WARNINGS: Fix it fic for season 4 because what the fuck was that, ends in Steddie as it should, Max and Eddie are established friends, spoilers for episodes 1-4 of season 4, questioning of sexuality, mentions of knives, mentions of bullying and harassment, angst that gets resolved
INFO: what do you mean this isn't how season 4 was supposed to go? The duffer brothers are clearly wrong and I'm 100% right- they leaked the scripts and here I am, writing it out for u all?? (/j /sar) no but seriously I think there was a lot of wasted potential regarding certain character relationships that could have been fun so here. My idea of a fix it fic :) enjoy!
7130 words
________________
There were many colourful nicknames Eddie Munson's classmates had given him over the years. Some he wouldn't repeat; some that faded into oblivion; some he still heard every day. Eddie 'The Freak' stuck for the longest, and by his second time attempt at passing Senior year, he wore it more as a badge of pride.
Eddie 'The Banished' was undoubtedly new.
Since he was young, Eddie knew he was different to the other kids, and he never understood why. Maybe because of his interest in metal and rock music, long, long books about Middle Earth and a rampant obsession with a fantasy roleplaying game weren't seen as 'cool' to the other kids. Maybe because they grew out of playing in pretend worlds and wormed their way into the new, mature adult one faster than him, chasing after boyfriends and girlfriends and climbing the invisible rungs of a fabricated social ladder. Eddie was never interested in that. Never felt compelled to chase, or climb, or reach anything that hadn't already been obtained by someone more qualified. He didn't need to land on the moon or reinvent the wheel to have a good time on this planet.
As time passed, he got good at hiding from that side of the world- busying himself with a new campaign to torment his Hellfire club with, searching for the outcasts to invite them to join, or learning the riffs to a new Metallica or Black Sabbath song on the Warlock Wayne had bought him for his fifteenth when he got his first A in his English class. It was so easy to disappear, considering how society either looked down on him, or forgot about him altogether.
Eddie was aware of the new names he was branded with: 'Satanist', 'Cult Leader', 'Murdurer'. He heard it from the townsfolk who passed the boathouse a few days ago when he had half a mind to hide out at Reefer Ricks. Frankly, he thought it was hilarious. He knew himself well enough to not make deals with people he didn't trust and that he certainly didn't steal black cats and sacrifice them to the Devil. He far preferred to pet them. And though he'd never admit it, the idea of death made him uneasy for many reasons, he'd never think to open up about.
Chrissy Cunningham was someone he watched from afar as she climbed the ladder of High School popularity, claiming her 'Queen of Hawkins High' crown the moment she started dating Jason 'The Asshole' Carver. She wouldn't remember him- the boy with the buzzcut playing a fair rendition of AC/DC's 'Back in Black' at a talent show? He didn't place at all and she placed second. He'd pass her in the halls amongst her cheer friends, muttering things about him he learned to block out.
So when he got a note in Algebra signed with her initials that she wanted to buy, he was confused. Seeing her in person at the small table was shocking too, though her... Kindness was something he wasn't expecting. Something he perhaps didn't deserve. And when she asked for something stronger, and he offered to take her up on that offer after the campaign finished, he should have realised something was up.
He could still see her horrifically bent body, her pure white eyes as she floated up to his ceiling, the blood that dripped from them and the vacant holes they left behind; still hear the crunches and snaps of her bones and neck breaking whenever he closed his eyes, or tried to sleep under the tarp in Reefer Ricks's boat. What the hell even happened that night?
Those images and the pain in his knee from when he'd fallen as he ran away reminded him this was real life. That did happen. He wasn't stuck in another horrific nightmare. He wasn't drugged- he was stone-cold fucking sober. Well, until he found a bottles of beer stashed away in the corner and began downing them in hopes he'd pass out and get a wink of sleep.
Steve Harrington was the last person he expected to see, let alone jabbing him with an oar.
The broken bottle at his neck was maybe a bit much for a first greeting but they'd found him. They could turn him in, he had to defend himself. Eventually, once the adrenaline rushing through him subsided he realised Henderson was there, urging him to calm down. It wasn't until he surveyed the group for any more threats did his eyes meet Max Mayfields and he relaxed, moving and sliding down the wall, away from the guy he'd threatened and shaking.
Of all the people he'd expect to protect him- though the list wasn't long- he didn't expect the former king of Hawkins, Steve 'The Hair' Harrington to be part of the mix.
