Steve is making heart eyes at Nancy, they’re having a moment, and then Eddie throws him his vest and says "for your modesty, dude" and he's pissed.
I'm not giving any narrative here, just stating facts.
Genuinely, can someone explain Eddie's reaction to me in a heterosexual way? like even before shipping Steddie I watched this and I was like "wait why is he mad?"
Please give me your best straight explanation here
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my job started to cut my hours recently so it would mean a lot to me if you could send a little something to help me be able to keep up with my car payments so i dont have to resort to a second job. you don't have too but i would really appreciate it <3
summary: the aftermath of eddie's attempted confession.
warnings: light swearing, angst, fluff, sad eddie deserves its own warning just cause, pining
notes: im sorry this took so long to get out, i caught the flu and then had friends visiting so its been an eventful month but the long awaited part two to my last eddie fic!! as always, not edited so all mistakes are my own.
part one
library
stranger things bookshelf
A week. An entire week has passed since that night, and Eddie could still feel the way his heart split in two when you told him to leave. He didn't understand, and you never gave him the chance to understand.
Each time he tried to reach out to you, he was met with silence. Whenever he saw you, you turned the other way. You literally ran from him, and he didn't know how to handle it.
He walked into Family Video, knowing you would be starting your shift soon, and was hit with nerves. He didn’t know what he would even say; he just knew he needed to see you. You were there for him during the worst moments of his life, and he was there for you. You were best friends, and he wasn't going to let some stupid feelings ruin that.
He couldn't handle it if he lost you.
The bell rang over his head when he walked into the store, and he looked around to see if you had arrived for your shift yet. But he didn't see you. “Hey, Munson,” Robin greets from her spot behind the counter.
“Hey,” He mumbled, leaning against the counter.
“Just hey? Normally by now, you're asking if I have a new movie recommendation, so what's wrong?” Robin stands up straight, crossing her arms over her chest. Eddie internally curses the woman for how well she knows him.
He shook his head and leaned against the counter. “Do you?”
Robin nods. “I think you're gonna like it– wait! Don't change the subject.”
“I’m not.” He shrugs, picking up the tape sitting on the counter, reading the title; Pretty in Pink. One of your favorite movies. He only sat through it because you loved it.
Robin’s eyes settle into a glare, snatching the tape out of his hand, “what happened?”
“Nothing! I'm tired.” He lies, crossing his arms. He walks away from the counter, going to the New Releases section in hopes that she'll drop it, but she doesn't. Instead, she follows him around. “Robin!” He shouts, his annoyance getting the better of him.
“Eddie!” Robin shouts back, earning a glare from a nearby customer, but she couldn't care less. “Did something happen with Y/N? Because she's been acting weird all week.”
Eddie sighs, knowing he now has no choice but to tell her. If he didn't, she was just gonna pester him more or force you to tell her. Either way, Robin would find out. “We…I went over last week to finally tell her, but I didn't. I got so close to saying it, but my impulse took over, and I kissed her. We ended up sleeping together… and everything was great until after. She basically kicked me out and has been avoiding me.” He explained, his heart sinking when he thought back to that night.
He had begun to open his mouth to finally tell you how he felt when you told him to go. His heart broke at that moment, and he didn't have the energy to do anything but listen to you and leave.
He didn't let many things get to him, but this was you. He needed you. You were his anchor, and he couldn't imagine not having you by his side.
He didn't know how to fix this, and it hurt. It hurt like hell.
“Wait, wait, I thought maybe it was because she told you about Bryan, but you slept together?! Oh, man! This is- this is insane.”
Eddie furrows his brows. “Bryan? What about him?” Robin’s mouth fell open, and she was, for once, speechless. “Is she going out with Bryan?”
He could feel his heart crack like it did after you kicked him out.
“I mean– well, she– and he…uh…yes?” Robin cringed and rubbed her hands together nervously. She hadn’t meant to mention the Jason thing since you wanted to be the one to tell Eddie. “Okay, uh… look, I don’t really know what’s going on there. All I know is that he asked her out, and she said yes, but if the two of you…slept together, then something had to have changed, right?”
