#BBQ Techniques | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hellfirehottie · 4 months ago

Text

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Six - Everywhere (Part One)

Content warnings: almost first kiss x2, mentions of the upside down, mentions of scars (upside down and family trauma), lots of fluff, lots of sexual tension, idiots in love, friends to lovers, jealousy, alcohol consumption, w**d use, Eddie has a nightmare, lots of lovely reassurance!!

‘Can you hear me calling out your name?

You know I’m falling and I don’t know what to say,

Come along, baby, we better made a start,

You better make it soon before you break my heart.

Oh, I, I want to be with you everywhere.”

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

Sunday / Steve’s house / 3pm

Eddie walks through the sliding door of the back of the house. Jonathan is cooking burgers on the BBQ, Nancy and Robin are sipping drinks by the pool, and Nina and Steve are play-fighting in the pool.

Eddie: [sliding open the patio door] “Hey guys!” [putting the cold pack of beers down on a table beside Jonathan, looking confused] “What are they doing?” Jonathan: “Hey man.” [looking up from the burgers at Nina and Steve, amused] “It appears that Nina is trying to drown Steve.” Robin: [chiming in from the side] “Steve complained about getting his hair wet so Nina is trying to dunk him. She is yet to be successful.”

Steve picks Nina up over his shoulder and slams her under the water. Eddie looks worried until Nina emerges from the water, laughing hysterically. Eddie looks on, jealous.

Nancy: “Steve is surprisingly strong.” [Jonathan raises his eyebrows at her, she shrugs her shoulders dismissively, smirking] Jonathan: “Did you bring any weed?” Eddie: [bopping Jonathan on the nose, Jonathan rolls his eyes] “Only the best for my favourite customer!”

Eddie and Jonathan roll a joint each, smoking whilst discussing barbecuing techniques. Eddie’s eyes regularly flick over to Nina, seeing if she has noticed him, seeing if she’s safe in the pool. Nina and Steve are talking quietly in the pool. Eddie gulps down his jealousy.

Steve: “Go and talk to him.” Nina: [fake ignorance] “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Steve: “You’ve been eyeing him up since he got here.” Nina: “I'll have you know I’m waiting for my burger to be done.” Steve: [smirking, wiggling his eyebrows] “Are you sure it’s not the sight of Eddie in cargo shorts?”

Nina is gobsmacked, making a wave of water from the pool and splashing him hard, wetting his hair.

Steve: (teasing) “Don’t go passing out like a Victorian lady at the sight of his exposed ankle.” Nina: “I’m warning you Harrington.” [she splashes him harder this time] Steve: “You know, just for that, I’ll tell him that you love the sight of his hairy bare knees.” Nina: [challenging] “Don’t you dare.” Steve: (sing-song) “Oh Eddie! Nin-“

Nina succeeds in dunking Steve under the water, a strained smile on her face. Eddie turns around, confused, looking at Nina as she uncomfortably dunks Steve in the water.

Nina: “Nothing Eddie! Carry on!” Steve: [emerging from the water, hair in his eyes] “Well that taught me. Who knew the power of Eddie could turn you into the Shehulk.” Nina: (smirking) “Watch your mouth or I’ll do it again.” [Steve laughs and splashes Nina as he swims out the pool.]

Nina swims to the edge of the pool, resting her arms and head on the edge of the pool. Eddie picks up a burger and sits on the edge of the pool by Nina, dangling his feet in the water.

Eddie: “You called, m’lady?” Nina: (embarrassed) “Steve was just joking on, ignore that.” Eddie: “I brought you your burger.” Nina: “Awh, thank you.” Eddie: “Want a drag?” Nina: “Please.”

Nina takes the burger in one hand, having a few bites, giving it to Eddie with a raised eyebrow, who finishes off the burger. She takes a few drags of the spliff before giving it back to Eddie, and continues to lie back and float in the pool.

