks held high in the air. If it was anyone else, they’d look obnoxious and lame. But each one of the members of Corroded Coffin acted like real people. They were in sequins, dark makeup, designer suits and dresses…and they were normal. Just laughing their way through the crowd and dancing like idiots.
And that’s when you saw him.
About an hour after their arrival, Eddie Munson snuck away from the rest of the group. He was at the bar, nursing some whiskey, a smile on his face as he chatted with the bartender. Leaning sideways against the counter with his legs crossed, just lounging as he socialized.
And maybe it kind of seemed a little stalkerish that you were watching him across the room, sipping on your third Shirley Temple—with, yes, copious amounts of vodka—but you were merely observing.
You weren’t his biggest fan or anything, but you were still fascinated by him. By his effortless charm, the sheer effect he seemed to have on everyone. Some had called him the New It Guy, others had called him a Soon To Be Has Been. But, for the most part, he was considered the man of everyone’s dreams.
Not only that, but he was genuinely talented. Corroded Coffin was killing it, having reached newer heights. Those Grammys they won? Yeah, they’d already received two the year prior. In the last two years, they’d collaborated with Post Malone, Joan Jett, Bring Me The Horizon, Nova Twins, Amy Lee, Poppy… The list was starting to get rather full from how desirable it was to work with them, especially smaller artists they’d been bringing into the limelight.
Plus, they were bringing metal to new heights. Tearing down the walls of what it meant to listen to metal and defying how it was “supposed” to sound. And you could go on and on about their lyricism, the way that they wrote about more than just testosterone-driven rage. They talked about mental health, about heartache. Addiction. Loneliness and the way isolation stung. Even the intense weight of fear that comes with falling in love.
They were raw. They were real.
And you kinda wanted to talk to Eddie Munson.
He was alone, for God’s sake. Just a sitting duck by himself, clad in that outfit. The sequins on his blazer casted light over his cheek, reflecting off of the LED lights. His blazer was a deep eggplant, all velvet and cool and fitting perfectly tight against his toned muscles. There were patterns of small black roses strategically placed throughout. Not enough to be overwhelming, but enough to give the drama.
Oh, yeah. One more thing.
No. Shirt.
Just his lean stomach with an attention-grabbing happy trail that led to his incredibly tight leather pants. The color even matched his blazer. Combat boots. Rings adorning his fingers and some black nail polish. Layers of diamond bracelets and chains resting against the dark ink of his tattoos. A guitar pick at the center of a black velvet choker around his neck.
Yeah, you really wanted to talk to Eddie Munson.
For a second, you stared down at yourself. You had a momentary lapse in confidence, wondering if what you were wearing was acceptable for a metal lead. Because you were clad in a silk knee-length dress, blush pink. One that hugged your curves and twirled around you wherever you moved. It was Old Hollywood. It was graceful. It was you.
Fuck it.
You approached, handing the bartender your empty glass and kindly asking for a refill. When you glanced over at Eddie in your peripheral, you knew he was being respectful, looking down at his drink rather than you.
It was up to you to deliver the opening line.
“You know,” you started, catching his attention immediately. “you’d kinda look like Lord Farquad if you got a bob.”
Eddie’s eyebrows lifted, trying to stifle a chuckle. “Yeah? You think so?” You nodded and watched as he tried to tuck in the bottom half of his hair to create the illusion of a bob. “‘Run, run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!’”
You were right. He kinda looked like Lord Farquad’s taller, hotter, more glamorous brother.
“That is perfect,” you said, slow clapping. “Brilliant.”
He laughed, moving his whisky as a subtle invite to stand next to him. “I’m glad you think so. I’m Eddie, by the way.”
You smiled, telling him your name, watching as he nodded. He was wearing some eye shadow, all deep purple and bruise-y. He seemed to have had a coat of lipgloss on that was now lining the rim of his glass, with only a slight residue remaining. It was still effortlessly beautiful. He was effortlessly beautiful.
“Yeah, I actually know who you are.”
Your eyes widened. He knew you?
“I didn’t think it was your genre,” you said honestly.
Eddie shook his head. “Nah. Come on, give yourself a little credit. ‘Tetris’ had a bit of a rock vibe to it.”
