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boogiewrites · 2 years

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Seeing Stars Part 13 | Eddie Munson

Summary: The one where Eddie realizes he's in love. Star's birthday leads to a night Eddie will never forget. Star feels something growing between them, but her conscious self isn't ready to unpack that yet. Fluff, banter, gifts, guitar, and two goobers healing each other.

Part 1 if you missed it!

NSFW - CW: use of gay slur in reference to being called that, conversations about sexuality, p in v sex, use of pet names, mentions of past abuse/trauma from a bad relationship (not in detail), drug use.

The cold was starting to steadily set in, moving into November. The days were short and the general energy was that of a post-Halloween lull. The group in their hoodies and sweaters were eating the last of the clearance Halloween candy they’d all nabbed around the lunch table.

“Is there anything going on this weekend?”

“No. Nothing until after Thanksgiving.”

“Any movies come out?”

“I don’t know if I can watch Nightmare on Elm Street 2 again, I’ve seen it twice in a week.”

“There’s that Transylvania one coming out I think?”

“You wanna go see that?”

“Is there anything besides going to the movies? I’m broke.”

“I miss when Steve worked at the mall.” Dustin sighed.

“I miss never paying to see a movie,” Mike added.

“And getting into the rated R ones.”

“He worked at the movie theatre? And now family video? Does he have a thing for film?” Star asked.

“No, he worked at the ice cream place in the food court.”

“Scoops? With the boats and the sailor uniforms?” Star pouted at the cuteness of the mental image.

“I miss the free ice cream too.” Mike groaned.

“That is too cute.” She cooed. “Steve in that little sailor get up? Ugh, I’d pay to see that.” she giggled.

“You’ve been to the mall?” Eddie asked, quickly side-lining her thoughts of how Steve’s body might look in tight polyester.

“Uh yeah duh.” She said obviously.

“You’ve never told me you’d been to the mall.”

“I’m not going to take you with me when I go buy underwear, Eddie.” She chuckled and the group mirrored her response. “Or talk to you about it.”

“You should. I’ll go. Happily.” He flirted shamelessly and she snorted.

“Guys are bored to tears waiting on girls when they shop.”

“Nothing is boring about the combination of girls and underwear,” Jeff added in with a laugh.

“Really?” Star turned with genuine confusion on her face.

“You sound surprised?”

“Well,… an ex did nothing but gripe and complain the whole time. Even in Victoria's Secret.”

“If you ever want a guy around that would NOT be bored by that, I volunteer.” Garrett grinned. Eddie shot him a glare and Star rolled her eyes.

“I think Eddie called dibs,” Star smirked at him, snapping his head her way with the mildest flush to his cheeks.

“I did?” He rapidly blinked “ I did.” He agreed. The range of emotions quickly passed over his face and everyone at the table watched him lose his cool and fumble the opportunity to flirt. “I would but there is something already happening this weekend.” Star looked at him with a raised brow. “I know I’ll be busy because it’s someone's birthday.” He leaned in with a cheesy grin.

“Yeah! It’s Robbie’s birthday!” Star quickly said, lightly kicking Eddie’s leg under the table. He swished his head towards her, confused.

“You’re… hanging out with Star’s older brother for his birthday?” the guys were suspicious.

“Robbie got a… old junker he wants to fix up and he thought it’d be a good opportunity to teach Eddie some stuff. Right?” Star leaned towards him, staring intensely into his eyes.

“Y-yeah. Right. I needed some uh, experience working on something besides my van and Uncle Wayne’s truck ya know?”

“Your brother wants to hang out with Eddie? On his birthday?” A flat question.

“It’s just any other day for him. He’s never been big on birthdays.”

“Must run in the family,” Eddie muttered.

“Why wouldn’t you tell them it’s your birthday?” Eddie hissed to Star in the hallway.

“I don’t like it when people make a big deal about it.”

“Bullshit.” Eddie scoffed.

“I don’t! I didn’t want to entertain or anything on my birthday, I wanted to enjoy myself and my few precious days off of work and school.”

“Oh.” he didn’t do a good job at hiding his disappointment. “I uh… thought we’d do something together actually.” he sheepishly added, looking to the ground as they walked through the hall.

“We can do something,” she stated evidently.

“But you said-?”

“I meant the whole group or having to play hostess, you know? I don’t feel like I have to keep you entertained when you’re around. It’s not work.” she explained with an animated hand.

“Weird way to call me easy.” he quipped with a smile.

“I can always jingle some keys in front of your face if you get bored. Or throw a cat toy across the floor. That’ll keep you going for a good half hour.” she smirked.

“You’re lucky it’s almost your birthday or I’d make you pay for that remark.” -

Eddie awoke with a moan leaving his throat he wasn’t sure he’d ever heard from himself before. It reminded him of a sound Star might make. His thoughts turned to her as they often did nowadays. He quickly recalled the dream he’d been having, lifting his covers to find himself painfully hard and tacky under his sheets. He looked at the dim light coming through the window covered by his band’s show banner. He frowned at the car that was now running whose backfiring had woken him up from one of the best dreams he’d had all year. In the daze of half sleep, he felt like he could still smell her, some intoxicating mix of patchouli and vanilla. Instead of laying on top of her, face buried in her tits and her limbs wrapped around him like a snake he was face first in his pillow, his hand with her panties still tangled in his fingers the same way he’d fallen asleep after jerking off.

It was early for Eddie to be awake and even earlier for a Saturday. But he had things to do today. He peeled himself out of bed, the well-loved pair of Star's panties going back into their hiding place of shoved into the back of his nightstand drawer. His dick taunts him with its proud sway as he sits on the edge of his bed and rubs his face. He let out a wail and smacked his cheeks.

“Guess I gotta kill you before I can get anything done.” He said to the pulsing attention whore between his legs. He needed to behave today, it wasn’t about him or what his cock wanted. He’d jerk off in the shower. At least he wouldn’t have to clean anything up that way.

Star awoke to Moon meowing in her face, perched on her chest. She opened one eye and then glared before shutting them tightly again.

“I was having a good dream.” She complained.

“Mrow.”

“What do you care what it was about?”

“Mrow.”

“Maybe it was about him.”

“Mrrrrl.”

“Yeah again,” Star answered defiantly, finally opening her eyes and giving up her fight against slipping back into the steamy dream.

“Merp.” Ozzy chirped in from the floor, big eyes looking up at his adopted mother.

“Don’t you start. I thought you liked him.”

Moon purred, leaning her head to bonk it again Star's face.

“Yeah, you’re cute. I know. I’ve left you inside with uncle Robbie a lot.” Star sighed and pet the cat to return the affection. “It’s cold out here and I don’t want you alone without heat for too long.”

“Mrow. Awow.” Moon sassed back.

“What? I can’t cuddle up naked with a man and keep warm? You’ve got Ozzy.” The black cat with a chip in its ear let out a loud meow and walked back and forth next to her bed. “You don’t get to judge me for keeping warm by my own methods out here while you’re in there with a damn fireplace getting your butthole licked. ” Star talked to the fat white fluff of a cat in her hands, her paws dangling.

“Mrrrrrr.” She swished her tail but made no attempts to move.

“Maybe I am jealous.” Star laughed. “Speaking of.” Star plopped the cat into the floor. “I guess I need to get this birthday started right.”

“Mew.” Ozzy kindly requested.

“Yes, your food first then the manifestation orgasm. I know.”

Eddie was greeted with a friendly scent of nag champa, one he could recognize because of Star. A jingle of bells announced his presence.

“Hello again, Eddie.” The woman with a warm demeanor and motherly smile said from across the shop, looking up from her book. “How’s that lapis working out for you?” He walked among the imports, the pipes, and stones to the small worn counter in the back where a register older than him sat.

“How do you remember that?”

“Not many guys that look like you come in for crystals. They mainly want pipes.” She grinned.

“I’ve bought both.” He chuckled.

“And you’re a good customer so of course, I’d remember you.” She reassured him.

“I wanted to get both today actually.”

“Sure I didn’t give you pyrite on accident?” She asked with a wink. “Big spender today, huh?”

“Pyrite.” He stopped to think, his eyes wandered as he thought. “Pyrite. Pyro. Fire. Shiney. That’s the gold-looking one for money.” He finally finds his answer. “Oh, I get the joke now.” He nods in understanding.

“You’ve been studying?”

“Kinda. I’ve mostly looked at Star’s collection. She’s got one in her money bowl. So it’s easy to remember.”

“Tell her to buy one from me and it’ll work better.” She joked.

“I’m seeing her today. I will.” He gave one of those soft genuine smiles she liked seeing on anyone. Eddie had deep, good energy. “This is my first stop because I know it'll be my most expensive.”

“What are we thinking? Is the lapis working out? Need any more selenite? I’ve got some full moon water if you’re interested.” He could tell she was excited to be talking about her work, Star did the same thing when he’d listen to her.

“I'm just a baby here I’m not ready for all that.” He chuckled. “I’m here, trusting my choice of what to buy Star for her birthday. I finally figured out what to get her so I guess that’s a good sign.

“I’d say so. I always struggle with figuring out what to get people.”

“I’m starting with a pipe. I already know which, the sunflower one.”

“The lapis is certainly working.” She declared happily and moved to pull the glass yellow sunflower-tipped smoking pipe from the case. “She’s mentioned this one being cute before.”

“That or I’m around her so much I just know her now.”

“Either way it’s intuition. What else?”

“Rose quartz. For sure.” He nodded.

“Lovely love stone.” She lilted and grinned.

“She mentioned something the other day and it was…. Well, it was something bad about herself. So I wanted to get something to help her with that. She gets too hard on herself.”

“That would definitely help.” She almost floated across the divider and went to a very pink section of the wall. “Are we thinking statue? For the altar? We’ve got jewelry of course. Rings?” She perked up. “Or is that a little too on the nose?” She winked. “Lots of choices.” She stood proudly in front of the selection and watched Eddie’s borderline pout appear.

“Guess this is the real test of intuition.” He sighed.

Eddie smelled his cologne as he hopped out of the van. He stopped to look at his shirt and wonder if he’d put on too much. Maybe the entire outfit of freshly washed clothes was weak compared to the built-in cigarette smell of his usual jeans. He couldn’t exactly pinpoint his motive for cleaning up today. He figured it was better safe than sorry. After all, his current jerk-off fantasy where Star asked him to do nasty shit in bed as a birthday favor could happen. Right?

He looked at himself in his rearview mirror, sighing when he wasn’t sure what he was trying to fix precisely as he fussed with his hair. He threw his backpack over his shoulder, fetched his guitar, and headed towards the vibrating air stream trailer.

The small window provided a clear view from the right angle. It wasn’t the first time Eddie had been sneaky and watched Star before knocking. The bass was unmistakable, Sunshine Of Your Love, one that even he’d learned on the bass. He watched Star turn into view, singing and dancing as she always was it seemed. She checked her earrings, her hair teased up and fluffy. She tossed it behind her shoulders in time with the music, leaning one toward her mirror and then the other to the beat. Her collar bones flexed, and Eddie’s eyes quickly moved down to see the black dress she was wearing. He wanted to press his face to the glass to see how it looked past her hips. She moved sultry to the psychedelic groove, hips moving like a pendulum, and Eddie was enchanted. That was until the song winded down and she shook her head back and forth to the beat of the drum. She laughed and smoothed her hair, lighting what was either a cigarette or a joint. She smoked and sighed, hips wavering to a keyboard-heavy witchy-sounding song Eddie didn’t know.

He knocked and heard her call him in.

“It’s unlocked!” She smoothed the front of her dress down, wondering how she should stand, and promptly forgot how she would normally. She scrambled until the last second when his eyes landed on her and she’d chosen a hand to her hip and a joint to her shining lips.

“Hey.” He stuttered out, looking at everything but her face. His word was short and cut off. Her heart raced as she waited for more but it didn’t arrive. She couldn’t read his expression and the lingering quiet as she’d turned down the stereo made her feel nervous. “Uhm.” Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, his face contorted into what she thought was a disappointing wince. “You-uh that dress is…” his eyebrows went high and she felt so small.