Max being there was shocking too.
This was the kid he had welcomed to the trailer park halfway through the summer with warm words and reassurances that although this wasn't a five-star hotel, she'd warm up to the trailer park eventually. The kid whose cassettes he'd fix if the tape wound too far and bond over their love for Kate Bush. The kid whose skateboard he fixed twice, would laugh at, then help up if she fell, and talk to on the late nights when neither could sleep and found themselves on the rusty swing set of the playground separating their homes. The kid who had just lost her brother in the mall fire, and quickly found him risen from the ashes in the form of Eddie Munson- never cruel to her, never yelling at her. Always gentle and understanding, and quick to distract her from the thoughts and regrets running rampant in her brain.
Though she was resentful of him at first, over the few months, she opened up to him- mostly because he wouldn't leave her alone.
Following Chrissy's death and his exile to Rick's boat house, he was filled with more surprise when the red-head decided to stay with him. Though he was twice her size, she'd asked for Harrington's baseball bat- "Y'know- the one with the nails!"- and patrolled the small room from window to window, holding it like a soldier at the foot of a palace,
"Hey, uh..." He was sitting inside the dingy little row boat, throwing a few pebbles he had gathered into an empty soup can to entertain himself. He was never good at sports of any kind so most of the pebbles ended up bouncing off the metal and clattering against the wood. He was, however, great at talking, "Why'd you ask to stay here, Red?" He asked, glancing at the rings on his fingers and twisting them once his hands were vacant, "You could have just left me the bat and-"
"Yeah, cause you know how to use it," She said, a sharp, sarcastic edge lacing her words together. He found a small smile creeping its way onto his lips, the first in what felt like days, and with a small shake of his head, he glanced back down, "Besides, you're a friend-"
"A friend?" It was hard not to conceal the surprise in his voice as she said it. Eddie rarely made any friends these days, and she had no reason not to believe he was behind Chrissy's murder. She even confessed at some point she was the last to see them together. His gaze fell back on her- she had left her post, moving over to the boat and using the bat as a cane to lean on, staring at him with those ice-cold, blue eyes,
"Well, yeah," She said, "You've... I never got to thank you for everything you've done for me," She said, moving into the boat opposite him and sitting down, pushing the rocks that ended up on the seat onto the floor of the boat, "You made me feel... Better when everything was shitty," She said with a small breathy laugh, glancing back at him, "So thanks, Eddie," She smiles, before hanging her head to collect the rest of the rocks.
When had the last time someone outside of Hellfire said those words? They weren't sarcastic, or mocking... They were honest. He blinked slowly, stalling to let his confidence rebuild itself, before he cleared his throat,
"You've got nothing to thank me for, Red. Anyone would have done that," He's playing with his rings again, "I'm fairly sure Harrington would jump at the opportunity to help any day," The sting of bitterness in his tone was clear and he grimaced as he bounced his foot and stared at his leg moving. His eyes found the 'bat with the nails' resting against the side of the boat, questions like what the fuck Harrington needs a weapon like that for, "Is this even real?" He asks, amusement clear in his voice as he reaches a hand out to touch the handle.
He never got to play stupid baseball with his old man- too busy drinking and stealing an idiot's car, attempting to sell it halfway across the state to care what his son was up to, or interested in. He recalled getting laughed at in Phys. Ed. for missing the ball every time they'd play, cowering slightly whenever it flew too close to his face, or one of the kids threw the bat too hard at him and it just slipped his fingers, or hit his arms or feet. He'd much rather run laps around the field until his legs gave out, his lungs became void of air and bile rose in his throat than attempt to play the damn game. Did you need to have good aim with rusty nails sticking out the ends of the bat?
"What's Harrington need it for- Jesus Christ-!" He topples out of the boat at the sight of Max's ghostly face, eyes plain white and staring ahead, unmoving. He lands with a loud thud, and hears her gasp for air as he scrambles to get out of the tarp he's caught in,
"Eddie- what the hell!?" He hears her yell, then her footsteps, as she jumps out of the boat and grabs the tarp off of him. It's yanked and scrambles backwards, staring in fear at her scrunched face, though her eyes back to normal and she's glaring at him, "Are you trying to give yourself away!?" She huffs in annoyance as he freezes, chest heaving as he stares confused. She grabs the bat again and begins to pace, looking out of the windows and leaving him to pant on the ground and collect himself,
"What- Are you okay?" He asks as he stands shakily- his head's spinning. She quickly grabs him by his vest, pulling him down so his head isn't visible through the windows,
"I am going to knock you on the head with this-" She gestures to the bat, "Keep your head down," She hisses, standing at the window near them and looking out of it cautiously. He nods slightly as she lets go of him, before collapsing on a box of something, cradling his throbbing head in his hands and gripping his hair, tugging on it,
"Fucking-" He hisses to himself, looking back at her as she turns to glare at him again, "What the fuck happened to you?" He demands in a hushed whisper,
"What do you mean what happened to me?" She asks. He scoffs, glancing around the empty room, before turning his gaze back to her. She makes a confused gesture, "What?"