“Yeah, true,” you agreed, rolling your eyes. That was a single from your last album, one that hadn’t even gotten much traction from audiences. “But it’s nothing like A Rush of Hellfire.”
Eddie’s eyebrows shot up again. “You heard our first album?”
Confusion flooded your features. “Well, yeah. Hasn’t everyone?”
“No one talks about it anymore,” he responded, shrugging as he scratched the top of his head. “You a fan?”
“Not, like, a diehard fan or anything, you know? It’s fun to work out to. Or scream in the car. You did that remix with Post Malone. ‘Something Real’, right?” He smiled, nodding. “Yeah, I can’t get enough of it. The original is heavenly, but you guys put a spin on it that made it transcend the meaning and give it an extra boost of emotion that didn’t even seem possible. And your added verse? I mean, it was just so raw and…”
You stopped yourself, starting to feel embarrassed from practically fangirling about this guy’s music to his face. He may have been actively listening, or was pretending to, but you had to stop before it got to be too much.
“Anyways,” you finished. “I really like it.”
His smile grew and it was like something flutter-y-ish was rushing to your heart. What was that about?
“I’m flattered,” he said. “Unexpected, but flattered nonetheless.”
“Why unexpected?”
“Well, I mean. Well, your music—I just assumed—”
You laughed at that. “I like way more than just pop. That’s just the music I make, you know?” He gave you another silent nod, making you feel a little self-conscious. “So, I’m guessing you’re not really into my stuff?”
“No, I really like it. I just don’t want you to think I’m a diehard fan or anything. Actually, it’s kinda funny. I saw your cover of ‘Lolita’ by…” he trailed, waving his fingers around in thought until he pointed at you with a smirk. “Lana Del Rey, that’s it. Saw it a few weeks ago. Very cool. I liked the way you changed the sound. It seemed a little sadder than the OG, even with the synth.”
You smiled. You’d done that cover in the BBC Live Lounge to make fun of the way the media portrayed you. A player on both sides, leading everyone on and leaving them high and dry. Being a temptress of some sort, always on your best misbehavior. It was a common story, something that was far from realistic. But the media circus wasn’t about reality. It was about the fantasy.
And a lot of people misinterpreted the song choice as a confirmation of your reputation. It was mortifying. And annoying. Mostly fucking annoying.
And as the bartender handed you your drink, you prayed to whatever God was out there that Eddie didn’t think the same about you.
“I did it as a joke,” you defended sheepishly. “You’ve probably heard about me, but I’m not actually like that.”
And you knew that there was no reason for you to justify yourself to him, especially someone rumored to be a player himself. Eddie was known to the public as someone who collected groupies like a goddamn claw machine, but it was seen as something desirable. He was hailed as some kind of Metal Prince of Darkness. (Though, you’d never come into contact with anyone who’d actually been involved with him…)
So why were you nervous all of a sudden?
You studied his reaction, the way he barely had one. He just kept smiling like that, this kind of half-smile as if you were the most interesting person he’d ever met. You were sure he smiled at everyone like that.
And if it was a trick, well fuck, it was working.
“I definitely got the joke,” he said, chuckling as your eyes widened. “What, did no one else?”
You shrugged. “Not a lot of them, no.”
“Well, I guess the world is as dense as I thought.”
You couldn’t stifle your giggle as you lifted your drink to your lips, nearly spilling it on yourself.
And maybe Eddie thought he was being smooth, but he took a small step forward, closer than he’d been before. “Just letting you know,” he said. “as someone who is also not like that, I thought it was amazing.”
You could smell the tobacco wafting off of his jacket, mixed with something like amber or bergamot. His pinky finger was dangerously close to yours, seemingly inching forward. The closer he got, the easier it was to decode the exact shade of his eyes. Brown had been wrong. No, they were hickory. They were umber. And these hickory, umber eyes were looking at you.
It wasn’t fair in the slightest.
Something in you wanted to call him out because there was something definitely happening between you. Maybe it was a game he was playing, taking shots at your weak spots to lower your defenses. Or maybe it was genuine chemistry, luring you in with a dangerous kind of desire that you’d never felt before.
