chitona | for wonafight

for wonafight

( The rest of the summer, fall, and winter of 1985 saw with it a blossoming friendship with Steve Harrington. It had been one of the more unexpected things to crop up in Eddie's life, but not an unwelcome one. It certainly did nothing to help with the incessant crush he had been harboring, practically since Steve was a freshman, but that's not really Eddie's concern.

When Eddie took the munchkins under his wing and heard even more tales of Steve Harrington, Eddie was well and properly done for. Though Steve's visits to the trailer park had slowed down a bit, mainly due to the weather growing colder by the day, Eddie still felt something building in his chest, an affection he swore he wouldn't let himself feel, knowing fully well it would never be anything but one-sided. And yet, every time Steve shows up with that damn dopey smile of his, Eddie finds himself just too weak to say no.

So, this continues on, but always with Steve joining him at Eddie's trailer, never Eddie showing up on Steve's doorstep. Because he knows how this goes, knows that it's still a transactional friendship based on smoking weed. They don't hang out without smoking, after all.

That, of course, doesn't mean Eddie doesn't know where Steve's house is. Who in Hawkins doesn't know where that mansion is? Back when parties were a frequent occurrence, Eddie has set up shop in the Harringtons' basement to facilitate some sales, all without Steve likely even knowing. Who knew this knowledge would one day come in handy?

Spring Break was supposed to be Eddie's excuse to kick back and not look at his school notes for a week. Instead, the night of the Championship game happened and Eddie found himself face to face with one of the most terrifying nightmares he will ever have the unfortunate luck in experiencing. As he runs away from the trailer park, stashing his van not far from Loch Nora, he runs the rest of the way to the Harrington residence, praying to whatever god would even listen that Steve's parents aren't home. He doesn't check which car is in the driveway as he bangs on the door and hopes it's Steve that answers. )

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[ Steve’s date with Brenda had been mercifully short. Even though he’d told Dustin that he thought she could be the one, he’d immediately decided that wasn’t the true the moment she said she thought Tammy Thompson was a talented singer. She was nice, but clearly had a questionable taste. She’d seemed a little put out when he drove her home after the game, but said nothing as she got out of the car and leaned in through the open window. Brenda said they should do it again, and Steve nodded and smiled, saying he would call her. The relief he’d felt while driving away had been immense.

He doesn’t know why he keeps striking out with these girls that should be fine, but aren’t. Steve doesn’t think he’s being too picky, all things considered. He’s not the asshole he used to be and knows that there’s more than just physical attraction to consider. He wants that, of course, but he also wants someone he can talk to. Someone that might eventually be willing to understand why he drives around a bunch of Freshman, sleeps with a nail bat by his bed and wakes up from nightmares more often than not.

It’s hard to be genuine when he has a different perspective from everyone else. He’s seen and fought what lies underneath Hawkins. Russians have tortured him and he witnessed Billy Hargrove die a terrible death last Summer. Hopper died being a hero, the Byers left town, and they left him to take care of the others on his own. It’s a lot of responsibility and he feels the weight of it slowly grinding him down. The only real release he has is when he goes to Eddie’s to light up. It’s a near weekly thing now, usually on the nights that Robin’s working and he’s off. For a few hours he lets himself forget that he and Nancy are really all that’s left to protect the others and she’ll be gone next year, along with Robin. That eventually, all the kids will be gone. Which will be good because it means they made it out alive, but bad because it means Steve will be on his own again.

These thoughts circle around his brain repeatedly as he drives home from his date. He throws his keys on the table by the door and turns on the TV for background noise before plopping down on the oversized couch with a frustrated groan. He’s lying there for less than half an hour when he hears banging on his door. The sound makes him jump, adrenaline spiking as he moves to the front door. He swings the door open expecting to see one of the kids on the other side of the door. Instead, it’s Eddie who’s staring back at him, pale and wild-eyed.] Eddie? What’s wrong?

[ A thousand thoughts run through his head as he reaches out for Eddie’s arm to ground him.] Are you okay?

( The moment Steve opens the door, Eddie finds himself deflating, practically collapsing against Steve in what is probably a far more intimate manner than their friendship would allow for. But out of everyone, Steve is the one he turns to, maybe because nobody knows that he and Steve hang out regularly. Maybe a part of him hopes that Steve won't think him crazy, might even understand when he tells him the wildest story that, if he hadn't witnessed it with his own eyes, he would think completely insane.

