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#local hero wayne munson
stevieschrodinger · 1 year
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Wayne knows something big must have happened. Well, he knew objectively that it was big, Eddie spent a couple of weeks in the hospital and half the town fell into a trench, so yeah, Wayne was aware. But it wasn't until Wayne saw that Eddie was suddenly hanging out with a girl called Nancy, pretty and clever and even to Wayne's untrained eye 'a cool kid' that Wayne knew the world had shifted when he wasn't looking.
Eddie had never had friends, not really, and the friends he did have were brought together by that godawful music he likes and roleplay games (yes, Wayne knows what that is, he does listen when Eddie speaks). So, Eddie's never had much in the way of what you'd call social standing, not in the pecking order of the local high school at least.
This thought may have occured to Wayne at the sight of Nancy, but it was driven home by the sight of the Harrington boy coming through the front door of the New Trailer. Even Wayne knows who the Harrington boy is, and Wayne knows he basically lives under a rock. Eddie's told him enough times.
Eddie mumbles something about a shower and a quick change and Harrington looks twelve shades of uncomfortable as Eddie abandons the poor kid in their lounge. Wayne is absolutely certain nothing about the New Trailer is up to the standards the Harrington boy is familiar with.
Still, he's just a kid, and When Wayne indicates the couch next to his recliner, the kid sits gingerly and they both get to the job of ignoring one another.
Until theres a bad fowl, the ref makes a shitty call, and the Harrington kid makes a noise in the back of his throat that Wayne can't help but echo. "Shitty," Wayne comments passively.
Steve hums agreeable, and then says, "he was having a good run, too".
"Yeap, seasons just warming though."
And then Steve says something, and Wayne answers, and before he really knows what's happening he's having an in depth discussion with the Harrington kid who looks, if anything, equally enraptured, if the way he's leaning forward on the couch is anything to go by.
Eddie isn't at all interested in sports, but the Harrington kid sure as hell is and Wayne quickly discovers that it doesn't matter if it's baseball, football, or basketball, the kid is all over it. He's even started twittering about the Olympics.
Wayne can't help himself, he's not had anyone to talk to like this for a long time, not outside of his very occasional visits to the local bar, and before he knows what's happening the Harrington boy is now Steve and he's swinging by on Saturday afternoon to watch the game.
Eddie stands in the hallway, shocked and appalled, "I leave you alone for ten minutes..."
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trans-eddie · 9 months
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steve's not a religious man, for all the years he spent being dragged to mass by his parents. but if he was, he'd want to ask god why he let someone like eddie die for this piece of shit town that didn't deserve him.
steve had watched from across the room as dustin handed over eddie's necklace, in tears. as wayne clutched it in his hand and brought it to his lips, like a rosary, eyes closed in prayer; and steve had broken a little.
growing up the way he had, he was no stranger to guilt. guilt was a steady undercurrent, a familiar beast he long learned how to wrangle, to compartmentalize.
but not this.
this guilt is a serpent, rearing its ugly head in his chest and constricting around his lungs until he can't breathe. it makes him uneasy, agitated. like he's filled with an energy he needs to expell.
the same kind that made him pick a fight with jonathan byers.
the same kind that made him crash his car into billy hargrove.
he knows there's something wrong with him, but he's never learned how to handle his emotions; he just does his best for having been a kid who was handed a bat studded full of rusty nails to solve his problems.
but guilt is not a thing you can beat down like some bloodthirsty monster from another dimension, no matter how it eats him.
so steve does what he does, and he swings his fists at the next best thing.
it's some buzzcut, blonde asshole from the local church, the older brother of one of carver's guys. a few years older than steve, even. he's mouthing off, worked up and angry. if steve was more rational, more gracious, he'd give leeway for the man's own grief, his own emotional response to loss and terror. steve's been through enough to know what it's like, to crave control.
but he's feeling neither of those things, and the man is sending specks of spit out of his mouth as he yells about searching the rubble of the town for eddie munson, the murderer, the satanist.
steve's jaw tenses. his hands clench tight, and before he knows what he's doing, he's rounded on him and socked him square on the jaw.
there's a beat where he processes, where he makes the conscious choice whether to step back and assess his actions, or to follow through.
the man snarls at him, and the moment passes. steve takes two fistfuls of his shirt and slams him to the ground, shouting as he goes.
"don't you dare open your mouth about him again, you ungrateful -" he cuts off with a growl, slamming the man forcefully against the earth again. "you'll never know, you'll never fucking know what he did for you! nobody will fucking know, they won't ever know now, they won't-!"
steve stops when he feels warm, wet trails run down his cheeks, tastes the salt on his tongue.
he stumbles back off the man, hands touching his face.
he hasn't been able to cry yet. it hasn't come, no matter how much it hurt, no matter how many times steve played that last look eddie gave him, over and over in his head, thinking about the fact that the next time he saw those eyes, they would be vacant and lifeless.
he could never cry, because he blamed himself, and what right did he have to cry over what was his own fault?
he'd had crying beat out of him at eight years old, when his father was on edge from his mother's nagging, and steve had been upset about something or other.
he'd smacked him, pinched the bridge of his nose, and shaken steve's head until he'd stopped, wide eyed and scared.
"men don't cry," his father had sneered, dragging rough thumbs across steve's eyelids, drying them of the evidence.
steve turns his head up, up, up, now, bare and facing the heavens, where god looks disinterestedly on from, and he screams. he runs his voice hoarse, the sobs tearing violently from him, wracking his body with sorrowful tremors.
his face is wet, and it's too salty to be rain.
he doesn't feel like a man.
not when he'd left eddie behind and run off to play hero, only to watch helplessly as the people he loved were choked by vines.
not when eddie had been left to make the hard choice, the sacrificial play, just to get them the win; and they hadn't even defeated vecna, only bought them all some more time.
he's not a man, but a failure.
somehow, in the midst of this, steve drags himself back home. manages to climb into his bed, and pull out what he'd stuffed underneath.
he sits there, numb fingers clutching a swathe of bloody denim, and he cries.
he cries until there's nothing left, until he feels like his whole body is dried and and empty, a husk curling in on itself.
he fades into sleep, too quickly to catch the reflective, red glint that enters his bedroom as the the sun sets, or to catch the way a figure moves through the shadows, perching at the end of his bed.
he doesn't hear the low rumble of a voice, raspy and trying to whisper.
"I thought I was the animal now," eddie says, sharp teeth flashing. "but you're a regular guard dog, aren't you, harrington?"
his eyes glow in the moonlight as he watches the sleeping figure below him with intensity.
"will you fight everyone that badmouths me, I wonder?" eddie laughs mirthlessly. "your work will be cut out for you."
his eyes travel over steve's full form, pausing with surprise when he catches the vest he's clinging to like a security blanket.
steve doesn't wake to see the winged body take off out of his upper story window.
he does wake, however, and find that the item of clothing he fell asleep with is conspicuously missing; and, even more alarming, what's been left in it's place: his yellow sweater, the one abandoned to the upside down, swallowed up when lover's lake split apart.
the one he never expected to see again, because things don't just come back when they've been lost like that.
except, maybe, he thinks, running over the golden fabric with disbelieving fingertips...maybe, there is a chance that they sometimes do.
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waywardrose · 3 months
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THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY 28
stranger things
eddie munson x reader
rated e
9k
spotify playlist
for @punk-in-docs​​​
fem/witch/goth!reader, sweetheart!eddie, magic, slow burn (for me), friends to lovers, angst with a happy ending, no y/n only pet names, series-typical horror, period-typical sexism and homophobia, historical inaccuracies and anachronisms, drug dealing and use, smoking, alcohol use, masturbation, mutual masturbation, fantasizing, one-bed trope, making out, fingering, dirty talk, chasing, oral sex, handjobs, condoms, piv sex, reader’s father is a dirtbag, mild spanking, magical violation, mental torture, body horror, blood, aftercare, nightmares, strict parenting, panic attack, past child abuse and abandonment, semi-public sex, break-ups, running away, guns, fist fighting, everyone survives, suicide ideation, fighting and making up
Eddie would have to wait until his lunch break to see this new, hot, weird chick. He wondered which flavor of weird she was. Art weird? Theater weird? Band weird? Weird weird? He shrugged. He liked weird. In other words, you’re the new girl in town, and Eddie is intrigued.
note: This is it, my dudes! The final chapter. No epilogue, because I don't think this story needs it. Thank you for all your comments, likes, and reblogs! Your support has kept me going. I'll post a masterlist directly.
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Today’s volunteers had been abuzz with the news of Chief Jim Hopper’s miraculous return from the dead. The story was he’d uncovered a terrorist plot and worked with the government to thwart the radicals. Starcourt Mall had been the unfortunate backdrop of the confrontation.
It was also unfortunate a surviving radical had recognized Hopper. Since Hopper had been in danger, he’d been put in a protection program until the threat had been eliminated.
Rumor had it he’d been involved in defeating the rest of these radicals, who had something to do with Hawkins National Laboratory.
You didn’t bother to point out the specific government agency had been conveniently omitted. Same with the terrorist organization. Over sandwiches in the courtyard, Steve said Hawkins Lab had been closed for over a year when Starcourt’s fire occurred.
Nevertheless, while there had been casualties at Starcourt, they’d been few. Everyone considered Hopper a local hero.
A few volunteers discussed Eddie, too. They felt sorry for him and insisted they’d never believed those ugly rumors. Eddie was an orphan who’d been taken in by his uncle Wayne. Wasn’t that sad? Why, they’d known Wayne Munson for years! Wayne was an upright person. A veteran, too. There was no way he would’ve tolerated Devil-worship under his roof.
Those horrible classmates — bullies, really — must’ve targeted Eddie because he was different. Being different wasn’t a crime! Besides, Eddie had never hurt anyone. He performed at The Hideout with his little band all the time. One volunteer knew The Hideout’s owner, Cliff, who said Eddie was a good, if weird, kid.
You’d nodded and hummed in agreement while sorting donated home goods. There was no point in calling them hypocrites. Perhaps some of them weren’t. You wished you’d gone to that town hall meeting with your parents. Then you’d be able to pick out the liars.
On the way home in Steve’s car, Robin turned in the front seat to face you.
“You know, people want to be on the winning side. They like to think of themselves as smart enough to know who’s telling the truth.”
“But they were blinded by fear,” you said in agreement. “And looking for someone to blame.”
Steve said, “Like the pilgrims burning all the witches in Salem.”
You and Robin shared a look. He was close enough.
“Yup,” she said.
He appeared proud to have contributed to the conversation.
Robin rested her chin on her forearm.
“Eddie’s lucky you found him before anyone else.”
“Outside of the military, yeah, I guess.” You offered a bitter grin. “Who knows what they would’ve done to him if he’d survived Vecna.”
Though you don’t think he would have. Most likely, he would’ve dropped dead with the rest of the hivemind. If you hadn’t died from taking part of Vecna’s curse earlier, you might’ve shared that fate.
Steve said, “God, I’m so glad that fuckface’s dead.”
“Me too.”
“Me three,” Robin said with a grin.
Once at Steve’s, you three talked about dinner. Steve had pulled everything this morning to make a pan of baked ziti with roasted broccoli on the side. Robin made a disgusted face at the mention of a vegetable. You laughed at her scrunched nose and tongue poking out. Robin exclaimed eating broccoli was like eating green farts while Steve opened the front door.
Classical music played from the sunroom’s stereo system.
“Hey, Munson,” Steve said, projecting his voice as he tossed his keys into the bowl on the foyer table.
The music cut off, leaving a silence that felt as if you needed to pop your ears.
Robin kicked off her shoes and hung her jacket on an empty hanger in the closet. She reached for yours as Eddie jogged across the living room.
“Hey, good day?” He didn’t wait for a reply as he said to Steve, “I know this is a pain in the ass, but would you take me to my van? I want to do it before it gets dark. It’s on Coal Mill.”
“Dude, I gotta start dinner.”
Robin held up her hands when Eddie looked at her.
“No license. And the last time I tried to cook in that kitchen, I almost set everything on fire.”
Steve smirked.
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“Yeah? Tell that to your smoke detector that wouldn’t shut up for fifteen minutes.”
You snorted to hide the pang at being Eddie’s last choice and shrugged your jacket back onto your shoulders.
“I guess that leaves me.”
With a pat to your pockets, confirming you had your wallet and keys, you left the house. Eddie bumbled out the front door a minute later, swinging on a navy sport coat that was a size too big. It clashed with his green track pants and untied blue sneakers.
You kept your comments to yourself as you unlocked your car and got behind the wheel. Eddie sat in the passenger seat as you started the engine. The stereo came to life. The Sisters of Mercy simmered through the speakers. You hit the power button, cutting them off.
Sounding amused, Eddie said, “I haven’t heard that in a while.”
“I was in the mood for them the other day.”
“You can turn it back on, if you want.”
“No, it’s fine.” You shifted the car into Drive. “How do I get to Coal Mill?”
“Uh, take a left. We’ll go the back way.”
You nodded and pulled onto the street. He tied his sneakers. At the first intersection, he directed you to go left. The evening sun’s golden light flickered between the trees. This far from the nexus, the woods appeared unaffected by the poisonous ash. You mentioned it. Eddie asked how downtown was faring.
You lifted a shoulder.
“It’s like a war zone and a natural disaster had a horrible, mangled baby.”
He laughed. “Vivid.”
“There’re construction crews all over, and the school gets dusty overnight. We have to cover everything with sheets before we leave. People sleep with masks on.”
“What a nightmare.”
You nodded as you passed the turnoff to Sattler’s Quarry.
After that, the road narrowed and twisted. Eddie navigated you through more intersections and over train tracks. You passed farmhouses with fields of growing corn and pastures for cattle. He had you take a road into the woods where squat houses sat close together.
The road dead-ended with Coal Mill Road T-ing into it. Behind the houses, sunlight reflected off rippling water. He advised you to park in the gravel at the side of the road; his van wasn’t far. You found a wide, flat section and stopped the car. The peaceful neighborhood didn’t seem the place to stash a van.
You then recognized the house reflected in the rearview mirror as the one from the broadcast identifying Eddie as a suspect. That had been a shitty day. Even for you.
Eddie opened the passenger door. You blinked out of the memory, unlatched your seatbelt, and got out of the car. He was quiet as you came to his side. His grim face had you reaching for his hand.
He stiffened at the touch.
You recoiled and looked away. Rather than the quiet hurt you expected, though you were hurt, this white-hot feeling spread through you. Your jaw locked and vision narrowed. Each inhale became deliberate. You wanted to claw at his pretty face.
“Okay, what the hell is your problem?”
That pretty face became dismissive, and he stepped onto the road towards the woods.
Over his shoulder, he asked, “What do you mean, what’s my problem?”
“You’re…” You struggled to find a word as you followed, but the only one came. “Skittish. I don’t know.”
“I’m not skittish.”
A few yards down from your car, he separated two shrubs to reveal parallel tire ruts in the grass.
“You are!” You waved a hand at his back. “You are. You won’t sit next to me. You won’t touch me. Not that I expect you to be all over me, but you don’t reach for me.”
He stepped between the shrubs and held one back for you.
“I—”
“I take your hand, you flinch.” You tramped into the underbrush and onto a rut. “I sit next to you, you make sure there’s plenty of space between us. I make a move, and it’s always wrong.”
“You’re not doing anything wrong,” he said, letting the shrub go.
“Really?”
He went to the other rut. You stopped to glare at him.
Did he not see the irony of maintaining four feet of distance?
“Really?”
“I…” He frowned, though he continued walking. “I don’t want to crowd you.”
“Eddie, you’ve had your dick in me.” You resumed walking. “And I’ve never pushed you away.”
In fact, you had only pushed him away when he’d been under Vecna’s control. When it was just the two of you, the thought never crossed your mind.
He sighed.
“I’ve needed space.”
“Then tell me that. I don’t want you to feel pressured.” That heat inside you vanished. “You’re not obligated to… to do anything.”
“No, it’s not that.” He stopped and glanced at you. “I haven’t felt like myself since…”
“Yeah.”
“No, not like— It’s like…” He sighed again, his face twisting up. “There’s this emptiness.”