“It’s too much isn’t it?” She looked down and he saw her face sink as much as his heart did as he watched her confidence drain from her lightly painted face. “I like to get dressed up on my birthday and I thought it looked so good on Madonna when I saw it.” she spoke so fast her words fell on top of one another, rubbing together as she swallowed audibly and took a little gasp of breath. “-so I tried to find one like it as a present to myself, you know, and I thought it’d look good on me. But it looks dumb, doesn’t it? It’s not me. I knew black and lace were too hard. I’m not edgy I shouldn't be such a try-hard.“

“WOAH Woah.” Eddie approached her with open palms, lowering his bag and sitting his guitar in the kitchen booth. “Slow down sweetheart.” He put his hands on her bare arms. “You look amazing.” He said with a hard brow.

“Oh.” She blinked with wide eyes and Eddie tried to look into the depth of them to understand why she switched modes so quickly. “You looked like you didn’t like it or something.”

“Why do you give a shit if I like it? You like it right?”

“Yeah. I was - AM a little nervous about it. I don’t usually wear all black and anything lacey and silky except my nightgowns.”

“If you like it it doesn’t matter what I think.” He reminded her. He saw the recognition come across her eyes and she nodded, chewing her lip.

“You’re right.” She frowned and looked down at herself. “Sorry, I-“ she shook her head, trying to pinpoint where the trigger had come from. She quickly realized it came from the same place most of them did. “It’s… an old habit.” She sighed. “I used to get dressed up a lot. For no reason. And I loved it. I still do.” She admitted. “But then I had it used against me and it turned into me feeling bad every time and I stopped.” Eddie let his hands leave her arms as he nodded knowingly. “I think I’m doing so well and then something like this happens. Also, my birthday is an emotional day in general so maybe I’m just… wound tight?” She looked to the joint in her hand. “That’s why I’ve got this.” She chuckled and took a drag.

“You look great. You always do.” He quietly comforted her. “And this year you don’t have to feel bad on your birthday. Happy Birthday, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a soft smile and he saw her shoulders start to relax. “We’re the same age for a few months.”

“Getting old on me.” He grinned and she playfully shoved him. “Getting wiser.” He bobbed. “Which is what’s really important.”

“When you’re my voice of reason I don’t know how I feel about it.” She kidded.

“Ah but I am also an enabler!” He grinned and moved back to his backpack, sitting it on the kitchen table. “Of bad decisions!” He beamed as he held out a baggy of weed and dropped it onto her kitchen counter. “That’s some good shit from California.” He pointed to the baggie.

“I’m waiting to see the bad decision?” She picked up the baggie to look at the bright nuggets inside.

“You want your presents now?” He asked with an eager gleam in his eye.

“You got me presents?” She pouted adoringly.

“Of course I did!” He sounded slightly offended.

“I’m so impatient. You know this.” She held out grabby hands.

“Okay so- first.” He held out a tube-shaped wrapper. It was painted newspaper, she’d seen it before. A yellow ribbon wrapped around it. A bow with tendrils tickled her fingers as she unveiled the mostly yellow sunflower bowl.

“This is from town!” She said excitedly. “This one is so cute! Is this for me?”

“If you’re the birthday girl it is.”

“I am!” She cheered. “Thank you, you didn’t have to. Really.” She cooed and moved to wrap her arms around him. He smelled good. She pressed her nose into the soft flannel of his shirt.

“You’re welcome but I’m not done yet.”

“Is the next present telling me what you’re wearing because it’s very nice.” She said distracted, looking at the place on his shoulder she’d just left.

“It’s uh some black bottle. And some of that oil you gave me.”

“I’m a genius.” She smiled and he returned the expression as he saw she was back to feeling like herself. “You might smell as good as I look.”

“Never.” He choked out a laugh. “Not possible.”

“Go on.” She rolled her eyes and flung a hand at him.

“I also got you- US wine.” He held out a glass bottle like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. “I don’t know shit about it. I got this one because it had a yellow label and you like yellow.”

“I do like yellow. And wine. I haven’t had any since I moved.”

“I don’t know if you remember it but you talked about at-“

“Our Halloween party yeah.” She smiled warmly, holding the bottle and looking it over. He paused for a moment to sit in the odd fuzzy feeling he got from her referring to the party as “our”.

“I’ve never had it. I don’t know how old grapes could be good so I also got a 40.” He yanked the familiar cheap bottle out and moved to the fridge.

“Oh my god, Eddie you spent too much. You didn’t need to get all this stuff.” She whined as he took the bottle from her hands to place it in her small refrigerator.

“Save it you martyr, it’s your birthday. I get to spoil you for once. You’re the working girl and always feeding me and funding our bullshit and it takes a hit out of my masculinity so let me do something nice for you.” he walked past her and tapped the button of her nose and she demurely smiled.

She liked the idea of someone spoiling her.

“Besides- the next few things-“

“Few? As in multiple? EDDIE!” She quickly shifted back to scolding.

“If you’d let me finish I was going to say the next few things didn’t cost anything.”

“Good save.” She muttered with a faux judgemental smirk.

“First. A new mixtape.” He smacked it into her hands in its decorated case. ‘Nov. 84-85’ it read with flowers and stars doodled. A tiny rendition of her D and D characters' great club and face adorned the inside jacket. “I know we didn’t meet until July but, I put my favorite songs that came out from your birthday last year to today. Since you didn’t have me around to show you good music for the first half of the year I figured I’d make you a tape with all the stuff you would have loved if you’d moved here sooner.”

Star felt a flip in her stomach. Eddie felt the same as he saw the way she looked the tape over, smiling at his drawings and being so gentle as she touched it. He then felt the same thing she had earlier, a concern he’d fucked up when she looked like she might cry for a split second.

“You know…” she let out a noisy exhale. “Sometimes I wish I’d moved here sooner.” She confessed. She kept her eyes on the cassette and its scribbled tracklist. She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t used to someone being so thoughtful when it came to her. Not someone like Eddie. Not someone she cared about like she did him. She didn’t want to say aloud she wished she’d met him sooner. Or wished she’d not had to have gone through the last year of her life. Everything felt so much harder before Eddie came along. She realized she’d been quiet for too long.

Eddie hadn’t noticed the lingering silence. He was too busy having his own rivaling inner crisis to the situation he’d introduced. If they weren’t avoiding eye contact with one another they’d have seen the mutual expressions of fear and curiosity. Eddie was sweating, his mind falling down a rabbit hole. Where would they be if she had been here a year earlier? What would she be like if she hadn’t gone through… whatever her ex had done? Would she even like him if she hadn’t gone through that? Was it for the best things worked out this way? Would he have graduated? Would they even be friends? Would they have dated? Would it have been a mistake that ended in flames? Were they better off as friends? Could they have been the exception to The Munson Doctrine which states no relationship can end well? Was he even thinking about this in the past tense anymore?

“I feel like I missed out on a lot.” She held up the tape. “You know, without your divine guidance and all.” She smiled, avoiding eye contact.

“Yeah.” He huffed out, his spiraling stream of thought forced into stability again. “That was the idea behind it.” He bobbed and looked to the floor. “Next year the whole playlist can be our favorites instead of just mine.” The sentiment was felt and appreciated. But unfortunately not explored.

“I’m already looking forward to it.” She said without even the slightest allusion to sarcasm. Their eyes finally met, neither was brave enough to hold it for too long. She tucked a hair behind her ear and looked away. “You mind if I put it in now?”

“No, please do.” He shooed her in the direction of her stereo with his hands. He took a deep breath, rubbing his face. A smack to the forehead told his brain to get its shit together while she had her back turned.

“Metallica. Nice” she bounced in approval, moving back to the kitchenette booth, her hands in front of her as she picked her nails.

“Creeping death ep was released in November last year. Their new album comes out early next year. I’m so fucking stoked about it.” He was immediately distracted by a musical hyper fixation from his emotions.

“I know. It’s only the 100th time you’ve mentioned it.” She gave him a gentle smile, seeing his eyes widen and his posture perk up.

“I’m doing that thing again aren’t I? Shit,” he muttered. The thing in question was not being able to shut up about his interests when he was excited. They were both guilty of it from time to time so both understood the compulsion.

“You know I don’t mind. It’s cute when you’re excited about something.” she shook her head, dismissing his concern he was annoying. Her eyes grew a bit more half-lidded, the joint almost half gone working away at it on her own. The high was fuzzing around her and he could tell.

“Maybe I’m not annoying you because you’re high,” he suggested.

“It helps.” she shrugged, a face not giving her playfulness until it finally broke with a giggle. “You’re also bestowing gifts upon me. What am I gonna do? Be a dick? No.” she leaned against the booth’s edge. “Like I said. It’s cute. I like it. Please continue.” she bowed forward, a hand sweeping out. He couldn't help but smile, as he noticed her picking up on his mannerisms and using them for herself. She put him at ease, a rustling in his stomach he still felt afraid of, but the smile on her face distracted him enough to continue without feeling like an awkward nerd.

“You like me being awkward or the gifts?” he leaned forward to clarify but a smile twitched in the corner of his mouth breaking his attempted seriousness.

“Both.” she nodded after a pause of consideration.

“Okay because this next one is a combination of both.” he gave a forced smile and wide eyes. She observed him pull his wallet out, her brow lowered with curiosity. Her expression only deepened as he pulled out an orange card. He held it between his teeth as he put his wallet back up before holding it up on display. She recognized it as a monopoly card.

“Get out of jail free card? You know those don’t work in real life, right?” she started to giggle.

“No shit.” Eddie gasped. “Wayne and I started this thing when I was younger. It’s a favor. Whoever has the card, gets to ask a favor of the other person, and they can’t say no. But you have to give over the card when you ask for the favor.”

“That’s the cutest shit I’ve ever heard.” she pouted as if mocking him but she was entirely serious. “I get my own card?”

“Yeah, this is a new one.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“I stole it.” he grinned.

“From where?”

“A monopoly set.” She put her hands to her hips.

“No shit.”

“From school. Don’t worry about it.” he flicked her nose with the card.

“Do you have the one you use with Wayne?”

“He’s got it right now.”

“Oh! What was the favor you asked?” her eyes lit up.

“Jesus, so many questions. None of your beeswax, Ramona.” he laughed.

“Who the hell is Ramona?”

“Did you not read as a kid?” it was his turn to put his hand to his hips.

“Not especially.” she shrugged.

“It’s from a book, don’t worry about it.”

“I feel like I hear that a lot from you.” She pursed her lips.

“Focus Star!” he laughed, shaking the card in her face.

“Right. This adorable, wholesome, heartfelt PBS level shit.” she attempted to snatch it from his hand and he yanked it away, a teasing smile on his face when she scowled. She put the joint out and held out her hand. “I’m glad I’m super high because I would be emotional otherwise. This is… honestly adorable doesn’t do it justice. Thank you. I feel like I’m a member of the Munson family now or something.” There was no sarcasm to be found when she took it and looked it over.

“Not quite.” a quick nervous huff escaped him at the embarrassing thought that popped into his head as he heard her words. “I’m sure I’ll regret it. But when you don’t have a lot of money you get creative.”

“You probably will.” another giggle, her tongue peeping out of her mouth as she smiled. She tucked it away into her wallet and returned to Eddie. “It’s perfect. I can’t deal with you when you’re so… fuckin’....sweet like this. I don’t know what to do with you.” She walked up to him, putting her hands to the sides of his face in a fluid motion, with no hesitation. “I love it when you let that big brain of yours get creative.” she shook his head and he openly swooned, a happy sigh as he leaned into her hands.

“You’re so nice when you’re high.” he dopily smiled.

“I’m always nice.” she scrunched her nose then leaned in to bite his.

“You’re always weird.” he laughed and rubbed his nose. “You feral child.”

“You love it, shut up.” she smiled and pulled the zipper of his backpack to look inside it.

Eddie opened his mouth to speak, he did love it.

“What else is in your bag of tricks Mary Poppins?” her eyes dilated dark when she looked up at him. The red from being stoned in the whites somehow made the green in her eyes even brighter. He shut his slack jaw before proving himself more awkward.

“I might’ve got Steve to look up your most rented movies for me, so I have those to watch.”

“Invading a girl's privacy.” She chuckled as he dug to pull them out. “What if I’d had some nasty pornos on there? I might not want you to know what I’m into in secret.” Her tone was entirely not serious.

“They don’t have pornos at Family Video” Eddie snorted. “Besides you “borrow” mine so I know exactly what you’re into.” He leaned down into her face to give her a goofy smile.

“I don’t know. I might have some things you don’t know about.” She piped.

