#eddie has a son

[shichey97]

Long Live 6

May 10, 2003

“Mom. Steve.” he said as he came up and sat down by me at the table. “I’m nervous.” He says as he looks at us. He was always so confident so this was surprising to me. “What is it, sweetheart?” I ask, taking his hand with a soft smile. I was worried about him, but knew he’d be ok. The first 5 years of his life were hard because I was terrified the Upside Down was going to come back, but apparently they really got him in ‘86.

“Higgins has given me trouble for 4 years. What if he doesn’t let me graduate today?” he asks, looking at them both. He doesn’t know why he wouldn’t be able to graduate, but it constantly worried him because he’s the first blood Munson to graduate as he’s been so kindly reminded by Higgins. 

“He’s been the principal for 20 years. He’s ancient.”Steve says softly. “You have had straight A’s the entire 4 years so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t graduate.”

“He’s right. He legally cannot hold you back.” I say brushing his hair back gently. I became a lawyer after I graduated and started helping the people of Hawkins despite hating them for what they did to Eddie. “If he tries I’ll sue him.”

He laughs softly and nods, “Ok..I’m going to change and then we can head to the high school.” He says before going upstairs.

When he was 13 I gave him his dad’s guitar pick necklace. What he really wanted was his Dad’s vest, but I hadn’t been ready to let go of it. When he was 15 I gave him his dad’s rings which he never wore. When he was 16 I gave him Eddie’s guitar. Now that he turned 18 I gave him Eddie’s vest. I could see him from our spot on the bleachers wearing it on the outside of his robes. Robin, Gareth, Jeff, and Grant were sitting by us with smiles on their faces.

From behind he reminds me of Eddie because he has his curls and build. He looked so much like him it made my heart ache. The only thing he got from me was my eyes and mouth. His personality was something unique to him. I knew it was going to be a kicker when he turned and gave me a thumbs up before going up to make his speech. Being Valedictorian was a huge deal and made me more than a little bit proud. “Hey everyone. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Eddie Munson. I am the first male Munson to graduate in a few generations. My dad and namesake would’ve been the first 17 years ago.” He says looking at everyone. “My entire highschool career I heard from my teachers and Higgins that I wouldn’t make it. That I was just another junior that would take after my grandfather and father. I’m supposed to talk about how great this school is and how wonderful my school career was, but in truth this school, and town, is terrible.” He walks away from the podium and gets back in line.

I smiled and shook my head with a small laugh. He looked back at us when Steve and Robin cheered for him. I waved before looking at Higgins’ face. It was red, angry, and he made an angry gesture to someone who started calling people. When they got to him they used his full name; probably to intimidate him.

“Edward Dustin Munson.” The woman calls. Eddie jr walked up on the stage, took his diploma, and flipped Higgins off before walking off. We didn’t stay after that; there wasn’t any point to staying. We all headed back to Steve’s house and ate and drank.

It was an hour later when he stood and cleared his throat, “When I was 15 I found my mom’s letters she wrote to my dad. I was nosey and read them. I took bits and pieces from them and created a song that I want to perform for you guys.”

He sat at the piano and began playing, “Don’t go tonight. Stay here one more time. Remind me what it’s like. And let’s fall in love one more time. I need you, now, by my side. It tears me up when you turn me down. I’m begging, please just stick around.”

“I’m sorry, don’t leave me, I want you here with me. I know that your love is gone. I can’t breathe, I'm so weak, I know this isn’t easy. Don’t tell me that your love is gone; That your love is gone.” He sings softly causing tears to run down my cheeks. “Don’t tell me that your love is gone; That your love is gone.”

“I’m sorry, don’t leave me, I want you here with me. I know that your love is gone. I can’t breathe, I'm so weak, I know this isn’t easy. Don’t tell me that your love is gone; That your love is gone.” He sings this repeat passionately and then quiets down again as he sings. He keeps playing as he drags out the word gone, “That your love is gone.” “I can’t breathe. I’m so weak. I know this isn’t easy. Don’t tell me that your love is gone. That your love is gone.” He sings slowly as he finishes playing. He stands as everyone claps. I walk to him and hug him tightly, “Thank you sweetheart. It was beautiful.” I say quietly and sniffle when he hugs me back.