Eddie: (amused) “You shouldn’t eat and swim you know, you’ll sink.” Nina: (teasingly) “I thought Steve was the dad here. You coming in?” Eddie: “Oh no, I didn’t bring any swimming shorts.” Nina swims over to him with a mischievous grin, holding onto his foot. Nina: “Who needs shorts when you can come in like this?” Eddie: [warning tone, but can't help but grin] “Don’t you dare.” Nina: (coy smile) “The water’s nice, come on in.” [giving Eddie a tug on his foot, testing the waters] Eddie: “No way! Be gone, demon!” [Eddie splashes Nina with his foot, drenching Nina, who laughs] Nina: “Fine, but I don’t give up that easily.”

30mins later

Nina is lying on her back, floating in the pool, stoned. Eddie is sitting on the side, drying off in the sun, his clothes lying on a sun lounger to dry from when Nina succeeded in pulling him into the pool. He feels self conscious; topless in front of Nina, his scars from the upside down exposed.

Eddie finds himself zoned out staring at Nina’s body as she lies with her eyes closed floating.

Nina: (teasing) “Like what you see Munson?” Eddie: [embarrassed at being caught but hiding it well] “I- well, yeah actually.” Nina: (smirking) “Smooth.” Eddie: (amused) “Shut up. You having fun, there?” Nina: [contently sighing, very stoned] “The water feels nice.”

Eddie watches her fondly for a few moments, smiling at her as she floats, oblivious to Eddie’s gaze.

Jonathan: “Cannonball!” [Jonathan tackles Nancy into the pool, sending a tidal wave over Nina, pulling her under the water. Nancy and Nina reappear from the water, unamused, while Jonathan grins.] “Chicken, anyone?” Nina: “Chicken?” Nancy: “You play in pairs and try to push the competition off the others shoulders.” (scowling) Because apparently I’m dating a 11 year old.” Jonathan: “Speaking of 11 year olds…”

Dustin, Mike, Will, Luke, El and Max appear on their bikes. They dump them on the ground outside and climb over the fence to Steve’s garden.

Steve: “What are you guys doing here?” Mike: “We smelled food.”

They walk over to the table and help themselves to food, Steve swatting at them with the BBQ tongs.

Jonathan: “So, chicken?” El: “We’ll play!” [dragging Mike towards the pool] Mike: “We will?” [El nods enthusiastically, already stripping off, and Mike gives in, taking his top off and hopping into the pool] Jonathan: “We’ll do Nancy VS El first, the battle of the Wheelers.”

Everyone erupts in “Oohs!”

El and Nancy battle it out: Dustin, Lucas, Max and Will chanting for El and Mike, Steve, Robin, Eddie and Nina chanting for Nancy. Nancy succeeds in knocking El off Mike’s shoulders, landing in the water with a splash.

El: “Maybe you should go on my shoulders next time, Mike.” [Mike looks at El sheepishly.] Max: “My turn!” [pulling off her shoes] Lucas: “Hell no, I’m not getting my hair wet. It took too damn long to look this damn good.” Max: [pushing Luke in the pool, grinning madly at Luke who looks unimpressed] “Too late.” Lucas: “Fucks sake, fine.”

Max climbs onto Luke’s shoulders.

Max: “Eddie and Nina, you’re up.” Eddie: (to Max) “Hell no, you play dirty.” [Max smiles evily] Max: “Don’t be a pussy.” Nina: (to Eddie, teasing) “Yeah Eddie, don’t be a pussy.”

Eddie scoffs at Nina, patting his shoulders to signal her to jump up. She wraps her legs around his waist from behind and Eddie gulps, his hands grabbing her thighs and hoisting her up on his shoulders.

He takes a deep breath to focus, concentrating on Lucas’ face rather than Nina’s thighs around his head.

El: “And… go!”

Nina and Max throw arms at each other, laughing loudly as they attempt to knock each other off.

Luke smirks at Eddie, who is struggling to maintain composure, as Max does in fact play dirty, ticking Nina’s sides. Nina squeals and clenches her thighs, Eddie’s eyes going wide as he lets go of Nina, head smothered by her thick thighs. Eddie and Nina fall backwards into the water.

As they resurface, Eddie and Nina look at each other apologetically as Max and Luke high-five each other, laughing.

Max: “It worked!” Nina: [splashing Max] “You do play dirty! You little shit!” Eddie: “We want a rematch!”

They continue to play chicken, Eddie and Nina successfully knocking Max into the water twice.

