#because my AUs are better worlds that reality currently and a guy's gotta cope somehow

[trensu]

hawkins halfway house update!

Chapter 5 of Tradition has been completed and posted to ao3 FINALLY. here's an excerpt for you all.

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Eddie shuddered, clutching the now cold mug. He tapped his finger against it, making the dregs of the hot chocolate ripple. Steve shifted on the couch next to him. He didn’t want to see Steve move away from him in disgust. Because Steve must be disgusted by him now that he knew how Eddie compromised his kids’ safety so readily.

“Billy started to gloat. He said some shit about how easy I was, called me desperate and clingy,” Eddie shrugged like it didn't hurt anymore. “He tried to get Max to go to him, but I shoved her behind me. I told El to take Dustin and Max upstairs. El was so brave. She pulled them under the couch with zero hesitation. Billy got pissed. He took his crossbow and shot me.”

“He what?” Steve asked aghast.

“He shot me. With an arrow. I had already been ducking down to make sure the kids were gone so it caught me on the shoulder. It hurt like hell. Like, way more than you’d think a shoulder wound would. I don’t really remember much after that,” Eddie’s tone had gone flat. Why did the memory still hurt after all these years? It was pathetic. “Billy really was aiming for the kill. Turns out the angle it hit me got it jammed into my ribcage, really close to the heart.”

“But…but you guys all were okay, right?” Steve asked. Eddie snorted at the question and Steve winced a second later as the absurdity of the question hit the both of them. “I mean, obviously, you’re all still here, so.”