“I love you, mama. Thank you for being my mom. You could’ve given me up or worse, but you kept me and raised me so thank you so much.” He says softly. “Oh baby. Neither of those were an option to me. I’m honored you’re my son.” She says kissing his cheek gently. “You’re getting too tall.” “You’re just short, mama.” He says with a chuckle as his girlfriend shows up. He kisses his mom’s head before going to his girlfriend.

After the party settled into a game of DnD I went upstairs and began to write a letter to Eddie. Something I hadn’t done in a few years.

Hey Eddie,

Our son graduated today. He wore your vest and necklace before flipping Higgins off and we were all proud. He became Valedictorian. Top of his class. He proved to this damn town what I already knew. Munson men are capable of great things. I miss you so much, but I have a lot of things I still need to do here. Ed has a girlfriend and she’s adorable. She’s like 5’2 with blonde hair and green eyes. Her name is Alicia. You’d have liked her. She body checked Andy’s kid for being a bully and bullying Ed. Steve plays DnD now and so does Robin. Gareth is our son’s godfather. The CC boys are good; Grant became a plumber, Jeff is a locksmith, and Gareth is a bartender musician. I gave him your lyrics. He’s gonna make it big one day, I just know it.

I am a lawyer now. I had just started classes last time I wrote to you, but I made it. I think it’s time for a change, but I’ll have to take Harrington. All he has is me, Robin, and Ed. Robin lives in Indianapolis with her girlfriend Sarah. They’re really happy and they’re having a baby soon. I just wanted to update you on what’s been going on here.

I’ll never be able to express how much you mean to me. Thank you for accepting me into Hellfire and it was a real treat baby. I’ll see you when I see you. I love you. ~Yours forever

[steddietogo]

Metal head musician Eddie Munson’s black cat Strider who loves pop music and screams at Eddie every time he picks up his electric guitar.

Strider’s favorite is pop princess Steve Harrington’s newest album. Eddie knows each song word for word (he’ll never admit it)

[pangrams-n-palindromes]

3x03 / 7x10

do you ever think about the glasses & the backpack? because I do

[yourbestbuddie]

Everytime I remember that Eddie motherfucking Diaz decided to make this guy who he’s known for less than two years the LEGAL GUARDIAN TO HIS CHILD, and THEN doesn’t say a word to him about it for another year, and only does when said guy says it should’ve been him who was shot in Eddie’s place, and has been entirely reckless ever since Eddie was shot repeatedly risking his life so he doesn’t lose the people he cares about, JUST SO THAT HE MAKES SURE THE GUY DOESNT DO SOMETHING STUPID AND RECKLESS AGAIN … well I’m entirely normal about that.

“No one will ever fight for my son as hard as you.” OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY

[bibewilderedandbuck]

Imagine Buck saying “i love you” first and for the first time Tommy feels behind. He feels like maybe they are moving too fast.

Then he has a talk with some of his team. They’re not AS close as the 118 but they put their life in each others hand’s on the regular and that counts for something.

Andy asks Tommy about last week, when Buck was complaining about his apartment being so far so they started talking about moving in together? Aubree mentions how much he jokes about buying a ring for his beau, and Tommy sits back because he does joke a lot about (he hasn't spoken to Evan directly about it but anytime the kid does something sweet he asks him his ring size). Lucy mentions the time they spend talking and texting, she calls it nauseating with a wink, but Tommy doesn't remember the last time he wanted another person in contact with him at all times and who returned the feeling tenfold.

And after all, with their job they could die any day. He sits in his kitchen and replays the moment Evan said it again and again: "I know I'm dragging you through milestones like a cat with a mouse, and I want to let you know that you don't have to say it back. But I love you, Tommy. You mean a lot to me and I'm so happy we met."

Nine months is the longest relationship Tommy has ever had. And he still wishes he could spend every waking second with Evan.

By the end of the night he's barging into Buck's apartment and sticking his tongue in the younger man's mouth. He stands back and pushes his chest up and smiles and says "I love you too, Evan."