What could you say to that? You wouldn’t diminish his experience by saying plenty of people felt that. His was different. It wasn’t anything one could ignore or fill. You remembered dissolving into silence, and how it had swallowed everything.
You said softly, “Like a hunger.”
He met your gaze. In the sepia light and dusty shade, his brown eyes appeared darker and more vulnerable than you’d ever seen them.
“I don’t want it to touch you.”
You shook your head.
“It’s not a stranger.”
He looked away, into the trees, chin quivering. The tip of his nose turned pink. You wanted to kiss it, kiss him, make it better somehow. You took a hesitant half-step to take his hand, at least, but he walked farther into the woods.
With a deep breath, you followed a couple paces behind. The ruts curved around a dead pine and disappeared behind a thicket. Eddie knelt at the far side of the pine to dig into the rust-colored needles. An old camouflage net covered his boxy van from roof to tires.
You pushed up your sleeves while circling the van.
As you came around, he said, “Look, I know you’re too smart to believe the shit Vecna said.” He pulled something from the needles. “But I want… I want you to hear it from me—”
“Eddie.” You shook your head again. “That’s—”
“No, let me get this out. Every shitty thing he said — I said — was a lie.” The metallic jingle of keys punctuated his statement. “I don’t believe any of it. I never thought it.”
While you didn’t doubt Eddie, there was a part of you that wondered if Vecna was right. You were privileged. Your parents could afford to send you to any college. They’d even set up a savings account for you. You didn’t have to worry about a part-time job. You had a car. You’d been protected from the banal cruelty in the world. You’d taken so much for granted over the years. On top of that, you were a witch.
He straightened and looked at you.
“I don’t know how to prove it. All I got is my word.”
“No, no, I believe you,” you said, holding up your hands.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“What?”
“You saved me, sweetheart.” A corner of his mouth quirked. “Kinda feels like a blood debt.”
You grinned.
“Is that a real thing?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
“I don’t know, but, Eddie…” You drew closer to him. “You owe me nothing. You’ll never owe me.”
The keys rattled in his hand. His gaze darted away.
You continued, “I know what I did spooked you, but I did it because I love you. And it’s okay if you don’t…”
You couldn’t finish the sentence. It was hard to breathe or think or control the swelling sob in your chest. A tear rolled down your cheek, and you swiped it away.
Eddie’s head tilted in sympathy, lips thinning. He stepped near and offered his empty hand. It was the first time he’d done that in days.
Your vision prismed with fresh tears as you grasped his hand. The callused pads of his fingers scuffed against your skin. Your sob transformed into a long exhale.
“Vecna took you from me,” you said, and sniffed back the wet clog in your nose and wiped at your eyes. “I did it because you’re mine. Because he hurt us — hurt me.” You barked a laugh. “Now that I say it out loud, I hear how fucking selfish I am.”
You met his red-rimmed eyes. He shook his head like he couldn’t accept you were selfish. Regardless of his belief, you were, but you’d try not to be with him.
You whispered, “Even if we don’t stay together, you’ll never owe me. You’ll always be special to me.”
He tugged you near and put your palm on his sternum with his hand covering yours. His chest rose and fell because he’d pushed Vecna out, because you’d brought him back. That was something you’d never regret.
His voice was a hoarse whisper as he said, “I love you too, and you didn’t spook me. Don’t… don’t hide from me.”
As gently as you could, you said, “I’m not the one who’s been hiding.”
He stared at your stacked hands.
“Jesus Christ, I’ve been fucking up so goddamn bad.” He shook his head, his hair obscuring part of his face. “I hadn’t protected you. God, I actually hurt you. I can’t give you what you deserve. I can’t even fucking graduate.”
If his last statement was an obstacle, you would’ve tripped over it.
He couldn’t graduate? That made no sense. Nothing was official yet, of course, but Dr. Owens hadn’t balked at the party’s insistence of all the seniors graduating. Had no one told him? Hadn’t it been mentioned in conversation?
“Wait,” you said, trying to remember if anyone had brought it up.
He watched you from under his bangs, eyes so fawn-like, a little furrow between his brows.
You said, “I thought Steve told you about the party’s demands.”
He angled his head.
“No…?”
“One was all the seniors graduating, regardless of standing.” You took hold of his coat’s lapel. “What did you have in O’Donnell’s?”
“A low D.”
“D’s passing.” You grinned. “You’re graduating, anyway, but you passed her class. That’s all you needed, right?”
His eyes went wide and lips parted as he nodded. You glanced at his full bottom lip while scraping your own between your teeth. You hadn’t kissed him in ages.
You stepped closer and slid your hand from his lapel.
“Congratulations,” you said before rising and pressing your lips to his.
He gasped. His lips dragged against yours. Then he jolted, pulling away.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Why would you hurt me?”
His gaze slithered from your lips to your neck to the neckline of your shirt in an invisible touch.
“What if I lose control?”
You studied his worried face in the dimming light.
“Is it the emptiness?” you asked.
He nodded, casting his gaze to the side.
You remembered how predatory Eddie had looked with the MP’s blood on his chin. That hadn’t been Eddie. Not entirely. That had been the hivemind of bloodthirsty carnivores.
“Is it…” You didn’t know how to be tactful with this. “Do you want my blood?”
His tongue worked in his mouth, licking his canine, before he said, “I don’t know.”
You cradled his jaw over the scar and eased his head forward. His focus remained to the side.
“Please, look at me.”
His irises swung to meet yours. A flicker of sunlight illuminated them cinnamon sweet. His dark lashes fluttered as he blinked.
“I know you don’t want to hurt me,” you said. “But if you want to try—”
His posture went rigid as he shook his head. His hand pressed yours tighter to his chest.
“No.”
You pressed on.
“If you want to try my blood, I’ll let you.” You grazed the corner of his mouth with your thumb. “I’m not scared.”
He closed his eyes, mouth pinching and brows furrowing.
“Honey, don’t be scared.” You stroked his cheek to his clenched jaw. “It’s just me and you here.”
“Yeah, it’s just me and you.”
You sighed.
“What, you think you can kill me? You think I’d let you? You think I don’t know my limits?”
He opened his eyes, which blazed with anger and frustration and panic.
“What if I don’t know mine anymore, huh?”
Gritting your teeth, you said, “Then we’ll discover them together.”
With your hand on his chest, you pushed him towards the van. He bumbled backwards, dropping the keys. His back collided with a dull clunk. You slid your hand from his chest to the van, boxing him in, and pressed your front along his.
“Fucking trust me.”
“I do.”
“Do you want me to kiss you?”
He nodded, throat bobbing with a swallow.
“Are you sure?”
Again, he nodded.
You closed the distance with a hand on his nape. He angled his head, lips moving counter to yours. The kiss stole your breath and thought. You ravaged, biting his bottom lip. His hands cupped your ass and drew you against him. He plundered, groaning as your tongues slid over each other.
Teeth scraped your lip, yet it didn’t frighten you. Let them break skin. You didn’t care.
Trembling hands snuck under your shirt. He pulled at your waist, making your back arch. You mewled into the kiss and plunged your fingers into his messy hair. His tentative palms skimmed up your back.
You shivered as your nipples pebbled.
You broke the kiss to whisper, “Touch me. It’s okay. I trust you.”
His eyes gleamed as he drew his swollen bottom lip between his teeth. He spread his feet and maneuvered you between his knees. The firm mound of his erection pressed into your belly. He trailed his hands down to your ass. His fingers met at the central seam of your jeans.
“You’re so hot here.”
“Because of you.”
He caught your lips in another kiss. You gripped his hair as the woods went fuzzy. His hands, more confident, skated up your ass, under your shirt, and up your sides. Cool air swept over your skin. You inhaled as he found the band of your unsexy bra. The earlier work at the school hardly warranted anything fancy.
Eddie didn’t seem to mind. A hungry noise came from his chest as he fondled the underside of your breasts through the bra. He sucked on your bottom lip, and the sensation flowed through you like water. Your nipples tightened further. Your cunt clenched.
“God, you’re so soft.”
You caressed the warm skin at his nape, saying, “I’ve missed you.”
Without waiting for a response, you kissed him. His fingers dragged across your breasts until he pinched your nipples between his thumbs and sides of his palms.
You gasped at the wicked frisson, angled your face up to catch your breath, and writhed. You pressed your hips to his, the thick seam of your jeans rasped between your legs. He rocked his erection against you. New heat zinged down to your toes.
Voice husky, he said, “Fuck, I missed you, too.”
He kissed the side of your neck. Each kiss became more open-mouthed. His tongue moved as if he tasted more than your skin. He pulled his sharp teeth across the big tendon in your neck, like he was teasing you both. The threat of a bite had your heart beating double-time and eyes rolling back.
He pinched your nipples harder, making your lower body squirm from the ache. You kept your chest and neck still as you waited to feel what he’d do. He groaned and mouthed his way to the artery under your jaw. He sucked hard at the skin there, mouth scalding. You gasped at the delicious pain.
“Jesus,” he said between pants against the sore spot.
As his saliva cooled on your skin, you swooped down to kiss him once more. His tongue slid over yours as his hands left your breasts. You held his head in place by the hair, losing yourself to the decadent back and forth.
He folded his arms around you when you held his smooth cheek. There was no panic here. There were no monsters. It was only you and him, sharing breath and touch.
“How do you feel?” you asked.
“Good.”
You stroked his cheekbone.
“That’s all that matters.”
“I didn’t… freak you out there?”
“By giving me a hickey?” You smiled with a chuckle. “No.” You brushed your lips against his. “I like wearing your mark.”
His cheeks pinked further. He made a happy sound and buried his face in your neck once more.
“Gonna give me another one, baby?”
Muffled against your skin, he said, “I might.”
Tightening your hold in his hair, you pulled his head back. He looked at you with hazy eyes. His red lips parted, breaths shallow.
“Gorgeous,” you said.
His gaze drifted to the side. He wanted to shy away, but you wouldn’t have it.
“You act like I haven’t seen you, but I have.” You traced the scar on his jaw. “And nothing’s changed for me.”
He met your eyes, his own bright with conviction.
“Me neither, I swear, milady.”
You smiled at the endearment you hadn’t heard in too long.
“Then no more hot-and-cold, good sir.”
He nodded as much as he could.
“I’m with you.”
“No half-assed crap, either. I mean it, Eddie,” you said, relinquishing your grip on his hair and lacing your fingers behind his neck.
His spine straightened as if coming to attention.
“Whole-ass-ing it from here on out.”
“Good, I like your ass.”
“I like yours, too.”
His eyes lit with mischief, reminding you of the Eddie you’d first met. The one who quoted the Scorpions during roll call, who always answered the phone, who howled during concerts.
A hand gripped the underside of your ass-cheek and gave it a squeeze. It put to mind him holding you against the cold wall behind The Hideout and fucking you with hungry desperation. You wanted that with him.
“Wanna go home and prove it?” you asked with a quirk of an eyebrow.
He gave you a toothy grin.
“Absolutely.”
He didn’t release you, nor you him, despite the blue of the sky having faded to ginger and blushing violet. Rose-gold sunlight graced the tree tops. Once gentle shadows were now hard-edged and inky.
You liked the heat radiating from under his thin t-shirt and all the evidence he was alive. He’d survived. You had as well. He must’ve had a similar idea, because he surveyed you with loving eyes.
You swayed.
“Let’s go, Muffin Man.”
He groaned and let his head flop back.
“I swear to God, that’s adorable when we were high, but you cannot say that in front of our friends.”
“Not even—”
His head shot up.
“No.”
“You didn’t let me finish,” you said with an exaggerated pout.
“Oh, well, please continue, sweet lady.”
“I was going to say, not even—” You imitated his dramatics as you said, “The Muffin of Demonic Charm!?”
He laughed. “I only like the ‘muff’ part of that.”
You backed away with a giggle, sticking out your tongue. His hands went to the sides of his head, pointer fingers out, and stuck his tongue out at you.
You said, “You won’t get any part of that out here.”
He fluttered the tip of his tongue.
“Tempting, but no.”
He spread the sport coat and posed like a centerfold to entice, hip canting to the side and his chest arched.
“Oh, if only I had a camera, baby.” You found the forgotten keys amongst the pine needles and dead leaves. “You’d make Goodwill a lot of money in their annual calendar,” you said and tossed the keys at him.
He straightened to catch them, juggling them to his chest.
“I’ll have you know—” He swept his empty hand down his body. “—all of this is House of Harrington.”
“How chic.”
“Very exclusive.” He pointed to the corner of the van for you to help gather the netting. “Not just anyone can say they’ve worn Steve Harrington’s tighty whities.”
You laughed and lifted the corner of the netting.
Together, you uncovered the van. Eddie gathered the netting and kicked it under the thicket before going to the passenger door to open it for you.
“I’ll drop you off at your car.”
You thanked him and climbed into the stuffy van. The scent of old smoke, warmed plastic, and upholstery seasoned with boy invaded your nose. You rolled the window down halfway after he closed the door.
With a glance at the vacant back, you thought of Corroded Coffin’s equipment there. You’d seen little of Jeff, Gareth, or Dougie at school. You hadn’t asked Eddie if they still played at The Hideout. You hadn’t asked him about a lot of things. There was so much you’d missed since New Year’s.
Eddie opened the driver-side door and hopped in. He made a face, then rolled down his window.
He turned all the air-system controls off, saying, “Cross your fingers she’ll cooperate.”
He shoved the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine sputtered and whined and chugged until something aligned, and it roared to life. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, throwing you a laugh.
You smiled back and fastened your seatbelt.
He shifted into Reverse and maneuvered away from the thicket. The tires spun in the layer of pine needles and budding grass before finding traction. The van lurched forward. You hung onto the seatbelt and prayed the van wouldn’t get stuck. It was too old for off-roading. He steered onto the ruts, tires kicking up dirt as they bit into the earth.
Your prayers were unnecessary or maybe something out there listened to you, because a minute later the van was on the pavement and next to your car.
“Your noble steed, milady.”
With a smirk, you said, “I thought that was you, stud.”
He leaned in, eyes sparking.
“I’m at your beck and call.”
You bent close enough to feel his breath on your lips.
“Get me home, sir, and I’ll show my appreciation for your fealty.”
His eyes darted to your lips.
“I can do that.”
Tilting your head as if to kiss him, you said, “I know you can,” and moved away to unfasten your seatbelt.
His head drooped.
He looked at you when you opened the door, expression amused.
You said, “Don’t go too fast, honey, wouldn’t want to get pulled over.”
“Depends on who’s doing the pulling over, sweetheart.”
You smiled, shaking your head at the cheesy line, and left the van. His attention stayed on you as you crossed to your car, like fingers trailing down your spine.
Once in the car, you made a U-turn and followed him to Steve’s. Eddie was something of a lead-foot, but you could keep up easily. He parked in front of the garage at Steve’s. You stopped next to him and locked up.
He met you at your trunk and offered his elbow.
“Not too fast for you?”
You snaked your arm around his bicep.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
He hummed in agreement as he walked with you to the front door.
“Um, I know this is out of left field,” you said, “but I thought about the rest of the band. I hadn’t seen them at school, except in the hallways sometimes. Like, I don’t share any classes with Jeff or Dougie.”
“Last time I saw them was during the last Hellfire meeting.”
“Maybe you should call them? Now that your name’s cleared, it’s safe for all of you.”
“I don’t know…”
“They’re probably worried about you.” You squeezed his arm. “And unlike me, they can’t use magic to track down your ass.”
He bobbed his head once.
“I’ll call them tomorrow.”
“Good.”
You stopped him before he could make his way to the front door. He turned to you, gaze searching.
The blue hour painted him in shades of purple. Warm light from the porch sconces and nearby kitchen window caught in the waves of his hair. He was a fallen angel, halo stripped yet seraphic nature undeniable.
That felt like a line from someone more imaginative. You were no poet, though you wished you were.
Softly, he asked, “What is it?”
You shook off the thought and grinned.
“Nothing, I just… I just like you like this.”
He glanced at himself before giving you a wry look.
“In borrowed clothes with dirty hands?”
“No, butthead.” You jostled him by the arm. “I like you here — with me.”