On their fourth and final game, Nina is knocked off Eddie’s shoulder forcefully by Max: accidentally kicking the purple scars on his waist as she falls in. Eddie winces.

Nina: [re-emerging from the water, worried] “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Eddie: [reassuringly, putting on a brave face, faltering] “I’m okay, don’t worry.” Max: (apologetically) “I’m sorry Eddie, I didn’t mean to be so rough.” Nina: (worried) “Are you okay? Are you in pain?” Eddie: [smiling through the pain] “I’m fine. Let’s go again.”

Eddie was quite enjoying having Nina so close to him, he didn’t want to stop now.

Nina: “Maybe we should stop, you’re hurting.” Eddie: (stubborn) “I’m fine!”

Lucas and El look on worriedly, Max chews her lip with guilt and Dustin has a sad look on his face.

Nina: [sensing the tension] “Come on, we’ll get some food.”

Nina gets out of the pool, to which Eddie averts his eyes, trying not to ogle at her in her black bikini. His cheeks flush as he makes stiff eye contact with the rippling water.

Nina: “Coming?” Eddie: [weakly, embarrassed, wriggling in his shorts] “Be there in a sec.”

Eddie follows her out the pool five minutes later (once his semi went down) and they sit on a sun lounger by the poolside, away from the hubbub of the pool.

Nina: [looking at his scars] “Are they sore?” Eddie: (reserved, self conscious) “A bit. It’s okay.” Nina: [chewing her lip, worried] “Can I get you anything? Some painkillers? I’m sorry I hurt you.” Eddie: (smiling encouragingly) “It’s not your fault. Another beer would be nice.” Nina: (smiling) “Sure.”

Nina walks into the kitchen where Dustin is talking quietly with El, Luke and Max. Back outside, once Nina is out of eyesight, Eddie winces in pain, rubbing the dark scars on his ribs to soothe the ache.

Steve: (concerned) “You alright, man?” Eddie: “Just peachy.” [leaning back on the chair, frowning with discomfort] “Just peachy.” Steve: “They still hurting you?” Eddie: (bravely) “Sometimes.” (looking down at them, sad) “First time in a while.” (laughing sadly) “Forgot how much it hurts.” [To himself, tearing up, self conscious, covering his stomach with a t-shirt] “Forget they’re there sometimes. But they’re always there to remind me.”

In the kitchen

Nina: (concerned, grabbing two beer bottles) “Everything alright here?” El: [sniffling, clearly been crying] “Yeah, we’re good.” Nina: [smiling comfortingly] “That’s like, the least convincing lie ever.” [Max and El smile sadly] “I’m here if you need anything.” El and Max: “Thanks, Nina.” Nina: [walking back outside, handing Eddie the beer] “Here you go.” Eddie: “Thanks sweetheart.” Nina: [blushing at his pet name but looking curiously at his scars, hidden behind the shirt] “Do they usually hurt?” Eddie: “Sometimes.” [Looking down at them sadly] “They’re ugly.” Nina: (immediately) “No they’re not.” [revealing a scar on her neck behind her ear] “Scars are cool. Badass even. Battle scars.”

Eddie smiles at Nina warmly.

Eddie: (chuckling dryly) “You been in many battles?” Nina: [sadly, looking down, tracing the one on her thigh] “A few.” [Smiling up at Eddie] “But I won them all. So did you. I don’t know what happened and I don’t have to know, but either way you survived. Take that as a victory.” Eddie: “I’ve never thought of it like that before.” [touching the big purple scars] “Thanks, Nina.” Nina: [bringing a glass to her lips, flirty] “Teaching you lots of things aren’t I, Munson.” [Eddie grins, happy]

5pm

Nina: “Eddie, your back is burning.” Eddie: (shrugging) “Pale people problems.” Nina: “Want me to put some sunscreen on for you?” Eddie pants at the thought, his heart racing. Eddie: (nervously) “Please.”

Nina walks behind him with the suncream, moving his hair out of the way.

Nina: “Mind if I tie your hair up?” Eddie: (stuttering) “Sure- yeah.”