Buck is laughing, he's smiling and kissing his boyfriend back and hugging him tight. He can feel Tommy's heart racing when he puts his hand to Tommy's chest. He expected it to take longer. He'd heard about all the ways Tommy had been hurt before. But in the end it only took a day

then they hear a flush and Eddie walks out of the bathroom. He's smiling because Buck's loft is Not Big and he might have heard every word. For just a moment, they all stand in silence not uncomfortable per say but definitely charged.

Then Eddie says "I love you too, bro." Buck lovingly rolls his eyes and Tommy is cracking up. If it were anyone else he'd probably feel embarrassed but Eddie has shared friendly declarations of love before and its not uncommon for the L word to be passed around a 118 dinner party like hors d'oeuvres.

[bittersweet-nothingss]

“My relationship with my soul is gone”

[wynnyfryd]

HELLO. has anyone considered that eddie munson buzzed his own hair in middle school because he had zero impulse control and some older kid at a party offered him $12 to give himself a reverse mohawk

[thesunoficarus1]

I fear there's a reason for buddie being my favourite ship and it's because one of my favorite tropes is when someone who thinks they're unlovable, or irredeemable, or that they're not worthy of attention is given it all so freely and so effortlessly that they have no choice but to accept it.

[princessstevemunson]

I just found out that there’s a Santa Claus, Indiana.

I’m just thinking about a silly hallmark movie Steddie AU.

Steve and Robin move to Santa Claus, Indiana. Maybe they got seasonal jobs at Holiday World, and decided to stay on the off season. Maybe they just randomly decided to move there because it was close enough to Hawkins but still not Hawkins, and Robin say the silly name and was like Steve we gotta go there.

Either way they move to Santa Claus, Indiana. Steve’s car breaks down, and he gets help from friendly mechanic Eddie. They get closer, and soon Eddie’s like my uncle wants me to take over the family business, but I’m not sure if I’m ready. Steve can obviously relate, but Eddie’s like I want to like it’s a great job, but I like my life the way it is or whatever.

Eddie is obviously super ambiguous about whatever it is that Wayne does, but then it’s revealed he’s Santa Claus.

Obviously there’s a Buckingham subplot. Maybe Chrissy is a waitress at Benny’s. Maybe she’s an elf there’s definitely jokes about her being an elf.

[lovingherwasgay]

the shipwreck will last 3 episodes. buddienation how are we feeling about that knowing what happens every third episode of the season regarding buddie + chris as a family.

[shichey97]

Long Live 5

It takes a few days for our son to want to finish the story. I understood completely. It’s not easy to learn how your dad died so I just let him process and take his time to get to where he was now. He asks for the next chapter at bed time that night and I nod, grabbing the book and sitting down to read it to him.

Chapter 5: Breaking the News

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door of Gareth’s house where she knew the rest of hellfire would be. She had broken the piece of her arm that formed her shoulder joint so she had surgery and a sling, but today was Gareth’s last day in town so she needed to tell them in person while they were all together.

Mr. Emerson opened the door and smiled, “He’s in his room with the others.” He said letting her in and going back to what he was doing.

She walked to Gareth’s room and knocked on the door before walking in, “Hey guys.” she said softly. “I need to talk to you. “Holy shit. You’re ok.” Gareth said, sounding relieved. “Where’s Eddie? Is he ok?” Gareth was worried especially after he gave up Dustin, but her standing in front of them had to mean that they’re all ok.

“So we all know that Eddie didn’t kill Chrissy.” She started slowly, explaining everything that happened over the last week. Starting at the beginning and going until Eddie played master of puppets, “We were supposed to leave that place once the bats started coming in, but Eddie cut the rope and ran out of the trailer. He…he was attacked and when I found him he was hurt so bad. He didn’t make it and I couldn’t bring him back.” She said as she wiped her eyes as her voice cracked. She was trying to stay strong for the guys. “I held him in my arms as he died. It was…quiet. He could barely speak when he asked me to say I loved him.”