That wry look disappeared. His eyes rounded, earnest and affectionate. He drew you in with a gentle hand on your nape and kissed you. His lips were tender on yours in silent relief, as though you’d surprised him. While he’d withdrawn after Vecna’s defeat, and you’d been uncertain about a future with him, you still loved him. That had never changed.
You threw yourself into the kiss, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. Blood rushed through your veins. Your cheeks burned as the kiss deepened. His other hand clutched your hip to guide you against him.
It was easy to lose yourself with him. It was easy to love him, and he made it easy to let yourself be loved.
He cradled the back of your head like you were priceless. He held you like he couldn’t get close enough. The mark on your neck was a brand of sweet possession.
At an inevitable pause, you said, “Let’s go inside.”
“I can’t sit through dinner.” With a small shake of his head, he said, “I can’t wait.”
“Then we won’t. We’ll go straight to your room.”
“What about…?” He gave you a meaningful look. “Condoms?”
“I got it covered.”
“Sounds like I’ll be saying that later.”
You laughed, playfully shoving at his shoulder. He looked pleased with himself and trotted to the front door. Hand on the doorknob, he glanced back to make sure you were behind him.
You whispered, “Wait,” and drew energy up your body. It had been so long since you’d obfuscated your presence to sneak around, you’d nearly forgotten it as an option. You laced your fingers with Eddie’s, including him in the silent bubble you created.
“Keep close and avoid making too much noise.”
He nodded before easing the door open.
A top-40s station played on the radio in the sunroom. Robin and Steve’s voices floated from the kitchen. They remained out of sight even after you gently shut the door.
You directed Eddie to the stairs and remained a tread behind him as you both climbed. Once on the second floor, you ushered him to his room. He left the door ajar and lights off. You padded to your room, pocketed the couple of condom packets you’d stolen days ago from Steve’s nightstand, and slunk to Eddie’s room.
He sat at the head of the bed, blanket hiding his lower half with his t-shirt covering the upper. You closed the door and locked it. By the meager light coming through the window, you found the nearest lamp and clicked it on.
“You okay?” you asked.
“Yeah, sure, fine, why?”
The sport coat and track pants draped across the armchair. The sneakers and socks lay jumbled by the bathroom door.
“Just asking.”
You crossed the room and set the condom packets on the nightstand at Eddie’s side. He remained motionless, hands hidden in the rumpled sheets. You perched at the edge of the bed while he stared at the condoms.
Something was off. He should be flirting or reaching for you. What had happened between kissing you, saying he couldn’t wait to be with you, and now? Most guys would be naked and panting like a dog for sex.
With a minute shrug, you said, “If you don’t want to…”
“No! No, I do. Trust me, I do.”
“But…?”
He exhaled.
“I don’t… You should know, I don’t look the same.”
“I’ve seen you in only a towel. I’m aware of what you look like.”
“That’s not up close and personal.”
“You think I’m going to run screaming from some scars?”
He said, “Look, baby, I’m a horror show under this,” and plucked at the t-shirt.
You let out an exasperated sound. “Are you trying to push me away? Again?”
“No—”
“Do you not want me?”
“Oh my god, I want you.” He scooted to you and cupped your face. “I’ve wanted you for weeks. Months!”
“Well, me too!” You held one of his wrists. “Anything you got under there is gonna work for me, okay?”
He scanned your face, gaze roaming from your eyes to your lips and back.
The protective blessing you’d placed in his handkerchief had failed you — and him. Your magic had been nothing compared to Vecna’s power. Eddie had pushed out the hivemind on his own. He was so much stronger than he gave himself credit for.
Through a constricted throat, you said, “Your blood soaked through your clothes.” Your eyes pricked with tears. “You di-died in front of me.”
Eddie leaned in, crushing your lips together. You forgot about tears and the feel of his blood thick between your fingers. He tilted your head. His lips, puffy and slick, glided across yours.
“I’m here,” he said, and kissed you again. “I’m right here.”
You kissed him in reply, letting your greed and relief guide you.
You shimmied your jacket off your shoulders. His hands went to your arms to help tug it off. You grinned into the kiss when the fabric caught on your forearms. He huffed, amused, before yanking at the sleeves. You shook your arms free and flung the jacket.
Planting a knee on the bed, you crowded him back onto the pillows. He put his hands at your waist and pulled you onto him. You straddled his hips, the linens bunching between you.
He hauled you up his body to tuck his face against your throat. He mouthed and bit at your neck, all hesitation thrown to the side. You encouraged him with a whimper and fingers gripping his hair. His soft lips left a fiery line as his hands grabbed your ass.
You arched your back. Your ribs pumped with every rapid breath.
“Wanna eat you alive,” he said. “Fuck, you taste so good.”
“Want you, too.”
Teeth scraped under your jaw, catching on the sore hickey there. You gasped, yet refused to shy away. Let him bite and draw blood. Let it hurt. You could heal yourself.
With a groan, he dug his teeth midway down your neck. The sting made your spine melt. His palms slid up your back, taking your shirt with them. Then he sucked, and you felt it between your legs.
You ground against him — as much as you could through the layers of fabric. You needed to feel his heat, taste his skin and scars. Because he was alive, and you were in his bed.
When he released your skin, sensation beyond pain, beyond heat, bloomed through your neck. It rang in your ears, fisted a groan from your lungs, stole your strength. He folded his rangy arms around you and grazed his lips over the spit-wet spot.
You closed your eyes with a hum.
He kissed you from jaw to cheek. He even kissed your chin. You curled to catch his lips in a languid kiss. It went aggressive in a handful of seconds. You couldn’t tell who set it in motion, but you’d follow it through with sucking on the tip of his tongue and biting his lip. He shivered and squirmed and held onto your waist.
You broke the kiss to leave him reeling.
“You’re mine, aren’t you?”
He nodded, eyes half-closed.
“Then let me take care of what’s mine.”
Again, he nodded.
You directed Eddie’s hands to the pillow, letting your fingertips linger on the silky insides of his forearms. His t-shirt sleeves slipped up to expose scarring on his upper arms. You pressed your lips to the delicate scar tissue.
He inhaled sharply.
You whispered, “It’s okay.”
He closed his eyes with a brief nod.
You kissed the scar on his jaw and the faint one at the side of his neck. He angled his chin to expose himself. In reward, you kissed his lips. His muscles unspooled. You brushed your thumbs over his cheekbones.
“I got you.”
“I know.”
You wiggled down his torso and sat up. Oh-so slowly, you skimmed your hands under his t-shirt to his sides. The jagged edge of a bigger patch on his torso peeked from under the t-shirt’s hem. The uneven texture of the scars didn’t feel ugly or rough. They were interesting, and you wanted to see them.
He clapped his hands over yours.
You met his uneasy gaze and waited, keeping your expression open. While you could offer platitudes or compliments, they’d ring hollow. He knew how you felt and how you viewed him. It was only a matter of time for him to gain confidence — or at least trust you.
His hold relaxed, then gradually drifted away.
You followed the taper of his torso until you held his undulating ribs. With the t-shirt bunched at his pecs, you could assess the havoc the bats had wrought. Beyond the patch on his lower torso was a line of bites and healed sutures on his left. A wedge of pink scar tissue defaced the right side of his ribs. Between the larger patches were claw and teeth marks.
You traced them with a light touch before looking at his face. His teeth dug into his lip as his gaze jumped from between your bodies to the side to your face and back again.
“So, this is the horror show you promised?” you asked with a playful look.
He frowned, mouth opening.
Before he spoke, you asked, “Can you feel my touch?”
He wet his lips and nodded.
“Yeah?”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
“You don’t—”
“No, I don’t whatever. I’m not grossed out.”
To prove your point, you bent to kiss the bite mark on his sternum. The satiny, pitted skin wasn’t disgusting. It was just skin — that smelled like him. You nudged the t-shirt higher to get at his left nipple. You teased it with your tongue, and he stilled. You pinched it between your teeth, and he arched against your lips. You soothed the tiny hurt with a kiss, and he gasped.
You inched the t-shirt higher until you propelled his arms up. He took over and snatched the t-shirt over his head. He dropped it beside the bed as you caressed his chest.
Only fragments of his demon-head and black-widow tattoos were visible around a darker scar. You followed the scar’s border with your fingers and pouted at the loss of the tattoos. Not because they were the most beautiful you’d ever seen, but because they’d been Eddie’s.
“You can have these redone.”
“Nah, I’d rather get a cover-up.”
You smiled before bending to pepper kisses on the scar.
“That’s going to be a big cover-up, honey.” You kissed your way from the scar to the dip of his throat. “Maybe I can hold your hand through it.”
He tilted his head back with a soft groan. You angled his chin to the side and sucked at the hot skin of his neck, giving him a faint hickey. You kissed your way up to his ear and sucked on the lobe.
With a near growl, he said, “God, I can’t—” and pulled you into a burning kiss.
You opened for him as he teased your tongue with his own. He kissed your hot cheeks and your forehead. His hands surged down your sides, then under your shirt. You straightened onto your knees and stripped off your shirt and bra. Your nipples puckered in the cooler air.
His hips jerked as his hands gripped your hips. He stared at your chest and licked his lips.
Instead of asking if he wanted to touch, because that seemed obvious, you bent and guided his hands to your breasts. You encouraged him to support them, squeeze them, while you watched his flushed face.
He circled your nipples with his thumbs, his touch graceful yet electrifying. A feeling like goosebumps trickled through your gut and had your thighs tensing. You curved into his caress in encouragement. Your underwear’s saturated cotton grazed your pussy, and you wished it was his cock.
Eddie held your ribs and rose to bury his face between your breasts. He mouthed at the valley between them and kissed the beginning swells. You held the back of his head. He sucked at one nipple, then the other. That goosebump feeling intensified until you were a quivering mess.
He undid your jeans, and your eyes popped open. He looked at you through his pretty lashes. There was a voracity in his dark gaze that said only you could slake his need — and you wanted to be the only one to do it, too.
“This okay?” he asked.
You nodded.
“Y-yeah.”
With no hesitation, his hand slithered between your stomach and underwear. It burned a line down the curve of your belly through your pubic hair. His middle and ring fingers glided between your wet folds. You gripped his shoulders, hard muscle moved under his skin.
The first long stroke to your clit had your nails digging into his skin and sucking air between your teeth. You couldn’t stop the tiny sound you made. He nibbled at your collarbone, teeth scraped your skin. You leaned your weight against him as your watery legs trembled. His free arm held you upright by the waist.
Rather than circle your clit, he kept stroking. The first wash of pleasure fueled you to move your hips counter to his fingers. His calluses pulled at the hood of your clit, then drove it down. He pressed harder, sparking a sensation deeper than your clit.
Your focus narrowed to your rising orgasm and the thought of his cock pumping deep inside your juicy cunt. You wanted to feel his strong hands restraining you, his sweat-slick skin on yours, and his lush mouth between your legs.
An animalistic keen left your throat at the jumble of images. Your heart hammered in your ears. You rode that knife-edge of climax. It was right there.
“C’mon, baby, fuck those fingers.”
You moaned, doing as he ordered, until ecstasy forced its way through you — so hard, so deep. The internal throb of it stole your strength as it went on and on. You crumbled, putting more of your weight on him. He held you without protest.
“Can feel it,” he said, petting your oversensitive clit.
You writhed in his arms and begged for something you couldn’t put words to. He kissed your throat as he lay still pressure on your clit. Your cunt pulsed strong enough that your hips moved of their own volition.
After a moment, he pulled his hand from your underwear and brought his fingers to his mouth. You sat on his thighs to watch him suck at his wet fingers. He hummed in satisfaction. Your cunt pulsed one last time, as though it hadn’t had enough.
Maybe it hadn’t.
He met your gaze and offered his flushed lips for a kiss. You cradled the back of his head and kissed him with unexpected fervor. You tasted the tang of your own come on his tongue. He held your face, sticky fingers on your cheek, and pushed into the kiss. You sucked your flavor off his bottom lip, pulling a moan from his chest.
“Take the rest off,” he said, falling onto his back.
“You too.”
He smirked.
“Not much more to go.”
You let your eyes track from his chest to the wrinkled lump of blanket covering his groin. Despite knowing, intimately, what was underneath, getting him naked continued to be a thrill.
“Good.”
He blushed, and his smirk softened.
You climbed off him to sit at the edge of the bed. You untied your Docs and wrenched them off. Your socks followed. Eddie kicked the blanket away. While he wiggled out of his briefs, you hooked your thumbs in your underwear and jeans, rising enough from the bed to slide them down your hips and off your legs.
You pivoted on a hip to find him reaching for a condom. His eyes went wide with a question. Or like you’d caught him doing something he shouldn’t. You bent a leg on the bed and plucked a condom from the pile before he could.
“You know,” you said, holding the condom like a cigarette between your fingers. “I think I need to get on the pill.” You got on all fours. “Or get an IUD, or something.”
Sounding on tenterhooks, he asked, “Why’s that?”
You crawled between his legs. He spread his thighs to make room for you.
“So I can have you raw.”
He let out a breath, cheeks reddening further, and wrapped a hand around the base of his cock. A thick bead of precome pearled at its slit.
“Would you like that, honey?”
“Shit, you know I would.”
You gave him a playful wink before hunching to lick the tip of his cock. He groaned through a smile, squeezing his cock. You savored the salty taste of him.
You tapped at the back of his hand.
“Let go.”
“I swear, I’m gonna blow in, like, ten seconds flat.”
You sat on your calves with a self-satisfied shrug. He needed to feel as good as he’d made you feel. If that happened quickly, that was fine with you because—
“We got all night,” you said, and tore open the condom packet.
He still hadn’t released his hold.
“Eddie, honey, let go.”
“Just—” He swallowed. “Get it halfway down first.”
You pulled out the lubed condom and discarded the wrapper. He bit his lip, looking as though you were about to perform surgery on him. Keeping your touch light and at the minimum, you pinched the tip of the condom and rolled it over his shaft until it met his fingers.
He shuddered with eyes closed and a crease between his brows.
You said, “Let go.”
He exhaled and thumped his fists to the bed. You wasted no time in rolling the condom the rest of the way down. He panted and keened. His cock twitched in your hand, but you wiped your palms on the sheets before he could embarrass himself.
With a gentle shush, you caressed his hips and ran your thumbs in the shallow groove of muscle on either side. You kept at it until his breathing slowed and tense thighs relaxed.
You maneuvered your knees on either side of him and balanced yourself with a hand on his chest.
“Ready?”
When he nodded, you reached between your bodies to brace his erection. You were so ready, so wet, for this. Even the feeling of the condom didn’t turn you off. You found your hole and eased onto his thick cock, inch by slick inch.
Once you settled, you had to give yourself a moment. You sat with hands on your thighs while you adjusted to the fullness. He felt perfect and delicious. You looked at Eddie to see him watching you, bottom lip between his teeth and fingers digging into the mattress. Emotion filled his bright eyes.
You wanted to soothe him, but if you moved, it would set off a chain reaction he’d been trying to suppress.
“Don’t think.”
Through gritted teeth, he said, “Trying not to.”
If you didn’t take the initiative, he would torture himself for the rest of the evening. You rotated your pelvis. The simple movement made you gasp. It had been so long, and you were so eager for this with him. Under you, he choked on a desperate sound.
“I can’t wait to feel you without any barriers,” you said, rotating your pelvis again. “Feel you come deep inside me.”
He grabbed your hips to propel your movements.
“I’ll fill you up,” he said.
You planted your hands on his chest with a groan and rode him like he wanted you to. You rose only to sink down a second later, never letting him slip out. His hands glided up your sides. With a hum, you encouraged him to touch you — touch you anywhere, everywhere. You couldn’t get enough of his cock, of his nimble hands, of his body tight against yours.
Your need ramped to a boiling fever, some thrilling sickness. You bent to kiss him, sucking on his lip and tongue, as you rolled your hips in a frantic rhythm. Your skin slapped against his, but it wasn’t enough. You hid your face in his shoulder and whimpered when you found no relief.
His arms looped across your back, as if you’d try to escape. Like you could get away from this desire.