"Your eyes! They went all... Freaky and white like... Like Chrissy's before she-" He gestures roughly upwards to the ceiling with his hand and shakes his head, "Just- can you not freak me out like that? I'm already on the verge of a nervous fucking breakdown," He says shakily, not even trying to hide the immense amounts of fear circulating through his body as he clenches and unclenches his empty hands,
"Wh- what?" She asks, "I didn't... I..." She blinks rapidly, glancing back at the boat,
"You didn't what, Red?" He asks, "I saw you. Did you have some... Some fucking seizure? Or what-"
"No!" She quickly says, though clenches her jaw and glances back at the boat,
"Then what?" He demands, "What was that?" She doesn't meet his gaze, eyes darting around the empty room looking for the words,
"I don't... Know," She hisses, crouching down near him, "This... This has been happening since... Since Billy uh..." She gestures vaguely so she doesn't have to say he's dead. Eddie saw the papers and news reports, so he nods for her to go on, "I get these nightmares... The ones I'd tell you about," He remembers, "Sometimes... I just have them even when I'm awake," She admits, in such a quiet voice he can barely hear her. His gaze softens at the tear slipping down her cheek, "But you can't tell the others," She says quickly, reaching a hand to wipe the tear away,
"Why not? Do they not know?" He asks,
"No, and I'd prefer it stays that way," She says coldly, standing and moving to the other window, "Why'd you care anyway?" He should tell her. He should say it. In case she ends up like Chrissy or in case the police heard him screaming and are on their way to haul his ass to jail for the foreseeable future,
"Maybe cause... I don't know- I care about you, Red?" He says, glancing over her face as she whips her head around to stare at him. Even though her eyes are that same cold blue, they've softened, "And... I don't want you to end up like Chrissy," He sighs, hanging his head.
Because if he could prevent Max's death, maybe it'd be enough to quell the guilt eating at him from the inside out.
Hearing Harrington's urgent yells for help startle him. They're followed by Henderson and Sinclair's cursing. They shut their respective car doors with such force the car shakes, and when he looks out of the window, making sure only his eyes are visible, Eddie sees Max is unresponsive. Harrington's hands are on her shoulders, shaking her with a similar urgency Eddie had when he attempted to unsuccessfully wake Chrissy from her trance only a few days ago.
Eddie had always thought he was selfish. Why should he care for anyone else when so few cared for him? He grew up learning quickly that isolation was good for him. And damn his large heart seeing the lost sheep, the misfits, the social outcasts and quickly deciding he would make their high school years a hell of a lot less stressful, taking them under his wing and being there for them.
So how could he just sit by and watch Max face the same fate as Chrissy?
The walkie-talkie crackled in the seat next to him, Robin's urgent callings for anyone filling the silent car. He picked it up, extending the wire and shakily uttering her surname. That was all she needed before she began to ramble about their venture to Pennhurst, Wheeler quickly taking over and yelling that music was the key. Eddie knew music. He knew Max's favourite song- he had been the one to show it to her after all.
He didn't think. That always got him into more trouble than was worth, but now? In a life or death situation? He couldn't waste the moments banging on the windows of Harringtons' car to try to signal the group's attention. With the Kate Bush tape, walkman and headphones clutched firmly in his hands, he shoved the car door, leaving it open as he sprinted up the small hill and towards the panicked group in the middle of the Cemetary. He didn't even bother to check the street for oncoming cars, or the graveyard for any mourners.
In urgent moments like these, Eddie wished he hadn't skipped Phys. Ed. so much in his later high school years, opting to smoke or deal, hidden away somewhere outside. This year, he had only run from the cops or from the Jocks trying to attack him for making fun of them after another failure on the basketball court. He'd have to add running from his small-minded home town to save his sister to that list if he made it. Yelling to the group to signal their attention, he was met with their horrified and confused faces, Henderson screaming about him needing to get back in the car and hide.