Jeff just stared at her his eyes quickly losing focus; he didn’t respond or move. He couldn’t believe Eddie was dead; to him there was no way someone larger than life could die quietly. The world should’ve stopped or…or something. Anything. He flinched at Gareth’s tone when the other curly haired guy spoke.

Gareth stared at her as she talked before shaking his head, “No. he’s not dead. You’re mistaken.” his tone sharp, angry, and holding pure denial. “I don’t know why you’re lying, but it’s not funny.” when he used her whole name her body jerked like he had slapped her. “Eddie isn’t dead. He…He can’t be.” When she reached for the drummer he hit her hand away. “Eddie didn’t die. Not like that. Not at all.”

“I checked. I had Harrington check. Gare, I’m sorry.” She said quietly and the drummer sat down running a hand through his hair before he picked up the dragon statue on his bedside table and chucked it at the wall. “My best friend can’t be dead!” he yelled before he sank to the floor and pulled his legs up to his chest before hugging them. “Leave.” He says weakly, barely holding it together. She stood and walked out to her car before she climbed in and sobbed leaning against the wheel as she did. She didn’t know what she was going to do. It was so hard to breathe let alone exist right now. She had lost her soulmate and now she was losing herself. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there before driving back to the trailer where they had spent their last night together. Eddie’s room wasn’t destroyed by the gate so she went through the second door and began cleaning things out to take with her to Steve’s house. She couldn’t just leave his things there since it was all she had left now.

She heard Wayne’s truck and stepped out onto the porch just waiting for him to get out. What she didn’t expect is the gruff old man to hug her tightly as if he didn’t need any comfort and she needed it all. She hugged back as best she could with her shoulder messed up and buried her face in his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Wayne.” She sobbed holding onto him as she felt weak and like she would pass out any second. She wasn’t sure if the pain she was feeling was in her head or if her body was having a physical reaction to her heart being broken, but her whole body hurt.

“Why are you apologizing to me? You’re the one that lost your other half.” he said as he rubbed her back gently. He wasn’t sure how he was feeling. “Let’s get his things out of here.” He said once she had calmed down.

It was 3 weeks later, when things had finally started to calm down, that the government gave the official story that it was an earthquake. They were allowed to bury their lost loved ones of the bodies that could be found. They wouldn’t let Eddie be buried in the Munson family plot but the cemetery caretaker and grave digger felt bad for Wayne Munson so they placed a head stone at the base of a tree that simply said “Edward Wayne Munson Now At Peace. 1965~1986.”

She knew Eddie wasn’t there, but she called Gareth and them to let them know he had a headstone and then the day came for his funeral. She put on her black 50s inspired dress. It was pure cotton with a gathered flared skirt and wide lapel. She was wearing his necklace with his ring on it as she got in Steve’s car. She had made a call two days ago. Now it was time to see if it made a difference. She pulled at the dress around her stomach since she felt bloated and uncomfortable today. She stood with Wayne and the group. Jeff and Grant were there as well. Everyone was somber as they stared at the headstone.Then Dustin knelt and put a hand on the stone before closing his eyes. Steve knelt behind him and put a hand on his shoulder as he bowed his head. This led to a scene out of a fantasy as everyone else kneeled and she smiled with a wet laugh. 

She never laughed at inappropriate times, but here she was laughing and crying, “He’d say you’re being dorks.” She says sniffling. She shook her head before wiping her eyes. “I think you should say some words, Uncle Wayne.” She said looking up at him

He nodded and looked around as everyone stood, “I have no idea what to say. I was there when Eddie was born because my brother wouldn’t be. His mama, Liz, gave him my name as a middle name because she said I was the only man that he could count on. He was my boy instantly. He never stopped being mine. Just because he was my nephew doesn’t mean he wasn’t. I should’ve told him that. I hope wherever he is he’s with his mama. He moved in with me just 2 years ago and things were smooth. I know that everyone here meant something to him as his friends and for Eddie his friends were everything to him.’ Wayne nods, “Thank you for helping me honor my boy.” That’s how the funeral went: people talking about their memories with him and things like that. She just listened with a proud smile until Dustin looked at her and told her it was her turn.