He says nothing at first, fear still gripping him too tightly to make out words coherent enough that Steve would understand. Instead, he clings tightly to Steve and lets himself be guided into the doorway so that Steve can close the door and he can have his breakdown with at least some sense of privacy. Eventually, he calms down enough where he trusts his voice to not be broken by sobs or by hyperventilating. )

I...I didn't know where to go, I. Shit, Steve, I --

( He can still see Chrissy's emotionless face, Chrissy just standing there, frozen in place, eyes completely white. How Eddie had tried to wake her, shake her, but nothing snapped her out of it until finally she floated above him, pressed against his ceiling, with the sickening sound of bones cracking and the terrifying visage of that girl who just wanted to buy some drugs to help her sleep through the night contorted until she looked like one of the monsters in his Dungeons & Dragons handbook. )

You're never gonna believe me.

[ Concern takes over when Eddie all but falls into him, his fingers pushing their way into Steve's skin as if he's afraid he might disappear on him. Steve pulls him inside, shutting the door and taking a moment to assess if Eddie has any apparent injury. When he speaks it's even more apparent how shaken he is. It's rare to see Eddie so vulnerable and scared shitless. Steve's seen him jump on cafeteria tables, taunt jocks twice his size and barely bat an eye. Whatever has happened it's turned him upside down and inside out.

Steve pulls him towards the couch, his brow furrowing when he says he's never going to believe him. Steve presses his lips together, his stomach tightening at the possibility that Eddie Munson just discovered what Hawkins really is underneath it's harmless exterior. But that can't be it, can it? There's been nothing since Starcourt. Nothing since the week they met.

He finds himself hoping it's something else. Anything else.

He reaches out and claps a hand on Eddie's shoulder.] Hey, man. It's okay. You're okay. Just try me. What happened?

( When Steve doesn't shove him away, Eddie feels a sort of silent victory. Their friendship has certainly evolved in the weeks since they started smoking regularly together. But he still figured that there was this unspoken boundary that had never been crossed -- at least, not until now. If Steve wanted to keep their relationship as nothing more than that of a dealer and customer, Steve wouldn't have opened the door for him and let him in, so he tries to quiet the part of his mind that seems insistent that Steve won't care about this. )

I didn't know where else to go, man, I'm so sorry to do this to you. It's Chrissy, she -- ( He clenches his eyes shut and feels a howl of agony clawing its way loose, but he swallows it down. He needs to get through this, and he needs to not alert Steve's neighbors that he's here. ) It's like something possessed her, like...I tried to wake her up, but she wouldn't. And then she was hovering and, and -- ( There were tears in his eyes now, the words growing harder and harder to get out as his throat tightened up. ) whatever it was that did this to her, it killed her, man, it's like nothing I've ever seen, and the sound.

( He jumps when he hears a noise outside, not too unlike the crunching of bones. Realistically, it's just someone who stepped on a branch. ) Fuck, man, I just left her there, she just wanted something strong to help her sleep and I just left her there.

[ Steve is surprised that Eddie even knows where he lives, though he supposes in his reign as King Steve he'd thrown enough parties needing Eddie's favors. He's never seen Eddie look the way he does now, which is completely terrified. He can barely speak and Steve wonders with a sinking feeling in his stomach if he's just found out what lies beneath Hawkins. ]

Chrissy? Cunningham? [ That's the only Chrissy he can think of, off the top of his head. Though, as far he knows she and Eddie usually don't hang out. Then again, most people don't know that he and Eddie hang out either. His eyes narrow as Eddie goes on. He only knows of one cause of possession in Hawkins. But those victims hadn't levitated.

Steve swallows thickly, fighting down the rising bile in his throat at the thought that the mindflayer might be back. His first instinct is to tell Hopper, Joyce, El. But they're all gone now. It's just him and Nancy left. He feels like someone's punched him in the stomach and all the air leaves his lungs at once as he breathes out, ] Fuck.

[ He looks back at Eddie, tears in his eyes and jumpy at the smallest sound and pulls him inside, closing the door behind them. His voice is low and urgent, sounding much older than his age. ] Eddie, I believe you. I really do. [ He wants to tell him it's going to be okay, but he's not going to lie to him. Eddie isn't Dustin or one of the kids, he'll see right through his bullshit. ]

[ Steve lets go of him to rub vigorously at his eyes, his mind racing. ] Shit, shit, shit. [ He stops in his pacing back and forth to narrow in on Eddie. ] You're sure she's dead?