It was something you couldn’t even explain to yourself.
Out of seemingly nowhere, Eddie asked, “Beatles or Stones?”
You snorted. “Easy. Beatles. You clearly haven’t listened to my album.”
“Oh, I’ve heard Acacia My Dear. How could I not?” Your eyes widened. “But I thought you were sane. Guess I was wrong.” He sighed, waving you away. “This has been fun but get out of my sight.”
“Okay, wow. How does it feel to be a loser?” you asked, crossing your arms.
“How does it feel to be wrong?”
“The Stones do not have half of the amount of hits that The Beatles had. Name any Beatles album, which I bet you can’t, and I can tell you the plethora of well-known songs from each one. You can’t fight me on the factual evidence—”
“Do you wanna dance?” he asked suddenly, cutting you off.
You froze, confusion and intrigue colliding inside you.
“Didn’t you just tell me to go away?”
“As a joke.”
“Are you going to continue to insult my preferences?”
He leaned in just a bit further. “Is that something you’d want?”
“Maybe a little,” you admitted, trying to catch your breath as he took it. “As a treat.”
“I’d be honored.”
Eddie took you to the floor like a gentleman in a ballroom, one arm pressed against his back with the other holding your hand up. As if he was wearing a luxurious tux and you were in a ballgown. As if this was something serious, something more than it should’ve been.
And, god, whatever he was doing was fucking with your head.
Because the two of you started dancing to one of the popular hits of the year, a song you hadn’t cared to listen to. But it didn’t seem to matter to either of you, going back and forth with each other as you moved through the dance floor. Eddie shimmied his shoulders and rolled his hips. You gladly followed his lead.
As the song hit its bridge, he leaned in. “By the way, I don’t know this song.”
You couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I don’t either. I’ve been religiously listening to Maisie Peters for the last year.”
He nodded before looking at you with a bit of a sheepish expression. “I don’t know who that is either, I’m afraid.”
“That’s more offensive than your Beatles comments,” you teased.
He rolled his eyes before taking your hands and spinning you around. Laughter fell from your lips easily, finding the sensation quite dizzying.
God, how was his energy so infectious?
He tried to bring you back up, to let go. But you were done for, wobbling in his arms from the dizzy spell coming over you. One of your held hands was placed against his chest, the drumming of his heart nearly matching the beat of the song.
“Woah there,” he teased.
You sighed, your grasp on his hand tightening. “Don’t blame me,” you said. “That was all you.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right.” When you were stable enough to stand properly and the room stopped spinning, he asked, “Favorite Beatles song?”
You scoffed. “Why should I tell you if you’re just going to make fun of it?”
“You wound me.”
“I have evidence. Exhibit A, five minutes ago you told me my opinion was wrong. Twice.”
“I’ll behave myself.” You raised an eyebrow. “Scout’s honor.”
You decided to answer truthfully. “It changes every day, I think.”
“So, what’s todays?” he pressed. When you gave him a quizzical look, he shook his head. “Don’t leave me hanging over here.”
Your smile returned. “Today, it’s ‘Sun King’.”
“Ah, a highly underrated track from Abbey Road. Mine’s either ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy)’ or ‘Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?’ from the White Album.”
You couldn’t believe your ears. “You know their discography and yet you disrespect them.”
He wagged a finger at you. “You’re mistaken, young maiden. I never said The Beatles were bad. I said they weren’t as good as The Rolling Stones.”
“I think I hate you,” you said without thinking. Without even knowing how he was going to take that.
But then Eddie’s small smile grew into a grin. “Oh, yeah?”
You couldn’t help but smile back. “Mhm.”
“Does that mean we’ll never speak again?”
“No,” you admitted, showing him your cards.
Eddie smirked. “Good.”
Apparently, he was showing his, too.
Another drink and a round of bickering later, you and Eddie were promptly interrupted by a rumbling of voices calling out to you.
Well, not you.
“Ed!”
The two of you turned and watched as the rest of Corroded Coffin rushed over. Well, Ronnie was trailing behind, still in her heels. And you commended her for not running like the rest.
Eddie let out a chuckle and you watched a grin stretch across his face, lighting him up more than anything else seemingly did tonight. It was a look of love, of appreciation. Friendship.