Eddie fumbles with the items in his hands, breathing out desperately that 'music was the key' as he sets the headphones over Max's ears, though he recoils and drops the tape in the grass with a hardly audible thud at the sight of her pure white eyes. He stumbles away as Lucas grabs it, clicking it in place in the walkman, the faint drums of 'Running Up That Hill' being heard over their desperate yells and attempts to wake her.
And when she floats into the air, Eddie feels his chest constrict and he can't breathe, backing up in terror and stumbling over a grave, landing harshly in the dirt as the other boys yell for Max to wake up. This was it, he breathes, not loud enough for them to hear, but to himself. He was too late, he knew it. He could tell that she was gone just like-
Max drops from the sky suddenly, his heart going with her, burning away in his stomach. She falls into the group's arms, and he feels like throwing up as he hears her heavy breaths and sobs, and the worried voices of Dustin and Lucas asking if she's okay. He struggles to stand on weak legs, shaking as he approaches them and meets her tear-filled, thankful eyes. He can only nod at the weak 'thank you' she gives, before turning her head to rest against Lucas, searching for comfort.
Eddie drops down into a crouch, hand touching Dustin's back and patting the terrified kid as he grips Max's arm, as if the kid's afraid she'll float away on them again,
"I didn't run away this time..." Eddie finally speaks breathlessly, to no one in particular. But for once, his brain is empty of everything and all he can think is that he saved her life. A slight smile ghosts his lips as he glances between Dustin and Steve,
"You didn't," Dustin tells him with a nod. For once in his life, he hadn't run from danger like a coward. Max wasn't dead, and pride and relief filled him as he collapsed to the grass next to the group. He felt a hand touch his shoulder, patting his jacket slightly. Glancing up, he found Steve watching him, brows knit together in worry,
"We need to get you back in the car before someone sees you," He says firmly. His voice sounded far away even in their close proximity, "C'mon," Steve's reaching his hand out to him, and he accepts the help, feeling his body get pulled up to its feet. Steve's hand is warm, and doesn't feel any bigger than Eddie's, though it's softer. Much softer. And the touch, though firm, is the first thing that begins to calm Eddie's erratic heartbeat and makes him feel that much safer. The moment is quickly gone, and Eddie remembers he is a wanted man out in the open, "Lucas I'll carry her, we have to go-" Steve commands, as he picks Max up, walking quickly with the group back to the car.
Max's head lolls against Eddie's shoulder as she shuts her eyes tiredly. He can faintly hear the finishing drumbeats and the synths, along with the altered vocals of 'Running Up That Hill' through her headphones. Glancing to see Lucas already sleeping, his hands locked in a tight hold with hers, he reaches out to her walkman and rewinds her tape back to the beginning. He sets his hand back on his knee, tapping along to the rhythm of the song and glancing outside at the colourful sunset,
"Hey, uh, Munson?" Steve asks, voice soft and quiet so he doesn't wake the kids sleeping around them. It catches Eddie's attention, eyes focusing on the slithers of reflection in the overhead mirror, "I just wanted to say it was really good what you did," He says. Eddie's hand stills on his leg and he blinks slowly, "You saved her life risking yours, man. That's like..." He doesn't seem to have the words,
"Pretty metal, huh?" A proud smile spreads across Eddie's lips,
"M- Yeah? That's-" He doesn't miss the confusion in Steve's voice, catching the way his forehead creases in confusion. Eddie chuckles slightly,
"It means good, yeah, Harrington," He says in amusement at his obliviousness,
"Right," Steve nods. From the mirror, Eddie notices Steve's smiling and nodding his head, "You're a good guy, you know?" The reassurance causes Eddie to tilt his head like a dog, large brown eyes meeting Steve's soft ones for a moment in the mirror. Just a moment. That's enough to speed up Eddie's heartbeat so he can feel it against his chest,
"No need to flirt with me, Harrington," He says with a hint of playfulness, surprised at where the confidence is coming from. Glancing from the window back to the overhead mirror, he smirks to himself as Steve gapes, blinking, unable to respond. The tips of his ears are red and Eddie laughs, "Damn Steve, are you really that easy to make speechless?" He teases. He could really use a cigarette about now,
"N- don't..." He begins to say, though stops himself, "I just- I was being nice," He says, and Eddie hums,
"Nice," He echoes,
"Yeah- friendly you know? I wasn't flirting," He begins speaking quickly; in contrast, Eddie nods slowly,
"Damn..." He sighs, "That's a shame, big boy," Eddie smirks to himself, "Cause I was," He pats the back of Steve's seat, turning his head to glance out of the window and sliding further down in the car so no one can see him. He doesn't recognise this part of town- the houses are large and nice, "Where-"