Edited 2023-07-07 13:34 (UTC)

( Eddie really hadn't been sure if Steve would believe him, so when he insists that he does, it throws him off guard. He had been prepared for an argument, and for Eddie to have to find somewhere else to lie low, or less dramatically, for Steve to push back and suggest he go see a psych doctor for his head.

But no, Steve just accepts what he says and pulls him inside. He stares at Steve with a mixture of relief and concern, like maybe this isn't the first time Steve has had an encounter with the seemingly unexplainable. There were always rumors about Hawkins being cursed after all, weren't there? And with the mall fire...all of those people dead... )

Unless someone can survive their bones being snapped in half and their eyes popping out of their skull. ( He doesn't mean it to sound so harshly, or for his eyes to look so defiant, but it's partially a self defense mechanism. He's spent too many years complaining about his parents only to be not believed by anyone until it was too late and Eddie had barely skated by without a record. Steve doesn't deserve such a reaction from Eddie, but he's feeling far too on edge, like a live wire ready to catch on fire. )

You really believe me?

[ Steve winces at the graphic recount of Chrissy's death. He hadn't borne witness to the end of any of those that had been controlled by the mindflayer, unless you counted Billy being impaled. But that had been enough of a nightmare in itself, if only because Steve couldn't do anything to protect the kids from seeing it. Especially, Max.

There's a fire in Eddie's eyes that Steve knows a little too well. A threshold that's been crossed and can't be uncrossed again. An undoing that Steve's felt over and over and over again, ever since that night he'd stumbled on Nancy and Jonathan and the demogorgon. Steve takes in a shaky breath and nods, his fingers tightening on Eddie's shoulder. ] Yeah, I do. I really do. [ He pauses. He's not supposed to tell anyone anything he knows but this isn't just anyone. This is Eddie. His friend.] Eddie, listen. Maybe you should sit down. There's a lot I need to tell you.

( It should be a lot stranger, being here. They went from being tentative acquaintances to Eddie providing Steve with drugs, and yet because he always shared with him it never felt like too much of a transactional friendship. Somewhere along the line, his time with Steve went beyond just shooting the shit and getting high together.

Which is why when Steve tells him to sit down, as nervous and confused as he is, he does so immediately and without question. ) What do you mean? ( Eddie furrows his brow suspiciously. ) Stevie, you're acting like -- ( It dawns on him, remembering how Steve looked that first night he wound up at Eddie's trailer. ) Like you've been through this before?

[ It should be surprising, just how quickly Eddie's able to read him, but that's a testament to the time they've spent together. Steve has kept some important things out of his stories, but there's still a familiarity with Eddie that had come naturally. He may not have told him about the Upside Down, but he'd told him a lot of other things.

He looks down guiltily and nods slowly. ] Not this exactly, but something like it. [ He sits down beside him with a big sigh, leaning over his knees and clasping his hands together.] You know how people say Hawkins is cursed? They're not wrong.

[ He tells him about the demogorgon, the demodogs, the mindflayer, the fight at the mall. He hesitates about telling him about the Russians, but there's no way to sidestep it when he starts talking about the portal and how they lost Hopper. He knows he sounds insane, but still, somethow, Eddie manages to keep a straight face. When Steve finally finishes his mouth is dry from talking. He shrugs.] So now there's no Hopper, no El with super powers. It's just me and Nancy and Robin and the kids. [ He pauses, his eyebrows dipping sympathetically.] And you.

( Eddie can't help but feel his heart start to ache as Steve tells him everything. The fact that Steve had gone through this, mostly alone, and Eddie had no clue. At least he was able to offer Steve a little bit of solace when they smoked together, but that seemed like it paled in comparison to what Stee really needed.

He rubs a hand across his face when Steve wraps up the story he tells him. As outlandish as it is, he believes every word of it. ) Shit. Fucking hell, you're telling me that there's this...this place that exists and we're just...we've just been living with it right there all this time? What the fuck?

( Clearly the lab, the government, all of that covering up was done expertly if this is the first Eddie is finding out about everything. But now it all paints a much clearer picture, of a much darker Hawkins than he had ever imagined. ) What do we do, man? Everyone's gonna think I -- I killed her.

[ Steve swallows and nods. ] Yeah, it's a lot to swallow, I know.