And when he looked at you, you swore that it intensified.
God, he was something else.
“This is Grant, Gareth, Ronnie, and Jeff,” he introduced, gesturing to the group.
As if you didn’t already know.
“Nice to meet you all,” you said, giving each one a handshake and a smile.
“Jesus, you’re prettier in person,” Ronnie said, giving you a look over. “Love the dress.”
You could help but smile, especially with how beautiful she was. Ronnie Ecker. A legendary fucking female drummer standing in front of you. Her satin dress hugged her hips, a slit running up her thigh as the tips of her fingers rested against the opening. And, sure, Eddie was standing next to you, and you were extremely interested in him. But you’d be lying if you didn’t feel heat rising to your cheeks at the sight of one of the hottest women alive.
“Right back at you,” you replied, trying to stop sounding so nervous. “You’re incredible at the drums. It’s such an honor—"
“We’re heading out, actually,” Gareth said loudly, catching your attention.
“To do what? Go to bed?” Eddie asked, snorting. “Did you grind the indica by mistake?”
Grant shrugged. “We came to see if you wanted to go back and do a one-shot…” he trailed, eyes flickering over to you. “But then we saw you over here and, well…”
Jeff pointed at you. “We decided we wanted to meet you,” he said plainly.
“Yeah, exactly,” Gareth confirmed.
You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. “Oh, please. I’m really not that interesting.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Eddie said, catching your gaze. “Not to us or anyone else.”
There was something about the way he said it that made you wonder exactly what he was thinking about you. Because there was that hint of a smirk again, one that you couldn’t help but interpret as: You should see yourself the way I do in this moment.
And even though the others fell headfirst into their own tangent, you decided to lean over to Jeff.
“A one-shot, you say?” you asked. “Like for D and D?”
A grin spread across his face. “Precisely.”
“You guys play a lot?”
Jeff nodded. “Yeah, Eddie’s, like, the best DM I’ve ever seen.”
“Better than Brennan Lee Mulligan?” you questioned.
“Close enough,” he admitted.
Eddie tapped Jeff on the shoulder. “Did someone just mention Brennan?”
“She did,” Jeff said as he patted your shoulder. “Wanna get super jealous?”
You raised an eyebrow as Eddie gave you a shit-eating grin. “I’m guest starring in his upcoming campaign.”
“Oh, fuck off!” you exclaimed. Stomping your foot, you shook your head. Your lips twisted into a smile, all jealous and playful. Because you were extremely envious, having watched D&D for years but never playing it yourself. And here Eddie was, getting the opportunity to work with one of the best DMs there were. What a cool fucking asshole.
“Well, if you ever wanted to plaaaaaay,” Gareth exaggerated, clasping his hands together and grinning. “We could always head back and get you a character sheet.”
Eddie flicked his forehead, giving him a hard stare that you couldn’t understand. “Gareth, we are not doing a one-shot tonight.” When both men’s eyes flickered over to you for a moment, you began to pick up the meaning. “So you better scram.”
And then it was its own conversation, one that started with goodbyes but led into another whirlwind of comments. You tried to follow along, tried to understand what they were even talking about in their shared campaign. There was something about a powerful wizard, another realm underneath the one you called your own. A world that seemed upside down, a world that you were glad you didn’t live in.
And as soon as it began to descend into chaos, Eddie sighed and held up his hand. “Alright, I’m cutting us off. Go to bed, you lovely dumbasses.”
“I like you,” Jeff said as the others hugged and bumped fists. Your eyes widened. “I like you a lot.”
Without a chance to ask him what he meant by that, Jeff was filing behind Grant and Gareth, all three sneaking glances back at you as they walked away.
Ronnie gave you another look over before leaning in. “Some advice? Don’t break his heart,” she said, patting your shoulder before she hustled to catch up with the others.
Shock ran through you at the sheer idea of feelings being involved between you and Eddie Munson of all people. As if he would ever actually want something like that. The idea was so absurd that you almost had to scoff.
“Did you want to keep talking?”
You turned to Eddie whose stare was becoming almost too magnetic, having to look away every few seconds. If you didn’t, the eye contact was going to send you into cardiac arrest.