"My house!" Steve says too loud, causing everyone in the car to jolt awake. Eddie hisses as Max's hand flies to grab his, nails digging into the side of his wrist,
"Dude- what the hell?" Dustin grumbles, glaring at Steve as he pulls up in front of a two-story house with an outdoor, inground pool. There are no other cars but Steve's,
"Get out- we're here," He announces to them all, getting out first and turning up at Eddie's door. They lock eyes again, Eddie sending him a wink before Steve opens the door with a glance around for anyone who could possibly see the criminal. The others get out with their own grumbles and annoyances of being startled awake, and once they're all inside, they fall quiet again, "My parents aren't home- they're out in Oregon for my cousin's Wedding," Steve's rambling as he removes his muddy shoes and walks into the landing of the spacious home. Glancing over his shoulder, he surveys the stunned expressions, "What?" Eddie's the first to look at him,
"You could have told us you live in a mansion, Harrington," He says in awe,
"It's not a mansion-" He quickly tries to say,
"No, Eddie's right, this is basically like, a castle, Steve," Dustin says, "You could have at least told me you're a millionare-" he rants,
"I'm not a-" Steve can barely get a word in as Henderson keeps ranting,
"I can't believe you only invite me to your house when we're in danger," He says with friendly annoyance as Steve rolls his eyes,
"Max, are you h-"
"I just want to go to sleep," She mutters under her breath. Her gaze is downcast, and she refuses to let go of her hold on Lucas' arm,
"Okay- up- here let me show you," Steve takes two steps at a time as he walks up the stairs. Max and Lucas are slower when they follow him- she's clearly exhausted. Before she gets too far, Eddie feels compelled to speak,
"Red," He says, head reaching the step she's just got on to. He reaches a hand to touch the stair, rings clicking against the hardwood, "You're safe here," He assures her, offering a smile. She gives him a brief one, nodding as Lucas continues helping her up. Eddie nods to himself, letting them continue up as he leans against the wall,
"Okay, Eddie," Dustin's voice comes from next to him. Its suddenness startles the metalhead,
"Jesus, man, could you not!?" He hisses at Dustin, moving a hand to rub his forehead, messing up his bangs,
"Sorry, sorry," Dustin quickly says, lifting his hands up in self-defence, "But when were you going to tell me you knew Max?" He demands in a similar hushed tone,
"She's my neighbour," He frowns, shrugging, "I guess I saw her a few times and said a few things here and there? I don't know- it never came up," He huffs,
"What do you mean it never came up?" Henderson frowns back,
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you want me to just randomly bring up that I know Mayfield, we're best buddies now that she's moved into Forest Hills?" Eddie says sarcastically,
"Just..." Dustin sighs, "We're really lucky you were there with us," His tone is soft now, and he reaches out to pat Eddie's arm in a strangely... Comforting way, "Without you she'd-"
"Yeah," Eddie cuts him off quickly, not wanting to think about that too much, "No use dwelling on the past, right?" He tells the younger boy, reaching out to ruffle the top of his head. He smiles slightly when Dustin grins, fixing his messed up 'Thinking Cap'. Eddie was always fond of the Henderson kid, far more than Wheeler. He could really see his passion during campaigns, something that reminded him of himself. And Eddie wasn't one to dull a flickering candle in a stifling wet cave. No, he was the one with the canister of gasoline and sticks of dynamite, ready to start a fire or blow something up. And though he hated picking favourites amongst his lost sheep, Dustin would always have a place up there,
"Dustin?" Steve calls from the stairs, "You good to take the couch?" He asks walking down the stairs and meeting the two boys still there, "We're working out shifts for rewinding Max's tape and checking in on her. Lucas said he'd be fine doing it all night by himself, but you know. Can't be too sure," He tells him,
"Sure- I can take the couch," And Steve nods, before glancing at Eddie,
"And uh-"
"I can sleep on the floor," Eddie quickly says, causing Steve to gape at him in confusion, "Yeah just like... Get me a blanket and a pillow or something and I'll be a-okay," He shrugs nonchalantly, smiling at Steve, who for some reason, finds the skin of his cheeks and chest growing warmer,
"I- uh, no, you won't need to, Eddie," He says, blinking fast as he realises he's not making sense, "I mean the... The living room windows! Anyone could see you from them and you're-" Steve gestures towards Eddie, "-You are still a wanted man," He says, raising his brows. As if Eddie could forget. He was half expecting a parade of pitchforks and fire as soon as he left the safety of the car in the graveyard, "You uh... I have beer in the fridge," Steve tells him, and he has to bite the inside of his cheek at the way Eddie's face lights up,
