for
bigboyvibes
[ After his first attempt at senior year ended in failures all around, Eddie hasn't exactly been enthusiastic about coming back to Hawkins High. He's done his hardest to stick to the background whenever possible, not trying to start shit with the clear turf war that seems to be brewing with Billy Hargrove and Tommy Hagan. And while he's got his band and the D&D club, that still leaves him alone at lunch most days.
With a sigh, Eddie plops himself down and tries his hardest to eat in peace. No standing up on tables, saying fuck you to the man and to conformity. No, he just wants to get through this year and pretend like he wasn't supposed to graduate last year.
For the most part, everyone leaves him alone. They know better than to upset the balance, because Eddie provides the party favors. But he doesn't want to test his luck, either. Who knows when they'll deem him and his services no longer necessary?
The perks of selling to the elite, does mean that he can see that shit is definitely going down. Harrington has been out of commission for a while, and Billy Hargrove was out for a couple days before returning with a suspiciously black eye. The two might not be connected, but then again, perhaps it was?
He'll probably never find out, though. Steve Harrington doesn't exactly tolerate his presence, never has, and never will. He might not wear a crown any longer, but Eddie still knows his place among the plebians of Hawkins High.
There are rumblings, that it has something to do with the whole Wheeler and Byers situation, but Eddie isn't going to speculate there. He does find it kind of weird that Wheeler left Harrington for Byers, but he knows better than to try and figure out the truth. That's just going to lead Eddie to death threats and nothing more.
He's just popping a grape in his mouth when Harrington walks into the cafeteria and --
holy shit, he looks like he had the shit kicked out of him at one point. What the fuck? He tries to look away quickly, because he just knows he's going to get a smartass comment if Steve sees that he's been staring. But he does nearly choke on the grape in the process, needing to pound his fist against his chest to get it to dislodge. What the fuck. ]
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He reaches a hand out towards Steve, not sure if touch would even be welcome, but dammit if he doesn't want to lay a hand on Steve's shoulder to reassure him that it was okay. He lets his hand drop before it gets to Steve's shoulder and he looks away. )
Thanks, man. At least someone thinks so. Wish you could convince my teachers.
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He doesn't notice Eddie's extended hand but he would have welcomed it. ]
I am though. The universe has made that pretty fucking clear.
[But this isn't about him.]
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I don't think you are.
( He tries again, this time letting his hand rest on Steve's arm, as if by touch alone he might be able to convince Steve what he thinks of him is genuine. Which is maybe foolish, considering before all of this with Billy he didn't want anything to do with Steve, but now?
Now he finds himself enjoying Steve's company. )
I don't think you're stupid at all.
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He didn't matter to her. He never had. That's what he gets for actually making a goddamn connection with a girl instead of just sleeping with her and calling it.
The touch on his arm startles Steve for a second, head tilting to look back at Eddie. He still doesn't understand why the other is actually offering him kindness, why he isn't telling Steve to just fuck off because he's a douche.
Instead Eddie tries to offer a bit of comfort and those fingers against his skin feels-
Different.)
I am. Learned that the hard way. Not that I was ever smart but-
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Maybe Steve just needs a little helping hand. )
Dude, are you kidding? You are smart. Maybe not, like, valedictorian smart, but I mean. You're on track to graduate on time, right?
( Unlike Eddie, who is on his second attempt at senior year. At least it means Eddie and Steve are in the same graduating class now. This is gonna be his year, he can feel it. )
You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna show all those idiots that they were fools to underestimate you, I can feel it.
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He's stuck here. He's always going to be stuck here. Well, if the Upside Down doesn't knock him off first.)
I'm going to be fucking stuck here with some dead-end pointless job going nowhere. That's where I'm fucking going to be.
(Better known as a major failure. Just another pretty boy that peaked in High School and was now a huge loser.
What a fucking life. Doesn't get any better than this. )
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If that happens, you won't be alone, you know? Pretty sure I'm going to be in the same boat.