“Talking?” you asked, lifting an eyebrow.
He played innocent, shrugging. “Well, we could always talk. We could do other things, too. If you’d like.”
“You want me to go home with you?”
“To my hotel room, maybe?” Eddie paused, clearly trying to interpret your expression and failing. “Uh, unless I’m reading this all wrong.”
“You’re not,” you said.
Without breaking eye contact, his fingers found your palm before lifting it and pressing his lips against the back of your hand. You could only hope the music would mask your sharp breath.
“I have fewer scarlet letters than people think.”
Another kiss. Another lodge in your throat.
“So, don’t think I’m doing this because I’m a whore.”
You could only nod. “Likewise.”
“I just…” he paused, a hint of something covering his features. “I think you’re really cool.”
“Likewise,” you concluded, disconnecting your hands before his touch could electrocute you further. “See you at the hotel.”
“How many scarlet letters do you have?” you asked Eddie.
How the hell you’d managed to be alone in the elevator was beyond you. In fact, it was a miracle on its own that the two of you were able to leave separately, arrive at the hotel without paparazzi standing out front, and casually make it to the elevator without anyone taking notice. It was a rather close call.
Or maybe it was a sign.
You nearly rolled your eyes at the thought before Eddie’s laugh brought your attention back.
“Ah, man,” he said. “Three, the first two being in high school. What about you?”
“Four,” you said plainly. “All post high school. I wasn’t very popular back then.”
“Neither was I.”
You looked over at him, curious about what else was there.
“Really?”
Eddie snorted. “Are you kidding me? Of course not. Look at me.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
He shook his head. “Uh-uh. Those first two? They used me to get back at their boyfriends. Thought the local freak would, I don’t know, make them jealous?”
You raised an eyebrow at him. “I was also the freak.”
“Really?” You nodded. “Could’ve fooled me.”
And there that stare was again, burning a hole in your chest that you weren’t sure how to make go away. But did you really even want it to?
No words were exchanged as you made your way down the hallway. You looked back, always alert at the potential of a camera or wandering eyes. And when you made your way inside his hotel room, thick with the scent of him, you felt the prickles on your neck that always came when you feared danger.
For some reason, you couldn’t help but look at the door, making sure it was locked. Making sure that the shadows underneath the door were passing by quickly. Muffled voices came and went, but your guard never wavered.
“You don’t have to worry about anyone seeing us,” Eddie said. You turned slowly, watching him unlace his boots. “This floor is all booked for the band. No need to risk anything. That’s probably just my guy, James. He’s a hardass, but he loves a good party.”
A small chuckle left your lips. “It’s not that I’m scared to be seen with you,” you explained. “It’s just a nasty habit.”
“I don’t blame you. Las Vegas can drive people crazy.”
You took the moment to undo your heels, finally able to let your feet breathe after a long, long night of discomfort. There was a stinging pain the moment your bare feet hit the carpet.
But you couldn’t wait, taking tentative steps towards him. Like you were assessing him, assessing the risk. Watching as he watched you, standing like you’d made a silent request that he couldn’t say no to.
“I won’t bite,” he said, hands reaching out to yours. Taking your fingertips and pulling you towards him. Like you were still on that dance floor, like he was as lost in the moment as you were.
As you drew near, you caught a glimpse of his smudged eye shadow, the way it was starting to smear. His eyes, darker than before in the low light of the lamp, only on you.
Yeah, you weren’t thinking about consequences anymore.
“I have to be up early in the morning,” you whispered, nearly chasing his lips with yours.
He nodded. “You can leave whenever you want,” he said softly, thumb brushing your lower lip. “I do want you to know that I want to kiss you so bad it’s going to kill me.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say—”
Eddie kissed you fiercely, nearly knocking you over.
It was like he was chasing after you. Wherever you moved, he moved. Whenever you gasped, he gasped. Your hand met the back of his neck, so his moved to yours.
It was the kindling of a fire.
If you dared to utter it, you would call it passion.
You slowly made your way to his neck, scratching against the choker as you went. Eddie inhaled sharply, trembling as you made your way down his chest. Desperate to feel all of it. Desperate to understand where he started and where he ended. Wondering if you’d truly be granted full access.