[ And yet, Eddie isn't arguing, he's just trying to wrap his mind around it. Steve doesn't blame him if it takes him a while. It's definitely taken him years to swallow everything himself.

He pushes himself to his feet when Eddie asks what they're going to do. He's always thought better on his feet, after all. ] You're going to stay here and lie low. No one's going to look for you here. I'll get ahold of the government somehow and we'll explain that it's back. They'll have to clear your name.

( Eddie's eyes snap to Steve almost at once. He doesn't expect Steve to be so willing to let him stay over. Just because they spent a night here and there smoking together didn't automatically make them friends. But maybe he misjudged what their relationship had become.

Or maybe he's just being overly hopeful. )

Thanks, Stevie. ( His voice is quiet and strained as he tries to process all of this. A few moments later, it sinks in what Steve had also said about his offer to let Eddie stay at his place. ) Wait...why do you know how to get a hold of the government?

[ Steve stops his pacing and turns to look at Eddie. ] Because they’re the ones behind all of this. They’re the ones that created El, or at least developed her powers which opened the first portal. They’ve tried to bury all of this each time something comes through, but they can never fix it.

[He shakes his head and drops down onto the couch beside Eddie with a sigh.] People have died. We’ve all signed Non-disclosure agreements and been told that we won’t be protected if we break them. My parents don’t know about any of it. Most of the kids parents either. It’s all just this big secret we all walk around.
But I have a number to reach them at if anything happens. I don’t know what they’re going to do this time, but they’re probably going to want to talk to you. And they’ll have to get your life back to you. You didn’t kill her.

Edited 2023-09-03 13:50 (UTC)

( For the first time since he left his trailer behind, Eddie feels comforted. While he isn't wholly convinced that everything will be made right, Steve has at least convinced him that he knows what he's doing. Maybe Steve does know how to get in touch with them. He has to hold out hope, anyway; otherwise, what's the point? Why should he keep on fighting? )

So...just lay low, huh? I don't know about you, but waiting around will drive me up the wall. ( He pulls out his cigarette case out of the back pocket of his jeans. ) How about it, Stevie? One hit for old times' sake?

Yeah. [ Steve doesn't know what else to tell Eddie to do. He's not prepared for this - to be the leader in Joyce and Hopper's absence. But he knows he's not going to let Eddie go down for something he didn't do.

He watches as Eddie pulls his cigarette case out of his back pocket, considering it for a moment before he nods and gives in. He should probably keep a clear head right now, but the panic is blocking out all of his useful thoughts anyway right now. ] Okay, but not in here. We can smoke by the pool.

[ He pushes himself off the couch, grateful that none of their neighbors are close enough to spot Eddie in the backyard, at least. He hasn't pointed out the obvious solution of having Eddie lie low here at Steve's, where no one will likely think about looking for him, but maybe Eddie will be more open to it after a smoke. He's given Steve some pushback in the past when he's tried to over pay him or when he knows Eddie undercharged him.

He leads the way out through the sliding glass doors to the patio, where the pulls one chair closer to another, the metal feet scraping the ground noisily. The blue water reflects a faint unearthly light on everything and Steve shivers a little as the trees beyond the patio sway.]

Right, of course. My uncle doesn't let me smoke inside, either. ( Though that was less about ruining the rugs by coating it with a layer of soot and more about there not being a separate bedroom and the stuff reeks too much, even when Eddie contains it to his bedroom and cracks a window open. )

Lead the way, Stevie.

( He follows Steve out the sliding glass door and onto the patio, taking one look at the pool and whistling at just how expensive everything looks. He had never gotten a chance to see this place when it was just Steve here. Suddenly, he feels special. Outside of the girls, Steve takes to his bedroom; how many other people got to see it like this? )

Too bad it's still too cold for a swim. It's almost a nice night for it otherwise. ( He takes out the prepared joint and lays it and his lighter on the table, sliding it over to Steve. ) Would you like to do the honors, big boy?

[ Sometimes Steve forgets about Eddie's uncle. Eddie always seems so self possessed and bent on doing whatever he wants to, an authority figure doesn't really seem to fit in with his life. At least not the same way that Steve's own parents do, seemingly able to pull his strings from a thousand miles away.

Despite the situation and the fact that he knows what they're in for, Steve smiles at Eddie's comment. ] The pool's heated if you want a swim. [It's not cold enough that the heat is escaping off the surface, but he knows the water, while not warm, exactly - is warm enough. He almost feels a little apologetic for the sheer wastefulness of it, considering the small but cozy confines of the van where they normally smoke.]