“A month ago, the day before Chrissy died, Eddie and I got married. I didn’t think that was going to be our last day together. We all know he was larger than life. He always had something to say, some snide remark to get the last word.” She laughed softly. “I don’t know what to say. All I can think of is a line from a poem. It goes, ‘This is the way the world ends; not with a bang, but a whimper’ I never understood the line before, but I do now.” She looked at them, “I wish I had something uplifting to say; some words of wisdom to impart, but I don’t. All I know is Eddie loved all of us with his entire being. He was charismatic, talented, and beautiful and I’ll love him for the rest of my life.” She noticed Al Munsons standing a little bit away and gave the man a nod before looking down and returning to Wayne’s side.

Over the next seven weeks she was throwing up, feeling tired, had major heartburn, and was growing nauseous at random things that never affected her before. It was one of those cases where Robin was holding her hair back and rubbing her back when she paused, “dear. When was your last period?”

She groaned, rubbing her stomach, “I’ve always been irregular.” she said softly.

“That’s ok. I think you need to schedule an appointment.” Robin said softly and rubbed circles in her lower back. “You’ve been nauseous, having heartburn, and throwing up. Not to mention you complained that your shirt was hurting your chest earlier.”

She paused and looked at her, “I can’t be…”she said quietly. “We were careful when we had sex.” she ran through each time and then she froze. “Three months ago. We didn’t have a condom and he…” she groaned. “Shit. shit. Shit. I can’t have a baby without a father.They’ll call them a bastard.”

“Honey. You need to breathe and schedule an appointment. Perhaps in Indianapolis?” Robin said as she watched her face.

She nodded and squeezed her eyes shut as another wave of nausea rolled through her. “What do I do? Steve may not even want a baby in his house.” There was no giving the baby away or getting an abortion in her mind.

Robin nodded and rubbed her back, “Steve loves kids, but you need to confirm it and then talk to him…maybe take him with you.” she suggested and looked at her. “Is everything ok?” Steve asks, knocking on the door. “Do you need anything?” “A pregnancy test.” She said and stood to rinse out her mouth and then she opened the door. “Can you go to the pharmacy and get a couple? I’ll give you the money.”

“I got it.” Steve said with a nod before leaving for a pharmacy. “I’m keeping Munson if I am pregnant.” She said as she sat on the tub and lifted her shirt to look at her stomach. She poked her stomach with a slight frown. “Is there a little one here?” She says quietly. “Are you a gift from your daddy?” She asked and talked to her stomach and Robin while she waited for Steve.

“Ok I got you 3 different tests. The woman said one is a cassette test, one’s a strip test, and one’s a stick test.” He shrugs and holds up a plastic cup, “She said you’d need one of these.”

She stood and took the bag, “Thank you, Steve. I appreciate it.” She is speaking quietly because she's so nervous. No she's terrified, but she watches them leave and shuts the door before doing what she needs to.

It's an hour later when she comes out of the bathroom looking pale and shaky. She was on the verge of a panic attack because she didn’t know how she was going to be a mother. She sat down and put her head on the table causing Robin to start rubbing her back.

“Are you?” Steve asked, watching her with worry on his face as he looked between Robin and her. He didn’t know what to do with himself so he stayed seated and waited for her to gather herself.

“Yes. I’m pregnant and probably close to three months if I remember my sex ed right.” She said quietly as she lifted her head. “I want to keep it. I understand if you don’t want a baby here, I’ll see if Uncle Wayne would want us to live with him.” She said and watched Steve for his reaction.

“You and the baby are welcome here for as long as you want.” Steve said, shaking his head slightly; he wanted her to know she had a home there. He felt partly responsible for the fact that Eddie was gone so maybe he could make it easier on her.

“Thank you, Steve.” She said and sighed, grabbing the phone to make an appointment to confirm with the doctor. She’s on the phone for maybe 30 minutes and then she gets off. “I have an appointment at 8 in the morning.” She says softly.

“I’ll take you to the appointment if you want.” Steve suggests and she nods. “Ok.” He adds.