“You expect me to believe a girl who rented The Muppet Movie SIX times is into some dark immoral kinky shit? I don’t think so.” He held up the video to mock her.

“It’s my comfort movie! I loved it as a kid.” She grabbed it away and hugged it to her chest. “I do feel a bit exposed now. For real!”

“At least Spinal Tap and the Dark Crystal are cool.”

“I like Jim Henson.” She sulked. “The way they make the puppets is amazing!” She declared defensively.

“I’m not shitting on Jim Henson, I like the Dark Crystal too, you won’t hear any complaints from me about it.”

“Don’t you have comfort movies from when you were a kid?”

“Of course.”

“Like what?”

“The Hobbit.”

“That feels obvious.” She giggled.

“I read more than watched stuff as a kid.”

“I do know you like Disney movies.” She teased.

“Yeah, it turns out I have a heart and animated animals make me cry. And you like puppets and anything Don Bluth has touched makes you cry. Turns out we’re both human after all.”

“He’s a genius.” She said with conviction and wide eyes. “We should watch-“

“No. I’m not watching The Secret of Nimh again Star, you’ve bribed me into watching it 4 times already.”

“But it’s my birthday!” She moped.

“Fuck.” He groaned. “I am willing to watch The Muppet Movie.” He said with a chop of his hand. “I know you’ve watched Nimh recently. Would you really rather watch it?”

“Since Nimh would annoy you more I kinda want it.” She scrunched her nose and laughed like a goblin.

“I have to bend to your whims today. That’s how it works for you, right? I’ll watch the damn movie again.”

“I’m just fucking with you.” She poked his stomach. “You’re fun when you’re all flustered.”

“Fun for who?” He laughed with bewildered eyes.

“Me.” A swift response. “Your cheeks get all pink and your hair moves around a lot and gets those fuzzy flyaways.” She reached up to straighten one out and he smacked her hand away which made her laugh. “And your voice cracks like you’re going through puberty. I find it very amusing.”

“You’re the devil.” He said bluntly and she fell into a fit of giggles.

“Good thing you’re a satanist then huh?” She came back with a wink. “Since it’s my birthday you’re worshipping me today too so bow down mother fucker!” She cackled.

“I won’t waste my time pointing out the inaccuracies of what you just said because I KNOW you know you’re wrong.” His cheeks were warm as they fell into their playful banter of fake anger. “And you’re fucking with me because you want to get a rise out of me!” He grabbed her sides to tickle her and she screamed and bolted for her bed. “You find it amusing when I’m annoyed? What if I find it amusing to tickle you until you piss yourself?”

“And I thought I had the secret kinks.” She wiggled her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue, her soft body still bouncing from her leap onto her bed on her knees.

“That’s not-! Star!” He griped and she started another round of stoned laughter. “You’re so god damn ridiculous.” He declared as he laughed.

“I know.” She sighed, wiping the corner of her eye. “It’s one of my favorite things about myself now.”

“Mine too.” He replied warmly, still chuckling as he dug through his bag for what he wanted to show her next.

She hummed contently, sitting on her knees. Eddie made her feel so pleased when she was high. She wanted to pinch his cheeks for being so sweet. She felt a new compulsion to squeeze him until he popped when he would compliment her. She didn’t quite understand it.

“This. This isn’t a birthday present for you. But it is important and exciting all the same because it’s how I planned to start our evening. Smoke while we order some pizza, then eat ourselves stupid and drink and watch puppets. Or whatever you wanna do because it’s your birthday but- that was the loose plan.” He saw her tilt her head as he spoke. “The record store FINALLY got my order in!” He held out the cassette like he was shoving a sword. “Iron Maiden. Live After Death. Recorded during their World Slavery tour in California and London. Over an hour and a half of pure face melting metal!” He was so excited it took him a moment to register Star's expression.

“Oh!” It sounded as forced as it felt in the moment. A knee-jerk reaction she immediately regretted. “That’s what we’re doing tonight?” She asked, brows high and hiding her disappointment. Not as well as she thought. She tried to cover. “That's… finally came in, huh?” She said with a bounce and a smile.

She watched Eddie falter, the pure joy fading as he witnessed her reaction. She felt her stomach drop.

“You’re disappointed.” He said without meaning to be so blunt about it.

“No! I’m just… surprised.”

“You don’t want to listen to this do you?” his voice deepened and his face fell expressionless.

“Of course I do.” That was a genuine answer. He interrupted her and she closed her mouth before continuing.

“Shit.” He muttered, looking at the cassette and she rose to stand again, not being able to handle Eddie’s dejected face.

“Eddie I really don’t mind.” It was true. She didn’t.

“I’m so stupid.” He sighed, his hands falling to his side.

“What? No, you’re not.” She squeaked in offense.

“It’s your birthday. Look at you for Christ's sake. You’re all dressed up. I’m so stupid I should’ve known you’d wanna go OUT or something.” He was frustrated for real this time, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I got so excited about getting this in and getting to listen to it I didn’t even-“ he took a deep breath and noisily exhaled. “You don’t want to spend your 19th birthday holed up with me listening to one of MY favorite bands while you look like a fucking movie star and should be out getting shown off and spoiled.” Star's chest ached at his words, the way his shoulders fell and his back hunched. “You said you wanted to do nothing for your birthday. You didn’t want to host and wanted to enjoy your time off but I took that too literally didn’t I? You like to get out and party and I’m not used to thinking like that. I’m sorry, Star. I fucked it all up.”

“Eddie, honey. You are being entirely too hard on yourself. As usual.” She voiced before reaching him and taking his hands into hers. “Now listen to me. The only thing I’m upset about right now is that you’re so upset. “ she squoze his hands. “I did think we’d go out and do something.” She frowned slightly but it was quickly covered with conviction. “Nothing significant though. Like… Maybe ice cream or a movie or the thrift shop. Eddie, you get so hung up on thinking buying me things or experiences is what I want.” He met her eyes then. She saw right through him. “ But it’s not. I get it, I do. You don’t think all I want is to buy you the things that make you excited too? Guitars and cars and concert tickets?” She smiled and took his face into her hands. “But I can’t. We can’t. Because that’s not our life. And that’s okay. We know the value in other things don’t we?” He fluttered his lashes and felt his cheeks burn. He nodded ever so slightly. “I get dressed up every birthday now. It’s a… sort of ritual I do to celebrate myself. Whether I knew we were going out or not I’d be dressed like this, okay?” She waited for another nod as his glassy eyes stayed to hers. “And you’re wrong about another thing.” She smiled and mushed his cheeks. “There’s not much I’d rather do than be holed up with you. I don’t need to go out to have fun anymore. Not since I met you.” His stressed-out expression faded with every delicate word she spoke. Her bright eyes bore into his dark ones, asserting herself. “I didn’t know you could have fun doing nothing until I met you. Then all of a sudden I understood why people wanted to stay in and hang out. Why people enjoyed others' company so much. I’ve never had someone like you before. I’ve never had someone who just fucking GETS me, you know? And I don’t want you to think that I would EVER prefer the life I used to have of partying, fake friends, and bad decisions over doing anything with you.” Star's words hit them both hard. Poor Star had realized she’d never had a real friend before.

And Eddie, he felt so seen it was like he was stripped bare. She was right. They’d never had someone before that felt like they truly understood them. She saw his shame of being poor, and she didn’t pretend like it didn’t exist or give him the bullshit of oh one day you’ll not be poor anymore. There was plenty magical and whimsical about Star, but her outlook on what the world was and the place people like them had in it wasn’t one of them. And he loved her cynicism for such things. Her dark humor and her ability to be uncomfortably real with him. Just like she was right now.

Star was compelled to take Eddie with his big sad cow eyes into her arms. She wrapped around his neck and pulled him close. She could feel something in the way Eddie's hands gripped across her body before wrapping her up against him and raising her to her tiptoes. He'd needed the validation.

“I’m not upset. I promise.” She kissed the side of his head and squeezed her arms tight. “I assumed something and I made an ass of u and me.” She chuckled. She felt him weakly smile against her. She let him go and he released her, leaving his hands on her hips as she left hers on his chest. “And don’t ever let me hear you call yourself stupid again.” She pinched his chin. “Got it?”

“Yes ma’am.” He nodded as she held his chin. “I didn’t mean to be so dramatic.” He muttered. “I just get so… my mood shifts so fast sometimes. I thought I’d fucked up your birthday. You trusted me with spending it with you and figuring out what to do and I just-.” He blew a raspberry with his tongue.

“I know, hun. You've just been around my dramatic ass too long.” She gave him a quick soft kiss that made him sigh and close his eyes. “If you’re involved it can’t be that fucked up.” She reassured him. Despite the draft from around the door he stood close to, he felt warm all over when she looked at him. “Let's start the evening by getting you good and stoned so we can both be chill and happy again and we’ll listen to Iron Maiden and do fuck all. Sound good to you? Because it sounds great to me.“

“Sounds perfect.”

Full of wine and pizza Star was sat on a blanket and pillows on the floor with crossed legs. With a full stomach, she’d forgone the dress sooner than she’d wanted to. But the stomach wants what the stomach wants. And being extended from pizza and alcohol was what she wanted tonight. She’d compromised with a black silky nightgown that looked similar enough to the dress but was loose and soft. Stars priority now lay with being comfortable. A smoking ashtray sat between her and Eddie, the bowl he’d gifted her being used already. He’d taken the bed, sat on the edge, guitar on his legs. He was rewinding the Iron Maiden cassette they’d just listened to and he’d picked away on his guitar the whole time. Star had enjoyed watching him and getting drunk.

“I wanna do somethin’.” Her half-baked thought tumbled out of her mouth. Eddie stopped and his hand naturally returned to his guitar. He blinked slowly, waiting for her to continue.

“I can’t read minds. I wish I could. Or wait no, Ew, I take that back.” The flow of thought from being high and sipping away at a 40 made an unfiltered appearance.

“It’s my birthday you have to say yes.” She wore a mischievous smile, and leaned back on her hands, holding herself up with locked elbows.

“I can’t agree if I don’t know what to.”

“That’s the catch.”

“Or you could tell me?”

“Say yes and I’ll show you instead.” She wiggled her brows at him, sticking her tongue out ever so slightly.

“Mmm.” A deep chesty hum. “This feels like a trap.”

“Move your guitar to the side for a second.” She wiggled to her knees and scooted towards him.

“One second? That’s the faith you have in me?” He smirked.

“I’m not fucking you, silly.” She shook her head and stopped between his legs.

“Does it rhyme with fucking?” His brows went high as her hands rest on his thighs.

“No.” She shortly answered before reaching up to touch his hair.

“If you’re gonna touch the merchandise you gotta pay sweetheart.” He held his hands up.

“I want to see your hair pulled back.” she took a spare scrunchie off her nightstand.

“Why?” His chin pushed back into his neck and he made a disgusted face that unintentionally made Star laugh.

“Because I’ve never seen it!” She raised her voice slightly.

“You can see my face. There’s nothing special going on under there.”

“C’mon.”

“Let me see you with your hair pulled back then!”

“You have seen my hair styled every sort of way, Eddie. Don’t you want it out of your face while you play?”

“Doesn’t bother me.” He shrugged. “You don’t gotta mess with it.”

“You love it when I play with your hair.”

“Playing with it and putting it up are very different.” She leaned in and put her lips to Eddie’s with no pressure.

“Lemme do it.” She demanded with a playful growl.

“Ugh fine. Happy Birthday. You don’t get any of the other stuff I had planned for you.”

“You’re a dirty bitch pulling that on me.” She said sassily as she began gently pulling his hair back. Her response made Eddie laugh hard and it quickly turned into a cough.

“Views nice I gotta admit.” He grinned with his face directly in Star's chest as she raised her arms to pull his hair up into a messy bun on his head.

“I’ll whip 'em out and distract you next time so you won’t be such a baby about it. I’m already done!” She leaned back and Eddie snapped at her chest with his teeth as she pulled away.

“Should’ve asked for tits in return.” He tsked.

“Next time. I get a freebie on birthdays.” She sat back on her feet and looked him over. He blankly stared back. “Ugh.” She finally said, shaking her head.

“I don’t have to let you be mean because it’s your birthday.” His brow furrowed as his hand moved to tear the bun out.