Dustin and Steve jab at each other’s sides, giddy with amusement, watching Nina and Eddie. Eddie gives them a subtle middle finger, cheeks going red.

Nina combs her fingers through Eddie’s long hair, to which he practically purrs. She pulls his hair up into a bun on the back of his head, securing it with a hair tie. She squeezes some sun cream into her hand and warms it up before spreading it across his shoulders, delicately stroking the muscles of his back and shoulders. Nina finds herself releasing a breath she didn’t know she was holding, Eddie doing the same. The tension is thick and Eddie is trying his best to maintain his composure.

Nina: (squeaky) “All done.” Eddie: [red, and not from sunburn] “Thanks. I owe you one.”

Nancy and Robin snigger at how awkward Eddie and Nina are acting.

Dustin: (jeering) “Your face is a bit red too Eddie, do you need some sun cream on that?” Eddie: (under his breath) “Fuck off.”

7pm

Eddie: [joking] “Are you part mermaid or something?” Nina: [ears underwater, can’t hear] “Hmm?” [standing upright now] “What did you say, Eddie?” Eddie: “I said, are you part mermaid or something? You’ve been in the pool all day.” Nina: [laughing] “More like a swamp creature.” [moving her arms through the water] “You coming in?”

Eddie looks around. Jonathan and Nancy are quietly sipping beer and talking, their light laughter echoing in the garden. Everyone else is inside the house; sunburned and tired. Eddie’s heart flutters at the idea of spending alone time with Nina. Half naked, too.

Eddie: (confidently) “Sure.”

Eddie slides carefully into the deep end of the pool. He looks over at Nina and grins.

Eddie: (cheeky) “Why so far away?” Nina: (pouting) “I can’t reach the bottom over there.” Eddie: (teasing) “Shortarse.” Nina: “Hey!” Eddie: (winding her up) “Teeny tiny Nina can’t reach the bottom.” Nina: “Hey!” [splashing him] “Don’t be a bully.” Eddie: “I’ll get you for that!”

Eddie wades towards her, picks her up by the waist and throws her into the deep end with a splash.

Nina: (giggling) “Eddie! I can’t reach the bottom here, come back!” Eddie: (cheeky, swimming away) “Sucks to be you, shortarse.” Nina: “Hey! Not fair!” [swimming over to him, trying to keep herself above water] “Eddie! I’m going to drown!” Eddie: [extending his arms out for Nina] “Come here.” [Nina swims over into his arms] “Better?” Nina: (softly) “Thank you.” Eddie: (sweetly) “Always.” (cheeky) “Your knight in shining cargo shorts.” [Nina rolls her eyes, smiling]

Nina’s arms wrap around Eddie’s neck. Eddie blushes as Nina’s legs wrap around his waist. She clings to him, almost koala-like. Her lips are painfully close to his neck, it makes him wants to gasp for air.

Grandma, Grandma, Grandma, Eddie thinks, trying to control himself. He imagines pinning her against the side of the pool and kissing her like he’s always dreamed of.

Eddie feels himself twitch in his underwear and gulps nervously, heat spreading through his chest and neck, stomach twisting with anticipation. With Nina’s legs around his waist, chests pressed together, Eddie finds his mind racing.

Grandma in her underwear, Mrs O’Donnell in her underwear, Mrs O’Donnell-

Nina: (hushed) “Is this okay?” Eddie: [breathing shallow] “Y-yeah, this is okay.” [Eddie begins walking around the pool with Nina in his arms, his hands gently cradling her thighs.] “Is this?” Nina: “Yes.” [breathless, feeling the heat radiate from Eddie’s reddening, sweaty neck] “Humid out, isn’t it?” Eddie: “Yes it’s very-” [looking into Nina’s eyes, who is looking up at him, wide eyed] “Hot.”

They both pause for a moment, looking deeply into each other’s eyes. Both of their breathing is laboured, the atmosphere thick and electric. Their bodies flushed with heat; from the sun and their closeness. Nina plays with the hair at the nape of Eddie’s neck, Eddie’s ponytail wet from the pool.