[ He tries to ignore the small way his pulse jumps at the stupid nickname. It doesn't mean anything. Steve's not that big, definitely not bigger than Eddie. He gets the distinct feeling that Eddie says it because he likes that Steve doesn't know how to react to it. It should be a dick move, but it isn't. ] Sure.

[ He reaches for the joint and the lighter, still warm from Eddie's pocket, and sticks the edge into his mouth to light it. He's practiced now, nothing like the guy who hadn't had a clue what to do, that first time. Though, he still gets Eddie to roll them for him, just because there's something nice about knowing that Eddie's fingers put it together for him. He watches the embers burn before taking a hit and handing it over to Eddie. ] So how are you at real hand to hand combat? Not the fantasy stuff.

( Eddie laughs at that. As nice of a distraction as a swim might be, it feels a little disrespectful after what he just witnessed. He can't shake that image forever emblazoned in his head. He hates that his first thought was why'd it have to happen in my trailer?

He watches Steve light the joint, his eyes honing in on Steve's hand, his mouth. He's transfixed, and it almost takes him a moment to absorb Steve's question. )

Hm? Oh...right. ( He frowns, looking down at his hands. It's one thing to defend yourself from a bully, but hand-to-hand? Him? ) I've never, um. Had to, you know. Fight. I don't think I could throw a punch to save my life.

[ Steve's gaze follows Eddie's down to his hands, slender, calloused fingers holding the joint as he seems to contemplate Steve's answer. He's a little surprised that Eddie hasn't been in many fights. He seems like an intentional target for trouble, He'd imagined that he'd had his fair share over the years. Steve raises an eyebrow.] Really?

[ Still, he' s not asking to be a dick. It's not like he has a ton of experience. At least, not in winning fights. He'd won the one fight with the Russian, but he'd had the element of surprise on his side. He supposes he also won the fights with the demogorgon and demodogs by default since he was still alive, but that had been more because of his weapon than his fighting skills.] I'd teach you, but I'm not that great at throwing a punch either. I've got this bat with nails... [ He sighs, looking out over the water.] It was Nancy's. It's come in handy, though.

[ He looks back over at Eddie.] We'll make you one. I can definitely show you how to swing a bat.

( Eddie nods as he takes a hit of the joint, blowing the smoke out with a contented sigh. If there's one thing he can count on, it's weed to take the edge off an otherwise terrifying situation. Now, if only he could block out the disturbing image of Chrissy that keeps creeping out of the darkness, reminding him of what he just witnessed. )

A bat with nails, ( Eddie repeats, regarding Steve with awe in his eyes. ) You continue to surprise me after all this time. ( He manages a small smile before it diminishes at the thought of having to use any kind of weapon. It reminds him too much of scheming with his father. Shit, if his old man could see him now, what would he think? Probably rub it in his face that he ran, reminding him that's the Munson way. )

I guess I should get some training in. Y'know, if I am to survive this horrifying ordeal that you've apparently gone through before. What the fuck. ( He hands Steve back the joint before covering his face with his hands and letting out a frustrated groan. )

[ It's hard not to see how haunted Eddie's eyes are as he looks back at Steve with them. He really wishes that he hadn't been drug into all of this shit. If he could've kept anyone out of it, it would've been Eddie and Robin, but now they were both just as entrenched in it as he was. ]

[ He smiles back at Eddie, surprised that he's impressed with the nailbat, of all things. It had been Nancy's idea, he'd just been the one to grab it.] Yeah, it's upstairs. I keep it by my bed, just in case.

[ Steve nods, relieved that Eddie's at least willing to be proactive about his survival. He shifts, moving to sit beside Eddie and presses his shoulder into his.] I know. [ He sighs heavily.] I'm really sorry you're in the know about all of this now. I didn't want you to have to find out, but... [ He swallows.] I guess you're in it now. Welcome to the Party.

I promise, I'll do whatever I can to keep you safe. No one is going to look for you here, right?

( There is something about the fiercely protective side of Steve that Eddie is eating up so thoroughly. He never had anyone give that much of a shit about whether he lived or died. Maybe Uncle Wayne, but there were days when it felt like Wayne kept him around out of obligation, making up for his deadbeat brother's failing as a father.

