#i can so clearly see robin shred the basse

[carlotaamm]

when I tell you I'm GRASPING THE EDGE OF MY SEAT

and when i say i am literally dreaming about this series i mean it

[demeterlindavis]

Eddie never forget his first love, specifically when it comes to the woman who taught him how to play the guitar.  Years later after the events in the upside down, an outing with the group at a Battle of the Bands event brings him back to you.

━━━━━━━━━▼━━━━━━━━━

Eddie Munson x Reader

Post S4. Billy lives in this one.  

2.9 K words

(3/4 of Out by Midnight - Roxy, Billy, and Erik)

━━━━━━━━━▼━━━━━━━━━

It was a Friday night that Max had convinced the crew to go with her to an event that was happening over an hour away from Hawkins. There was some band competition to see who can perform the best covers. Eddie had been talking about it for weeks to go as a group since 2 members of Corroded coffin were out of town for the weekend, each for their own reasons so they didn’t have a chance to enter. Max added the cherry on top saying that her brother was in one of the bands. And so on the day of the event, the gang packed themselves into Eddie’s van and Steve’s car and made their way on the road.

It had been about an hour in when his back was turned, finishing up grabbing a couple of beers and a bottle of water at the bar when he heard the opening chords of one of his favorite songs. The soft strumming of an acoustic guitar was unmistakable to his ears. This band was playing a cover of “Battery” by Metallica. He made his way back to the group he came with and passed the beers to Robin and Nancy while Max grabbed the bottled water with her hand, a big ‘X’ clearly written with a marker on it to signify who wasn’t legally old enough to drink alcohol.

“Thanks!” Robin spoke before taking a large sip, tipping the bottom end of Nancy's beer up with her pointer finger and forcing her to catch up with herself and Steve. 

“This is it, it’s them!” Max spoke loudly over the speakers amplifying the build-up of the guitar.

“Who?” Steve moved his head closer to her and squinted his eyes as if it were to help him hear better.

“Billy’s band!”

Steve’s eyes rolled, still not 100% over the history with the Hargrove boy he had tussled with long ago. He was like 95% there. The other 5% was just a little bit harder to get over. He watched Billy on stage, a mixture of surprise to find out Billy knew how to play the bass guitar and had even joined a band, with a tiny bit of bitterness knowing this most likely added to his ego. He took a big sip, finishing the rest of what was in his bottle as he saw Billy lock eyes and wink to some poor audience member who was no doubt swooning over his strumming.

“They don’t sound too shabby.” The corner of Eddie’s lips curled down in an impressed smile. He wasn’t trying to judge too soon, knowing exactly how the song was supposed to sound especially with the tempo change that was soon to come. “Do you guys know who’s playing the guitar right now?”

The group looked over at the band member standing in the front line of the stage with an acoustic guitar, the solo stage light increasing the dramatics of the opening tunes as the 3 other band members either played quietly (Billy) or waited in the background. They shook their heads, unable to recognize him as they looked towards the rest of the performers on stage.

“I don’t know who that guy is or the girl on the drums, but-“

“Holy Shit.” Eddie had cut Nancy off, hearing the electric guitar and the drums kick in. The sheer power of their entrance changing the energy of the crowd from 0 to 60. Not only did they sound good, but he had recognized the other guitarist that kicked in with the electricity.

Her hands moved effortlessly as she held the guitar with familiarity from years and years of practice. Her eyes were closed, falling into a trance that allured the crowd into the speeding tempo.

“Why does she look familiar?” Steve looked at the familiar face, trying to figure out where he’s seen her before.

“[Y/N] [L/N].” Eddie spoke with an unbroken stare, awestruck at her absolutely shredding it on stage. 

“She’s hot - ow!” Robin rubbed her side where Eddie had elbowed her. 

“Sorry Robs, there’s no way you’re cutting in line when I had to wait so long.” 

Of all the places, he shouldn’t have been surprised to find you there doing the thing you loved the most: playing your guitar. He was just more so surprised at the fact that you were within his vicinity.

His heart pounded, nearly jumping up his throat from both an old crush and the music the group was absolutely killing. Your fingers moved quickly up and down the frets during the solo moments, also moving and stirring something deep within his heart and his groin. 

What’s that saying? You never forget your first love. Especially when they were also the first person to ever teach you how to play the guitar.

His hand reached up to his necklace, holding tight and still keeping the guitar pick you had given him close to his heart. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you as he watched you thrash your head from side to side on beat, the pure raw energy of being in your element. The sweat glistened as your personal highlighter, the lights amplifying your glow while flashing behind you and emphasizing your silhouette. 