“No!” She grabbed his wrist. “I wasn’t insulting you! I’m annoyed at how good you look. I wish I looked that good with my hair pulled back.” He blinked in surprise with a look of suspicion on his face. “I’m serious!” She pulled down a few stands and ruffled his bangs. “You’ve got a nice long neck and flat ears. Solid jawline. You’re pretty, pretty boy.” She smiled looking into his eyes after pulling curls down around his hairline.

“You’re drunk.” He grinned.

“So?” She started giggling. “I’m high too what about it?” She challenged back with her nose to his before laughing and pulling away. “I wish my neck was that long and my ears were nice and flat. Mine stick out.” She tucked her teased hair behind her ears and he’d never noticed them being prominent before. “I’m jealous.” She admitted.

“Fuck off.” He grinned and rolled his eyes.

“I am!”

“Have you SEEN you?” He leaned forward and barked back at her.

“Every day of my life! And I’ve always thought pretty men were just so, ugh I don’t know. I just want to BE like that, ya know?” She moaned. “If I were pretty like you I’d be dropping panties left and right.”

“I am historically documented to be not good at getting women.” He laughed.

“What’s your reject rate for girls? Like 50/50 at the worst?”

“0 for 0.” He grinned. “You can’t lose if you don’t play.” He tapped his temple.

“You’re full of shit.” She groaned loudly.

“What about you?” He quickly talks over her.

“My rate? For girls?” She wiggled and bat her lashes.

“Oh yeah tell me about all the girls you’ve been with.” He joked.

“Only a few have said no, actually.”

“Well, no shit look at you. What guy would say no to you?”

“No.” She shook her head. “With girls.” he leaned her head forward to emphasize what she meant.

Eddie rapidly blinked and made sure he was not more inebriated than he thought.

“With… girls. Like with girls?” He stumbles around his words.

“Yeah? Girls are nice. At a bar, you usually know you’re there to fuck anyway.” She said it so casually his face contorted in confusion.

“You’ve… fucked… girls?”

“Yeah haven’t you?” She mocked.

“You’d know.” He nervously laughed. “But seriously?”

“Why is that so hard to believe? I know there’s more out gay people in Chicago than here but you aren’t small-minded you know girls fuck girls and guys fuck guys.”

“I just didn’t…. Think about it I guess.” His thousand-yard stare went past her as his mind swirled around behind his eyes.

“You’re gonna now though aren’t you?” She smirked and a bright smile lit his face back up.

“Yeah probably.” A deep dumb laugh escaped him. “So you're at a what-? 80% yes rate with girls.”

“I’d say more like over 90%.” She nodded.

“Christ. You got me beat.” He admitted. “What about guys? It has to be-“

“Does it count if the guy was gay and I didn’t know?” She interrupted.

“Nope.”

“Then like 99.9999%.” She nodded enthusiastically. “What about you?”

“I can’t compete with that. You’ll know what a loser Virgin I am if I tell you.”

“I already know what a loser Virgin you are Eddie.” She chortled with an adorable scrunched nose.

“That’s what you wanna hear from the girl you’re fucking.” He said in a self-deprecating, sarcastic tone.

“You KNOW I’m joking. I hope. You get all squirmy if I talk about how sexy I think you are or say nice things about you. Figured you’d prefer I call you a loser Virgin since it’s the opposite of what you are.”

“I am a loser but not a virgin. I’ve not slept with that many people though.” He admitted shyly.

“Nothing wrong with that. I guess it’d be higher if you didn’t get rejected as much?”

“Ouch.” He grabbed his chest.

“You said it!” She laughed.

“I know but I can say that! You can’t!”

“What is it then? Do you have a 1% success rate? How bad could it be? You don’t ask a bunch of people out so you’re picky I guess. Couldn’t be that many.” She tried to stroke his ego a bit.

“Okay like 50/50. Well… maybe more? Some came onto me so how do I count that?”

“As a win, you whore.” She laughed.

“Okay then like 70%?”

“SEE! Told you!”

“You’re only right because it’s your birthday. Shut it.” He palmed her face and pushed her back gently.

“What about your rate with guys then?” She again said things so casually he barely even thought silently to himself. If he’d been drinking he would’ve choked.

“W-me? Guys?”

“Yeah?” She tilted her head like a puppy. “I told you both my girl and guy scores.”

“I uh-“ he looked down and his cheeks turned bright red. The smile on Star's face grew painfully large.

“You HAVE been with a guy!” She jolted up in posture with her eureka moment.

“I- I said nothing.” He shook his head defensively.

“Are you embarrassed? Oh, you sweet boy don’t be embarrassed!” She cooed and held his face to make him look at her. “Is it a secret? I guess it has to be. Oh my god, do I know him? Is it one of the Hellfire guys? I mean Gareth would be pretty cute if he wasn’t such a little shit.”

“No! No not any of them.” He quickly shook his head. “But I don’t… nobody talks about this stuff as openly as you do. I don’t want anyone to know. I guess I didn’t want you to know either. I didn’t want you to think of me differently or think I was gay or something?” He looked so confused she couldn’t help but kiss him right on the lips.

“It only makes me think more highly of you to be perfectly honest. I know what it’s like being attracted to both. I like that you know that too. And I never thought you were gay… not with how you fuck me.” She laughed with her chest and put her forehead to his. “But I’ll keep your secret. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you. I don’t talk about it. I get called a fag enough as it is ya know?”

“I thought you liking Accept so much was suspicious, to be honest.” A nervous laugh left Eddie and he blushed again.

“I mean I like the music. It’s not just about-“

“Leather daddies?” She smirked.

“Yeah, that feels a bit on the nose doesn’t it?”

“Just a bit.” She taunted. “I’m glad you got to experience that. I think more people should. Don’t knock it til you try it.”

“I mean I didn’t… do IT.” He hunched over and lowered his voice.

“Even though it’s my birthday you can say no... but can I ask about it? Was it one time? Aw did you have a boyfriend that'd be so fuckin cute."

“No.” He huffed out a laugh and looked away, cheeks pink again. “A guy at show up north. Eyeballing me and it just sorta happened. He looked at me like he knew. He was older. We got in the back of his band's van while they partied and we… fooled around.”

“That’s hot.” Star nodded.

“Hot?” His voice cracked.

“You being the blushing bride and having some- I’m assuming an attractive guy feeling you up in the back of a van all lusty and horned up with adrenaline after a show.”

“When you say it like that yeah. I guess it was… hot.”

“I mean I know I wanna fuck you after watching you play. I swear your guitar neck is connected to my pussy sometimes.” Eddie’s eyes grew wide watching Star speak without a filter. The wine and California weed were working. "And you look so mean and bad and focused and ugh your focused face is so sexy. Have I told you that? I should. And your fingers are just straight up fucking that guitar and Christ.” She fanned herself. “And you’re all sweaty after and your hair gets curlier and black and ugh, you’re so happy. And I just wanna tear you to pieces! Drag you somewhere dark and secluded like some cheetah and sink my teeth into you.” Eddies eyes go black as he watched her sigh and flutter her lashes while she openly fantasized about him, to him.

“You should.” His dry mouth blurts out.

“I should, shouldn't I? I should probably do a lot of things I don't. I’m wasted enough to say this all out loud. Whoops.” She sat back and had a fit of giggles. “Holy fuck this weed is good.” She panted and fanned her nightgown. “Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?” She snorted. “It’d be both of us to be fair.” She turned to lower the space heaters output. “I’m here talking about my wet dreams and you were being serious I’m so sorry. I know it’s bullshit when someone says sorry I’m just drunk but fuck I’m a bit- a lot very much not sober.” She nodded and blinked with a blank stare at nothing in particular. “But I’m having a great time!” She perked right back up.

“You could tell me any wet dream, fantasy whatever the hell you wanna call it anytime sweetheart. I’ll never complain.”

“Getting me wine is the way to do it. I’m a whore on the wine. The W stands for whore.”

“Wouldn’t that just be alcohol in general? He smirked.

“Nope. I can get sad or cry or fight or get horny or sleepy too.” she counted off on her fingers.

“Fair point, I think I’ve seen all those sides.”

“Bet horny is your favorite.” She wiggled her tongue at him.

“I like this right now actually. You just… saying things you normally don’t.”

“Talking about sex is fun isn’t it?” She wrinkled her nose as if she was being naughty. “What about you? You got any juicy fantasies to share? Anything you wanna get off your chest big boy?”

“I don’t know if I like you calling me that or if I think it’s funny.”

“I could call you horse cock instead if you like.” They both cackled and fell on each a bit, her arm and face on his leg and him hunched over her.

“Big boy is fine.”

“Good. I like it. And pretty boy. Ohhhh and puppy. Oh! Speaking of, how do you feel about collars?”

“Collars?”

“You know, leather and a buckle. Around your neck? I saw those handcuffs in your room you bad boy don’t act like you don’t know what a collar is.”

“When did you find those?” He smirked.

“When I was looking for some cassettes.” She shrugged

“Sneaky girl.”

“A little.” She smiled broadly with a hum.

“I’m cool with collars. Are you?”

“Never tried it but I want to.”

“Noted.” He smirked. “What else are you into?”

“I think it’s your turn to answer. I’ve blabbed enough. Your turn.”

“I would like to use the handcuffs on you.”

“I’d like that too.” she giggled and bit the end of her finger.

“Have you before?”

“Nope.” she popped the word out of her lips.

“Blindfold?” He inquired with a raised brow.

“Haven’t done it before but wholeheartedly a yes.”

“You done any bondage?”

“Not really no.”

“That’s surprising.”

“Why?” She tilted her head curiously.

“You come off so confident and experienced I guess I assumed you had done more than I had.”

“I do that on purpose.” She nodded. “Apart from the more basic BDSM like - we know I like the spanking and light choking and general roughness. But no tied up or uh the power play stuff? I knew people who went to the BDSM clubs but I was too chicken shit. Gimp suits are scary.” Eddie laughed at how her eyes were wide and large.

“Yeah, that’s a lot. I like a good power struggle. Either way.”

“Is there anything you haven’t done?”

“Oh tons. I’ve only dipped a toe in BDSM. Mostly as the person being tied up. Had a few girls that wanted to be tied to the bedpost, that whole thing ya know? And it’s fun. Turns out I like inflicting pain.”

“And I love having a red welted ass the next day.”

“I won’t lie I was so god damn happy when you asked me to hit you- spank you like that.”

“Thank you for obliging.” She winked and pouted her lips with a kiss sound. “I’d be down to play sometime. With the spanking or any of the other stuff. I’d love to try it.” She sounded like someone talking about going out to try a new restaurant. He was again fascinated by how she openly discussed things that he hadn’t known he felt internalized shame about.

“Then we will. You seem to like to be hurt and I like to give you what you want.” He smiled in an oddly wholesome way. She immediately returned it.

“Tell me a secret, Eddie. A sexy one. Call it another present.”

“Trying to get the good stuff huh? BDSM not enough for you?”

“It’s plenty but I’m curious. I wanna know everything about you. I find you fascinating.” She said earnestly.

“You want a real secret? As in something I’m ashamed of or-?”

“Oh god please yes I would love that.” He chuckled at her exaggerated reaction. “I’ll share one of mine if you share one of yours. Make it even. But it has to be a GOOD one! I’m not saying my thing without something good from you.” She insisted with a pointed finger.

“Okay. I can do that. Deal.”

“On the count of three?”

“At the same time? We’ll just talk over each other.” He laughed.

“We say it then discuss. Get it out there first.”

“Okay deal.” Star proceeds to do a Rock Paper Scissors style count down with her hand.

Eddie blurted out with a wince, “I use a pair of your panties to jerk off.”

Star hid her face and quickly said.

“I like anal.”

“WHAT?!” They both shouted.

“You WHAT?” Eddie’s smile was so big.

“You took my-!!” Star was both elated and annoyed. She gasped and got in Eddie's face. “You pervert.” Her tone was not that of someone mad at the news.

“Me?” He held his hand to his chest. “Little miss butt stuff over here.”

“When you cum so hard your eyes cross from me fingering your asshole I’ll remind you of that!” She laughed, her eyes bright and her voice loud. “Take a thumb in the ass while you’re getting railed and then judge me, bitch.” She said inches from his face and he dissolved into laughter. “You panty raiding sonofabitch. I was wondering where they went! And you’ve been…” she smirked. “Oh, you’re naughty!” She tsked and tapped his nose.

“You’re not mad?”