You stilled in time for him to roll to the side and on top of you. He pushed his cock deep. You mewled, your thighs stretched around his hips.
His gaze roved over your features.
“I’m gonna fill your sweet pussy.”
You nodded.
He said, “I’ll make you come.”
You closed your eyes as you imagined it. Hands all over you, gripping you, going between your legs, holding you steady as he worked your body. Your cunt clenched at the image.
“Because you’re mine, too.”
You nodded once more.
He adjusted his stance, knees dipping into the mattress. He grasped one of your shoulders as you held onto his arms with shaking hands.
“Look at me and tell me you love me.”
You stared into his eyes. It was all written out there for you to see: no denial, no hiding, and no more doubt.
“I love you.”
He caught your lips and kissed you so thoroughly you forgot anything beyond him. His hold tightened. His hips minutely rocked. His heavy cock kindled that heat hidden inside.
You moaned against his lips and pulled at him. He needed to move. You’d been wanting him for what felt like years. You’d both gone through hell, seen oblivion, and returned to each other’s side. You needed him to move — now.
He buried his face in your neck, lips against the marks he’d left. The rocking of his hips descended into grinding, then full-out thrusting. He fucked you hard. His cock dragged at the underside of your aching clit. The bed springs whined every time he bottomed out.
You couldn’t catch your breath as his thrusts became desperate. He yanked at your hair to bare your throat. His long hair — that smelled of your shampoo — veiled your humid face.
He kissed his marks and murmured something you couldn’t make out. You agreed anyway. He groaned in reply, driving you down while he thrust up. The sheets stuck to the sweat on your back. His hips snapped forward over and over, his cock ramming deep. You tried your best to move with him, but he was too fast.
Then you couldn’t move at all. Your belly quivered and your thighs tensed. His cock was too much. You strained against him, with him, until that fever broke. You shook in his arms. Your jaw clenched. Orgasm burned through you like a geyser. It sizzled up your spine. You couldn’t catch your breath. Hot tears trickled over your temples in rapturous agony.
Eddie fucked you through it, holding you tight. Your cunt throbbed and clamped around his pistoning length. He cursed in needy growls until he seized, breathless. His voice cracked. His thrusts slowed, yet remained fierce, as his cock pulsed with each thrust.
He stuttered a jumble of cut-off thoughts, all of them flattering and loving. You grinned and wrapped your arms around his shoulders, hugging his sides with your thighs. He mouthed at your neck lazily.
After a tranquil moment, he kissed you, gentle yet demanding. You felt him — every bit of him. His lips tasted of salt. His hands sheltered and cradled. His gaze warmed you. You could only respond in kind. He melted as you smoothed his hair away from his flushed, glowing face.
He kissed you one more time before steadying the condom and slipping out of you.
You relaxed, allowing your tired limbs to sink to the bed. He rolled to the side and dropped the condom on the heap of his dirty clothes. You wrinkled your nose, but didn’t comment. He flopped beside you and pillowed his head on a bent arm. The heating system kicked on. Your sweat cooled as you contemplated getting out of bed. Instead, you tucked your feet between the folds of the blanket.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Eddie said.
You hummed in acknowledgement and glanced at him.
“I was thinking, and you might not be into this, but you want to go to LA? With me?”
You stared at the ceiling.
Los Angeles: broken glass glittering in gutters, live music every night, fluttering neon, cars with their tops down, a bland apartment with a mattress on the floor, your feet warmed by sunshine as you read the newspaper’s entertainment section, Eddie writing songs at the kitchen table.
A smile spread across your face.
“Hell yeah.”
36 notes · View notes
queers-gambit · 2 years
Text
Don't You (Forget About Me)
prompt: after the gruesome events in the Upside Down, our heroes try to settle into "normal life" again; and Eddie confronts his mother to bargain for custody of his little brother.
pairing: Eddie Munson x female reader
fandom masterlist: Stranger Things
note: big brother!Eddie has me in a small chokehold right now. and repost because i'm back in the tags, bay-bay!
word count: 8.9k
warnings: AU where Eddie lives (as he should've but whatever), cursing, toxic family dynamics, abusive and destructive behavior, confrontation of a shitty fucking parent, mild violence, mild drug use, angst with comfort, not edited, reposted because Tumblr's lessening our beef [sorry to those who are seeing this again]. ✅ no spoilers
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The mornings were the most peaceful. The sun was just breaching the horizon, birds chirping incessantly, and the sun's heat hasn't had a chance to really fry the Earth's surface yet. Summer provided many comforts; for one, the fact that there were hardly any responsibilities after graduation.
After you all had gone to war with Vecna and the Upside Down, Eddie was severely wounded, and it was a chore just to get him to a hospital; giving him a fighting chance. Naturally, the staff had heard rumors of the Munson Murderer, but their duty was to provide medical assistance to anyone in need - even a "serial killer".
The severity of his injuries left Eddie in a medically induced coma, and in that time, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the FBI, released a press conference that cited "confounding evidence" that Edward Munson was not the Hawkins serial killer. They offered no other explanation other than to clear Eddie's name, and when he woke up, he was a free man.
There were months of rehab, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, but you were right there through it all. Your hand in his, tissues at the ready to wipe his tears, encouraging him to keep going, and of course, lying in bed with him, hand in his hair, reading The Hobbit out loud for the nights he needed soft comforting.
When he was released from the hospital, the government had offered a substantial amount of "hush money" that left both you and Eddie more than well-off, per the contingency of never speaking the truth of the Upside Down. It left financial room for you both to buy a small house with three bedrooms, a full basement, walkable attic, and a kitchen that made your heart stop.
It left money for you and Eddie to buy a rundown garage, and update it to the point of function for Eddie to work out of; and for you to think about your next move into college to prepare yourself to become a grade schoolteacher.
The master bedroom was yours and Eddie's room. It was possibly bigger than the entire floorspace of his trailer and Eddie was briefly confounded over what to even do with the space.
After Gate One left his trailer in shambles, there were only a few things he and his uncle were to salvage; more personal affects and memorabilia decorating your room. You wanted him to feel as if this was his home, too; so, you often took Eddie to the thrift store or Goodwill to do some extra shopping. Soon, your house felt more like a home.
The second bedroom was for Wayne. Located on the main landing, it was spacious for the aging man to settle in, and the money you and Eddie had meant he didn't need to work any longer. He still wanted to but didn't need to worry about the financial standpoint. Instead, Eddie pushed him into doing something Wayne's apparently always been interested by gardening. Yeah, so, Wayne Munson picked up a job at the local botanical nursery and honestly? He just looked brighter and healthier (and younger) doing a job he genuinely loved.
Occasionally, he'd help out in Munson's Garage, but he was much more content with his hands in dirt than in grease and oil.
The third room was up for discussion. Originally, it was to be a guest room for any party members that came to visit. But Eddie thought the basement was a better fit, so, you spent time renovating it to make it as cozy as possible. This meant the third bedroom was up for grabs, and Eddie had an idea for it.
As previously stated, mornings were peaceful, and that morning in particular started out earlier than normal. You felt Eddie tossing and turning all night; trying to settle him by cuddling close and letting him be the little spoon but the boy couldn't lay still. You eventually shuffled to your side of the bed in the hopes of even an hour's rest, leaving Eddie to stressful worry.
Cracking your eyes open, you noted the bedside alarm clock glaring red numbers at you: 4:54 am.
"Eddie," you groaned, turning over and sinking your head to his chest, where you could feel his heartbeat thumping erratically. "Please, baby, just try to relax. Still got another few hours."
"I can't, peaches, I'm trying..." he whispers, one arm moving around your waist tightly. "I'm sorry for waking you," he pecked your forehead gently.
You sighed, "You didn't. I could practically hear you overthinking." It was quiet for a beat, your voice clearing of sleep just a decimal, "You wanna talk about it, angel?"
The silent morning stretched around you, sun not yet peaking, and the wildlife just starting to wake up. Eddie sighed deeply and let his fingers dance across your bare ribs, "Just nervous."
"Understandably," You nodded against his skin, turning your head to peck his neck and then snuggle back into his vice embrace. "But we're not leaving for another few hours, baby, just try and get some rest. Hmm?"
"I can't stop thinking, peaches."
You nodded, "Wanna tell me what you're thinking about?"
The silence prolonged as you waited; gingerly letting your fingernail trace patterns over his tattooed chest. "What if... What if she says no?"
You knew this could be a very real possibility, but you both still had to try. Well, all three of you - since Wayne insisted on being in attendance. "Then we'll just keep showing her the facts, my love," you tried to assure, but truthfully, you were just as nervous as your hand slid up to caress his cheek and rest against his jaw. Eddie hadn't seen his mother in fucking years, nor his brother in the past 2, and he was going to ask her to relinquish custody of Teddy to him.
Now that Eddie was over 18, he prayed it shouldn't be much of an issue. And with your combined financials, you both decided you could afford to care for Teddy and get him out of Thelma's guardianship. If the stories were true, and based on both Eddie's and Wayne's recollections, they were, then the woman should see no issue in giving her youngest a chance at a better life.
However, you knew what drugs did to a person's mind. It warped your father's mind when you were growing up, and after meeting Eddie when you were 14, you realized that kind of behavior wasn't normal. So, when Eddie confessed in the hospital that he wanted to get Teddy out of Thelma's grasp, you easily agreed. You prayed there was time to show Teddy that life wasn't all about a drug-addicted parent you had to take care of - and who better to show the rambunctious youngin' the ropes of life than his equally rambunctious older brother?
Teddy was around the same age Eddie had been when Thelma first ran off, disappearing for years, before resurfacing with a new baby on her hip. She was in and out from that moment on, but Eddie made it a priority to see his little brother as often as he could.
When Thelma's addiction reached a new height, it was harder to see the child.
Now that everything with Vecna and the Upside Down had finally ended and Eddie was stronger, working out of the garage four days a week, he figured there was no better time than the present.
Eddie was unusually quiet, choosing to let his fingers drift over your bare skin as his thoughts became consuming. "All right," you sighed finally, sitting up in the new mattress you'd bought. "C'mon, baby, let's go."
"Go where?" he sighed, watching you stretch your arms above your head and trying not to flinch when your shoulders popped. You smiled when you turned to look back at him: shirtless, laid on bright, soft sheets, hair spread around him like a frizzy halo.
"To make breakfast," you encouraged, turning at the waist to lean down and peck his lips. "C'mon, cooking usually distracts you - let's go make Wayne a big ol' meal."
"Or we could lay here?"
"You've been laying here all night, angel, and it's not doing you any good. C'mon," you encouraged again, pressing a longer kiss to his lips, "it'll help pass the time. Maybe I'll let you smoke a joint in the kitchen, hmm?"
He smirked lightly, "Oh, pullin' all the stops out, are you? Never let me smoke in the house."
"Mhm, I know, I'm spoiling you," you teased with a small giggle. Your feet found purchase on the mattress as you stood above him, leaning down to seize his wrists and yank backward, groaning, "C'mooonnnn! Fuck, why're you so heavy!?"
It made Eddie chuckle before steeling his arms and yanking you down on top of him with a yelp. Your knees planted on either side of his hips, resting on his lap as his hands laid on your bare thighs. His smile was lazy and light, your hands smoothing up his chest before resting around his neck, so your chest was pressed to his.
"You know you're the best thing that's happened to me, right?" he asked quietly, letting his hands drag up to rest on your back.
The sentiment made your heart lighten, smiling at him, "Mhm, I do know. So long as you know you're my favorite thing in this life."
"Yeah, so you've mentioned," he teased lightly.
"It's gonna work out, angel," you spoke seriously. "Hear me? We're gonna work this all out."
He nodded slowly, "You're so sure."
"I have enough faith for us both," you spoke softly, stretching slightly to peck his lips again. You sighed and deflated against him; face pressed into his neck to inhale his scent. "My precious boy."
He chuckled, "Know I don't like that nickname."
"Yeah, but it makes you blush," you grinned devilishly, hand blindly raising to poke his cheek. "Are you gonna get up and have a nice morning with me, or do you wanna lay in bed, anxious, and overthinking everything?"
He groaned, "Why you gotta word it like that?"
"Because you're stubborn," you winked, lifting off him again. Eddie grunted from behind you as you turned for the closet, opening the doors to tug a soft robe on over your shoulders. As the belt was tied, Eddie's hands slid around your waist to press against your back; resting there for a moment as you lifted a hand back to pet over his cheek. "It's gonna be okay, baby, I promise," you whispered, other hand pressing against his arm around your waist to squeeze.
"Yeah," Eddie breathed, "so long as I've got you, I can't lose."
"Hm," you breathed, "you'll never be without me, baby."
"Yeah," he sighed, leaning in to kiss your neck. "All right," he whispered with a sigh, leaning back to let you tug your hair from under the tied-off robe that protected your negligee-clad body from the coolness of the morning. "You feelin' waffles or pancakes this morning?"
"Wayne likes French toast," you smiled, half-watching him tug a pair of black-and-red plaid pajama bottoms up and remaining shirtless.
"Always spoiling him," Eddie teased, grabbing an old Altoid tin that housed his joints and a metal Zippos lighter from the desk.
"Well, he raised my most favorite human," you hummed with a smile, both exiting the bedroom to head for the kitchen. "Least I can do is give the man whatever meals he wants."
Eddie chuckled and planted himself against the kitchen counter as you busied yourself getting everything together. Here's a well-kept Hawkins secret: Edward Munson was sinful in the kitchen. The years of neglect made him resourceful, and the boy knew his way around ingredients. He stopped cooking as much because Wayne worked nights, meaning there was no real reason to whip up any meals.
So, he resorted to take-out and drive thru's until he met you - and then his passion was reignited. So, he watched you pull ingredients out while getting the joint lit at the end; turning to unlock and open the kitchen window as you turned the fan on to help vent the smoke out. "All right, peaches," Eddie spoke softly, handing you the joint. "Step back a sec," he smiled, letting his hands press to your hips and tug you out of the way.
He helped push you up onto the counter before taking over the entire kitchen; radio switched on to play a few tunes in the background. You watched him move, scars from the fight in the Upside Down flexing from the strain of reaching for certain utensils. The heat in the kitchen crept higher but the cooling breeze from the open window and circulating fan blades helped keep things temperate, but the moment Eddie turned to you with a few bites of his scrambled eggs on fork prongs, you realized it wasn't the stove making you sweat.
Your legs opened a little more to let Eddie slot between them, leading the fork to your mouth as you took the bite and crossed your ankles behind his thighs. You hummed in appreciation, nodding as your eyes fluttered dramatically, "It's so good, baby, wow."
"Yeah?" he chuckled, watching you chew as he set the fork to the side. "Does it need more salt?"
"Hm, no," you assured, swallowing. "It's perfect."
"Liar." You perked a brow, him grinning, "I know you like more cheese on your eggs."
"Maybe we spend too much time together, you know me a little too well."
"'Cause I know how you like your eggs?"
"Mhm," you winked, letting your arms straighten to rest along his shoulders; hands tangling into the hair at the base of his neck. "You look like you're feeling better."
"Cooking helps," he whispered, sighing slightly as he leaned into you enough to make your arms bend. "What time do we have to leave?"
You glanced at the clock, bringing Eddie in closer to rest your cheek on his forehead. You sighed lightly, "In about an hour and a half."
Eddie whined lowly in his throat, allowing you to pull him all the closer to he was resting on your shoulder. Your hand rose to gently pet over the back of his head, soothing in your motions as he shifted on his feet to pull you over the counter; forcing you as close as possible. When you heard a muffled sniffle, your heart shattered.
"We've gotta get him back," Eddie whispered.
"We're not leaving unless Teddy's with us," you promised, pulling Eddie back to stare into his eyes. "Hear me? We're not giving up on him, and we're gonna get Teddy - he's gonna be safe with us, okay?"
You didn't know Wayne hesitated before the kitchen doorway, listening as Eddie sniffled again and agreed, "Yeah. Yeah, uh... Totally."
"Angel, this is all gonna work out, okay?"
"Okay."