Nina: [brushing Eddie’s fringe from his eyes] “You suit your hair up.” [tucking his hair behind his ear] “You can see your eyes better.” [doe eyed, loving, softly mumbling] “You have beautiful eyes.” [Eddie looks at her with wide eyes, lips parted, blinking slowly. Nina comes back to reality from her daydreaming, eyelashes fluttering, heart racing, looking lustfully at his lips] “Eddie, I-” Steve: [interrupting, shouting] “Hey, lovebirds! No canoodling in the pool!”

Eddie drops Nina with a splash into the pool. She emerges from the water, blinking with shock, coughing up water. Eddie looks at her with wide eyes, mortified.

Robin: (snorting) “Nice one, dumbass.”

8pm:

Jonathan and Eddie have walked to the end of the garden to light up. Everyone else is in the living room, listening to music. Drinks are flowing amongst the adults, and unbeknownst to Steve, the young ones are taking secret sips of beers and fruity punch.

Jonathan: “So are you going to ask Nina out or what?” Eddie (unsure) “I don’t know… I think she’s into Steve.” [Eddie looks over at Nina and Steve as he’s playfully trying to swat her ass with the BBQ spatula, jealous] Jonathan: [not wanting to be obvious, failing, stoned] “Oh it’s not Steve she’s interested in.” Eddie: [oblivious, watching Nina laughing with Steve] “Hmm.” Jonathan: “Seriously, ask her out.” Eddie: “I’m working up to it, I’m just-” [he sighs] “I don’t know, I think she just sees me as a friend.” Jonathan: [smirking] “I saw you two in the pool together,” [Eddie looks embarrassed] “She totally likes you back, dude.” Eddie: [mumbled] “She was drowning, I was helping her swim.” [looking at Nina and Steve with jealousy] “She would have done that with anybody.” Jonathan: [shaking his head] “You’re delusional. You two have been inseparable all day, go for it!” Eddie: [embarrassed] “Maybe.”

Dustin appears in the garden, Eddie and Jonathan hide their joints.

Dustin: (sassy) “Dude, I know what weed is, you don’t have to hide it.” Eddie: “Nope, I’m not responsible enough right now for this.” [putting out his blunt] Dustin: [ignoring his comment] “The gang have elected me to ask when are you going to ask Nina out?” Jonathan: [in agreement] “Thank you!” Eddie: [embarrassed] “Fuck off.” Dustin: “If you don’t make a move soon, you’ll regret it.” Eddie: (oblivious) “I will?” Dustin: (joking) “Yeah, if you don’t, I will!”

Jonathan shakes his head at Eddie’s lack of confidence. They ditch their smokes and walk back into the living room.

Nina is sitting on the chair, Max between her knees, braiding her hair. El is watching enviously.

El: “I wish you could braid my hair.” Nina: “You rock a buzz cut. I used to have one too.” El: “No way!!” Nina: “Yeah, when I was about your age too, maybe a little younger. Your hair is cool.” [Rubbing El’s fuzzy hair] “Don’t put yourself down El.” [El smiles, teary eyed, looking at her like a big sister.] “It’s badass.”

Steve: (amused) “You used to have a buzz cut?” Nina: “Not voluntarily.” [laughing, shaking her head at the inquisitive looks from the gang] “Don’t ask.” [she pats Max on the head once she’s finished the braid] “Done.”

Eddie sits next to Nina on the touch, too stoned to be embarrassed by everyone’s snigger as he pulls Nina’s legs over his lap. Nina looks at him surprised as he strokes her legs.

Jonathan: “You can’t tell us you had a buzz cut and not show us a photo.” Nina: (smiling, laughing) “And why would I subject myself through your ridicule?” Steve: “Peer pressure.” Robin: (teasingly, drunk) “I would also like to see this.” Nina: “You’ve seen it, Rob! You were there!”

Nina raises an eyebrow at Robin and Robin catches on, giving an awkward smile and mouthing ‘sorry.’

Nancy: “I think it’s important we see the photo, Nina. For journalistic reasons.”

Nina pings a hair bobble at her.

Nina: (fake annoyance) “Fineeeee.”

Nina moves to get up, Eddie unmoving.

Nina: (to Eddie, quietly) “May I have my legs please?” Eddie: [stoned, dumb grin on his face] “No.”