Wayne is bound by blood, but Steve? Eddie is just his dealer. )

Shit, Stevie. I'm happy you're on my side. ( Eddie knows he probably looks flustered, though he hopes he can blame it on the weed, which he hands off to Steve, shivering at the slight brush of their fingers during the exchange. ) I trust you, though, man. It's why I came here instead of, you know...trying to flee the town.

Of course I'm on your side. [ Steve gives him an almost hurt look as he takes the blunt back. Maybe before... they'd become friends, or at the very least, friendly he might have had his doubts about Eddie Munson, but since then they'd spent hours together smoking and talking. He knows he's not a murderer and he's not about to let the town make him a scapegoat just because he's different.] I know you, Eddie. You're not half of what they say you are.

[ Steve takes a drag and holds it for a beat before letting it out, his eyes moving over the edge of the woods at the back of the yard.] We'll have to get you out of town eventually, but you can lie low here until things die down and it's easier. [ He thinks about what it would be like to never be able to come back home to Hawkins and he feels his chest tighten a little in sympathy.] Any ideas on where you'll go?

Edited 2024-02-19 22:51 (UTC)

( Eddie feels...well, he feels something when Steve says he knows him. It causes him to shiver, and he has to fight not to grin madly. Steve knows him. Well, obviously, he would, considering how often they had smoked together. Steve had to realize they went beyond the usual dealer/customer relationship.

The thought of having to leave Hawkins sours his mood more than Eddie would like to admit. He frowns, reaching for a strand of hair with his free hand that's not grasping the offered joint. ) You know, I always talked big about leaving. Now that it's proving to be a necessity, I have no fucking clue.

( He sighs, pausing to take in a long drag, followed by another, and then offers the joint back to Steve. ) At one point, I don't know, I thought maybe San Francisco. There's, um. A community, ( he muses coyly, eyeing Steve closely for his reaction, as if Steve might have heard of Castro Street, or at least the large contingent of gay men that had moved out there since it was safe for them. ) Yeah, a community of people like me.

[ He watches as Eddie studies his hair and then takes a drag, his lips pulling from the joint, before he meets Eddie's eyes again. The thought of not seeing Eddie around town any more, of not having anywhere to go when he doesn't want to talk and just needs somewhere to escape to, makes his heart feel a little heavy. He's going to miss him, he realizes with a little bit of surprise. Not that he didn't think he would, just that he's realizing just how much.

He takes the joint back, holding it and staring at it, watching the paper burn for a moment, shifting and changing and disappearing, before he looks over at Eddie again at the mention of San Francisco. He's heard of it, of course. There have been news stories and articles about the community of people who have made their home there. Rumors popping up in conversations he's overheard. Not just hippies, but homosexuals. Everything that Hawkins, Indiana is scared of in one den of sin in California. Steve thinks he knows what Eddie is getting at, he's heard rumors about Eddie too, things he's chosen to ignore because it never seemed important enough before. He raises an eyebrow, playing dumb.] Pot dealers?

( The rapport he's built with Steve over these months has been nothing short of special. At first, Eddie feared he had ruined it by implying something very private about himself. Even though Steve plays dumb at first, Eddie knows better. As it turns out, Steve isn't that dumb jock that everyone pegged him to be. Their conversations while smoking had been nothing short of incredible. And now that there's a sliver of added context to some of those topics of conversation, it feels like a door has been flung wide open.

And now the door feels like it's closing fast. If Eddie leaves and Steve stays behind, what then? Eddie realizes he's going to miss these conversations. Eddie almost wants to desperately beg Steve that he'll call and keep in touch, that they'll still get together to smoke pot every once in a while, but first, they have to get through this, don't they? He smiles, finally, with a roll of his eyes. ) Yeah, pot dealers, we'll go with that. ( He laughs, shaking his head fondly. )

[ Steve huffs and finally takes another drag. He should probably slow down in case they need to think fast, but he can already feel the edge of the danger dulling, that familiar, comfortable feeling he gets when he's with Eddie cancelling it out. Logically, he should probably attribute it to the weed, but he knows it's more than that.
He can let his guard down around Eddie. He doesn't have to be anyone he isn't and that might be one of the things he's going to miss the most.] You know, I've never been to California. I might have to come visit you once you get settled.

[ He knocks his knee against Eddie's, giving him a big smile. ] If you're cool with it.

( Eddie's breath catches in his throat, his mind consumed by a daring idea. The impulse to ask Steve to join him in California, not just for a visit, but to stay, is almost overwhelming. But they're not that kind of friends, are they? They share a good time getting high but is that all there is to it...