"You don't sound convinced but that's okay," you assured softly with a knowing smile. "'Cause I got enough faith for us both, you hear me? So, you just... You just focus on what you're gonna say, and the rest is gonna be handled. You're not going at this alone, Eddie, you're with Wayne and I - and you know we're not gonna let anything happen to you, okay?" He nodded, more tears swelling. You whispered with your forehead resting on his, "She can't hurt you anymore, Eddie, and we're going to make sure she can't hurt Teddy either, okay?"
"Yeah," he wept, pulling away to wipe his tears with a feverous nod. "Okay, y-yeah."
"Okay, good," you chirped. "Now, I'm gonna set the table if you wanna wake Wayne up?"
"C-Can we just," Eddie paused, whispering, "can we just pause? For a second, just... Just you and me for one more minute?"
"Whatever you need, baby, I'll give to you," you whispered, pulling him in for a tight hug as your own emotion was clawing at your chest and throat. "We're gonna be okay. I promise..."
You knew Eddie hated that phrase because next to never did anyone ever keep their promises to him. But then you happened, and Eddie knew you'd rather break your back than ever not fulfill your promises; knowing that if you promised it'd be okay, then it would be okay.
Wayne cleared his throat after taking a few steps back; allowing the two young adults to get their emotions in check by the time he was entering the large kitchen. "Morning, all," he greeted, smiling lightly at you as Eddie had turned to start dishing everything from the stove. "How'd, uh... How'd you sleep, honey?"
You smiled, "Pretty okay. How was your night, Wayne?"
He nodded, glancing at Eddie's back before answering, "Uh, you know, long. Just couldn't sleep that well, real nervous."
You nodded in understanding, "Ed's pretty nervous, too."
"Yeah?" Wayne nodded, clapping his nephew on his shoulder. "It's gonna work out, son, I know it will."
"Yeah," Eddie whispered.
Breakfast was dished up and you three sat together, Wayne and you doing most of the talking to save Eddie from stuttering over his own words. His nerves were growing the longer time went, bouncing his knee and picking at his fingernails while you cleaned up the kitchen. When the time ticked closer, you encouraged everyone to get ready and with your hand wrapped around Eddie's, you fell into a rhythm in your room.
Eddie had all too easily tugged his pants off before jumping into a pair of black, ripped jeans; a simple black tee shirt tossed on over his torso. He laced up his trusted, white Reeboks before opening one of the windows and lighting another joint.
You watched him from your ensuite bathroom stressfully smoke. His knee bounced rapidly, and his eyes stared unblinkingly to the wall as his fingers trembled.
Once ready, you laced on your Converse before approaching his side; sliding your hand across his shoulder blades and all but basically pressing a button that opened him up. Eddie didn't even glance up at you, he just leaned back and opened his arms to let you sit across his lap and take the joint from his fingers.
"You know, this kills," you mentioned, pulling smoke into your lungs before exhaling through the opened window.
"We wouldn't be so lucky," he teased, sighing as his arm anchored around your waist. "It's time?"
"Yeah, but if you need another minute or two, that's okay, angel."
Eddie nodded and tugged you closer, pressing a kiss to your neck as you slumped against his chest. After taking another hit, you handed the roach back to him and just waited. With the added weight of your body, he couldn't shake his leg like he was; opting to cracking a few fingers before sighing, stubbing out the roach, and wrapping both arms around you.
"It's gonna work out, right?" he muttered.
"Course it is," you assured, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
You all three piled into your car; knowing the two men with you were far too distracted to genuinely focus on driving and while you loved them, and you trusted them with your life, but maybe not in this case. So, you drove, and Wayne rode shotgun after Eddie assured he should before taking the back seat.
He nervously fiddled with an old stuffie, a faded-green dragon that Eddie won for Teddy at a carnival. He had tears in his eyes as he gently pet the toy, trying to distract himself by staring at the passing landscape.
Thelma Munson had moved to a suburb outside of Indianapolis, marking this a bit of a car ride but for Wayne and Eddie, it was borderline torture. You tried to keep the music low, but it was obvious neither of the men could hear the words; both lost in their own minds and leaving you to go over what you knew in your mind.
Thelma was an aggressive drug addict and all three of you knew it wasn't going to be easy to get her to listen. You knew she didn't have a single bone in her body that loved her children more than she loved drugs and alcohol. You knew she was the cause of some burn marks on Eddie's skin. You knew she was part of the reason that Eddie's father, Gregory Munson, was incarcerated - yet never understood how she didn't go down with him.
You knew she abandoned Eddie at home for a full week when he was 10 until he found a way to climb up onto an old desk and find the phone number for his Uncle Wayne.
You knew Thelma never called or checked on him after that.
You knew that Eddie actually had a bit of a better relationship with his father, Greg, then he did with his mother. And the man was in prison, for God's sake! You knew he was arrested years ago, and months after that, Thelma was showing up again with Teddy in her arms. Nobody ever knew if Greg was the father, and you knew she'd never tell the full truth.
You knew it confused and hurt Eddie, and you knew you'd do anything to prevent him from suffering further.
By the time you pulled up to a more... Run-down trailer park, you could feel the tension in the car brew to a new height. There was debris in the yard; an old, broken-down Chevy left in the grass, yard looking like it hadn't been mowed in months. Beer cans littered the front porch, and much to your heartbreak, there was a blow-up kiddie pool to the side, sputtering hose leaking browned-water into the plastic, and a wild-haired 9-year-old child sitting in the middle of it, playing with a plastic dinosaur toy.
"Teddy," Eddie breathed in shock, the end of the summer heat forcing the child to seek refuge in the sludge water.
"Hang on," you halted him from running for his brother. "Hang on, baby, we've gotta do this cautiously. Look, why don't you two go talk to Thelma and I'll get Teddy cleaned up?"
Wayne nodded, slapping a hand to Eddie's shoulder, "C'mon, son. She's got this."
You nodded in encouragement to your boyfriend when his sad eyes met yours. "Thank you," he whispered, leaning forward to kiss your forehead. "We won't be long."
You nodded, "I'll get him dried off and then inside to change, okay?"
He nodded, breathing out, "Yeah... Yeah, um... W-Wayne and I can handle Thelma."
"Baby, do you want me to go instead?" You offered in worry. "I-I'm sure Wayne can grab Teddy, right?"
Wayne nodded, "Anything that works, we can do that."
"No, uh... No, it's okay, it might be better with Wayne and I at first," Eddie cleared his throat. "You'll tell him why we're here, right?"
You shared a look with Wayne, "I-Is that such a good idea?"
"Kid deserves to know," Wayne assured, nodding. "I didn't have to twist Thelma's arm for Eddie, but I'm not gonna leave Teddy here alone. He's coming with us," Wayne nodded at Eddie, who smiled with relief.
"Then I'll get him ready," you nodded, leaning in close to Eddie. "Hey," you hand tightened in his, "it's gonna be okay. Just remember we're doing this for Teddy, okay?"
"I know," he sighed.
"But if you feel the need to rip her a new one for what she did to you, we'd all understand," you tried to smile but the harsh gulp assured you he was thinking about it. "Do what you need to, baby."
He nodded, whispering, "Thanks, peaches."
Wayne nodded at you and steered Eddie towards the trailer's door. You took a deep breath and watched them knock, waiting a moment as the door wrenched open and revealed a thin woman with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth. Her eyes, the very same as Eddie's, widened in shock.
"Edward?" she asked.
"Hi, Thelma," Eddie nodded back, hands shoving into his front pockets. "Got a sec?"
"For you, my boy? Of course, yeah, yeah - " She choked herself when her eyes cut over to Wayne. "Hmm... Wayne."
"Thelma," he gruffly greeted, opening the screen door and letting Eddie pass into the 'home' first.
Shaking off your nerves, you ventured around the trailer towards the kiddie pool. "Hi, Teddy," you greeted gently, smiling at the little boy.
He gasped your name and shot out from the water, rocketing straight into your arms after catching himself from slipping in the muddy lawn. "You're here!" Teddy beamed up at you. "Mommy said she had a surprise for me for my birthday, but I thought..."
"Whatcha think, honey boy?" you smiled, lowering yourself into a squat; reaching over to a lone, overturned chair and pulling the towel off it.
"Well, I-I thought... I just thought she forgot, like usual," Teddy frowned, letting you dry his skin of murky water. "But now you're here and I know she didn't."
Your heart shattered, and you explained, "Well, um, actually, honey boy, I'm here with your Uncle Wayne and big brother."
"Eddie's here?" The kid's face glowed in excitement.
"Mhm, he's inside talking to your Mom."
"Why?"
"What do you mean?"
"He doesn't talk to her," Teddy frowned. "He doesn't like talking to her."
"No, but that's okay," you nodded, ruffling his stringy hair. "Because he's in there talking to your Mom, and wanna know what they're talking about?"
"What?"
"You coming to live with us," you nodded, blinking slowly. "Does that sound like something you'd like?"
"I-I'd get to come live with you and Eddie?"
"And Uncle Wayne, mhm," you nodded, booping the end of his nose.
"Wow," he grinned. "Sounds like a sleepover! Is it for my birthday?"
"Well, it'd be for longer than your birthday," you nodded. "It'd be permanent, buddy. You'd come live with me, Eddie, and Wayne; you wouldn't live here with your Mom anymore."
"But who would take care of Mommy?"
"Well, your Mommy's been really good at taking care of herself," you nodded.
"But she forgets to make dinner a lot," he argued.
Your heart split down the middle, "Do you cook?"
"Mhm."
"Well, if you come live with us, you wouldn't have to worry about that. Your big brother and I would take care of you."
"But Mommy would be alone."
"Is she alone now?"
"No," Teddy frowned, toeing the mud beneath us. "S-She has friends that come over a lot..."
"Are they nice friends?"
"No," he admitted, "they like to yell at me... Sometimes they lock me out."
"They lock you out?"
"Uh-huh," he nodded again.
"And you sleep out here?"
"Uh-huh, Mommy says it's okay. She says it's like camping."
"So, you cook for Mommy, and she lets your friends lock you out?"
"Yeah, but not always," he nodded. "Sometimes they let me sleep in Mommy's room, but I can't get out."
"Oh, sweetheart," you sighed, finishing drying him off and wrapping the towel around him tightly. "Well, I'll tell you that if you don't wanna go, we can't force you, but we're here to take you home, buddy. I understand not wanting to leave your Mommy, but if you want to, you can come with us."
"But where would Mommy go?"
"I don't know, baby, but she's more than welcome to come visit," you assured. "Your big brother just wants to make sure you're safe and taken care of. You're way too young to take care of yourself and your Mommy."
"So... I could really come live with you?"
"And see your brother every single day," you smiled. "Wanna go see him now?"
"Yeah," Teddy grinned, keeping the towel bundled around him to take your hand. You lead him inside the trailer slowly, looking around cautiously as you noted the defensive positions taken.
Wayne was in the kitchen, glaring at the woman who was standing in front of her eldest son, who's head was bowed from his seat on the couch.
"EDDIE!" Teddy beamed, rushing forward as his towel dropped and sending himself into Eddie's chest.
"Woah!" Eddie grunted when the boy launched into his arms. He chuckled, a genuine smile on his lips, "Hey, buddy! Man! You've gotten so big! Look at you!"
"I grew!"
"I can see!" Eddie chuckled, pulling back and looking at Teddy. His eyes scanned over the skinny arms and legs, heart plummeting to his feet. "Not growin' anywhere else, are you?" He frowned.
"He's fine," Thelma snapped in anger.
"He's malnourished!" Eddie snapped back, glaring up at her. "I thought with me, it was a fluke, and you just weren't ready. But with him? It's a fucking pattern, Thelma!"
"Hey, hey," you tried to step in, Teddy turning to grip your legs in fear of the elevated voices. "Let's not do this in front of him - "
"Oh, and this is your little bitch you want to mother my son instead!?" Thelma roared, gesturing at you as you pulled the boy closer.
Eddie shot up from his seat, "Don't you dare say a word about her!"
"She's a child - like you are, Edward! Neither of you can take care of another child!"
"Yeah? Think we'd do a helluva lot better job than you!" Eddie argued.
"C'mon, kid," Wayne muttered, trying to direct you from the trailer.
"No, hang on, take Teddy," you turned to push the kid into Wayne's embrace. "We'll pack for him, just stay out there."
"You're not taking my kid!" Thelma raged when Wayne stepped out of the trailer.
"You're not keeping him!" Eddie snapped. "You've run out of time, Thelma, it's done! You never wanted to be a mother but couldn't keep out of trouble, and you know who suffered? I did! I suffered for your mistakes, and your incompetence!"
"I'm doing better with Teddy!"
You scoffed, earning the attention, repeating, "Better? I can literally see a heroin needle from here."
"What?" Eddie paled, looking at you in shock - and suddenly, you wish you never said something. "Where? Peaches, where?" You gulped and pointed to the end table across the room, Eddie charging up to it and spilling contents to the ground as his shaking hands tried to grab the needle. Thelma rushed after him, pounding on his back as Eddie revealed a syringe in his hand. You shifted nervously as Eddie turned his murderous gaze to the woman behind him, who was stumbling back a few steps.
A moment later, he was pulling a little baggie of dark brown powder from a metal tin and letting his tears fall.
"Eddie, i-it's not what - I swear it's not what it looks like!"
"No, hey," you snapped, stepping forward and preventing the woman from approaching Eddie again, "you're close enough, back the hell off."
"You little bitch - "
"You're using again?" Eddie asked rhetorically, turning with the evidence in his hands. His eyes were red and full of tears, but they weren't falling - not over her, anymore. "You're putting him through what you put me through?"
"It's not as bad - "
"Is that why you lock him out of his own home, so you can get high with your other junkie friends?" You sneered, cocking your head.
"This is family business - you're not - "
"She's more family than you ever were," Eddie snapped. "You don't get to talk to her that way - she's gonna be my wife, and you don't have the right!" He glared for a second longer before sighing and looking at you, "Now, peaches, what're you talking about?"
"Teddy told me," you spoke to the woman, aware of the man behind you, "that you have friends come over, and he's locked outside all night."
"I didn't know - "
"Really? Lie again, and we're not hesitating to call the police," you sneered. "Your son told me you're fine with it since it's like camping - or at least, that's what you tell him. But what do you tell him when he's locked in your bedroom? When he can't get out? Do you tell him why you forget his birthdays?"
"Wait - wait - wait. You lock him up? In a room?" Eddie seethed, dropping the needle and baggie to the table.
"He cooks for her, too," you added on, ignoring the pathetic crocodile tears that fell from her red-rimmed, sunken eyes. "I can't imagine what else we'll find out when we have longer than 5 minutes to talk."
Eddie took a sobering breath before speaking scarily calmly, "I'm gonna take my girl, and we're gonna pack up Teddy's room. You can go say goodbye, but only with Wayne there. We can work out a visitation schedule, but you're done here. You hear me? You're done. I'm leaving with my little brother, and if you try to stop us, we will be calling the police - and should you need the extra threat, we're friends with the Chief of Police of Hawkins and he'll make sure you're put away. Do I make myself clear?"
Thelma let the tears dry and just glared, nodding slowly, "Think you're a man now, huh? Just like your Daddy - thinkin' too big for your britches."
"As far as I'm concerned, it was you who taught me my most valuable life lesson," Eddie nodded, letting his hand rest around your waist. "That you never abandon family - you come back for them."
"So, this is how you wanna end things?" Thelma sneered. "This is how you wanna do it? Gonna take my boy and run? Like your Daddy always did? Always running?"
"Yeah," Eddie refused to entertain her anymore. "This is how I want it to end. You're welcome to visit Teddy, but you better call first; because other than him, there's no reason for any of us to interact." A quiet moment, then Eddie spoke softer, "Peaches, you mind telling Wayne the update?"
"Yeah," you nodded at him, glancing nervously between him and his mother. "S-Should I grab Teddy something to change into?"
"No, it's okay," he assured, rubbing your waist subtly, "we'll take him to a real pool, with clean water." You nodded in agreement, pulling away slowly because you weren't sure about leaving him alone. He picked up on your hesitance, assuring, "'S all right, peaches, just come back when you're done."
You didn't want to, but you turned for the front door and pushed out of it. Wayne and Teddy were waiting by the car, the boy sat on the hood as his uncle showed him a card trick.