At 4 and a half months they confirmed that she was having a little boy. At 6 months Dustin left them in a tragic accident. At 7 months she decided on a name for him. At 8 months Steve agreed to be on the birth certificate so the baby would have two parents legally and if anything happened to her the baby would go to him. At 9 months the baby was born healthy and with a scream that would make Eddie proud.

“Welcome to the show, kid. You’re in for a treat.” She says as she holds him close to her chest.

[chaos-bisexual]

i need helena diaz bashing to be an official ao3 tag at this point

[p4nishers]

with eddie confirming he only married shannon bc of chris and his disastrous relationship with ana i think it's pretty safe to say that he's gay. he is SO gay and i was right.

[livwritesstuff]

so those following my steddie-dads series may know that Steve and Eddie named their daughters after important people in their life. Moe (or Lucy Maureen) gets her middle name from Eddie’s mom. Robbie (Amelia Robin) is named after Robin, obviously. Their third and final baby Hazel’s middle name is James, after Hopper.

In the aftermath of all the shit they went through in Hawkins, it didn’t take long for Jim to add Steve to his collection of “kids who pretend to be punching bags for people they care about” (his words). By the time Steve was stepping into adulthood, Hop was Steve’s dad in everything but blood and legal title (and that was even before Steve’s estrangement from his actual father), and when Hazel was born in 2007, he and Joyce were Steve’s second call (Robin being the first, obviously). 

Two days later, their plane touched down in Boston.

Hazel was asleep when they arrived, and didn’t stir even while Steve passed her into Hopper’s arms

“Christ, she’s small,” Jim says quietly, looking down at the little baby.

“She’s actually bigger than Robbie was,” Steve replies, “Crazy different from the older two now though.”

For a second, Steve just watches, watches as Hopper adjusts the sleeping baby, watches him run a finger over her little cheek.

“Did you see her name, hon?” Joyce asks him, gesturing to the name embroidered on Hazel’s little hat (Steve had told her the name in advance, learning from experience that it wasn’t wise to catch them both off-guard at once).

Steve watches Jim squint to read the pink stitching, holding back a dumb comment about how he needed his glasses.

“Hazel…James,” Hop mumbles. He pauses, clears his throat, “That’s…what a name. Where’d you guys come up with that one.”

“After you,” Steve tells him, “In case that wasn’t clear.”

Jim is quiet for a long time, and Steve couldn’t say anything else around the tightness in his throat even if he wanted to, so he stays quiet too while Ed wraps an arm around his waist and presses a firm kiss to the side of his head. 

“It’s a big honor,” Hopper finally says, his voice wrecked, not taking his eyes off the baby.

Steve can only nod.

“Well deserved,” Eddie tells him seriously, “She’s got big shoes to fill.”

Then, because he can’t help himself, he adds, “And if she starts spilling classified government secrets, we’ll know who to blame.”

[artiststarme]

Death Waits For No One… Except Eddie Munson

Warning: Temporary Character Death

Could be read as Part 2 of This Post

Enjoy!

~*~*~*~

Eddie dies. He knew it was coming, felt it as soon as he’d stepped foot into the sordid little town as a puny and pale eleven year old. There was a grim acceptance that he wouldn’t survive long enough to leave. He spent his years being as authentic and genuine as possible; loud, eccentric, world-devastatingly handsome with awesome hair, and completely and utterly metal.

He spent his adolescence in Hawkins being true to himself, being someone that he could be proud of. However, there was always an undercurrent of danger. Being different in a small town where everyone else is the same is a hazard and Eddie wondered things everyday.

Would this be the day it ends?

Would Hargrove, Hagan, or any other small minded jock choose today to bash his head in?

Would the cops make an example of the weird “devil-worshipping”, rock n’ roll, high school fiend today?

Sometimes death was the cost of being different and he had accepted that.

Eddie, and unfortunately Wayne, had seen it coming for years and were not so eagerly awaiting his demise. Whether it be a beating from a bully gone too far, an overdose like his Ma, or a fiery crash, they lived each day in tentative hope that he’d escape death’s clutches once again. Neither one of them expected him to die in a haunted parallel universe in pain, cold and alone, with blood in his mouth and holes bitten through his flesh.