The two of you never had a romantic relationship, not officially anyways. What started out as a middle school friendship turned best friends, turned into …whatever it was the last couple of years before you had moved away. 

It was a warm dewy morning that day in sixth grade when he walked into the band room, ready to start the first day of the year with the elective he thought was the least excruciating to partake in. He heard someone playing the guitar. The melodic tunes rang in his ears as his eyes settled on the musician: you. 

He’ll never forget the way your eyes were focused on the music in front of you, hair pulled back by the headphones loudly playing music in your ears. You pressed pause on the cassette player when you stumbled on a chord and you tried the same rift again and again before getting the sequence right. When you had, Eddie’s clapping surprised you as you turned to where he was just outside of your view. 

After the introductions and his compliments, he found out you both had the same first period together. It didn’t take long throughout the year for you two to speak comfortably around each other, your carefree and goofy attitude made it easy. A lot of your passion for the guitar came from your dad, who was a musical enthusiast and guitarist with the daytime job of being a high school teacher. That passion oozed out of you and consumed him, inspiring him to pick up a guitar and ask you to teach him outside of school. What started as guitar lessons turned into weekend hangouts strumming together and at some point the hangouts would excuse the musicians from their instruments, watching movies over one another’s place or reading books like learning about Dungeons and Dragons.

Along the way and as you two aged, high school soon came and so did the slow shift in your friendship. It was around junior year when the touches and gazes lingered for just a little bit longer. When the casual flirting thrown into the mix skipped over the nervously laughed response and instigated a comeback to catch the other off guard. The tension was thick but neither dared to make that first official move. Instead settling in the comfort of the quiet and cozy movie nights spent cuddled on the couches, the dissipation of personal space between you two as his arms would always somehow be connected to you and vice versa. It was literally like dating but with a condom to stop the blooming of the next stage to come. Garret, one of the freshmen they befriended, called it “annoyingly painful to watch them both play this ‘will they, won’t they’ thing and should just let it will.” The rest of the members of what would become the band Corroded Coffin the following year had agreed, especially when their senior year rolled in and everyone at that point got accustomed to the pair stuck in an infinite and never-ending dance. 

Eddie clapped with an extra loud “Woo!” Watching you graduate and walk across the stage with your diploma in hand. He promised himself he’d walk across the stage in no time and have you cheering with just as much love and swell of pride as he had at this moment.

Only the summer after graduation your dad had accepted another teaching job in California, one also closer to studios where the big shots had better chances of being scouted. That chance for him to finally cross that line and confess himself to you was ripped away, he had helped you pack your things, savoring every last moment that he could spend with you. With a promise to call you both kept it up at first but they became less frequent the moment you began helping your dad with tutoring after school and juggling it with the addition of your part-time job and band practice. Eddie himself became engrossed in his passions for D&D and Corroded Coffin, and just trying to pass high school.

A drunk Robin thrashing around with an energy-high Dustin had pulled him out of memory lane, the song had shifted into their next Metallica cover, ‘Fuel’. Nancy was swaying with an equally drunk Johnathan to a tempo only heard by the pair. Steve was sipping his beer, shaking his head as he watched Dustin jump and down like a maniac after Mike and Lucas joined beside him. El, Will, and Max were more subdued than the others thrash-dancing but were still moving with the high energy consuming the venue. Eddie joined Robin, downing the rest of his drink and matching his dance partner’s wild and almost comedic movements.

When the song ended Eddie let out an extra loud “Woo” as he did the day of your graduation, clapping past the point where his hands turned red as the crowd continued cheering. 

The lead singer was catching his breath, allowing more time for the band to soak in the moment. High-pitched screams were erupting as the singer and Billy removed their shirts, their muscles, unfortunately, glowing in the light.

Steve once again rolled his eyes while Mike and Lucas stared questioningly at El and Max who joined in with the screaming. 

The singer took his spot again infront of the microphone and took a breath before speaking into the mic, “We are Out Past Midnight and it’s been fucking amazing playing for you all here!” The cheers echoed at the profanity, as he introduced the next band that broke out into a cover of Black Sabbath. Max lead the group out of the venue and towards the back where Billy had told her to meet him the last time they spoke on the phone. 

The step-sibling’s relationship had gotten better over the years. The strain slowly healing after the events of the Mind Flayer and Billy leaving back to California to get space away from the hauntings of Hawkins, but the phone calls kept them in touch, even visiting for a while after she was Hospitalized thanks to Vecna. He had surprised her with the fact that he joined a band, telling her he’d give her the full story when they caught up in person again instead of having to explain it on over the phone. He was going to be in the state, another one of the band members having family ties nearby and the Cover Band Competition was on the way. 