Eddie still puts on a smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes as he knocks his knee back against Steve's. ) Of course, I'm cool with it, man. You'd be welcome to come anytime.

[ Steve smiles, ducking his head almost shyly before he sets down the blunt on an ashtray on a nearby side table. He takes a deep breath and leans forward over his knees. ] Hawkins is definitely not going to be the same without you.

[ It's probably more than a little tragic that he only has two friends his own age and with Eddie leaving that will narrow it down to one. The only silver lining is that knowing that Eddie's out there in the world somewhere - in California - means that he has somewhere to go when everyone else eventually leaves Hawkins. He refuses to be a townie for the rest of his life. Former Basketball Captain and has been. He wants more than that. ] We'll lie low until we can get you to Indianapolis and fly you to San Francisco. Do you want me to let your uncle know? If this is upside down shit, then it's only a matter of time before the government's involved. They bug everything, so you probably shouldn't call or see him yourself. But I can give him a message for you.

( This is all happening so fast -- much faster than Eddie would have expected. Even though he knows he still has a little more time, his mind is racing, skipping ahead to being dropped unceremoniously off in San Francisco with nowhere to go, with no one he knows, with everyone back here thinking he's a murderer...

He draws in a shaky breath before trying his damnedest to focus on Steve's question instead of spiraling out of control. He's not out of Hawkins yet; he still has time. )

Please. Please let Wayne know somehow. He...he's done so much for me, I can't let him think...he needs to know the truth, or as much of it as you can tell him.

( He turns to face Steve, his eyes frantic and full of fear. ) Shit, I'm gonna miss you, Stevie. I'm gonna miss your house calls and these talks of ours.

[ Steve's mouth dips into a frown as he reads Eddie's expression in the dim lights thrown up by the pool. He looks scared out of his mind. And the worst part is that he has every right to be. Not only are the nightmares from the upside down after him, but also the law for a murder he didn't commit.]

Hey. [He reaches out across the pool chairs to wrap a hand around Eddie's wrist and squeeze it. ] We're going to figure this out, Eddie. I promise. You're not going down for Chrissy and you'll see your uncle again. And we can pick up where we left off, yeah?

[ He gives Eddie a small smile, hoping it comes across more believable than it feels. That's a big promise to make. One that he's only hoping they can come through on. Steve has a sudden urge to volunteer to go with Eddie to San Francisco. It's not like his parents would notice. He'd have to give up his job, but he thinks he could talk Robin into going somewhere else with him. Plus, what does any of that matter when Eddie really needs someone right now?

He bites his lip, his fingers tightening around Eddie's wrist slightly before he asks. ]Do you... would you want me to come with you? [ He swallows down the sudden dryness in his throat.] Just to help get you set up down there. I don't think anyone knows about us being friends, so it wouldn't look strange.

[ But even as he says it, he knows he's made a mistake. If he's gone, who is going to look out for Dustin and the others? With Hopper and Joyce gone, that's leaving everything in Nancy's hands. And while she's the smartest person he knows, he'd never be able to put that on her shoulders.] As soon as we figure out what's going on and how to stop it, I can be there in a few days.

( Whatever Eddie would have said in response to Steve's comment about picking up where they left off dies on his tongue at Steve's incredibly generous offer to come with him. The sheer magnitude of Steve's offer, even if it is just to help Eddie get settled, is touching on a level Eddie doesn't even think he can describe, leaving him in a state of disbelief at the depth of their bond.

It's becoming increasingly clear to Eddie that Steve is more than just a customer. Their shared smoking sessions have woven a bond that, as Steve's readiness to travel across the country for Eddie's sake shows, is not easily broken. This realization sets Eddie's heart ablaze, awakening emotions he never knew he had. )

You'd really do that for me, Stevie? ( Eddie's voice is a mere whisper, laden with the weight of his emotions. It's a testament to the profound gratitude he feels and the unbreakable bond they share. )

I wanna help. Before I leave, if there is anything I can do. ( Besides, Eddie knows fully well that he wouldn't be able to leave Dustin or Steve behind, knowing their lives are in danger. He doesn't fault them for wanting to protect this town, even if this town probably couldn't care less about any of them. Besides, he's seen and read enough adventures about evil forces to know that running away from danger risks letting that danger spread beyond the town's borders. He wouldn't ask Steve to abandon his friends, especially now that they have a shared interest in seeing this town safe with Eddie's new additions to his flock. This realization of his duty to protect his friends and the town's safety stirs a newfound sense of responsibility within Eddie. )

Yeah. In a heartbeat. [ Steve gives him a small smile, trying to ease some of the feeling behind the softness in Eddie's voice. Part of him recognizes the surprise he hears in it. He knows what it's like to feel like there's no one in the world willing to go to bat for you. He also knows Eddie's the kind of person the world should be fighting for.]