"Now you really know the way into a man's heart, Harrington," Eddie grins, patting his shoulder as he eagerly turns and pushes open the door. Steve watches as he bounds to the fridge, gasping as he opens it and looking up and down at the plates of leftovers, vegetables and a full, unopened pack of beer inside. He bites the inside of his cheek again to stop smiling at his child-like reaction, then turns to Dustin. He's staring at him with a confused look,
"Should he be drinking right now?" He says as Steve walks and opens the bedroom door, turning the light on for him and shutting the curtains,
"If..." Steve shrugs, "If he wants to drink right now then who are we to stop him?" He says, before moving to get a blanket and a pillow for the kid. For some reason, his mind fixates on those words. 'You know the way into a mans heart'. It was meant as a playful comment, but that smirk... And Steve's own heart racing and warm smile threatening to appear on his lips all because of Eddie it... Was so confusing, "Hey- Dustin," Steve hisses,
"There's no one else in the room, Steve," The younger kid reminds him, raising his brows as Steve returns to him and hands over the pillow,
"Right uh... So... Eddie," Steve doesn't know how he should ask this. Robin told him a half truth, then the real truth; both times had been unprovoked. She had told him she was queer on her own accord, giving him a reason for her disinterest in him. And he accepted her and loved her like a best friend ever since. He didn't know Eddie enough to declare him a 'best friend'.
He had heard of Eddie the Freak. Eddie the Metalhead. Eddie the 'I play DnD with him because you won't'. Eddie the 'I heard he sells drugs for a good price- better than Rick'. Eddie the 'guy who flunked his Senior year twice'. Trailer trash, weirdo, creep...
Steve didn't think those applied to him anymore. Weirdo, maybe, yeah. Sure he talked a lot- back in the car on the way to the cemetery, he and Dustin tried to explain Lord of the Rings to him when he made a joke about Eddie having a lot of rings. He didn't miss the sigh of disappointment from Dustin or the bark of startling laughter when he confessed he thought the books was called 'Lots of Rings' at first. But there was something endearing about him. The way his face lit up when he got excited; the more animated he got as he explained what Hobbits and a Middle Earth were. There was something about him that had Steve speechless and captivated,
"What about him?" Dustin asks, "Oh my god- please don't start battling for my affection like divorced parents-" He shuts his eyes and heaves a sigh, "-Any other day, I'd be flattered, but right now, I-"
"No, no," Steve says quickly, "No, it's... Do you know if he's...?" Steve shakes his head, spreading his arms. He doesn't know how to say it. Maybe he doesn't want to say it. Ask it, "He's very-" He can't say the words. Flirty, open. Does that mean-
"Yeah, he's like that with everyone," Dustin rolls his eyes, "It's pretty funny- he does it because he 'likes watching people squirm'," He quotes, before snatching the blanket from Steve's hands and draping it over his shoulders, "He just wants a reaction out of you. Don't be too worried about it- unless..." Dustin narrows his eyes, "Oh my god, you do feel threatened by him?" Dustin looks amused,
"Wh- No, I don't!" Steve tries to defend quickly,
"But you are, Steve! Oh, this is great," At least Henderson thinks this is funny,
"It's not- go to sleep, you little shit, and get as much as you can. Lucas is gonna wake you up when he gets too tired to stay up," He's back to ordering his children around, hands moving to his hips considering they're empty now, "Goodnight," He says, a firmness to his voice as he turns the light in the room off so he can't see Dustin smirking to himself as he removes his hat and sets it down on the coffee table,
"Yeah, love you too, Mom!" Dustin calls after him, causing Steve to roll his eyes and bite his tongue as he closes the living room door. He lets out a sigh, eyes darting over his hand still lingering on the door handle,
"Mom?" The amused voice asked from seemingly nowhere, sending an already stressed Steve into overdrive,
"Jesus fucking..." He manages through heavy breaths, setting a hand on his chest to calm his pounding heart at the sight of Eddie in his kitchen. At his reaction, Eddie laughs loudly, slapping a hand over his mouth to not wake anyone already sleeping as he smirks,
"I didn't know you scared so easily too, Harrington!" He removes his hand so Steve can see him smiling as he brings the beer can up to his lips and takes a long sip, "Here," He gestures with it towards Steve as he enters the kitchen, "Oh I also found your Cheez-Itz..." Eddie shakes the red box. Steve had bought those a few days ago because Robin liked them, even though he himself didn't. He kept it around in case she wanted to come over after work. The box sounded almost empty by now, "Is that okay?" He sounds genuinely worried, casting Steve a sceptical glance,
Once again, Steve finds himself short for words. For former 'King of Hawkins High', speaking wasn't an issue. He could speak about anything, with anyone, for as long as he needed. So why was he getting so tongue-tied around Munson?