Eddie watched Dustin grieve him through teary eyes as the cold set in, warm blood leaking from his wounds and a numbness settling in his bones. He distantly heard Steve screaming for the both of them and maybe even the uncoordinated footfalls from Robin as she ran towards them. He tried to hang on, gripping the last dredges of life with both hands. Eventually though, his eyes closed with the weight of the world and his heart sluggishly slowed its beat.

The last thing he saw before his eyes were forced closed was Steve shoving a crying Dustin aside with determined eyes and a frown on his face. He felt a vague pressure center in his chest before everything faded to black.

Death wasn’t the peace or nothingness that he expected. It wasn’t bright lights or past memories flashing in front of your eyes. He was conscious, worriedly wondering if his friends had made it home from the Upside Down and how Wayne would take the news, if the Party could even tell him anything.

His death was a nightmare to him, everything he hated; darkness, silence, and too much time to ruminate on his thoughts. There was nothing to see and his feet were getting cold in an inch or so of standing water. Wonderful. The only noise he could hear was the blood from his deepest wounds dripping to the water at his feet.

He didn’t know how long he was there. Standing there, admittedly freaking out more than a little bit, and doing nothing could’ve taken three minutes or thirty years.

But when he opened his eyes again after a slow blink, he was back in the Upside Down next to his trailer. His wounds still throbbed with each heartbeat and he could feel the stickiness of blood clinging to his war outfit. Upon further surveillance, he noticed his favorite necklace with his mother’s old guitar pick was missing. Those fucking bats probably ate it. He considered rifling through the rotting carcasses surrounding him before letting out a sigh. He didn’t have the energy to perform necropsies.

The next thing that made itself known was the heat. Eddie remembered the Upside Down being cold, a strange mixture of humid and frigid. But now, the air was practically sizzling with heat and it made the stickiness of blood even more unbearable.

It wouldn’t stop Eddie though. He was apparently still alive after facing death once more. If anything could be said about Eddie, it was that he was a survivor. So, he pulled himself up despite his agony and set out on the trek of a lifetime. He climbed through the gate in his trailer, ignoring the cooking of his flesh and the pain accompanying the burns. He flopped onto the unforgiving carpet of his trailer that he really should’ve cleaned when Wayne told him to. Then he went to Steve’s because if anyone could help him, it was him.

He didn’t expect the town to be in chaos or the rippling chasms of fire that lengthened his walk.

He hid in trees when cars passed him but no one paid him any mind. Everyone was too apt to get out of town than they were to pay the walking zombie (so he supposed) any mind.

Eddie walked until he was standing over a sleeping Steve in his room in the Harrington house. He wasn’t sleeping peacefully and Eddie could imagine why.

“Hey, Harrington. Wake up, it’s okay. You’re dreaming.”

Steve jerked awake and started screaming his fool head off. Eddie stumbled back in surprise and hissed as the movement pulled at the worst of his wounds.

“Shh! Harrington, Jesus H. Christ, calm down. Holy shit, I thought you’d be the calm one. Calm down, please god,” Eddie breathed through the pain and calmed him. He probably looked like shit so he understood Steve’s fright. A small part of him, his inflated ego probably, took offense though he wouldn’t voice it.

“Eddie?” Steve’s voice was tinged with disbelief as if he couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing.

He beamed, “I see we’re on a first name basis now, Stevie. If I knew this was all I had to do, I would’ve died a long time ago!”

Steve threw himself forward into Eddie’s arms with a soft gasp of pain and Eddie let out an oomph of surprise and pain in response.

“You’re not going to be here in the morning, are you?” Steve whispered into the crook of his neck.

Eddie’s shaky hand latched onto Steve’s shoulder to deepen the hug. “Hell Steve, I’ll never leave you again if you’ll have me.”

Steve fell asleep on top of him in what appeared to be his first restful slumber in weeks. Eddie wasn’t going to ruin that. Instead of treating his wounds or showering Upside Down grime and dried blood off, he ran a hand through Steve’s hair and closed his eyes. It would all be there in the morning, after all. What could a little shut-eye hurt?

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WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT--WHY DOES HE LOOK LIKE THAT!!!