“No.” She lilted. “You see the thing is, I’m also a dirty little pervert so thinking about you jerking off with my panties strangled around your dick is doing it for me. Dirty birdy.” She cooed and wiggled her hips. “That suits you so well. Squirreling away with my panties and hiding them.” He’d blushed more tonight than he had the whole time he’d known her. “Do you wrap them around your dick or do you like to smell them and jerk off?” She leaned into his personal space, something Eddie was usually guilty of.

“It started with just taking them to be bad. If you found them I thought you’d be really cute, all mad about it. But yeah, I smelled them at first and jerked off. Cause fuck, you smell so good to me Star. Then they stopped smelling like you and I started cumming in them.” Star eyes drifted dreamily across his face as he spoke.

“You are making me discover all sorts of new things about myself, Eddie.” Her voice was breathy as she watched him lick his lips.

“I-I liked cumming inside them at first because it was like I’d finished inside you and I’d seeped out of you while you wore the panties. Like you’d taken them off and given them to me to show me how much I’d filled you up.” Star's mouth hung open and she gawked. Her bloodshot half-lidded eyes watched Eddie's plush lips say the most erotic things she’d ever heard a man say to her. This was more intimate than dirty talk and she was floored. She eventually blinked out of her trance as Eddie gazed at her lustful face.

“Holy shit.” She leaned away and took a deep breath. “The more you let me inside that big brain of yours the more I like it.” She whispered. “I think that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve never thought of that before.”

“Really?” He quietly asked. Still feeling a hint of uncertainty about how honest he was being.

“You liking my smell that much. I love the way you smell.” Eddie saw her eyes involuntarily roll back when she spoke. “I’ve whiffed your shirts while you’re not around. Right in the armpits. I don’t even care. You smell like a man and I can’t explain it but it makes me feral and knowing you’re just as nasty as I am is….” She let out a tiny whimper as she sighed. “Fuck it’s good. You could’ve only told me this for my birthday and I would’ve been happy, to be honest.”

“You’re a cheap date.” He smirked and she smiled something more wholesome.

“I never claimed not to be.”

“I can stop here. And not give you any of the other things I had planned.”

“More? Maybe an orgasm? From a thumb in my ass while you fuck me from behind?” She smirked.

“We are both too wasted for that right now.” He snorted. “Remember the last time I tried to make you cum after you’d drank too much? You fell asleep before it happened and my hand and jaw were sore for two days.” He grinned and she again bent over with giggles.

“I do vaguely recall that.” She nodded. She sighed, composing herself as she smiled softly up at Eddie.

“This would be a good time to drink water.” He nodded and slapped his thighs with his hands. “Have a cigarette. Smoke some more and then I’ll finish you off.”

“Hmm?” She perked up.

“Finish you off with your present for tonight?” He cheesed as he stood and she pouted. He took a large step past her and she bit his calf through his denim. “Feral woman! Found in the woods! Raised by raccoons!” He declared loudly as he cackled, she held his leg and kept her mouth on him as he shook his leg, holding onto her counter. “Release me, foul beast!” He boomed between laughter. “Back! Back I say!” She growled and made a high-pitched sound much like an angry cat. She took her mouth off him but promptly wrapped her arms and legs around his one leg. He drug her across the trailer floor as they laughed until happy tears fell down their cheeks.

Two movies and the rest of the pizza later the night was growing old and it was hours past Star's birthday. She sat on the floor again, her little nest now filled with pillows and blankets. She sat at Eddie’s feet with her hands around a steaming mug of tea, her eyes closed with a peaceful smile as music played. They were winding down, Eddie with the biggest glass Star had full of water as he watched her sway away back and forth. He had one move left for tonight. He wasn’t going to tire her out the usual way.

“I had one more thing for your birthday tonight.”

“Mm?” She fluttered her eyes open from enjoying herself.

“I know you fall asleep to Fleetwood Mac a lot.”

“You do?”

“I can hear it in the background when we’re on the phone.” He grins. “So how about I play it for you instead tonight?” She sat her mug down after a big sip, out of the way on a table.

“You learned a Fleetwood Mac song?”

“Yes.” He nodded once hard. “For you, for your birthday. More than one song actually.”

“Eddie.” She pouted but it was full of admiration.

“Uncle Wayne didn’t know what the hell was going on.” He chuckled. “He eventually asked me why the hell I was playing this kind of music. He had to have heard me playing it for hours the poor guy.” He chuckled. “What do you want to hear? I’ve got all your favs off of Rumors.”

“I thought you hated them.”

“Hate is such a strong word isn’t it?” He asked dramatically. “At first they annoyed me for some reason then you loved them so I had to give you shit about it because you got so worked up over it every time. Then I listened to them and they aren't bad. The Chain, all things considered, goes pretty hard.”

“It would seem getting a rise out of me is your motive for most of your behavior.”

“I’m an asshole what can I say?”

“An asshole who learns the songs off my favorite album for my birthday.” She said it so softly she didn’t have to further explain the sentiment behind it.

“One in the same.” He bowed with his upper body behind his guitar. “How about I’ll start with this one? You do that dumb little dance to this one. You might as well stand.” He holds out his hand and tugs her to her feet. “Because I know you’re gonna dance.” She beamed at him, feet hopped up to land on the floor. The beginning of You Make Loving Fun began and her hand went to her chest. Her shoulders moved as they always did, hearing the funky best in her head. She bobbed her head back and forth, moving somewhat like a chicken to the beat.

“Sweet, wonderful you.” She sang like a bird on her tiptoes and hands open wide. “You make me happy with the things you do.” She tapped Eddie's nose and if she’d been any less high or drunk, or not so caught up in her own emotions at the moment she’d have seen the way Eddie looked at her went a little deeper than usual. She grabbed her shawl off the coat hanger and put it on, arms out and spinning, the fringe tickling her body as she bounced. She was still mostly hip as that was the way she was put together, but she hopped and tapped her toes and swayed instead of the more suggestive moves she usually did. This was her dancing for herself. It was the root of what made her happy about moving her body to music. Eddie could swear she glowed in the low light of her altar candles and incense. He could see enough to find his chords but he knew them from memory by now. He’d been practicing for weeks. “I never did believe in miracles. But I have a feeling it’s time to try.” With her hands to her chest clutching the dark silk in her grip as she sang he wondered if she ever felt like this about him when she listened to the words.

Star didn’t think much about her voice. IT hit where she wanted it but she had no aspirations like Eddie. He however loved to hear Star sing. He’d crack jokes with Robbie about her hit-and-miss high or low notes but he didn’t mean it. “I never did believe in the ways of magic. But I’m beginning to wonder why.” The song would be better suited for him to be singing to her. But he knew she wouldn’t be able to help herself. He was happily her audience as much as she was for him with his guitar. “It would be different and you know it will.” It felt different, he’d thought when he learned the words. Maybe he hadn’t been far enough in when he first listened to this music. Maybe he hadn’t been deep enough into this magic and miracles that they spoke of. “You. You make loving fun.” They seemed to know what they were talking about. He thought feeling like this for someone would be hard. He thought it would hurt and feel like work. But it was fun. Star spun, a tambourine now in her hand keeping beat to her hip. Her eyes were closed and she was lost in it. Exactly what he’d wanted. He wanted to make her happy. He did it without having to try. If she wasn’t he felt like he failed somehow. It wasn’t a burden or a responsibility to him to do it. He’d played the role of protector so many times but it never felt like this. He’d realized that wasn’t what their relationship was like he'd originally thought. He knew she was capable of taking care of herself. He didn’t think she needed him. But god, did he need her. “And I don’t have to tell you but you’re the only one.” He smiled as he watched her spin and sing, the flare of her nightgown twirling out and rising.

The song dies down and she stops to catch her breath, panting but radiating with joy he caused.

“How about one more before bed?” She bit her lip and nodded enthusiastically.

“Please.” She requested with her hands on her knees.

“Okay, keep this beat for me.” He tapped his foot and she quickly followed. Within the first few plucks she screamed and jumped up and down.

“EDDIE!” She squealed with her hands flailing, her pink painted toenails gripping into the blankets on the floor to jump up and down. He looked at the guitar, his smile hurt with the force in which it took over his face.

“Listen to the wind blow. Watch the sun rise.” Her hair was soft as she shook her head back and forth. Her whole body moved to the steady beat. Half bent she slapped her thigh, the tambourine on her hip, and stomped with one foot on the floor. She looked like she was head-banging but somehow made it her own. “And if you don’t love me now. You’ll never love me again”. She shouted so loudly it competed with the amp. Her face wrinkled with force, her hair over her face. Chorus after chorus ended, she stood gasping in front of him, hearing the bass in her head, a wicked smile that he stared right back into her fearlessly as his fingers moved quicker and quicker into the solo. She was so excited for him, shouting YES, nods turning into headbangs. She shouted the repeated lyrics and he couldn’t help but sing with her. “Chain, keep us together.” End ended with the satisfying hum of his fingers dragging across the strings through his amp. She let herself fall to the floor, chest heaving and laughing in the feedback of the amp. “I didn’t know how much I loved that solo until I heard you play it.” She panted with her arm over her head, having just pushed her hair out of her face. She lay crumpled and gazing up at him as he stood to secure his guitar and turn off the amp. His stomach flipped at her words.

“And that.” He said definitively as he stood over her. “Is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He bent over and put his hands on his knees, looking down at her.

“I am nice.” She smiled with flushed cheeks. “To you.” She added with a wrinkle of her nose. “How can I not be when you do things like this for me?” She moved to sit up on her hip. “You’re so good, Eddie. Who needs concert tickets when I’ve got you?”

“That’s… foreplay for a guitar player.” He wagged his finger at her and she grinned.

“It would get your fingers all warmed up.” He reached down his hand as he stood to yank her up into his chest. “I like it when you play me like one of your guitars. Especially if it’s your favorite. I know I could never get handled the way you handle her. That’s your wife.” She giggled. “I’m just your mistress.”

“You jealous of a guitar?” He asked with a tease in his deep, comforting tone. He brushed Star's hair back out of her face as he looked her over. Her eyes were glassy and bloodshot, cheeks and chest flushed with pink splotches. She had a sheen of sweat on her skin, glistening with joy as she spoke animatedly.

“Nah.” She shook her head. “I don’t really wanna be hung up and then only brought down when you wanna finger me.” They both let out their unique corny laughs. She snorted and giggled, he let out long exhales of sound deep from his chest.

“Yeah I don’t tuck her into bed do I?” He cooed and turned them, her feet following wherever he lead.

“You’re staying right?” He saw it. A flash of horror in her eyes at the thought he might not be staying. He craved that. Nothing felt better than seeing proof that she wanted him. He might even be bold enough tonight to say she needed him there.

“I’d course I am, sweetie.” He kissed her forehead. “I was gonna say I tuck you in instead of her.”

“Can’t tuck me in if you’re in the bed with me.” She tiptoed up on unsteady feet and kissed his cheek as he threw some pillows off the bed. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she looked at him from only a few inches away, studying him.

“Sure you can.”

“How? You gotta be out to tuck in.” She asked genuinely, watching his hands as if he was doing a magic trick she might be able to figure out.

“I’ll show you.” He bumped his forehead lightly to hers. “You get comfy, get into whatever you’re gonna sleep in.” She steadied her before he left her side. He locked the door, cracked a window, and turned down the heater. With the candles all out it was so quiet you could hear yourself breathe. “Drink your water.” He loosely motioned as she wiggled into the bed.

“Yes sir.” She mumbled and grabbed it with two hands like a child.

Eddie stripped down, chuckling when Star whistled at him as he took off his pants.

“Hubba hubba awooga.” She said as they were spelled and not as the sounds they represented. He winked and tucked the loose hairs behind his ears. He’d kept his hair loosely pulled back. “Oh don’t you wink you, dirty bastard.” She giggled as he jumped into bed on top of her, a threat to squish her before sliding beside her, his back to the wall.

“You good? Am I tucking you in now?”

“Can I ask one last birthday favor?” She looked at him with big eyes.

“Anything you want.” He answered.

“I wanna be little spoon.” Her chin nodded upward with excitement.

“Get in here.” He growled and yanked her in with a tiny oomph.

“I like holding you and having your head in my tits but I think I wanna be held tonight.”

“Sweet soft baby girl.” He teased, rubbing his nose into her crown.