But it was his fingers that flipped a switch. Eddie carefully moved the tips along your jaw—gently, like he was trying to learn exactly what you felt like. And before you could register it, Eddie pulled your head to the side and latched his lips to your throat.
There was a release of a moan, the high pitch shocking you.
Because here you were, feeling a lightning strike against your neck, rumbling like chills down your back. Before you knew it, you were limp in his arms.
You were giving in.
Slowly, Eddie helped you out of your dress, trying to take his time. But you were a little more fast-paced, nearly ripping off your own underwear before reaching towards him. Mainly because he only had a jacket on, but you were also extremely close to losing your mind if you didn’t have him inside you in the next ten minutes.
“Now, why’re you going so fast?” Eddie asked, voice hushed in the silent room. His lips met yours again, leaning back just enough to look into your eyes. “Shouldn’t you give yourself some time to enjoy it?”
Dumbfounded. That’s the only way you could describe yourself. Eddie was standing in front of you, offering you the chance to experience not just sex, but pleasure.
“Can I?” you asked him, desperate to be told again.
He kissed your forehead.
“Yes.”
Eddie gently lowered you to the bed, helping you scoot up to rest your head on the pillow. He paused, peering down at you as he unhooked his choker. It was the tucking of his lip into his mouth that captivated you, beckoned you to reach up to his lips.
You couldn’t remember wanting anyone else’s mouth this much.
And amongst the kissing and the harsh breaths, Eddie had his pants off, quickly kicking them aside to focus on you. You immediately clocked how he had not worn any underwear.
Fuck.
You had no time to look down at his length, instead feeling it as he rocked his hips against your mound. With lips against skin and a fever building, you hardly formed a thought as you tried to push his hand towards your pussy.
“Eddie,” you whined. “Please.”
“Whatever you want,” he murmured. “Promise.”
His fingers danced around your entrance, the calloused tips stroking your clit as he went along. Your hips bucked, but it was nothing against his grip on you. Instinctively, you moved your face to the side, wanting to hide your face in the pillow.
“Shh, it’s alright,” he whispered, placing a small kiss to your nose. “Let yourself go.”
Before you had any time to respond, Eddie was inside you. His fingers pumped in and out, the squelching sound of your wetness filling the near silence.
Eddie wasn’t done annihilating your neck, leaving more and more marks as he went. There your sounds returned, nearly choking on your breath as you whimpered.
It went on like this for a while, Eddie taking his time to bring you to the brink of an orgasm. Once. Twice. Unable to edge you a third time when you came uncontrollably and suddenly. You’d come down only to find his fingers on your clit again, beckoning you.
“Can you do it for me again?” he asked.
Feverish nods, hushed confirmations.
Another orgasm. Another bout of emotions that were ripping through you.
When you finally came down from your third orgasm, you knew you needed more. It wasn’t a want. It was a need. Eddie hadn’t touched himself, hadn’t given in to his own pleasure. It was all you.
All you.
“Can you, um,” you tried to start, breath still heavy.
“What is it?” he asked.
With shaky fingers, you reached down between you, lightly stroking his cock. Eddie let out a hiss, arms struggling to hold him up. It was his turn to quiver.
“Ah,” he finally said, a nervous chuckle eliciting from him. “I, uh, would really like that.”
Without another word, he ran his tip over your clit, a groan leaving your lips before you came back to reality.
“Wait," you sighed, pausing. "What about you?” Gently, you pressed a hand against his chest. “Don’t you want me to, uh…”
You were too embarrassed to ask him point blank if he wanted his dick (cock? Big Ben? Woodpecker?) sucked. Because you knew that if you were to say it out loud, you would be a fumbling mess of Do you want me to suck your cockbenpecker? And then you’d have to leave and kill yourself out of sheer embarrassment.
But Eddie didn’t laugh at you. Instead, his lips found your shoulder. “No, I’m alright. Thank you for the offer, though.” He slowly trailed his tongue to the other side. “Rain check for that?”
You nodded. “Y-yeah, absolutely.”