"Hey," you smiled at the pair as you approached. "Um, Eddie's just wrapping things up, but then your Mommy's gonna come out and say goodbye, okay?" You nodded at Teddy. "Eddie and I are gonna pack some of your things up."
"Mommy's letting me leave?"
You gulped, "Yeah, buddy, she just wants you to have a better chance. But how about, when we get back, we go for a real swim - hm?"
"Okay," Teddy beamed.
"Hang tight, buddy, for just one second," you held a finger up to the boy and patted Wayne's shoulder; stepping away a few feet.
"What's really going on?" Wayne muttered.
"Eddie and I found some drugs, so, she's using again. Eddie didn't give her a choice, told her we're taking Teddy and if she wants to visit, she can - but she has to call first."
Wayne nodded sadly, "He's had to grow up too much."
"He's handling it as well as he can," you sighed. "But he doesn't want her and Teddy alone, so, when she comes out to say goodbye, don't leave them alone, okay?"
"I'm on it, honey," he assured, nodding at you.
After thanking Wayne and ruffling Teddy's hair, you made for the trailer again. But you wished you hadn't left them at all, as Eddie was pressed painfully against the kitchen counter, both hands restraining his mother's wrists.
Your eyes caught the flash of a blade and you lunged, wrapping your arms around the woman and yanking her to the floor. You yelped when the blade caught the skin of your forearm, dropping the woman's weight and stumbling back a step.
"Shit," you hissed, pressing your hand to the wound, and hating the feeling of blood bubbling under your fingers.
"Holy fuck," Eddie seethed, grabbing a tea towel, and wrapping it around the wound. "Oh, my God, are you okay? Shit, baby, no, I'm so sorry - th-this wasn't supposed to happen."
"Hey, hey, it's okay," you assured, shooting a glare at the woman still on the floor; knife pushed away from her. "Better me than you, right? Was she - Jesus Christ, was she trying to stab you?"
"Think so," he breathed, pulling you to his chest. "She's angry."
"No excuse," you snapped, glaring at the woman. "Gonna fuck off and let us work now?"
"I'm not letting you take my son," she sneered, pathetically sprawled on the dirty linoleum floor. "You took Eddie - fine! You can keep him! But you're not taking Theodore!"
"Teddy's obviously not safe here!"
"Hang on," Eddie muttered, reaching for the wall phone. He silently punched in a number you knew well, hearing his mother's breathing pick up.
"W-Who is he calling!?"
But nobody answered as Eddie was listening to the dial tone, and then, "Hi, Mary. Is Chief Hopper in? It's, uh, it's Eddie Munson... Yes, ma'am, yeah, stayin' outta trouble, but this was kinda unavoidable. Is he in? Yeah... Mhm... Okay, thanks, yeah, I'll wait." Thelma's eyes widened as she realized who Eddie was speaking to, and a moment later, he was continuing, "Hey, Jim, sorry for calling out of the blue. But uh... We've got a bit of a situation here."
You listened to him explain the rescue mission gone wrong; how drugs were found, and how his mother attacked you with a knife after trying to stab him. Hopper assured he'd be there soon, and Eddie hung up.
"Hopper's gonna be here soon, so, why don't we all just wait for him, hmm?" He offered Thelma, pulling you back into his embrace.
It took several long minutes to push Thelma out of the door, but even then, she just glared at you three surrounding Teddy at the car. When Hopper pulled up, she refused to utter a single word. Hopper checked out your arm and made sure Eddie was okay, before turning to the strung-out woman.
It was incredible the way the cop car sent all trailer park residents scattering into their homes; curtains pulled back to peer out of dingy windows as Jim Hopper menacingly stared Thelma Munson down.
She eventually caved and let you and Eddie into her home to pack up Teddy's room. And Eddie cried while you both worked because the boy barely had anything; just two duffels worth of clothes and shoes and a backpack full of school supplies, and memorabilia.
Outside, Thelma outright refused to look at anyone. Her arms were crossed as Hopper wrapped your forearm and made sure everyone was okay before getting in his car. He waited for you guys as Teddy was sobbing for him Mommy - begging her to look at him - to hug him - to say goodbye.
But she refused to move. Refused to look at him.
"C'mon, buddy, it's okay," Eddie sighed, stooping low to pull his brother into his arms and stand. "It's okay, it's okay... She didn't say goodbye to me either. It's okay, I got you. Hey, I'm here now, I got you. Never leaving, buddy, I'm here for you."
Hopper led you all back home to Hawkins; Wayne driving your car as you took the passenger seat, listening to Eddie comfort his brother in the backseat. The child was a wreck, confused and hurt by his own mother, gasping for breath before thanking Eddie for "coming back and rescuing" him.
Wayne wiped a few subtle tears and when you got home, you left the Munson's to get Teddy settled as you made a phone call. When Teddy was unpacked (which took all of 30 minutes), the three slowly trickled out to finish giving Teddy a tour of the house.
The poor boy was in one of Eddie's tee shirts to combat the cold, but you grinned at them when they filtered into the kitchen.
"Uh oh," Eddie teased, nudging his brother, "she's got that look, bud. Think we're in for it now."
You playfully rolled your eyes, "Well, I was just thinking, we promised Teddy a dip in a real pool."
His eyes lit up, "You have a pool!?"
"Not here, honey, but I know someone," you grinned. "Wanna go?"
"Can we?" Teddy looked up at Eddie for permission, who nodded in return.
"Sure, buddy, I'll grab you a towel. Go ahead," he nodded, nudging his brother towards you. "Wayne?"
"Oh, I'd love to, kids, but uh, I'm a little tired. Think I'll just sit this one out, if that's okay."
"Course it's okay," you nodded. "We won't be long; we'll be home for dinner."
Wayne nodded and pet over Teddy's hair - telling him to be kind and respectful for you and Eddie before turning for his room. Eddie jogged out of the basement, three towels in his arms, smiling at you both. "We ready?"
"Are you gonna swim, too?" Teddy worried slightly, looking at you with wide eyes.
"Yeah, we are, bud," you beamed, patting the tote bag on your shoulder. "Got our suits in here."
"Wait, we're all going swimming?" Eddie asked cautiously.
"Mhm," you smiled.
Eddie offered a confused look as you ushered the boys back to your car. On the drive, you peaked back to spy Teddy fiddling with the same faded-green dragon stuffie Eddie had given him earlier; petting over the head carefully as he looked concentrated on keeping his emotion in check.
When you pulled up to your destination, you turned in your seat, "You okay, honey?"
Eddie turned too, spying his brother's frown and feeling panic swell in his chest. "Hey, what's going on? Thought you loved swimming?"
"I do," he nodded, blinking rapidly before timidly meeting your eyes. "I-Is Mommy gonna be okay without me? Is she...? Is she mad at me?"
Eddie sighed deeply, "No, buddy, she's not mad at you. She just thought you'd be happier, and healthier, staying with us. She's gonna take care of herself, I promise."
"But she..." The little boy started to weep, "She didn't say bye!"
"Shit," Eddie muttered, quickly yanking the safety belt from around him before climbing over your center console to get in the backseat. You frowned when he plopped down, and Teddy was instantly crawling into his lap and holding onto his shirt with desperate fists.
You quietly removed yourself from the car to leave them some privacy, grabbing your bag and leaning on the hood of the car. No more than 10 minutes later, the door was opening again, and Eddie was helping Teddy out.
You smiled at the pair and watched Eddie keep his hand around Teddy's shoulders as you approached the front door of the home you were parked out front of.
"Hey!" Steve Harrington beamed when he opened the door. "You made it - everyone's out back. C'mon," he smiled, catching sight of Teddy, and pausing. "Oh, hello," he slowly lowered himself into a squat, "what's your name?"
Teddy shyly turned his face into Eddie's thigh, looking up at him with wide eyes. Eddie nodded, "It's okay, buddy, he's a friend of ours."
He nodded slowly, glancing at Steve, "I-I'm Teddy."
"Teddy?" Steve repeated with a softer smile, the child nodding. "It's very nice to meet you, my name's Steve. I hear you really like swimming. And dinosaurs."
"I do," he nodded. "My big brother calls me a fish."
"He's always in water," Eddie smiled, rubbing Teddy's back comfortingly.
"Well, Teddy, would you like to come take a swim in the pool?"
"You have a pool?" Teddy gasped, looking at you and Eddie with shock and awe.
"Yeah!" Steve grinned. "Wanna check it out with me?"
"Yeah! Uh-huh!" Teddy nodded, pulling away from Eddie's leg a bit before pausing. "Um, Eddie?" He looked up, "C-Can I go?"
"Yeah, bud, we're right behind you. We're just gonna change really quick."
"Stick by Steve until we're back, okay?" You nodded, watching the little boy nod rapidly before reaching for Steve's hand.
"All right, let's go, buddy," Steve smiled, letting the little boy take his hand before dropping a wink at you and Eddie. "You know where the bathrooms are, right?"
"Yeah, we'll be right out," you assured, leading Eddie into Steve's house. Teddy was gawking at everything, completely shocked that people could live here; listening as Steve pointed out different things while making their way to the backyard.
You felt Eddie slide his hand into yours, tugging you so your back met his chest. "Thank you," Eddie whispered, letting you lead you both up to Steve's room.
When the door shut, you answered, "Don't have to thank me, baby, I just thought he'd be overwhelmed, and a neutral space was best for right now. Then he can settle in at home."
Eddie nodded, peeking out from behind Steve's curtains to the pool yard below. "He's already talking with Dustin," he chuckled lightly.
"He's gonna be okay, Eddie," you assured, stepping towards him to peer around him. You could see Nancy and Robin giggling on the side of the pool, and how Steve and Dustin were talking with animation to Teddy. "He's safe."
"Thanks to you," Eddie whispered, the tick to his tone assuring you he was suppressing emotion.
"Hey," you whispered, turning Eddie to face you, "I didn't do anything, that was all you, angel. You saved Teddy; I just drove the car."
"You did so much more than that," he promised, caressing your left cheek. "I just can't thank you enough."
You grinned, "I'm happy to help, angel. But you've gotta answer a question for me."
"Anything, peaches."
"Were you being serious? Back there, um... W-With your mom? When you said you wanted me to be your wife?"
Eddie smiled down at you, bringing both hands to your cheeks; leaning down to press his lips to yours. It was simple enough to lose yourself in the motion, always finding Eddie's lips mesmerizing to the point where your mind went blank.
When he pulled back, you both needed to take a long breath in; resulting in light panting as Eddie smirked, "I was being very serious, peaches. I'm sorry if it was abrupt, I-I know we've only talked about it once before, but after today, there's no doubt in my mind that you're gonna be my wife. Soon."
"Soon?"
"Real soon," he teased, leaning down to kiss you again. "As soon as we can," he chuckled.
"Hm, you're gonna need to propose first," you teased. "Gotta get a ring, too."
"I have one," he assured.
"You do?"
"Course I do. I uh... I bought it about a year ago."
"But..." you blinked a few times, "W-We broke up a year ago?"
"I know," he sighed. "After our fight, I just couldn't think straight. The next morning, I went and bought a ring because I knew I couldn't be without you. Our breakup taught me that life without you isn't really living, it's just existing. So, I went and made sure that when I got you back, I'd never risk losing you again."
"And when we got back together?"
"I didn't want to startle you," he nodded. "We were broken up three months, and it fucking sucked, princess, that I didn't want you to get scared and run away from us. But when we got back together, God, I was just grateful to have you back - so, I didn't want to risk losing you again, and if that meant waiting, I'd wait forever."
You nodded, feeling tears surface, "It was hard for me, too."
"But we got through it."
"We did," you nodded, sniffling. "And we're gonna get through this, too. Together."
"Always together," he breathed, pressing his lips to your forehead. The sounds of laughter and screaming and splashing interrupted you, both peaking back out to see Teddy on Steve's shoulders as Mike was on Lucas' and there was a game of chicken going on.
You and Eddie both laughed when Mike comically flailed from Lucas' shoulders; Teddy grinning and cheering with Steve in victory. Nancy and Robin posed as cheerleaders from the sidelines, howling in pride when the little boy looked around, soaking in the praise he's never had in his life.
"C'mon," you smiled up at Eddie, "we're missing all the fun out there."
Getting changed was simple enough and you both made it down to the back patio, greeting the other party members and their significant others. "Eddie! Eddie! Watch me!" Teddy called, waving wildly from Steve's shoulders still.
"I'm watching, buddy!" Eddie grinned back, pulling you to sit on the side of the pool with him.
"C'mon! Get in!" Teddy giggled, letting Steve wrangle him from his shoulders. "C'mon, Eddie!"
"Yeah, Eddie, c'mon," you mocked with a grin, winking at him before shoving him into the water. Teddy laughed wildly with the others as Eddie resurfaced, hair drenched down his face as he sputtered to get it out of his mouth.
"Oh, you think that's funny, do you?" He asked you, hand sloppily pushing hair away from his sight.
"Very," you giggled before cutting off abruptly, screaming when Eddie latched onto your ankles and pulled you into the water, too.
The party members laughed merrily as you gasped for breath, laughing a little yourself as you flipped your hair from your face. "It's a look, baby, really metal," Eddie giggled.
"That was betrayal if I ever knew it," you teased. "Get him, Teddy!"
"AH!" the boy shouted from the side of the pool, leaping to the water, and landing on Eddie's back - forcing the older boy to dunk under the surface.
"Woah, hey! Hey!" Eddie laughed when he popped back up, swiftly grabbing Teddy around the waist so he didn't have to doggie paddle in his floaties too hard. "That wasn't nice, bud! Thought brothers stuck together!"
"You dunked sissy; I dunk you!" Teddy grunted, trying to wrangle from his brother's grip.
Eddie gasped comically, looking at you with wide eyes, "Et tu, sweetheart?"
You only shrugged, "Should know better than to dunk a lady in the pool, Eddie. Now, you've gotta reap the consequences."
"Nobody touches sissy!" Teddy assured, flexing his little arms and Eddie let him dunk him under water again.
The rest of the afternoon was spent together, laughing and joking with everyone, the younger members of the party entertaining Teddy sweetly. Steve was a very gracious host and made sure everyone had what they wanted or needed; and Teddy was having the time of his freaking life letting Robin braid his hair. Steve handed you a towel for Teddy when it was time to head home for dinner, moving off to speak with Eddie before everyone was ready and packed up.
Teddy snuggled back into Eddie's shirt and took your hand softly, making Eddie carry your bag and towels as the little boy told you about all the fun he had. He never knew a pool could be so big.
In the car, Eddie made sure Teddy was strapped in and that his dragon stuffie was close to him; the boy strangling it in his grip against his chest as he happily hummed to the song on the radio. When the boy's eyes started to droop a little, you smiled in the rearview mirror before looking at Eddie and reaching for his hand.
"What did Steve say to you?"
Eddie smirked, "That we're welcome to use the pool whenever we want. Said he was happy to see someone enjoy it, so, whenever Teddy wants, he'd be happy to host."
"That's really nice of him."
"And he offered to babysit whenever we need," Eddie smirked.
"Always the Goddamn babysitter!" You laughed lightly with Eddie, his hand tightening in yours.
"Hey," he spoke seriously, earning a glance from you before your attention was back on the road, "I uh... I just wanted to thank you. This hasn't been easy, but uh... You make it worth it. And I'm glad to do this with you."
"Do what, baby?"
"Life."
You pulled up to the red light before your house, leaning over to pull Eddie in for a harsh kiss. He chuckled against your lips, humming lightly when your tongue swept into his mouth dominantly. His hand rose to your jaw, sweeping his thumb across it when you pulled back, whispering, "I'm really glad to do life with you, too, angel."
"You and me, right?"
You smiled, nodding, "You, me, and Teddy."
"The way it should be, should've always been," Eddie sighed, deflating back into his seat with a knowing smile. His hand remained tight in yours the rest of the drive, and when you got home, Wayne was already grilling outside and waving at you while Eddie grabbed a sleepy Teddy from the backseat.