“Shush.” She giggled and wrapped her arms around him, her face to his chest.

“Just have to get you situated. Are your feet covered? Not gonna lose them to frostbite? Or monsters?” She answered by bringing her freezing feet against his fuzzy calves and he made a growling sound she’d never heard before. “Jesus Christ your feet are like ice!” His voice cracked as he tried not to jerk away. “You are from the center of the rings of hell. Are you sure you don’t want socks? I was joking about frostbite earlier but now…”

“Nope. I’ve got you.” She interrupted him. “And your fuzzy legs.” She hummed happily and snuggled up, sliding a thigh between his legs. “You can keep me warm.” She murmured and he couldn’t bring himself to care about the icy talons currently rubbing his own feet and legs like a cricket. “I like it when you keep me warm.” She said tenderly.

“I like when I keep you warm too.” He said in a exhale as he started to settle, making sure she was tucked in before finally getting his arm around her body curled up to his. She was being very affectionate. Nuzzling her nose into the almost there chest hair, her hand held him in a grip he could feel. He felt her soft hand hot to his back, almost clutching him. Her other, tucked up and by her face. He slid his arm under her head and with the other felt the silk of her nightgown against his rough fingertips. only A muffled howl of the wind, a rustle of leaves heard from the outside. Inside a quiet buzzed, breathing growing slower and quieter.

“Did you have a good birthday, Star?” He asked, his face buried in her pungent hair.

“Best birthday ever.” She hummed and smiled, pressing a kiss to his chest. “Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad you liked it.” He kissed her head.

“I like this.” She mumbled.

“I like this too.” He whispered, his hand rubbing strands of her hair between his fingers as it fell down her back. She was already so still, she always shut right down when he’d hold her like this. She was out quick. Eddie stayed awake for a little while, he wanted to soak in this feeling, not willing to let it leave as he slept. The warmth of her against him, her steady breathing, and the softest small sounds he’d ever heard from her as she dreamt lulled him into the safety of sleep where he was met with dreams that for once, had a hard time rivaling how good he had it when he was awake.

Eddie had his turn waking up to have to pee in the middle of the night. He heard Star whine in her sleep once he removed his body from hers. He leaned down and kissed the sleeping cherub on her pouted lips. When he returned she somehow managed to keep repeating the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard. They floated in a haze of sleep, bodies heavy from it and still seeking comfort without the burdensome worry consciousness brought.

Star moaned his name softly, a plea for him in her sleep. He answered her by pulling her against his chest, his hand soaking up the warmth of her skin, not having been drained by the cold crisp air outside their sanctuary of blankets.

“M’here babe.” He answered her, again wrapping their bodies together. He kissed her neck and shoulder, burying his face there with a heavy sigh. He got to fall asleep with barely a barrier between their skin. Their dreams were deliciously indulgent and not hindered by the boundaries being awake put on them.

The rose quartz Eddie brought her was still in his pocket waiting for its moment to be shared. That didn’t stop it from influencing them. Eddie had kept it on him all day before. Thinking about it, rubbing it in his hands, worrying at it with his mouth. It was in tune with him and what he needed. And by proxy, it also assured Star was feeling its influence. It made sure they had some of the most loving, peaceful, and gentle dreams either had ever had. It gave them what they needed as they slept. It gave them each other.

Stars' dreams grew more intense as the morning settled in. Her sleep talking and moans only added to Eddie’s dreams until a cry awoke him. He’d happily incorporated the sounds of her moans and his name but even asleep Eddie came when Star called.

A gasp that turned into a deep inhale pulled Eddie from unconsciousness. He could feel Star in his arms, her body subtly moving in response to her dreams. The first thing he heard was a soft mewl from Star. What a perfect way to wake up, he thought. His arm that was tucked under the pillow she rest on bent up to join his other to envelop her. His tattooed forearm against her collar bones, the partially asleep hand clasping over her shoulder to pull her close. His other snaked under her extended arm which was straight out and grasping for something with little twitches of her fingers. Words that didn’t make it past her lips hummed in her mouth as he squeezed her, curling his body fully against hers. He pushed his face into the warm soft skin of her back and shoulder. A cuddle and a nuzzle of his nose as he breathed her in. He kissed without looking where his lips landed. Small, lingering kisses that left his lips sticking to her body, the skin seemingly caching against the fuzz of her and refusing to let go. His nose led the way as he traveled up her shoulder to her nape and buried his face with a grunt. The arm Star was laying on sought Eddie out, her dream self demanding more of him as her awake hand clasped itself around his forearm. In her dream, it was clutching with nails and desperate. But in reality, it was a soft caress.

“Eddie.” It was barely legible, only escaping from the strength of her exhale, parting her lips.

“Mmm.” He kissed her neck, his nose mashed against her as he stayed in a sleepy haze, soaking her in.

“I du-“

“What is it, baby?” His voice was gritty from sleep. He walked a trail of 3 kisses to the side of her neck, his body slowly waking up.

Her reply was a whimper that stuck in her throat.

“Sugar.” He whispered against her neck. He kissed her again, then one to her ear. “Use your words.” He felt her body shiver in his arms. He blinked his eyes open, he lifted his head to see Star's eyes moving behind their lids. He smiled, closed-lipped and deepening the lines on his face. Her face never looked softer than it did in the mornings. There were no worry lines between her brows or tension around her mouth. He saw how her cheeks rounded out and the natural shape of her lips. The late morning light seeped through the faded curtains. She looked golden with her warm-toned hair and skin. Her lips twitched and her lashes fluttered the longer he watched her. A round-tipped nose wiggled like a bunny as she huffed out sounds and almost words. He used the arm under her chin to brush back her hair off her face and neck so he could see all of her. He kissed her cheek and a sort of happy sound escaped her.

“Eddie.” She felt the warmth from the kiss in her dream.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” He exhaled onto her peach fuzzy soft cheek.

“Eddie.” She exhaled, her body losing its tension. He felt a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest when she relaxed at the sound of him.

“What is it, beautiful?” He asked her, kissing her temple.

“Fren.” Eddie smiled and looked down at her face now frowning. Just looking at her made his face hurt from smiling. Watching her like this made his chest hurt more. He didn’t recall a time before his face hurt so much as it had after she’d shown up.

“You’re dreaming baby. You’re fine. I’m here.” He quietly reassured her in her ear. Another kiss on her cheek. “Sleep.” He lightly dragged his lips up to her temple where several kisses were planted around her hairline. He savored the freedom he felt with her asleep in his arms. He was free to smooch and caress, to call her the things he longed to when she was awake. He shut his eyes, his brow creased as she whined his name. He pressed his face into her hair, feeling pain in his chest now.

“Ed.” She sighed, her face nuzzling into her pillow. “Don’t go.”

He made an involuntary sound. One light and painful.

“I need y-...” Her chest rose and fell at a slowly rising pace. “Don’t you...” she paused and a “...please.” Wrenched his heart in his chest.

“Star.” He clutched her tightly, pushing his face against her head. The presentation of the idea of her dreaming of him was enough to make him swoon. The idea she would have dreams where she begged him not to go. That she told him she needed him? It made the oddest feeling grow in Eddie’s head. He wanted to cry. Even asleep she somehow cut him down to his most vulnerable. The idea that she could need him as much as he knew that he needed her was like a punch to the gut. Eddie knew how to handle negative emotions. He could handle anger like the veteran he was of the emotion. But good feelings? Wholesome ones with pure intentions like joy and belonging he couldn’t process as well. He struggled to know how to communicate them. But he could. He had before. But love? Romantic love? The big IN love? That was a new one. It made him nauseous. That intimidating emotion he didn’t know what to do about. “Star, baby I’m here.” He kissed her ear. “I’m not going anywhere.” He shook his head, concerned that the pressure with which he pushed himself against her might hurt her. He felt like he might burst out of his skin. “Ever.” He promised.

“Friends.” She sounded as upset as he felt. “We don-“ She shook her head, her breathing picking up. “Not like that.” She insisted in broken words.

“Shhh.” He hushed her, kissing her temple. “You’re alright baby, calm down.” He cradled her and tried to learn how to deal with the emotional weight of having the girl he was in love with in his arms and upset.

“They don’t say it.” Her words came clearer. “Look!” She whimpered. “Not like that. Friends don’t. Not like that.” She blubbered and he sat up, looking down at her now distraught face.

“You’re having a bad dream, sweetheart that’s all.” He spoke so softly into her ear. “Eddie’s here baby. Calm down. It’s okay.”

“I’ll f-“ he felt her hand squeeze him back. Her other was clutching a pillow. “I’ll fuck it up.” A sob broke from her throat and Eddie’s heart dropped.

“Star? Baby wake up.” He tapped her cheek.

“Leave.” Her bottom lip quivered like a child’s about to cry. “Don’t. Too good.” She shook her head.

“Star.” He didn’t want to jar her awake. “It’s your Eddie. Come back now. I can’t take you being upset. Stop it.”

“No. Not until she listens.” She answered with an eerily sober-sounding voice.

“What the fuck? Star?” He raised his voice and she gasped awake. Her hands found his arm immediately and latched on. Wide confused eyes rapidly blinked, adjusting to her consciousness. “Are you okay?” She focused on Eddie’s face hovering over hers. He watched the fear disappear from her eyes as they met his.

Star looked up through blurry eyes to see Eddies handsome face surrounded by a halo of hair. Then she noticed he was looking at her, touching her face, his thumb rubbing her cheek.

“Mmm.” A soft smile, the opposite of a few moments ago appeared as she took a deep breath. “Eddie.” The word shaped her lips into a smile. “You look pretty.” She closed her eyes and smacked her lips, nuzzling into his hand.

“Star, are you awake?” He asked with a nervous laugh in his voice.

“Yeah?”

“You don’t sound so sure.” He let out a nervous chuckle and kissed her forehead.

“Sleeby.” She mumbled. He opened his mouth to ask what the hell kind of dream she was having to be crying upset and writhing against him and now she was a little lamb without a care in the world.

“You were talking in your sleep.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She grumped.

“Nah, it’s okay.” He quickly comforted her with a tone that was far sweeter than it had to be. “You feel okay?”

“Not bad.” She reached up to touch his face with her fingertips

“You wanna go back to sleep?” He asked her, brushing the hair that had become unruly during her struggle away from her face.

“Mmm.” She hummed again at the feeling of him kissing her fingertips as they moved across his lips. “No.” She was quiet for a moment as they both looked each other over. She made a small grunt of sound, as she leaned forward to kiss him. Her thoughts weren’t fully back to this plane of existence yet and she did it without thinking. “I had a dream about you.” She sighed as she let her head hit the pillow again.

“I had one about you too,” he admitted. The sun glinted in his big brown eyes, and his smile sparkled down at her as he watched her stretch and smile.

“Good dream?”

“The best.” He leaned down to kiss her while her eyes were closed a noise of surprise escaped her. “You have a good dream about me?”

“Very.” a mischievous lilt to her giggle forced him to kiss her cheek. She had flashes of an earlier dream, Eddie on top of her and her not having a care in the world about it. “We were back home. In Chicago. And we were in bed. Like this. And you were…” she grinned and her cheeks pinked. Eddie leaned down to kiss her lips this time.

“We were doing that in my dream too.” He confessed as they lightly, lazily pecked away at one another’s mouths.

“It was…” she took an indulgent sigh and let out a moan. “Warm.” Her head turned back to forward, laying back on the pillow as she lay on her side against Eddie.

“Like we are now?” He asked, snuggling back in behind her, a kiss on her head.

“Yeah.” She snuggled against him. “And very nice. Slow. I’ve never had it slow before.” She shook her head.

An odd mix of pity and triumph ran through Eddie. In a single sleepy sentence, he knew no one had treated her gently. He felt the rush of superiority knowing that not only could he give it to her, but he’d also be her first. He wasn’t the type to relish in the construct of virginity but his jealousy bask in the thought that he’d be the one to show her something first. That no matter what happened between them, she’d always remember the guy that touched her gently for the first time.

“Do you… want it slow?” A simple question. She batted open her eyes and he watched her think. She looked around in thought, brows and mouth giving away just how fully she was considering his question. He appreciated the rather adorable effort.

“I’ve never had it before.” She repeated. “I don’t know.”

“You liked it in your dream. What was good about it?” He was rather not sneakily trying to figure out what she dreamed about.