He carefully slid in, eliciting strained moans from both of you. You watched his eyes widen; mouth agape as he looked at you. Took your silent nod as confirmation to rock into you. He didn’t go too quick, seemingly taking his time to feel you.
And as he built his momentum, you couldn’t help but find yourself becoming a a mumbling mess.
His cock was filling you, completing you. Aching as though you’d been missing each other your entire lives and you were finally colliding.
He lifted your leg over his shoulder, seemingly desperate to go deeper. You felt as he shivered, like he was unable to control himself while trying to maintain the control he already had. It drove you wild, moving with him to get him to keep going. Getting as close to him as you could to keep him vibrating above you.
It was addicting, keeping your eyes connected as you tried to give back what he was giving to you. There was a silent connection forming, one where you were desperate to make him feel the way you did. Craved the ability to make him bend at your will, a carnal desire to make him fall apart at your hands.
Eddie smiled, nearly laughing as you grabbed his ass and pushed him deeper into you. And even though you were close to cracking a smile, it was quickly taken away. He thrusted again, harder, intensifying the wave of ecstasy washing over you. You cried out, unable to hold it in anymore.
“That’s it,” he said. “You sound so pretty, you know that?”
A fourth orgasm ripped through you at his praise, cum coating his cock as he continued to rock into you. He slowed, only for a moment, just enough to help you down before he picked you right back up again. Cradled your face in one hand, his other lightly running up and down your calf. For the first time, you weren’t thrown into overstimulation.
For the first time, you experienced true pleasure from sex.
As you continued to writhe in his arms, trembling as he left you in wave after wave of euphoria, you felt something shift in your chest. You couldn’t see it then, but there was a part of you that would want him the moment he was gone. Because when he finally came, pulling out and spilling onto your stomach, you were disappointed that he hadn’t cum inside you.
It was in the way he took his time with you, treating you like a lady, praising you with each orgasm. Instead of whatever you imagined, something fast and filthy and rough, you were… Well, you were worshiped.
It was much more than whatever a one-night stand between strangers was supposed to look like. And you’d never had a one-night stand, but you were ninety-nine percent sure it was not this. Strangely, you were very, very okay with that.
When you two were officially finished, he pulled you into his chest, your head resting above his thrumming heart. And you stayed there. Without any thought of the future, without any thought of your hotel room or your manager or the flight you had to take tomorrow. No, you were somewhere else. Somewhere lovely. Somewhere safe.
“Tell me something true,” you whispered in the dark.
“What do you mean?”
“Something you probably haven’t talked about to the press or whatever. However personal you’d like to get.”
“I have two cats,” he said. “And I’m actually considering getting a third.”
“That’s really cool,” you responded. “But I’m curious.”
“Hm?”
“How do you have cats when you’re always away from home? I’ve always wanted to adopt one, but I’m scared we’ll have separation anxiety.”
“Easy. I bring them with me.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I have special bags for them and everything. They fucking love traveling if you can believe it. Goddamn angels on airplanes.”
You couldn’t help your jealousy. It had always been a dream to have a cat. A companion, a friend to curl up next to at night. But your parents despised animals and then, well, you were suddenly never home. You wondered what it would feel like to be able to bring a piece of home with you wherever you went.
“What about you?’
You peered up at him. “Me?”
“Yeah, you,” he said with a smile. “Tell me something true.”
“It’s so stereotypical, but…” You took a deep breath, contemplating if it was okay to be so vulnerable so soon after meeting him. “I get really sad when people talk about my body.” You watched his eyebrows furrow. “I like myself, but it’s hard to be, like, not skinny and still be the artist I am as if my body determines whether I’m good enough at my job.
“Sometimes I wish I could just be a person who happens to have this body and that was that. I’m healthy…what more do people want out of me?”
Eddie’s arms tightened around your waist, fingers brushing against your tummy. “People are fucked up. Genuinely.”
“I agree. It’s like… Either I’m too big for someone to love me but my reputation is that I’m fucking everyone within a ten mile radius at any given time. Like a fucking fuck radar.” Eddie laughed. “Like which is it? ‘Cause I clearly can’t be both and I can’t be neither.”
“You know what I say to that?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“Hm?”
He raised his fist. “Fuck ‘em.”