"It's fine... Yeah," He carefully took the can from him, nodding as Eddie smiled again, digging a hand into the box and attempting to fish out the crumbs. Steve noticed how if he focused on something, Eddie would stick his tongue out to the side. For some reason, his heart raced a little faster at the sight, and he had to grip the cool beer can a little tighter so his hands wouldn't shake. Before he could think too hard, he lifted the can to his lips and took a sip. Eddie hadn't bothered to get him a new one- usually, he wouldn't care or notice... So why did he care so much now? Their lips had touched indirectly,
"Cool," Eddie mumbles over a mouthful. He shook the box again, frowning as he tilted it to look inside, "Cause it's empty now," He tells Steve, setting the box on the counter and wincing slightly as it falls over,
"Yeah, I can see," Steve says, glancing at the beer can and shaking it a little. There was still a fair amount of liquid left, but Eddie made no move to take it back. With a slight frown, Steve glanced back at him, "Hey, when was the last time you ate anything that wasn't... Snacks?" He asks. Eddie blinks at him, taken aback by the question. Was Steve Harrington- the guy he'd, upon first meeting, shoved against a wall and pressed a broken beer bottle to his neck- seriously worried about him? To mask his running thoughts, he simply snorted,
"I get why Henderson calls you mom now," He says with a smile,
"Oh my god," Steve hisses, setting the unfinished can on the kitchen island and turning around, grabbing a cutting board and a freshly opened loaf of bread,
"Y'Gonna make me a PB and J with the crusts cut off too, Stevie?" Eddie has the discarded can in his hands and he's casually sipping on it, walking over to lean against Steve's fridge and watch as he makes a sandwich, focusing on his hands and his long slender fingers as he grabs the loaf of bread and cuts two slices. His gaze travels upwards, to the grey jacket Steve still hasn't taken off, to the freckles dotting his cheeks. His lips, his hair. He was close now and he could smell it. That alone made him smile and feel so much safer than he had been in the week he was formally exiled from society,
"Here," Steve says, with a similar affliction to an annoyed mother putting up with a rambunctious child. There's a plate that's slid over to Eddie, making him set the almost finished beer can down,
"Holy shit, I was kidding!" Though he's smiling wide again and grabbing the crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich, eagerly taking a bite and smearing the grape preserves over his cheeks. Steve's instincts tell him to look away or get him something to clean his face with, but he hasn't seen Eddie smile like this and a part of him wants to take it in,
"It's what I had on hand, nothing... Fancy," Steve shrugs, "You want another?"
"Please," Eddie pleads, muffled by the mouthful of bread and peanut butter even though he hasn't even started on the second slice. He doesn't miss the twinkle in his eye, or the way Steve's gaze lingers on him as he licks any stickiness from his fingers, smirking in a sly way, "You always stare at your house guests this much Harrington?"