Star didn’t know where to begin unpacking the significance of the dream. She attempted to simplify the answer as much as she could with her not fully functional brain.

“Because it was us.” Eddie felt the pang in his chest again. “And you always make me feel good.” She turned her face to say it more directly to him despite them not facing each other.

“Do you want me to make you feel good?.” His thinly veiled attempt to have an outlet for his demanding affections wasn’t noticed by Star. She felt his hand that had been idle around her stir, moving to her chest.

“Do you want to right now?”

“I always want to.” He blurted. “But you know I’ve wanted morning sex. You’re always running away to work on me. But I’ve got you for 2 more days.” He gave a loud kiss on her cheek and squeezed her. She hummed and smiled.

“Yes, you do.” She happily let him hold her against him.

“I’ve got you all to myself.” He said with a nuzzle of his nose into her warm vanilla-smelling skin. He tensed and tried to hide it as soon as he remembered she was no longer sleep talking and heard what he was saying. He had to pull back on his honesty. He looked down to see no worry on Star's face. She hadn’t cared he said it, she found it cute. She wasn't overthinking everything like he was. “I think I might keep you in this bed with me for the next two days.” He lightly bit the shell of her ear.

“Mmm sounds good.”

“We would have plenty of time for me to take it slow.” He promised in her ear with a quiet voice.

“Do YOU want it slow?”

“I want you.” An honest that was simple as it was complicated now. “Any way I can have you.”

“You’re being cute this morning.” She pat his forearm around her chest.

“So are you.” Another kiss on her head. “Every morning.” Another.

“You’re being too nice,” she mumbled with a smile.

“I can always be nicer.” he nuzzled into her neck and let his hand seek out her breast.

“Mmm.” she hummed happily and let out a single huff of a laugh. “I bet you can, pretty boy.” Her voice was back to how it was when she was awake and at ease. A deeper feminine sound that he enjoyed getting to hear no matter what she was saying. “If you were wanting that morning sex, you’re going the right way about it.” a smug smile sat on her face as his lips started kissing her neck. His hand grasped her chest with intention. She moved her arm up giving him free access.

“I do want it,” he says right into her ear. His voice was deep and needy. “Can I fuck you slow, sweetheart? Like in your dream?” She answered with a nod and a push back of her ass against him. He dipped his hips just under her ass, letting his half-hard cock nuzzle right between her plush cheeks. He raised the hem of her nightgown, knowing nothing was under it. He let his hand rest on her jaw, his thumb gentle against her lips as his free arm, not under her, was allowed to roam. Still under the protection of covers, both their skin was pliant and warm. Her feet unconsciously rubbed together as she let herself relax and feel good, knowing she was well taken care of in his arms. She let the intense emotional repercussions of her dream fade out of memory, and tuned into the present.

His hand groped at her chest, not only her breasts but squeezing her ribs when he’d latch onto a spot on her neck and kiss, feeling her hips undulate against him. Every pinch of her nipples made her lightly buck back on him, eliciting a moan from them both. Eddie took only a heartbeat's time to pull down his boxers and free himself, his hand back under her nightgown and targeting her now hard and ever-growing sensitive nipples.

With the velvet skin of his cock slowly pushing its way between her cheeks he became increasingly desperate. He mirrored every sound she made, every closed mouth moan to the needful exhales of ‘yes’. She felt her body ache as he teased pressure, his precum easing his way between her legs. They found a rhythm, a smooth back and forth as he inches closer to breaking through to her pink center.

“You feel so good and I’m not even inside you.” He said through a delicate kiss to her ear. Star held his thumb between her teeth, her tongue lapping at the pad when she had the urge to kiss him.

“You’re so close.” She sighed. “I can almost feel you.” Eddie kept worrying away at her nipples, breathing into her ear and kissing her shoulder.

“You’re so soft.” He moaned, his forehead pressing into her shoulder as his hand moved to grope her chest again. His hips pushed forward harder, not faster. They kept a tantalizingly slow slide against one another.

“You’re so hard.” A deep sultry chuckle left her throat and Eddie moaned, his tongue lapping at her shoulder. She arched her back as sharply as she could manage. She trailed her hand down her body, over his veined hands that grasped at her desperately. She reached her hip and lifted her gown. With a spread hand she lifted the weight of her cheek, and Eddie slid past the barrier of external skin and into the hot wet center of her pussy lips. He stuttered and groaned. A helpless sound before she felt him start kissing her neck again. She swung her hips back and forth, covering him in her essence and making him whimper.

“Star.” He whispered, his lean hip muscles tensing as his body sought out her insides. She sucked his thumb into her mouth before she spoke.

“I’m wet from my dream about you.”

He grunted and bucked, his tongue out of his mouth as he lapped at her neck.

“I want you so bad it hurts.” Her brow creased at the throb and ache of her pussy as he teased it.

“You want me?” He asked, mashing against her ear. She reached back to take a handful of soft curls into her hand.

“Of course, I want you, Eddie.” She indulged him. He was being so loving and desperate and embodied the puppy energy she loved from him.

“Tell me?” He softly requested.

“I need you, Eddie. So bad. I’m so wet because of you. Please.”

He shuddered, pushing another finger into her mouth before his other hand slid to her hip to adjust himself to push into her. He looked down to greedily take in the sight of shining on her ass and thighs from slick. With a grunt, he grabbed himself and pressed forward. He entered her with a pleasant pop.

Star fully exhaled, her body slumping as she felt him fill her. He wasted no time pulling his fingers from her hungry mouth and pulling her tight with his pinned arm. He settled on her chest, fingers attached to a nipple again. He concealed his whole face into the bend of her neck. He kissed without any thought behind it, wet and breathy he covers her hairline and cheek with needful presses.

“That’s what I needed.” She whispered, her face turning to hide in her pillow. He let her move on her own, taking him as she pleased. He felt her relax, his pussy sucking him inside and welcoming him. He held out until she moaned, then his hips started moving on their own. Her breathing started to pick up as she focused on the feeling on his body of lean muscle flexing against her own. He pulled out as far as he could without leaving the comfort of her then slowly filled her again. He was steady and strong and it was making her weaker by the second. He came up for air, gasping as his face contorted and he let out a gritty moan. He felt Star tighten around him, a bounce back of her ass onto him, encouraging the sound. She buried her face, encouraged to indulge by her tightly gripped hand bringing him back down to her. He moved his hand to her lower stomach, holding her as he pumped his hips. “A little lower.” She giggled, raising her leg to give him access.

“Yes.” He moaned, throwing her leg behind him as his fingers dove between her legs to circle four fingers on her soaked clit. Star arched and far bed and cried out.

“Yes!” She mewled, her head arched back. He put his fingers back into her mouth and she moaned deep from her stomach as she suckled away at them. “So deep.” He kept his steady pace, he filled her slowly and purposefully. She tried turning her head to face him and she cried for more after a brief neck-stretching kiss. She wanted more.

“I can’t reach you and stay inside you.”

“Kiss me.” She pleaded, her eyes screwing shut as she felt a new kind of build of pleasure inside her. “I don’t care where just put your mouth on me.” He latched to her neck and she moaned and shuddered.

“I don’t wanna leave a mark.” He painted out, sweating from intensity but not exertion.

“I don’t care.” She cried.

“You want-?”

“Mark me up I don’t fucking care, Eddie.” She cried out and he whined into the muscle of her neck. He’d wanted to sneakily lay claim to her before. Leave a hickey, and let anyone else know she was with someone who wasn’t them. But now? He felt like an animal, some beast marking his territory as he felt his emotion surge. She sucked hard on his fingers, the tips red and spit pooling into his hand. He lapped at her like the puppy that he was, he bit and sucked and she yearned for more. “Harder.” She demanded.

“You’re gonna cum from me giving you this dick nice and slow.” He instructed in her ear. She bucked her hips with a whine of distress. He kissed her cheek before latching to her shoulder and sucking, his eyes rolling back in his head. “Loosen up for me. Take all of me. You’re so tense, sweetheart.” She took a few deep breaths, disappointed he didn’t give in but still enamored with the pain his mouth caused on her skin. “That’s a good girl.” His finger kept swiping and swirling in the mess of wetness, not even feeling friction from her soft bush of hair anymore. “Relax and get fucked how you need it. I’ll make you cum, don’t worry.” She shook again, her hand white-knuckled from the grip in his hair of her awkwardly bent arm. Her legs were spread as wide as they could, he could feel her strong hip muscle quivering from force. Her feet kneaded the bed, trying to find purchase to move, to demand a different pace but she couldn’t find it. “Stop struggling, Star. I’m not going to stop. Relax.” He said again. She caved in with a pout, letting her muscles loosen. “You’re so tight around me Star. You feel so good but I need you to open up that perfect pussy for me okay? Open up your pussy and take me, Star. Let me make you cum like this.” None of his words felt like orders but wishes he was asking her to grant.

“Ugh!” It was half cry of frustration and half of pleasure. She stopped moving, let her muscle settle, and as soon as she felt how deep he could go when she let her pussy open up. Instead of trying to stay so tight, he had to fight to get inside her, she moaned from her stomach in a new way.

“Fuck that’s it, fucking perfect. Focus on how good it feels. I’m filling you up so well, you feel it? My cock bottoming out inside you? You take my cock like you were made to, you feel it?”

“Holy shit.” She managed to get out.

“That’s my good girl, open that sweet pussy up.”

“Yes.” She wept, a tear promising to fall from her eyes. She moaned another deep unique moan.

“Open it up and take me, Star. God damn it you feel so fucking good.” He groaned out between clenched teeth.

“I am. Fuck, I am.” She pleaded, looking down to see his hand soaked and focusing on the obscene sounds her body made as he pushed into her. She pulled her hand free from his hair, slapping to her thigh to hold up and open her legs to take him even deeper.

“That’s it. You want it so bad don’t you? Tell me.”

“I wanna cum so bad.” She let out a broken sob. “It feels so good. I’m right there but I just… can’t…” he shushed her and kisses her cheek. “I need it. I wanna cum on your cock.” She squealed.

“Relax and you will.” He whispered in her ear. “Just let it feel good, it’s not about cumming. Just enjoy it feeling good.”

“Just enjoy it.” She whispered back, her brow low and again calming her body. She was so used to fast and hard and cumming being the entire point. Now she was wrapped in his arms, he pulled her onto her back more to be able to kiss her. Her leg was high and bouncing as he was deep inside her. A push in, a drag out. Two separate motions instead of the blur of movement they’d done together before. She let herself focus on the kiss. Deep and slow like his cock, their tongues explored and probed. She held his face and he helped her reach her peak by focusing on her nipples again. Soon she was floating, her body being rocked and held, kissed and caressed with care. “Oh my.” Left her mouth without her putting forth the effort. Her body felt heavy, her eyes began to rapidly blink.

“That’s a good girl. I feel you, Star. You’re doing so good. So good.” He buried his face into her neck again, he felt her startle, a hand slapped his arm as she gasped.

“Eddie?” She sounded like she didn’t know what was happening so he rose to look at her. With teary eyes, her lips trembled as she begged him for something he couldn’t place with her eyes. She nodded.

“Yeah?” He nuzzled his nose to hers, feeling the deep muscle spasms beginning in her stomach.

She nodded again and a tear fell from her eyes as she screwed them shut. She seized up, her head lifting, her forehead to his lips. Her legs came to her chest, her stomach a rock-hard muscle as she didn’t make a sound for a moment. All that could be heard was the wet squelch of her body wrenching his cock. Eddie’s mouth fell open, his eyes rolling in their sockets. It was more intense than the usual pulse and grip. He could feel her whole body as it washed over her in waves. The usual quick pulses into calm was nowhere to be found. She managed a strangled gasp, her eyes rolled back to white. She drowned in wave after wave of her whole body tingling and feeling the pleasure. Her nipples were screamingly sensitive, and her clit felt like a blood-filled beacon with how every pulse made it jolt her with pleasure.

She gasped exhaustively, her eyes moving to meet his. She was surprised and lost, he saw it in a second.

“Don’t stop.” She creaked out, her lips pouting exaggeratedly. “I’m… it’s…” she choked out a sob.