You gave him a fist bump, nodding. “Yeah, fuck ‘em.”
“Also, if I may add, you’re fucking beautiful.” You shook your head. “No, I’m serious. I saw you walk up to accept your award tonight, which you totally had in the bag by the way, and I couldn’t help but think, ‘Wow, she’s more stunning in person.’ And I was at one of the tables in the back.”
“You really thought that?”
“Please, I think Jeff was getting annoyed at how much I was staring. Said Radiohead wrote ‘Creep’ about me.”
A laugh fell from your lips but you still shook your head.
“I genuinely like you for you,” he whispered, lightly lifting your chin up. “It’s something true.”
“I think…I believe you.”
“Please do.”
But when you finally fell asleep, you were thrown into something ferocious. The sky turned black, with crows and ravens circling the trees. You ran along a path, trying desperately to find shelter. In the distance, you saw Eddie, walking with some other girl. One arm behind his back, his other hand holding hers. Just like he did with you.
And then it occurred to you: Now that you’d gotten a taste of Eddie Munson, you didn’t want to share.
It was supposed to be a random hookup. Just a fleeting glance at the unusual mixture of metal and pop, leather and lace. But when you woke up to the sound of your alarm, having to get on a plane as soon as possible to do promo in Chicago, you decided to wake him up.
“Hey,” you said. “Wake up, sleepy.”
He opened his eyes slightly, taking in your already dressed appearance. “Where are you going?”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, you shrugged. “Chicago. I have a podcast to go on to talk about the Grammys and bullshit about having anything written for the next album and do promo and all that.” You looked down at the white duvet, all wrinkly from the long night (with a hint of his smeared eye shadow.) “I just wanted to thank you for last night and tell you that I had fun.”
“Yeah?” You nodded. “I did, too.”
For a moment, you were quiet. Watching as he bit his lip, noticing how you were chewing on yours. Wondered what to say. What to think. How to end an interaction you really didn’t want to end.
“Favorite Beatles song this morning?” he asked.
You tried not to smile, but you couldn’t help it as you looked up at his cheeky expression.
“‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’.”
“Help!” he nearly shouted in a fake scared voice, clasping onto his face.
Rolling your eyes at his antics, you said, “If I didn’t know better, you know every album they’ve ever done.”
“Maybe I’ll tell you the answer next time I see you.”
You chuckled, telling yourself that this was just something people say. Next time this. Next time that. And there’s no follow up. Just a glance here and there at events. No one calls. No one cares.
You tried to get up, but Eddie gently grabbed your hand, rubbing his fingers along your knuckles. “Actually, in all seriousness…I wouldn’t mind seeing you again sometime.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I do.”
Without a word, you disconnected your hand from his and started towards the door. Started towards what was ultimately going to be a long day with endless naps and replacing the water in your body with coffee.
And as you placed your hand on the cold doorknob, Eddie said his last words.
“I’m going to miss you.”
You glanced over at him, your armor starting to come loose.
But it tightened as soon as the weakness was identified. Because there was no way to make any promises, no way to guarantee anything more than what this moment in time had provided.
“I’ll see you soon, Eddie. I’ll make sure of it.”
After that, you couldn’t stop thinking about him. The way he was just so honest. Upfront. Wanting you close.
He told you he was going to miss you. He told you that he liked you for the person you were, not the person that everyone expected you to be. And he was the same, his reputation being nothing more than a façade for the lovely human being underneath.
The rest of that day, that week, you could only think of him.
Shouldn’t you give yourself some time to enjoy it? his voice echoed.
It’s alright.
Just let go.
Early October, 2024
His makeup smeared down his face as he held your eyes. You’d never seen him so soft, so gentle. Full of emotions reserved just for you. Desperate for the one thing he ever wanted.
You.
And in that moment, it all froze mid-air. The laughter and gasps of the crowd. The sound of the photographers shouting his name, shouting yours. The videos and the comments that felt like sticks and stones. Ronnie’s hurling words that felt like daggers.
It dissipates as you remember the start, as you remember why you were there in the first place. Why it mattered.
“Okay,” you murmured.
Eddie's eyes widened.
“I’ll stay.”
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