[ Steve knows the longer Eddie stays the harder it is going to be for him to get out, but a selfish part of him feels relief at the fact that maybe they don't have to say goodbye tonight or even tomorrow. ] Just lie low here until we figure out what the next step is. Once we figure out how to fight this thing and we end it once and for all, we can figure out how to get to San Francisco. My parents... [ He pauses, shaking his head.] I've got the money they saved for college. Might as well put it towards something useful.

Edited 2024-06-27 01:35 (UTC)

( The fact that Steve is offering Eddie the money his parents had saved so that Steve can go off to college stuns Eddie. It's one thing to help him physically get to San Francisco, but that? If it were anyone else, Eddie would have scoffed and insisted he's not a charity case and would make his own way somehow. But now that Eddie is close to Steve, he knows the deeper meaning there, the strings that had been attached to that money, and how this would be a fuck you to them just as much as it would be helping Eddie out. )

Shit, Stevie. I know you're not going to let me repay you, but if you do this...you know I'm gonna find a way. Even if it's just free weed for life. ( He smiles wryly as he hesitates for a moment before launching himself at Steve, throwing his arms around the other man and squeezing him tightly. ) Thank you. Just...I don't know what I'd have done without you.

[ Steve smiles, laughing at the thought of weed for life. It's not a bad deal, especially if it means he gets to keep Eddie in his life because of it. Still, he's not expecting Eddie's quick movement and their combined body weight sets the deck chair back flat. Steve suddenly finds himself being hugged tightly with Eddie's warm body on top of him, his face just inches from his own.

He has a sudden urge to kiss him, one that twists his stomach into knots and butterflies and makes his face turn red. He feels hypnotized by those warm brown eyes, pinned by his weight and it's too much to resist.

Steve licks his lips, before closing his eyes and lifting his mouth to meet Eddie's. ]

( When Eddie launches himself at Steve, he doesn't really think it through too much. He figures Steve will catch him, they'll laugh about it, and move on. Instead, he lets out a soft yelp followed by a laugh when the chair tips back, taking a moment to gather himself before he even dares climb off of Steve.

Steve looks into his eyes before he can pull himself up, but Eddie doesn't dare move. His eyes widen momentarily when Steve moves in, his lips reaching for Eddie's. He almost forgets to kiss back before his brain kicks back into gear, and Eddie meets him the rest of the way, lips pressing back firmly. God, he's wanted this for so long, it feels like. It's just his luck that their first kiss isn't until Eddie's almost as good as gone from this town. )

[ Steve's heart forgets to beat for a moment, then two, and then Eddie presses his mouth back against his and Steve relaxes underneath him, his hand coming up to bury itself in Eddie's hair.

He should be shocked, but he isn't, really. He's known - however vaguely - that his feelings for Eddie are different than they are for everyone else. He's known, in a way that he hasn't let himself think too hard about, that he's thought about the shape of his face, the curve of his lips, the way a smile sends a little jolt of electricity through him for too many lonely nights to count.

When he finally does break the kiss, he forces himself to swallow down the need to immediately resume it.] Was— was that okay?

[ He's pretty sure Eddie wouldn't have kissed him back if it wasn't, but there's still a rock in the pit of his stomach that needs to hear it directly. ]

( Eddie can understand the concern. Hawkins is a small town. Although Eddie kissed back, that doesn't necessarily mean anything. They've been through a lot since that first night Steve showed up at his door. Steve couldn't possibly know just how much Eddie had been yearning for him since even that first night.

And Eddie keeps his feelings under wraps for a very good reason. If he admits his feelings for the wrong person, it could get him beaten. Not that Eddie thinks Steve would do that. But if he has such strong concerns, then surely Steve must be just as worried that he could have fucked this up.

Eddie smiles, brushing a strand of hand behind Steve's ear. )

That was more than okay, Steve. You know I've wanted to do that for, uh, an embarrassingly long time.

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