( Maybe Eddie isn't stupid, but that doesn't mean the rest of the world wasn't willing to give him a chance. He might as well accept that if he doesn't graduate, he is going to end up stuck here. )
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Don't you have a band or something?
(Eddie Munson doesn't seem the type to not have this huge, insane and wild dream he wants to achieve. He also doesn't se the kind to just be stuck in Hawkins all his life. )
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I mean, yeah, and it's not like we're bad, because we're not, but still. Feels like it's imposible, you know, to get noticed. It feels like it'll take a miracle for us to get big enough to get out of Hawkins.
( He shrugs, tilting his head back and looking at the ceiling. ) But hey, if we make it big and, you know, go on tour, you could help us with all the equipment. Loading the van. Can't promise we'd be able to pay in more than beers, but, you know. ( He grins, turning his head to the side, looking like he's teasing, but also feeling like maybe he's not joking that much. )
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Apparently is a lot of violent screaming?
A wave of warmth washes over his body as Eddie describes his own dream, his goal in life. It doesn't sound ridiculous or impossible. Eddie has that drive a lot of people in this town doesn't. His own eyes widen in surprise at Eddie's offer. Steve can't see himself as someone touring with a band but it was a kind thought regardless.)
Don't really think that would be my kinda thing but uh-
(What in the hell is he doing?)
I've always had this dream about touring the world, ya know? Just hit the road and go.
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Yeah, you wanna be some big jetsetter? Or just, like, a road trip? Because I have to say, I've always thought about just taking my van and getting out of here, seeing what the rest of the world is like.
( Maybe they weren't so different than he thought. Their taste of music might be far apart, but that didn't mean there weren't similarities elsewhere. )
Hey, you might still get that dream. Don't give up hope just yet.
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He was an idiot.
He gives a small shrug of his own. His head once again falling back to rest against the couch. )
Just get in a car and drive. Don't even think about where I want to go and just up wherever, ya know? Crash at some hotel or the beach.
(He leaves out the part about wanting a companion by his side for reasons. )
Maybe? I doubt it.
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Sounds kind of lonely. Don't get me wrong, sounds exciting, but, I don't know. I'd want someone to share it with. At least eventually, you know?
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(But that had all changed the second Nancy had called him bullshit, clarified that she never did love him. It was a rude awakening but Steve accepted it. Figured he deserved it after everything. )
That changed.
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Maybe you'll find someone who'll want to share that dream with you. ( He looks and sounds strangely sincere when he says this, looking Steve in the eyes, almost too deeply. )
You've got time, anyway. More than I do, at least.
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Just don't understand why she lied about everything. Then rushed to fuck Byers....
(He winces after saying that. Regretting that he had because he's not trying to tarnish Nancy's name here. When he begins to protect her name he's suddenly distracted by the way Eddie is gazing at him with those bright eyes.
Gorgeous color too.
What?)
What do you mean by that?
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Then again, what did he know? It's not like his track record when it came to relationships gives him any kind of authority on the subject.
But then Steve seems to be gazing back at him with the same kind of intensity, which takes Eddie by surprise. Or maybe that's just all in Eddie's head. )
Just, you know. I'll be stuck here another year. Ain't nobody's gonna want to do anything with me by the time I get out of here.
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In the end he can't change the choices made and certain harsh words said. The reality was that Nancy was happier with Jonathan, she loved him. Steve couldn't rob her of the happiness she both seeked and deserved. What kind of a person would he be if he had?
His dream relationship just wasn't meant to be.
Funny. He hasn't pulled his eyes away from Eddie's own. He's finding himself suddenly infatuated. Must be the weed?)
I don't think that.
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He swallows thickly, not willing to break the spell that has apparently taken over them. )
You don't?
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It's nice to have someone to talk to even if this might be a one time deal. He can feel his body shifting against the sofa due to the way those bright eyes are gazing at him like he's this special little treat.
It's kinda hot?)
Nah. Not with the personality you have.