While you both made your way inside with Teddy slowly waking up on Eddie's shoulder, Wayne chuckled to himself and took another swig of beer, "I give 'em a year before they have a kid of their own, those crazy kids. God love 'em."
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hiscrimsonangel · 1 year
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Eddie Munson is still alive, living a happy life in Hawkins, Indiana at age 57, still playing music on weekends with the Corroded Coffin guys, and Eddie owns his own music store that he managed to open as efforts to rebuild Hawkins were ongoing, from money his late Uncle Wayne gave him from settlements with the government.
In later years, he bought Reefer Rick’s old place so he and his wife could live quietly after the kids left home and started their own families. The Munson’s are often seen out on the lake, Eddie serenading his beloved wife with his acoustic, or fishing with his son and young grandson and teaching little Wayne what Uncle Wayne taught Eddie regards fishing and letting the small ones go back to the water.
Eddie is still a freak to some who still whisper the childhood taunt amongst themselves but never to his face anymore, he is a hero to many and accepted now by all. Eddie’s hair, now worn parted in the middle, the bangs mostly gone, is still long, almost to his mid back, but streaks of silver are amongst the dark curls, a bit of salt and pepper colored scruff on his face is normal. Eddie still loves Metallica and has seen them many times between shows in Indianapolis and Chicago and even to Cincinnati a couple of times, even met them once as a thank you from the town of Hawkins for his bravery in their darkest hour. Eddie still wears a leather jacket, the battle vest along with his old one however stays hung in the closet.
The van is long gone, traded for a Harley sportster and a black Chevy Blazer. His beloved BC Rich Warlock, Sweetheart, who he played in the ‘most metal concert in the world’ still has a spot on his bedroom wall, (his wife laughs that it’s her sister wife), but he has a few other guitars now too. Ed still enjoys working on older cars, can’t be bothered with social media, lets his wife mess with that, he’d rather go out to the boathouse and paint, be it figures for D&D campaigns ( oh yes, the party still continues when everyone is in town, and he is the adult sponsor of the Hellfire Club at the High School to this very day) or actual paintings (of which he is quite good) or record some music he has in his head ( he has a small studio he built onto it).
Yes, Eddie’s life is a peaceful one now, though the town still isn’t what it was, but, it’s home. His dear friends, Steve (the town attorney) and Nancy (who runs the local paper) come to dinner a couple times a month. Robin and her wife bought a place across the lake from them and Henderson brings Suzie and their family to visit on holidays.
Eddie Munson is indeed still alive, if you are in the area stop by his store, you can see for yourself. He gives the best hugs and still has the warmest smile of anyone in the world… it’s like sunshine personified. Just don’t ask him about the past, the demobats or the scars or the ‘earthquake’. The past is the past, Eddie will tell you time and life is precious and he only lives for what is happening today.
It’s a nice life, quiet now, and Eddie is still a loving gentle “menace”, and a “freak”, and a non-conformist and feeds the strays and wildlife and even the neighbors if he is cooking out… but he is happy, and loved, and living his best life, 80 miles outside of Indianapolis, 25 miles southwest of Lafayette, in a little town called Hawkins, Indiana. ❤️
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otteranha · 2 years
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Imagine if the people of Hawkins, rather than continue to mistrust and ostracize Eddie they do a total 180 and start hailing him as a town hero.
The news reports that a serial killer had abducted a number of local kids. Eddie Munson saw the killer brutally murder Chrissy Cunningham and he bravely followed the him to find his hideout. That’s why Eddie disappeared and didn’t go to the police. He found the man at the old Creel house, freed his captives and they all fought the killer together. And then coincidentally an earthquake struck.
And now everyone is just fawning over Eddie, especially the ones who were the loudest about hunting him down and branding him a Satanic killer out to corrupt their children. People he never met are sending flowers and fruit baskets to the hospital. The local paper wants to interview him for a profile of the daring young man who tracked down a murderer. The mayor wants to give him the key to the city. Some people are more sincere than others, most do it to assuage their own guilt. Suddenly everyone is claiming that they had their doubts about the cult rumors all along.
It’s all very performative. It cloys on Eddie. Oh he’s happy that he’s not a wanted man and the town pariah, he’s glad people are treating Wayne better. But fuck them for their belated goodwill. Now he can’t go out because people keep coming up to him to shake his hand and he just. Doesn’t want to touch them. He’s in this weird limbo where he’s still scared to tell them to take their adulation and fuck off with it, because he knows it’s not going to last but he doesn’t want to be the one to provoke them, doesn’t want to see how fast they’d flip back to normal.
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bethanysnow · 2 years
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Crying on Prom Night prt 3.
@eddieswifu @little-moonbeam-666​ @depressedstressedlemonzest​
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Walking in the door was a portly man that the two women upstairs would identify as the man of the house. Y/n’s dad. He worked at some higher up company that handled local government so the house they could afford was one of the nicer ones in Hawkins. Nothing like the Harringtons, but it was nice.
“M/n?? Where are you? I forgot my tie for the meeting this afternoon- “Y/ns Dad walked up the stairs to see her door open. Stepping into view seeing his daughter and wife curled up on the bed his instant reaction was to reach out and help. Not wanting to invade his daughter’s privacy he leaned outside the door. “What’s wrong?”
Mom brushed some hair out of Y/n’s face looking to see if she could tell him or if she wanted someone to say it.
           “Oh, that Munson boy, she asked him to Prom and he said I think some not so nice things. So, we are thinking maybe tonight after pictures we go get something out for dinner?” Looking at her husband with that mom expression of ‘we are doing this even if it’s posed as a question’. Her father nods and clears his throat.
“Sounds good- “And that was that. Her dad walking to the bedroom to find his tie. Y/n untangling herself from her mom’s arms stands up. Wiping her face putting her hands on her hips and takes a breath.
           “I’m good- I’m good…” Her mom satisfied with this answer stands up and gives her arm a squeeze on the way out. The rest of the day was spent in her room, listening to her 8 tracks and Walkman. Playing Juke Box Hero on loop, it’s the song that made her feel powerful. Her Dad showed it to her one day driving to school while mom was on a women’s retreat with the church. One of the only real good memories she has with her father. He isn’t a bad dad, just very closed off. Dancing around her room when the music just became too much. Feeling each drum beat, guitar riff, and God bless Lou Gramm.
Y/n wasn’t super confident in most things, in fact it took a lot just to look in the mirror some days. The world was a big harsh place and it didn’t like people who looked different. Who were different, she was a closeted queer kid from Indiana who had a crush on the metal head. What did she think was going to happen? But standing in her room listening to Foreigner it was like she had magic powers. Blasting away all the people who were dicks, who said awful things. A certain boy who rejected her maybe.
Till the phone rang.
           A couple rings go by. “Y/n its that Munson boy! Want me to hang up?” Her dad calls through the hallway.
Poking her head out of the door she takes the phone.
           “Eddie- “
“Y/n! Hey! Listen, I am a dick. If you want to make me wear the zebra pants to school one day, I’ll do it. Let you steal my Black Sabbath tapes- what do I gotta do. I-I can’t have you mad at me. You’re my best friend I- no”
           “Stop talking!”
“Oh- okay…”
           Hearing the panic in his voice she sighs “Eddie…what you did was a real dick move and I- I don’t know man. You could fuckin apologize for one- “
Her dad from the master bedroom pipes in “LANGUAGE YOUNG LADY!”
           “-Sorry dad…”
Eddie snickers into the phone. Leaning on the phone booth wall with the phone to his ear. “Okay- that’s fair. Y/n I apologize, I’m sorry for what I said…”
           “Good and two- you can take me to prom.” Y/n sounding very accomplished over the phone.
Eddie groaned very loudly with a roll of his eyes “You sure I can’t just wear the pants?”
Y/n smiled and twirled the phone cord around her finger “No Munson, what did you call it? ‘Dress in a monkey suit’ and buy me a corsage and either Wayne or my dad can take you to get a suit- and you will show up at my house on prom night. We will go out to dinner, and then go to the dance and you will dance with me on the slow song. If you don’t, I will happily share the photos of you in middle school as the cowardly lion in the spring musical.”
           “AH! Blackmail and guilt tripping me??? You’re starting to sound like a bad influence L/n” He chuckles putting in some more quarters “Listen- fine I’ll take you to prom, but if I look like a normie or a prep or whatever I will seek my revenge Y/n. Got it?”
She grinned “Yes Eddie, now stop spending your laundry money on a call- I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?”
Hanging up the phone the hallway was silent for a minute.
A hand found Y/n’s shoulder, looking up to see her dad’s eyes. A thin almost unrecognizable smile on his face as he stands beside her. His eyes sparkled a little, looking down at his little girl. He nods and goes down yelling for his wife to help him with his tie. That small interaction was one of many that led to the resemblance of a Mr. L/n’s version of I love you.
Going to her room Y/n took the dress of the back of her door and pressed it against her body looking in the full-length mirror. She was going to Prom with Eddie Munson!
Would he like her dress?? He better she spent a lot of time on it…should she wear heels??? She didn’t have a lot of female friends, the closest was Erica Sinclair who she babysat for a while in the summer. There wasn’t a lot of options here. Her mom was loving and a beautiful lady, just…like most women in her 30s was obsessed with being thin. There wasn’t a fat girl friendly magazine she could pick up.
But no matter! She was going to prom and she was going with a boy! Not just any boy a boy she liked! Laying on her bed with a happy sigh she was content. Putting back on her Walkman’s headphones.
             “-Just one guitar, slung way down low Was a one way ticket, only one way to go So he started rockin', ain't never gonna stop Gotta keep on rockin', someday gonna make it to the top
And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes He's a juke box hero He took one guitar (juke box hero, stars in his eyes) Juke box hero, (stars in his eyes) he'll come alive tonight”
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berenwrites · 11 months
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Beyond the Battle - Chapter 15 - Stranger Things - Steddie
Beyond the Battle­: Action & Consequence
Click here for All Posted Chapters
Summary: Steve hits things with a bat or gets hit depending on who you ask. He definitely does not have anything to do with the psychic stuff. That is El’s domain. However, as Vecna is defeated, the rules change.
Pairing: steddie (Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson)
Other Relationships: Steve & Robin, Steve & Dustin, Eddie & Dustin
Rating: Teen
A/N: Multi-chapter story, updated regularly. Honestly not sure how many chapters it will have yet because it's still a bit hand wavy in the middle, but definitely more than 12. Thank you to my beta for find my mistakes and to all those who read/like/reblog.💖 Follow #st:beyond-the-battle for updates.
Also on AO3
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Chapter 15. Next Phase
It was coming up to five PM when Robin turned on the TV. They had all been sitting round talking for the last half an hour while Wayne took great delight in regaling them with stories of Eddie when he was younger. At times Steve couldn’t help wondering if it was possible to spontaneously combust from embarrassment because Eddie seemed to be trying.
However, now it was time for the promised press conference.
Given that Steve’s dad was a gadget man, of course the TV had a remote, so he flicked through the channels until he found the local area station.
“And now,” the presenter was in the middle of saying, “we go live to Hawkins for the latest update from Chief of Police Powell.”
“Thank you, Gary,” the female reported on the ground said. “Hawkins has been the scene of much tragedy over the past few weeks…”
Steve tuned out as the woman recapped everything that had been going on, in favour of looking at Eddie. The metalhead was sitting on the edge of the couch, all but falling off it as he stared at the TV. Wayne had one hand on Eddie’s arm. It looked like the touch was tethering Eddie to the couch, stopping him from vibrating right off it.
Not that Steve couldn’t completely understand. It wasn’t his life on the line, but his stomach was in knots waiting to hear what Powell had to say. Hopper had been very sure, but, given how the whole situation had been handled so far, the rest of them were clearly in see-it-to-believe-it mode.
“Thank you everyone for coming.” Steve focused back on the TV to see Powell standing on the podium in front of the crowd of reporters. “I’ve called this press conference today to update you all on aspects of the tragedies which had befallen our community of Hawkins, specifically the murders of Chrissy Cunningham, Fred Benson, and Patrick McKinney. New information has come to light in this case, information which completely and positively exonerates Eddie Munson as a suspect.”
The crowd erupted with noise and Powell held up his hands for quiet.
“At this time, due to the nature of the information and the ongoing investigation,” he continued, controlling the crowd surprisingly well, “we cannot share the details, but there is no doubt Munson did not commit these heinous murders.”
“Then who did, Chief Powell?” someone asked.
“We cannot divulge that information at this time,” Powell replied.
“What about the satanic connections?” another voice shouted out.
“Thank you, Louise,” Powell said, clearly catching the eye of the reporter who had spoken, “that is another thing I would like to clear up. There is no satanic connection.” The Chief swung his gaze around everyone in the crowd before going on. “The kids play a game, it has dice and playing pieces. In this game they are heroes. They go on adventures like in fairy tales, they battle monsters, they work together to defeat evil. Does that sound satanic to you? It doesn’t to me.”
“But their club is called Hellfire,” someone pointed out.
“They’re teenagers,” Powell replied, “they like to be dramatic. I may be older now, but I still remember being a teenager, my mother always called me dramatic as well.”
“Well played, Powell,” Eddie muttered as a few titters of laughter came from the crowd.
“It’s not like fairy tales though,” Dustin complained.
“Of course not,” Eddie agreed.
“But people aren’t afraid of fairy tales,” Robin added.
“Is Eddie Munson alive?” the question had everyone looking back at the screen.
“We don’t know,” Powell replied. “He’s been missing since before the earthquake. Given that he was being actively sought by authorities…”
“And vigilantes,” Dustin growled.
“…we can hope he simply went to ground, however, we have no further information at this time. I can, however, assure you the Hawkins police department along with other law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. Chrissy, Fred and Patrick’s deaths will not go unpunished, our kids will have closure. That is all for today, thank you.”
“Wow,” Robin said as she flicked off the TV.
“That was very unequivocal,” Dustin agreed.
“Damn right,” Wayne said, and Steve could only agree.
~*~
Hopper arrived after Steve had dropped Wayne off behind the motel (he was supposed to be working at the plant that night), Robin off at her parents, and Dustin off at his house. Given how tense the older man seemed, Steve wasn’t sure who was more nervous.
“Munson,” Hopper greeted as Eddie came bounding down the stairs dressed in his own clothes, “and there I thought you were turning over a new leaf.”
“You should know me better than that, Chief,” Eddie replied with a grin. “I was just lulling you into a false sense of security.”
Something settled in Steve as he took in Eddie, ripped jeans, band shirt and jewellery all in place. The rings were a little smaller and there were only three, clearly an earlier phase of the signature look Steve had become used to, but they were definitely Eddie. It was another part of the puzzle falling into place to make things right.
“Not Chief anymore,” Hopper said, “don’t think I fancy my old job back either.”
“Branching out?” Eddie continued the banter.
“Might take up fishing,” Hopper replied.
“I thought that’s what cops did anyway,” was Eddie’s comeback.
“Hardy-har-har,” Hopper said in such a dry tone it was positively Saharan.
“Beer?” Steve offered, because he had long since given up pretending when it came to Hopper.
“Is that a good idea?” Hopper asked.
“For you, not me,” he replied as they walked out of the entryway.
Eddie was looking between them with a fold between his eyes.
“I think I’m missing something,” Eddie said. “Care to share with the class?”
“You didn’t tell him?” Hopper asked, looking at Steve.
“Didn’t tell anyone,” he replied.
“Harrington, the master manipulator, convinced me to let him try and put back together what the Russians fucked up,” Hopper said.
“How did he manage that?” Eddie asked, from his tone honestly curious.
“I’m an experiment to see if he can help Max,” Hopper replied.
“Nice play,” Eddie commented. “He hides being an evil mastermind well, doesn’t he.”
“That’s me, evil to the bone,” he responded as he headed to the kitchen, deciding to bring back options rather than wait for a reply to his question. “El, Will and me are off to take over the world next week, we’re just lulling you all into a false sense of security.”
“You’ll remember your friends though, right?” Eddie called after him. “I’ve always fancied being a duke.”
Steve laughed as the door closed behind him. He grabbed beer and soda from the refrigerator and headed back to find Hopper and Eddie had taken up mirroring positions on the two couches.
“Take your pick,” he said, placing the drinks down on the coffee table in the middle.