Nina gives him puppy dog eyes and whispers “please” to which Eddie melts, releasing Nina with a child-like pout.

Nina disappears for a few moments, reappearing with her bag. She pulls out a photo of herself with shaved hair from a doodled-on notebook..

The photo is passed around the group, some people having a giggle, some people saying that she looked cool, Robin winced apologetically.

When it’s Eddie’s turn, he takes his time looking at the photo. Nina is in a white room, in what Eddie can clearly make out as a hospital bed. The photo is taken at an angle to hide the stitches behind her ear and down her neck, but Eddie isn’t oblivious to it like everyone else is. Robin is sitting on the hospital bed beside Nina, pointing at her bald head, grinning. Nina is smiling in the photo, despite the stitches and dark bags under her eyes.

El: (excited) “You look like me!”

Nina smiles at her, patting her head fondly: Eddie smiles at them both.

Nancy: (to Robin) “I didn’t know you had braces!” [the conversation turns off Nina to Robin. Nina uses that as her means to escape, to Eddie’s complaint, to the kitchen to make a new drink. Dustin follows her.] Dustin: “So you like Eddie, huh?” Nina: [pouring a drink, trying to act casual, failing] “That obvious, huh?” Dustin: “Clearly. You guys have been together all day.” [Nina blushes] “He’s too shy to ask you out.” Nina: (shocked) “Really? He mentioned doing something sometime but he hasn’t mentioned it since.” Dustin: “Yeah, when it comes to girls he’s surprisingly shy.” [Nina smiles] “He’s playing at the Hideout on Tuesday. You should go.” Nina: (cheeky) “Are you inviting me or is Eddie?” Dustin: (matter of fact) “Both.” Nina: [chewing the skin on her thumb] “I’m not sure Dustin.” Dustin: “Trust me, he wants you there.” Nina: [taking a deep breath] “Okay, I’ll go.”

Dustin smiles, patting her on the back.

Dustin: “I’ll pass on the details to Robin.”

They return to the living room, Nina sitting back by Eddie. Nina sits for a moment, smiling to herself.

Eddie lies rubbing Nina’s legs, enjoying their softness in his high state. Nina smiles happily.

Eddie: (to Nina, quietly) “You okay?” Nina: [looking around the group, smiling] “I’m good, happy.” (to Eddie) “Are you?”

Eddie nods, smiling sleepily.

Nina thought to herself: this is my new family. This is what family feels like.

00:04 AM

The rest of the evening continues with laughter and fun. People fall away in their tiredness, until only Eddie, Dustin and Robin are left talking quietly into the early hours of the morning.

Eddie can barely contain his excitement. Nina has fallen asleep against him, her head resting heavily on his shoulder. He ignores the teasing looks from Robin and Dustin as he looks down at her sleeping peacefully on him. He pulls a blanket over the both of them, making sure Nina is warm.

Robin: “You really like her, don’t you?” Eddie: “Is it that obvious?” Robin: (smiling) “Yes.” Eddie: (embarrassed) “Oh.” Robin: (mumbled) “Don’t worry, she likes you too.” Eddie: [not hearing what she says from her mumbling] “What?” Robin: (half asleep) “I’ll tell you in the morning.” Dustin: “I asked her out for you, by the way.” Eddie: (quietly shouting) “What?!” Dustin: “Shh! She’s coming to the Hideout on Tuesday. You’re welcome.” Eddie: “Dustin! What did you say?!” Dustin: [arms up, defensive] “She’s coming to your show on Tuesday. Thank me later.” Eddie: [half annoyed, half happy] “I’ll kill you.” Dustin: “You were taking too long, you were gonna end up in the friend zone.” Eddie: [embarrassed, looking down at her fondly] “I was working up to it. Laying the foundation, all that shit.” Dustin: [snuggling into the couch] “And now she’s coming to your show, you’re welcome.” (Sleepily) “Jeez, so ungrateful. And you don’t hate me, you love me.” Eddie: [quietly, to himself, looking at Nina who is fast asleep] “Right now, I kinda do.”

Hope you liked this chapter! please like, reblog, and comment if you did!

Next chapter: Chapter Six- Everywhere (Part Two)

16 notes · View notes