"No," He says it too quickly. Jesus Christ, Steve had made so many girls nervous in his life he thought he knew what that was like. Now the shoe was truly on the other foot, he had no clue what to do with himself, "No..." He said slower now, spreading the peanut butter on the bread a little slower, more aware of what he was doing,
"Damn," Eddie hisses beside him, "Guess I'm special," Steve laughs a little at that, shaking his head as he grabs the other knife and spread the jelly on the bread, "What? I must have charmed you somehow, considering you and your hair haven't run to the police to report me," Eddie says. He's shifted now- Steve can see him in his peripheral vision when he straightens, back pressed against the refrigerator and focused on the stationary ceiling fan, head tilted upwards at a slight angle as he chews thoughtfully, "Why haven't you?" Eddie's large brown eyes meet Steve's with a curious look, a frown set on his lips. There's still a smear of preserves on his cheek, "I mean, what's in this for you?" He shrugs, "For all you know, 'King Steve', I'm a wanted man," He says with bitterness in his tone,
"But you aren't a murderer," Steve says, pressing the two slices together and grabbing the larger knife, focusing on his hands and cutting the sandwich's crust, "Besides," He sighs. He drops his voice, just in case Henderson's listening in from the living room, "You're Dustin's friend- he doesn't just make friends with assholes," He says,
"Way to boost your own ego, Harrington," There's the amusement back in his voice, "So this is all for Dustin, huh?" He asks. When Steve looks at him, he raises his brows, "After this... Miraculously blows over, we go back to hating each other?" It feels like an ice spike suddenly drives through Steve's heart, and it's so sudden and confusing, that he feels like he might die,
"What?" He can't help but choke out, deeply concerned. Was this... Was he being led on? Messed with on purpose? When he glances up at Eddie's face, he can see the slight fear and hurt on his face, even though he rolls his eyes and sets the empty plate down,
"Fighting for the kid's undying affection and all that," Eddie shrugs, "Aren't we competition?" He doesn't sound very sure of those words, and Steve also picks up that he's not looking at his eyes anymore. In fact, he's looking down to avoid all eye contact altogether,
"Well I don't think of it like that at all," Steve admits, cutting the final crust from the sandwich and slicing it into two triangles. Eddie is quiet, though he lifts his head again. Steve turns to him with the sandwich on the same plate, pressing it into his hands. Eddie takes it but makes no moves to eat, "C'mon, you're hungry," Steve taps the plate with his finger, before glancing at the eight crust pieces left behind on the cutting board and taking a bite of one,
"If we're not competition..." Eddie says after a few moments of silence, gaining Steve's attention again, "Then... What are we?"
In that moment, Steve recalls all the conversations he's had with all the people he's dated in High school. The dreaded 'lets make it official', 'are we just dating, hanging out, or are we boyfriend and girlfriend?' and... 'I love you'.
The more time he spent alone, the idea that maybe he was one of those people who was never supposed to experience love began to settle in his heart. Perhaps he was never destined to hear those words said in pure honesty and with the utmost affection a human being is capable of.
But when he looked at Eddie now, watching him expectantly with those round and innocent brown doe eyes, frowning so gently, he felt that familiar swell of adoration blossom in his heart. Even when his eyes flicked over the smear of grape jelly on his cheek, He realised if he was going to love anyone; if there was anyone he wanted to tell 'I love you' and be told 'I love you too', it'd be Eddie. And though the thought terrified him, it filled him with an excitement for what could be,
"Co-parents?" Perhaps it was too forward. He only said it because of the rush of adrenaline coursing through his body at the sudden realisation of the depth of his feelings. He never expected it'd make Eddie snort and laugh loudly, a beautiful sound that caused Steve to let out the smallest chuckle, barely a breath escaping his slightly parted lips,
"Co-parents," Eddie repeated with a grin, thankfully, "Cool- I'll take that over suspect number one any day," he tells him with a pleasant smile. Eddie quickly realises said smile is beginning to hurt his cheeks, though he oddly doesn't want the pain to go. He doesn't remember being happy like this before and he wants it to last. He finally takes a bite of the second sandwich while Steve eats the discarded crust in peaceful silence. He'd call it a ceasefire though there was no war between them to begin with, apparently. Maybe he judged Steve wrong- did the exact thing everyone's been doing to him all his life. Staring at his perfect hair and expensive clothes and thinking he'd want nothing to do with a rat freak like Munson. Yet here he was, eating the unwanted crusts of his PB and J. Steve could see Eddie was terrified back in that boathouse- he wouldn't hold a grudge against a man fearing for his life, "So because you're the mom, am I the dad?" Eddie asks with a smile once he swallows another bite. Steve laughs lightly, though the tips of his ears burn pink.
There were many things Eddie Munson had been called over the years. There were many things he expected Steve Harrington to call him. 'Co-parent' was nowhere on that list, but he'd take it over 'murderer' any day.