“I’m not gonna stop. You’re doing so good. Keep cumming baby.” He pumped her at the same rhythm, fighting to stay inside her as she squeezed. His fingers zeroed in and caressed her throbbing clit. He could feel her pulse under his hands. She let out a loud growl from her red face. Eddie knew enough to understand that the really good orgasms weren’t some flowery moaning lovely thing. They could hurt. They were grunts and groans and drool and tears. He watched her in awe as she struggled, he was thrilled to be the one to give her this.

She stayed there for a short while, until she cried out again, her back arching and her head hitting the pillow. With a rush she came around him again, her body tensing and pushing and it proved too much. Eddie didn’t dare ruin her moment, as he came with the same unattractive sound as she did. A stern brow was pressed to her head as she wheezed. She whimpered and whined, arms shaking and grabbing for him. He clamored gracelessly, his hips moving on their accord as they kissed filthily. Tears and spit traveled over their faces, lips sucked and tongues tasted the salt from their skin. They panted into each other mouths, as Star tapped Eddie’s arm to beg for mercy.

His hand left her puffy pussy and grabbed her face. They collided, her turning to him to wrap her leg around him and he quickly smacked her ass before sinking his nails into her smooth skin. A makeout -as rough as the sex had been slow- followed. Neither recalled having kissed someone like this, certainly not sober. Some desperation they’d both been denying bubbled to the surface.

In the haze of post orgasm, there was a clarity that hit Star. She remembered something from her dream. Something she felt in her gut as they gasped and bit and scratched and cried into each other’s mouths. Friends, she remembered hearing. Friends don’t do this. Not like this.

“Honey, I’m home!” Eddie announced loudly, kicking her trailer door open with arm fulls of groceries.

“Eddie!” She scolded and jumped at the intrusion. “You’ll break my door!”

“I appreciate your faith in my muscle strength but these spaghetti noodles aren’t gonna break your door.”

“Your legs are not spaghetti noodles.” She corrected with a roll of her eyes, hopping up to shut the door behind him. “Did someone say something about your legs? Is it because your jeans are tight?” She walked up to him and stood by her kitchen counter, her face looking particularly adorable to Eddie as her face frowned. “I will fight someone if they made you feel bad about wearing those jeans. You look so good in those.” She so diligently insists, looking up to see Eddie smug. He leaned in to kiss her and her face softened.

“I know you would, badass.” His tone has the same effect as if he’s ruffled her hair.

“I would!”

“I know. That’s why I said it!” He laughed.

“Good!” She nodded and looked at the things left on the counter. “We cooking now?”

“I am cooking now yes.”

“Are you sure? I can help. I’m a good cook.”

“I know you are and I’m going to prove that I can make something besides cereal for you.”

“I don’t know if the insurance is up to date on this thing so please don’t burn down my house.”

“Oh, ye of little faith. I am a one-trick pony when it comes to cooking. I can one thing really well.”

“With a block of fake cheese?” She picked up the dropped the heavy brick on the counter.

“Trust the process! Shoo!”

Star sat on her bed which still smelled like sex from that morning. She was still feeling pleasantly tired and Eddie had been in a great mood the whole day. He’d run out to get groceries after an argument about him being able to cook while Star had made them breakfast.

He’d barreled off in his lumbering van and picked up a bag of clothes and other things to hold him over for a few days. He hadn’t been joking about staying with her the entire time she was off. And now he especially didn’t want to leave her. He felt different. Conflicted, sure but lighter too. The truth was heavy but knowing it made it easier to carry. He was in love with his best friend. Not ideal by any stretch but with their non-traditional sort of relationship it also was a whole hell of a lot better than it could be. He knew better than to tell her. Not now anyway. Maybe soon. Maybe one day. When she didn’t seem to be so haunted by her past. He felt cautiously optimistic.

In a lame attempt to prove his worth of being relationship material he had agreed to make dinner. Eddie's confidence in the kitchen was not high. But he was capable if he could focus long enough. He’d made this meal, 100s? Thousands of times? It got him through his time alone when he was younger. It served him well now. And he proudly presented it to her steaming hot out of the pot.

“Munson Mac.” He cheerfully proclaimed as a very ooey, gooey, melty greasy bowl of bright orange noodles were poured in front of Star. Your fork, Milady.” He bowed and held it out to her to take.

“It smells good.” She waited for him to settle into the opposite side of the kitchenette booth. He stared at her for a moment. “You’re excited about this aren’t you?”

“Yes. Put me out of my misery and try it!” He scooted the bowl closer to her.

Star seriously considered acting like it was bad then psyche!-ing him. She wasn’t cruel enough to make those big brown eyes look sad on purpose. The fact that it was surprisingly good made it hard to act like she didn’t like it with how hungry she was.

“Verdict?”

“I will admit I am surprised at how good it is.”

“YES!” He hit the table with both hands. “Fuck yeah.” He nodded enthusiastically before shoveling it into his mouth.

“You even seasoned it.”

“Of course I did.” He looked offended.

“I mean, white people usually don’t.” She laughed.

“Poor people do!” He corrected with a shake of his spoon. “We can’t afford the good shit so we have to flavor the cheap stuff to make it edible.”

“That explains the block of cheese.”

“Exactly.”

He continued about how many cheeses were in it and how he used a whole stick of butter. Stars eyes got wide at the confession. That would explain why it was tasty. Eddie suspected the cheap and easy-to-get ingredients had kept him from starving sometimes as a kid. You need the calories from a whole stick of butter when it’s the only thing you’ll eat all day.

She went back for another bowl and not just because she knew it’d make him happy. He took her second empty bowl and started washing up. She sat with her extended stomach and watched him curiously.

“You do dishes too?”

“Yeah? If you don’t you get ants. Or gnats. I hate those fuckers. Oh hell, I sound like Wayne.” He laughed.

“I don’t know if… apart from Robbie I don’t know that I’ve witnessed any of my- any guys I knew do dishes without being asked. Or begged.”

“Grow up alone. Or see your mom have a breakdown or an argument over the dishes not being done as a kid. You’ll start doing it yourself to keep the peace.” He said it too casually. Star frowned at his explanation. She rolled up her sleeves and stood next to him, she took them to dry.

“You don’t have to do it alone.” She offered, using an embroidered tea towel to help.

“I know.” He looked down at her bright eyes that showed she felt bad for him “That's what I’ve got you for now right?” He nodded his chin up and the sentiment made her smile.

“I’d rather vacuum actually.”

“I’ll take out the garbage if you do laundry.” He grinned.

“I’ll wash it if you put your own up.”

“Deal.” She smiled back and they finish the dishes in silence. “You know what? There is something you can help me out with.” He said as he leaned against the table.

“Shoot.” She said, mirroring him against the counter. He ignored his compulsion to stare at the multiple hickeys he’d left on her neck and shoulder. With her hair up it was like she was teasing him. He shook his head to force out the distraction.

“I was wondering. About these crystals?” He took the ones she’d left in his van out of his pocket and held them out in his open hand. He saw her eyes go wide.

“Looks like, some black tourmaline and selenite, a rose quartz.” She said fingering the stones. “Good protection stones.”

“You wanna know where I found them?” He smirked.

“I’m sorry.” She blurted out. “I should’ve asked first but I wanted to put protection stones in your van because you drive like a maniac and I worry about you.” the words all came out fast. His smile was obnoxiously cocky. He moved over to her, put the stones in his pocket, and kissed her. A hand to her waist and another to her face before landing it.

“I know.” He whispered and grinned.

“You just wanted a confession?”

“I knew it had to be you.” He shook his head. “But when I took them to the shop downtown I asked the lady what they were and I learned a lot.”

“You did?”

“I was… I don’t know. flattered? Glad they weren't out there to kill me?”

“You aren’t mad at me?”

“Psh, no. It’s sweet really. I can use all the help I can get. We both know this.” He admits. “I learned about the stones and I mean, it was easy to get you to talk about them. So I looked into it for myself. So I figured, why not return the favor?”

“You… you’ve been learning about crystals?” Her voice cracked in her throat in a well-timed crack of honesty in her voice.

“I have.” He nodded, his hands back in his pockets. “And the moon.” Her eyes went wide as her head tilted.

“Why?” She couldn’t think of a better way to ask.

“Because you love it. Because I think you’re into something. I’m not one to follow any tenets blindly, but the magic part of LeVayan beliefs was always a little… unattainable. With the drama and the robes and the ritualistic orgies. But the way you talk about it, and do it? It makes sense to me. It’s not loud and big and showy. It’s quiet and consistent and intimate. Without the need for orgies. But if you ever need someone for sex magic, I’m your guy.” He added quickly and winked making her laugh.

“I’ll ask you first.” She nodded.

“Good. I see things happen that you talk about. The coincidence and serendipity of it all. And I thought this girl knows what’s up. This feels… for lack of a better word, it feels real when you do it.”

Star fluttered her lashes unintentionally. She fiddled with the stone around her neck nervously. She was feeling emotional at his observations and openness. Her work was sacred to her, and feeling so seen and heard was making her feel things she hadn’t expected.

“Thank you.” She quietly answered.

“Which is why I started reading, talking to the people at the shop. And I decided that if you were so thoughtful as to want to help me, protect me in some way. That I should do the same for you, you know?” He shrugged. He was pulling off the casual approach well even though his palms were sweating. “So I thought about what I thought you needed help with the most. And I don’t think I’m being… impolite when I say I noticed that sometimes you get… well, scared. You flinch at any sound or interruption. You get mad or sad over things that seem like they’re normal.” He softened his voice. “Wayne was in the war ya know? And I know what PTSD is and I know that means bad things happened to you in the past. Things so bad that they stay with you even after they’re over. And they haunt you and make things harder. They make you mean to yourself and believe things that aren’t true. And I see you get upset, or down on yourself. I know it’s something you have to heal. And I can’t do that for you, I can’t make the things that already happened to you go away. I would if I could but- I can’t.” He sighed and reached out and took her hand. She had tears in her eyes. “So I found what crystal I thought would work best for that. I know you love rose quartz but it makes so much sense to me now that I know what it does and why you have so many of them. And I know you probably don’t need another or another necklace in general but you tell me all the time that intention is everything. So I thought that if my intention with this was for you to be able to heal then I should get it for you anyway. And once I saw this one. I had to.” He held up a star-shaped rose quartz. A soft leather cord looped through a hole to make it a necklace. Star's chest heaved for a moment, holding in a sob. “Oh my god babe did I totally fuck up? I’m SO sorry!” He grabbed her face, the necklace dangling from his hand and she put her hands over his.

“You did the opposite of fuck up.” She smiled and it made tears run down her cheeks. “You’re so good to me.” The dam broke and she started crying and he pulled her against him. He fought tears of his own as she quietly cried in his arms. “I don’t deserve you.” She wept into his shirt, her arms too tight around his middle.

“You- you deserve better than me.” He rasped out. “This is what I want to help you with. You deserve the world, Star. I want you to see that.” It only made her cry harder.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry for.” He rubbed her back and kissed her head. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m the one that should be sorry.”

“It’s good. I think I needed to. It’s been a while.” he rubbed her back as she settled. She sounded less strained as she pulled away, wiping her face with her too long sleeves. “I'm sorry. That was just… the nicest thing anyone's said or done for me. You’re such a lovely person. I can’t even begin to explain how much what you said and what-“ she looked at the necklace in his hand. “-That means to me.”

“It’s all true.” He said softly, wiping her face before holding up the necklace. “You wanna wear it?” She nodded with a sniffle. She looked down to toy with it.

“I'm never gonna take it off.” She promised, braving to look into his eyes that she found were also wet. “Oh no, honey.” She chuckled, wiping his eyes for him.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset.” He whispered bashfully.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset either. I hate it. It hurts.”

“It does doesn’t it?” He winced with realization. “We’re a mess aren't we?” He huffed out a soft laugh. She nodded and he put his hand to her face, thumbs wiping away the remaining tears.

“We are.” She laughed and nodded before he leaned in to kiss her. “At least we can be a mess together.”

“One big mess instead of two slightly smaller ones.” He mused against her lips and her laugh eased any ache he’d had in his chest. “You like it right?” He touched the pendant on her chest.

“I love it.” She said happily with the fading stuffiness of her nose passing. She held his hands and hopped to kiss him to emphasize her point.

“So do I.” He exhaled before wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her close. Her hands clasped to his jaw as they shared a slow kiss, feet raised with the force he pulled her toward him. Her toes balanced on the floor and one foot popped out as he took her breath away for the second time that day. Perhaps he’d go for a third before the night was over.

PART 14

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