Max was the first to spot them, putting away their instruments and equipment into a shiny new van before heading back into the venue to enjoy the rest of the night.

“You know, I see now that they let you join the band solely for the number of fangirls you’d bring in.”  

The curly blonde head of hair turned at his sister’s voice after setting down an instrument case. The same old shit-eating grin resting across his face. “Tell me you brought more of them back here with you.”

“Gross.” Max said with a scoff, still moving forward with a small grin and giving Billy a hug. When she pulled away she turned to the rest of the group, “You remember the gang. I don’t know if you’ve met Robin,” She pointed to her and then to the metal head of the group, “and Eddie” Billy had given them a nod as the others waved in greeting. The lead singer had come through the backdoor, the last of their equipment in both hands and passing one to Billy. With a final check and slam of the trunk doors, Billy introduced the unknown man to the rest of the group.

“This is Erik. He’s the guy with the vocals.”

Erik stood tall with a brooding stare that was broken with a grin. His long brown hair blew in the wind and proving a magazine cover-worthy look with nothing more than his black jeans and opened leather jacket with nothing underneath. “It’s nice to meet ya, I’d introduce the rest of the band but the girls are already inside getting shots.”

Billy chuckled, “Are Rox and [Y/N] actually buying the shots themselves?”

Erik gave him a knowing look. “They’re being bought by someone but hey a free drink is a free drink.” 

While everyone else introduced themselves, Eddie’s lips pursed at the comment, imagining someone flirting with you, being close to you. He shouldn’t have felt so territorial about you, but old habits die hard, especially when old feelings were coming back just from seeing you.

Erik turned to everyone else, pulling the back door open again. “We’re going to head back in and enjoy the rest of the show, do you guys want to come in through this way instead of going back all the way around?”

Robin walked up to him and patted his shoulder in a drunken haze, “You’re not so bad, Erik!” She walked in with everyone trailing behind her. The shortcut into the building soon engulfing them in the music and lights once more. 

The younger kids of the group stayed in the crowd, enjoying the music as the rest of them headed to the bar, but still in sight of the others for Steve’s babysitting sake. Eddie followed behind, a bit more nervous the more and more he was able to see you in his view. You were raising a shot glass with your bandmate, a woman with darker skin and black twisted hair cheering you on. She wore a loose multicolored top, following the fashion of the band with the top opened but a tank top underneath.  You both took a big gulp, slamming the glasses down with a boisterous laugh.

“Ladies, Ladies” Erik shouted, gaining their attention as he gestured toward the rest of the newcomers. “Billy has friends he’d like to introduce us to.” 

He met your gaze when you turned to face them and he saw when the shock had registered in. Your eyes nearly teared as your feet slowly pulled you towards him, hands lifting to rest on his cheeks, slightly squishing them together. “Please tell me I’m not hallucinating right now.” Your voice was wavering with emotion, Eddie couldn’t help but laugh. You were a lightweight when it came to drinking, smoking being your chosen vice. But nonetheless, this was a greeting letting him know he was missed. His hands steadied you by the shoulders, an unbreakable grin spreading across his face as his warm brown eyes stared into yours. 

“Hey Sweetheart.”

Erik leaned closer to Roxanne, the drummer of the band, who was perched at the bar. “Jeez, you two were gone for like 10 minutes, how many drinks did she have?”

Roxanne gave him a look, similar to the knowing one Erik gave Billy not too long ago. “3 Shots.”

“Back to Back?” Billy joined in.

The rest of the group watched in silent curiosity at what was happening in from of them. Roxy’s mouth slowly agape as she watched you begin to sway forward unintentionally. “[Y/N] is going down, I repeat, [Y/N] is going down.” 

Billy moved fast to reach you, not really knowing Eddie’s character and how comfortable he’s feeling with you being intoxicated embarrassingly fast. He was not going to let you live this moment down but that’s for another time. His arm moved around your waist as he pulled you to the side and suddenly Eddie’s eyes were like a magnet towards the touch. 

Steve was the first to break the silence after you were pulled towards a booth to sit down. “What was all that?”

“We’re-“ Eddie tried to fight his eyes watching you past the crowd, settled in a booth with Billy standing to the side, choosing not to sit down. His arms leaned on the table and the back of the seating, encasing you between him as you were both locked in a gaze, him saying something that made you break out into a laugh. Eddie looked away feeling a sting to his chest, letting out a laugh he hoped that didn’t come out as forced “We were best friends once upon a time.”

______________________________________