Eddie nodded slowly, picking up a random movie. “Right. Ring me up for this? I need to get going.” He makes his way back to the counter, ignoring the ache in his chest and the burning behind his eyes.
It takes a couple of minutes before Robin finishes ringing him up before he realizes the movie he grabbed was Pretty in Pink. He chuckles to himself, mentally hating himself for not realizing sooner. And Robin for not telling him. He turns to leave, halting in his tracks when he sees Bryan pull up, and you climb out of his passenger seat.
What the fuck?
He could only hope that his eyes were deceiving him, but he knew better. He knew that was wishful thinking. He hears Robin gasp softly behind me, and he squeezes his eyes shut for a moment. He knew that you and Bryan were close due to the number of classes you shared throughout the years and being neighbors, but he didn't think you were that close.
“Well…that tells me where she was last night,” Robin mumbles, and Eddie fights back the urge to scream.
You walk through the door, the bell ringing above your head, with Bryan following close behind. “Thank you for the ride. I'll see you tonight?” You look back at him, and Eddie feels his heart sink. He forces himself to look away, he can't do it. He couldn't see you with someone else. Not after everything.
“I gotta go. I'll see you around, Buckley.” He smiles in appreciation and grabs the movie from the counter, brushing past you and Bryan, ignoring the stabbing pain he feels in his chest. He hated this feeling, and he wanted it to be over already.
“Eddie? Hey, where are you going?” You ask before he has the chance to make his escape.
“Home. I got what I came for.” He forces himself to answer while he pushes the door open and exits the store, not wanting to be in your presence any longer. He would deal with it later but right now? Right now, he wanted to wallow in self-pity, and no one but him needed to know how badly his heart was breaking.
He makes it to his van before he hears your voice shouting his name and your feet falling on the ground as you run to catch up with him. “Eddie, I've been meaning to call you….” He doesn't turn around or even acknowledge you. He didn't want to. “Wait, please. What's wrong?”
You. You were what's wrong, but he couldn't say that. So, instead, he unlocks the van and forces himself to look at you. “Nothing. I remembered I asked Dustin for help in a campaign.” He lies, pulling open the door of the van. He throws the tape into the passenger seat, not caring where it landed and turns to look at you again, which turns out to be a mistake. You were wearing Bryan’s jacket, and he felt his heart crack a little more. He felt sick. He felt like he could throw up. “I gotta go.” He doesn't wait for a response as he hops into the van.
Shoving the key into the ignition and starts the van, ignoring the urge to slam his hands against the wheel in frustration and pull out, not looking back at you.
You stood in the parking lot watching as Eddie drove away with a sinking feeling in your stomach. You messed up, and you knew it. You shouldn't have gone out with Bryan, not after what happened, but you did. You couldn't explain why. Maybe it was to forget what happened. Maybe it was to avoid Eddie at all costs. Maybe it was because you wanted to see if you could feel that way with someone else. Either way, you hated yourself for doing it.
Eddie was your best friend. He stuck by you when you needed him most. He never left your side. You’ve been best friends since you were kids. He was the only constant in your life. Everyone else either abandoned you or died.
It’s likely that was what made you kick him out. You panicked, asked him to leave, and ignored him for a week like nothing had happened. You knew it was messed up, but you didn't know what else you could do.
Walking back into the store, you slipped off Bryan’s jacket and held it out to him. He took it back with a smile, thanks, and a promise to see you later before he took his leave. It was silent for a moment, hugging your arms close to your body as you watched him pull away with a sinking stomach. You felt a presence behind you, and you didn’t have to turn to know who it was.
“You messed up.” Is all she had to say. You and Robin had been friends for nearly ten years, having met when the two of you were alone at the playground. She knew you almost as well as Eddie did. He would always know you better.
“I know!” You throw your head back with a frustrated groan.
“Like I love you, and you’re my best friend, but you royally fucked up. You have a lot of making up to do, like a lot. I don’t even wanna know what was going through your head when you said yes to Bryan, especially after finding out Eddie returned your feelings! I would’ve assumed you would have been fucking like rabbits, but no! Instead, you’re ignoring each other and-”
You were thankful that there were no customers to witness Robin’s ramble about how you messed up. “Robs. please! J know I messed up, but I’m scared, okay? I’m terrified that if we do anything about it, then we’re going to ruin a lifetime of friendship. I just… I don’t know what to do, but I can’t lose him.”