Hopper went for the 7-Up which was interesting, while Eddie chose a beer.
“Okay,” Steve said as confidently as he could, “Eds, can you watch us? If either of us look like we’re going to collapse, break us apart.”
“Can do,” Eddie agreed.
“Hopper, you ready for this?” was his next question.
“As I’ll ever be,” was the resigned response.
Steve sat down on the couch next to the older man and they turned to face each other.
“What do I do?” Hopper asked.
“Just relax,” Steve said, doing his best to sound supremely confident and not like he was completely winging it.
Holding out his hands, he waited for Hopper to reciprocate. As the weight of Hopper’s calloused fingers settled over his own, he shuddered. He felt the other man go to pull his hands back, so he gripped tightly. Pain prickled at the back of his mind, mostly deep aches, but one sharp sensation that it took him a moment to associate with Hopper breathing.
The man was a mess.
Steve let his instincts lead him, doing what he had done that morning when healing the bite on his wrist and willing what was wrong to be right. The world around him faded away as the sense of Hopper remained and deepened.
They’d all sustained small injuries in the final confrontation, and it was the easiest thing in the world to boost Hopper’s own healing to fix them quickly. It was what he had done for Robin and Dustin, although this time he was doing it consciously. It was deliberate and he allowed himself to follow it in his mind. His mind likened it to smoothing down plaster, which was completely the opposite to how he had pictured it when he’d unconsciously healed Robin. At a guess he assumed it had to do with the person.
However, as he continued, it was almost as if he hit a wall. The new injuries faded away, susceptible to his power in a fundamental manner that took barely any thought on his part. Yet he could sense Hopper’s other hurts, the old injuries that were already healed, but were simply wrong. These needed something more, he understood that without knowing how, but for a moment he didn’t know how to proceed.
It was as if there was an invisible barrier between him and where he needed to be.
Heat flared in his chest.
In his mind’s eye he could see a pool, like liquid metal, glowing white. As he mentally stared at it, it rippled and moved. On impulse he willed it to flare up, almost in the same way he had tried with the ball bearing, only this felt natural, like he was made to do it. The pool rose into a loose point before sliding back down again.
He smiled, at least in his mind he did, he had no idea if it translated to his body.
He knew what it was now. This was his energy. The same energy he had been using without really thinking about it to encourage healing in others. The same energy he had fed to Eddie through the unreality of the Void. Only now he needed it in a different way.
Forming it into a liquid point in his mind, he threw it at the invisible wall. Like a nail through glass, the barrier smashed and fell away. Everything wrong became clear to him. Not in an analytical, scientific way, but more like muscle memory even though he had never done this before. When he had played basketball every play had not been thought out, some had been learned instinct and that’s what he likened it to.
Something in him knew how things should be, or maybe that was really how things should be, and he set about putting everything right.
He started with the sharp, repeating pain, because it called to him. His power flowed and, bit by bit, he smoothed it away. After that he simply moved on to what drew him next.
Time was irrelevant as he followed his instincts. However, it was also instinct which led him to draw back, even though part of him was yelling he wasn’t finished. The sharp metallic glint he had had in his mind was dulled. Part of him hissed that he could keep going, he could get this done, but another part that sounded surprisingly like Robin pointed out there was no danger, he could come back later. The second instinct was stronger, so he obeyed it.
Blinking open his eyes, he found himself looking at Hopper’s surprisingly serene face, eyes closed, features relaxed. As his mind realigned with his body all he could do was look. It occurred to him as he did that, he was pretty sure he’d never seen Hopper that calm, ever.
“Hopper,” he said when he finally felt like he could.
Almost immediately the other man blinked, waking from his stupor.
“Is that it?” Hopper asked, sounding confused.
“You’ve been sitting there two hours,” came from Eddie.
Steve was as shocked as Hopper seemed to be, turning to where Eddie was sitting on the other couch.
“Two hours?” he asked.
“Well technically two hours, seven minutes and thirtyish seconds,” Eddie replied. “Trust me, I’ve been sitting here making sure both of you were still breathing as well as making sure blood did not get everywhere.”
By now Steve was used to the vaguely congested feeling of having a nosebleed. Given what he had been doing he was pretty sure he should have been able to stop that, but that would mean healing himself at the same time as healing someone else, and he wasn’t clear on how that would go. Grabbing a tissue out of the box on the coffee table he did his best to clean himself up properly.
“Wow,” Hopper said, and Steve looked back to see the man stretching with an expression of pure wonder on his face.
“It’s not quite done,” Steve hurried to say. “I needed to stop for a while.”
He went to move and realised he was a bit unsteady. His stomach also felt like an empty hole.
“Steve,” Hopper said, clapping him on the shoulder without the slightest notion what that did to Steve’s equilibrium, “I haven’t been able to take a breath without being reminded of those Russian thugs in months. I feel amazing.”
“Still not quite done,” Steve said, “but I really need to eat.”
Eddie stuck a Snickers under his nose before he could think about trying to stand up.
“Thanks,” he said, which was entirely inadequate for the gratitude he was actually feeling. “So do you,” he added, looking at Hopper.
“Grilled cheese coming up,” Eddie said, standing and heading for the kitchen. “I promise I can make them without burning the house down.”
“Why does that not fill me with confidence?" Hopper asked.
“Because Eddie is the embodiment of chaos?” Steve replied, breaking the snickers in two and handing half to Hopper.
“Is he better or worse since his rise from the dead?” Hopper said, accepting the candy bar. “And thanks.”
“Wouldn’t like to guess,” he said and bit into the peanut and chocolaty goodness. That was the moment he realised he was picking up mental speech patterns from Argyle and wondered if drowning in the pool would have been a better option.
End of Chapter 15
Chapter 16
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stevieschrodinger · 1 year
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Just imagine Alpha Steve after everything that happened. Alpha Steve who was King Steve, not just because of the money and the popularity and everything else that came with it, but King Steve because he was also Alpha. How aloof he kept himself from everything, simply because he knew, deep down, that it was all empty and meaningless and what was the point of being the most popular kid in the school if literally no one actually liked him. Just wanted him because of what he was and what he had and what advantages his friendship gave.
And then, after Vecna, after everything, Steve who had a group of people who knew him. Actually knew him, and suddenly he had pack. Learned what it was to make a family, to have people he would fight and die for because he knew they would do the same. Knew the deep satisfaction of caring for the people in his pack.
Alpha Steve who checks in with everyone. Alpha Steve who has to leave his scent on everyone, every time they part. Even Argyle, despite no one being able to smell it over the weed. Steve who has to mark and protect his people, finds that it soothes his soul. Alpha Steve who always has food in the house, knows the likes and dislikes of everyone of his pups, even if he would never call them that out loud.
When Eddie finally wakes up, Wayne sheds a few quiet tears, puts his book away, gently grips at Eddie's hand and calls him a stupid, stupid, brave boy. Because Alpha Steve couldn't tell Wayne many of the details, but he told him Eddie was a hero who saved the world.
Once he's been checked over and the hustle settles down again, the doctor finally clearing out, Eddie starts to realise why he's relaxed, why he's stayed so calm through waking up.
"Smells like Steve," Eddie says, as every thing comes down and his senses slowly warm back up. There's soft blankets under his fingertips, definitely not hospital cushions stacked around his head. Under his shoulder, comfortably soft, a yellow polo, folded up neat.
"Yeah," Wayne agrees quietly, "he's here...a lot."
"What's all this?" Eddie shifts, finding another shirt and a plaid woolen throw wedged between Eddie and the bedrail.
"Steve," Wayne answers simply.
"I'm not an Omega," Eddie answers weakly, bringing the soft corner of a blanket up to his nose.
"Doesn't seem to matter to Harrington."
Eddie doesn't want to be hopeful, not about this. That way lies heartache, "he's such an Alpha, got his wires crossed. I got hurt, that's all."
Wayne hums quietly in answer, "recon' he wouldn't be scenting stuff like this for just anyone, Eds."
"Nah," Eddie laughs brokenly, "not anyone, just every Omega in Hawkins."
Wayne looks at him, gaze too knowing but full of sad understanding, "still, he's clearly very fond of you Eds," it's a nice thing to say, warms Eddie's chest. And then Wayne completely ruins it, "that boys so territorial of you, reckon' he'd piss on you if he thought he'd get away with it."
And that sets a fire in Eddie's guts. Not the pissing part, because, gross, no, but what Wayne means by it. The implication.
"Wayne," Eddie says, and that's enough, because Wayne's always been good at boundaries and he knows Eddie, probably better than Eddie knows himself.
"He'll be here in a minute, knows I've got a shift. Won't let you be alone if he can help it."
And Wayne just drops that bomb and leaves Eddie to deal with it, like it's nothing. Like it's normal that King Steve has been building a nest around Eddie while he sleeps.
Like they summoned him, there he is, sucking in a shocked breath and dropping the bag he was carrying, "Eddie," it's a soft exhalation of surprise, and then Steve is at his side, pushing Eddie's hair out of his face and shifting his blankets. Steve moves on autopilot while he talks, touches Eddie with a sureness and familiarity that Eddie knows, in his soul, means that Steve's been doing the same while he was out cold.
"I'll leave you boys too it," Wayne says on his way out of the door, and while Eddie looks over and responds with a weak wave, Steve doesn't even acknowledge the other man. Can't seem to look away from Eddie.
"I have more, uhm, stuff, if you're uncomfortable.". Steve pulls more soft things out of the duffel he's retrieved from the doorway, "and..." Two shirts also make an appearance.
"I'm not an Omega, Steve," Eddie says again, like this time he will get an explanation.
"I'm ...very aware of that, Eds."
Eds. Steve called him Eds. He has been spending time with Wayne then. Jesus, they would have talked about him, Eddie would have been the only thing they had in common at the start.
"Right, well, I'm awake, doc says I'll get better, so you don't have to..." Eddie starts to shift, weakly lifts the plaid blanket to offer it back to Steve.
Steve grips the blanket, not letting Eddie give it to him, pushing it back towards Eddie. Steve's grip is white knuckle tight on the material, "I want to. I really, really want to.". And he stares Eddie down like he's desperately trying to make him understand.
"Oh," Eddie says weakly, heart all twisted up. He doesn't know what his face is showing, can't control it in the moment, but Steve, whose scent has always been strong and appealing to Eddie's weaker Beta senses, is speaking loud and clear. "Oh," Eddie says again, like it'll help. Letting Steve tuck in blankets and and generally fuss over him some more, touches featherlight when he tidies Eddie's hair yet again.
"Is that...okay, how do you feel about...this?"
"About us?" Eddie clarifies, he has to be absolutely certain he's not misreading the intention in Steve's scent. He's not an Omega, he isn't built to pick up the nuances, he has to ask. Even if Steve's scent is kind of a battering ram of want and need and longing and fierce protectiveness.
"yeah, about there being an us," Steve looks uncertain in a way Eddie's never seen before.
If this is Eddie's chance to reassure Steve that he's on board, he's going all in, "kind of like I won a gold medal and got to play on stage with Metallica and I saved the actual wold but like...better and all at once."
"That good, huh?" Steve runs his fingers through his hair, hiding his face a moment, all bashful despite the big grin that's split his face in half, "even though I'm an Alpha and you're...people won't approve."
"Fuck people."
"I'd rather be fucking you."
Eddie face flames, he knows it does. He must have had plenty of blood transfusions because he's pretty certain all that blood is in his cheeks right now. Well, not all of it, half of it must go to his dick. As soon as the thought of Steve between his legs, making him wet and opening him up, catches up to him, Steve leans forward. There's a rumble coming from Steve's chest as he nuzzles his face in between Eddie's head and shoulder, rubbing and scenting against his neck.
He suckles, gently, at the skin there. It's enough to get Eddie humming with pleasure and the rest of the way hard. It's a good job he's swamped in so many blankets, otherwise it would be very obvious; not that it isn't, Steve can clearly smell it on him.
"Can I mark you?" Steve asks, hovering awkwardly over the edge of the bed to get to Eddie.
"I'd usually insist you take a girl to dinner first-"
"I'd feel better Eddie, please," there's no way he could resist Steve Harrington being so vulnerable and sincere.
And, Eddie figures, well, what's one more bruise?
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stevieschrodinger · 1 year
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Steve's had a few relationships, mostly the teenage kind where you hold hands and kiss sometimes and the girl waves to you and then giggles with her friends. He's had relationships that led up to third base in the back of the beemer and then fizzled out. He's had one night stands.
He had Nancy.
None of the first sort of relationship felt permanent. Steve was aware while it was happening that it wasn't going to last, it was just part of growing up. A learning curve.
Nancy felt permanent.
Obviously it didn't feel permanent to her.
The thing is, due to the lack of seriousness with the first sort of relationship, no one got really close to Steve, definitely not to the stealing his clothes point, anyway.
And Nancy was far too proper to be caught wearing any of Steve's clothes.
But then there's Eddie Munson, who enters stage left and seems to assume that Steve's Wardrobe is now Our Wardrobe.
And Steve discovers really fast that he likes that, he likes it a hell of a lot.
Right up until he's doing laundry that is half Eddie's clothes because, apparently, Our Wardrobe also means Steve is Our Laundry service. That's the moment Steve realizes that maybe...he's not so keen. He has a white polo with grass stains on it. A pullover with grease drips down the front. A hoodie with both pull cords inexplicably and terribly frayed.
So he starts paying attention, and discovers that Eddie, if left to his own devices, will chew on anything, up to and including neck lines and collars. He wipes his hands on his clothes, no matter what it is, rather than washing them with soap and water like a functional human being.
The first argument they have is over a hole Eddie's gnawed into the neckline of one of Steve's favourite knitted pullovers. It's not an argument, Steve's kidding himself: he tells Eddie off for ruining his things and Eddie apologies, visibly upset.
He stops wearing Steve's clothes, and Steve is startled by how much that upsets him.
The worst part is, he doesn't know how to fix it, because when he takes it back, tried to get Eddie back into his things...Eddie says no, because he really does not realize that he's being messy or chewing on things; doesn't know that he's doing it and so can't control it, and won't risk Steve's things.
So Steve, not knowing what else to do, goes on the offensive. Does he know who W.A.S.P are? No, not really, but he's wearing their tee shirt. He's wearing black jeans that are more holes that denim and has forced his feet into Eddie's white Reebok's. He finds Eddie's eye pencil and, having watched Eddie do this a few times, lines his lower lids. He's got chains hanging off him and has slipped on a couple of rings of Eddie's that fit, and when he comes out of Eddie's bedroom Wayne pulls an indecipherable face, but tells Steve where Eddie's jacket is hanging because if he's going to do it, he might aswell do it right.
There are holes in the neck of the shirt; Steve knows Eddie's been chewing on it.
Steve picks Eddie up from his shift at the garage, and once Eddie regains the power of speech it's to tell Steve to find somewhere secluded and to pull the fuck over.
After, as they both lie pink cheeked and a bit sweaty on the back seat of the beemer, Steve explains that he likes Eddie in his things, just the same as Eddie very CLEARLY likes Steve wearing his.
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stevieschrodinger · 1 year
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Demobat!Eddie is now done.
I fully intend to make this a series and add more as ideas come to me, these two are too cute to leave alone. If anyone has a clear idea for a ficlet or a prompt for a specific scene they would like to see, then I'd love to hear from you.
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stevieschrodinger · 1 year
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demobat!eddie now has a chapter two!
Hopper sits with his head in his hands. Then he rubs his face. Then he finally looks up, “you got any beers in the house, kid?”
“Yeah,” Steve gets it. He can totally sacrifice a beer or two for Hopper; everyone's been through a fuck of a lot. Even if it is ten thirty in the morning.
Eddie’s been human since the moth incident, so he’s almost close to normal, or as normal as Eddie ever got on a good day, and Steve can hear them talking in the two minutes it takes him to find a beer and pop the top off with the opener, “so you turn into one of those bat things?”
“Yeah,” Steve can imagine Eddie shrugging, “it’s happened a handful of times so far.”
“Right.” Steve can almost hear Hopper thinking, “you got a handle on it?”
Eddie snorts a laugh, “no.”
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