“Tell Bryan you aren’t interested and talk to Eddie,” Robin suggests, shrugging her shoulders like it was obvious.
“But Bryan is so sweet.”
Robin goes straight-faced, looking at you like you are an idiot. “But you love Eddie! I mean, last I checked, you did.”
You rounded the counter, lifting yourself up onto the surface, crossing your ankles over each other. “I do love him. Eddie is everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner, but I don’t know. I’ve been in love with him for years and dated nobody. Well, that’s not true; I dated Jason Carver, but that only lasted a few weeks, and I couldn’t stand him. I don’t know, maybe I need to move on.”
“Are you joking? Seriously, are you? Eddie basically told you he loved you, and you took that as a sign to move on? I love you, but no, don’t be so goddamn stupid.”
“Robin!”
“No, I'm being completely serious right now. Don't hurt him like that because you're scared or whatever. He doesn't deserve that. And Bryan doesn't need to be led on.” You knew Robin was right, but you remained unsure. “I see what’s going through your head right now, and don’t do it. Don’t mess with your best friend’s feelings or Bryan’s. You’re smarter than that.”
You chewed on your bottom lip and hopped down from the counter. You knew Robin would have your head on a stick if you didn’t listen, and she was right. Everything she said was right. Eddie loved you back, and here you were going on dates with another guy only a week after everything and acting like it never happened. He didn’t deserve that. And Bryan didn’t deserve to be led on either. Neither of them did. They both deserved better.
You were in love with Steve, and that feeling wasn’t going away any time soon. A smile forces itself onto your lips at the memory of that night. You felt your face heat up when you remembered the way you moaned when you first felt his lips on yours. His lips were chapped, but it didn’t take away from how good they felt. You remembered the way your body reacted at the feel of his hands on you, and while you’ve felt his touch before, that was different. It was a good difference and still made your whole body shiver.
You felt like you were floating when kissing Eddie and when you were connected to him in a way you have only ever imagined late at night with just your hand to keep your company, but then reality came crashing down on you, and you panicked. Now, you need to fix everything. You wanted Eddie, and it’s always been him.
He made you feel like you were the only girl in the world, and whenever you were together, you felt like you could breathe again. Whenever you were with him, you felt like everything was going to be okay. He made you laugh more than you do with anyone else, and he never left you when your depression took over. He took care of you and made sure you still ate and showered despite your reluctance to get out of bed, and you only grew to love him more because of him.
“So, like, I know you’re the only other person here, but I need to find Eddie…”
“Wha- No, no. Steve won’t come back, and it gets crazy in here towards the end of the day, don’t you dare leave.” Robin glares.
“Robin…”
“No, I’m glad you got your head out of your ass, but you aren’t going anywhere.”
“Fine.” You pouted and leaned against the counter, watching the clock, praying that time would go faster so you could talk to Eddie.
Bryan had picked you and Robin up as promised and drove the two of you back to your house. Nobody uttered a single word to each other throughout the ride. He pulls into your driveway, and Robin is quick to climb out of the door like her life depended on it and waits for you by the door.
“You okay?” Bryan asks, leaning back in his seat.
You nodded. “I’m okay. I need to tell you something because you deserve to know, but I don’t know how to say it.”
“Does it have anything to do with that guy from earlier? Eddie?”
“I- How did you know?”
“I may not be the smartest of the bunch, but I’m not an idiot.” Bryan teases and takes his hand off the wheel to rest on his lap. “Plus, when you ran out after him earlier was kind of a dead giveaway.”
Picking at the hem of your shorts, you let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I do like you, it’s just that it’s Eddie. My best friend who happens to be everything I want in a partner.”
Bryan smiles softly. “It’s okay. I get it. Now, get outta here and go get him.”
“You really are the best.” You lean over the center console and press your lips to his cheek before hopping out of the van and towards your car, fumbling with the bag to pull the keys. “Robin! Go inside and call Steve. I’m going to find Eddie.” You shouted to your other best friend, quickly getting into your car.
You drove towards Dustin’s, hoping he actually went there. While pulling into his driveway, you didn’t see Eddie’s van, but you were already here and figured you’d give it a shot. Climbing out of the car, you walk up to the door and ring the doorbell, waiting patiently for it to open.
While waiting for the door to open, if anyone was there, you crossed your arms over your chest and thought about what you would say once you found Eddie. You had no excuse as to why you acted the way you did other than the fact that you were scared. You knew it hurt him, but you were scared. He was your best friend, and you didn’t want to risk anything; it’s why you never confessed through all the years.
“He left an hour ago,” Dustin says the second he pulls open the door and realized it was you. “You screwed up, you do know that?”
“Yes, I know. Where’d he go?”
“Home. Now, go fix his heart.” Dustin slams the door, and you jump in surprise.
Getting back into your car, you grab the wheel and throw your head forward with a loud scream in frustration. Your forehead hit the horn, and your head shot up, looking around nervously. You’ve seen people do that in movies and always found it to be a stupid thing to do accidentally because who in their right mind would hit their head against the wheel? Oh, right, you would and did.
You pulled out of the Henderson driveway and towards Eddie’s trailer, your heart hammering against your chest. Turning up your radio, a song you recognized as one by Paul Anka came through your speakers, and you laughed at the irony.
It wasn’t a long drive to Eddie’s from Dustin’s, but it was long enough to give you the chance to overthink what you were doing. You didn’t want to put your friendship at risk if you ended up dating and breaking up. Would it be worth it if you lost him in the run? You didn’t have an answer for that, and it did more than scare you. It broke you.
You couldn’t lose him. You didn’t want to imagine life without him because you didn’t want to live that life. You didn’t want to even think of the possibility that there could be a life without Eddie Munson. You couldn’t even think about it without your heart split down the middle. You needed him in your life. Losing him would break you.
You finally reached his trailer and got out of the car. You figured that he must’ve been this nervous when he showed up at your house, and you hated yourself a little more.
Knocking on the door, you bit your lip and let out a deep breath. Your heart was beating rapidly against your chest, your hands were sweaty, and the hair that touched your neck felt like it was coated in sweat and sticking to your skin. You thought you could throw up from the anxiety you felt.
“Sweetheart?”
Your heart sank. Even after you hurt him, he still used the nickname.
“I’m sorry.” You blurt, pushing yourself into the apartment and pacing around the living room. “I screwed up, and I’m sorry, but I panicked, okay? You…we did the thing I could only ever fantasize about, and when I realized that it wasn’t all in my head, I freaked. When you kissed me, I felt like I was floating, and I couldn’t believe it. You’re everything I ever wanted in somebody, and you’re my best friend, and I’m scared of losing you. I don’t want to risk it because losing you is something I don’t even consider an option because how can I? You’re you, and you’re amazing. So, I’m sorry. And I’m sorry for going on that stupid date with Bryan when I should have been on one with you.” You rushed out, biting back tears, your chest heaving from the lack of air.
Eddie stared at you like a deer caught in headlights. The door was now shut, but he still stood by it, his eyes wide. “Sweetheart-”
“I know I messed up, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, but the idea of losing you scares me to death. We’ve been in a lot of situations where we fought, but we always found our way back to each other, and I don’t know what I would do if it didn’t happen this time. I love you more than anything, and I can’t imagine a life where I don’t have you. It would break me. I don’t want to risk this. I don’t want to lose you if we end up breaking up because I would rather have you as my friend than not have you at all.”
Eddie takes a quick stride over to me, his hands instantly finding their way underneath your jaw, holding your head still. “Listen to me, you won’t lose me, okay? Never. And if that’s all you’re worried about, it’s okay because I am too. You mean everything to me, and I can’t imagine living my life without you by my side. If you would rather just be friends, then we can do that, but I won’t act like it wouldn’t be the hardest thing in the world.” He looked at you with a love in his eyes that you’d never noticed before, and it made you melt. “I love you, and I will do anything to be in your life, even if it means that I can’t hold you or kiss you or call you mine as much as I want, but I’ll do it.”
Scrunching your nose, you let out a breathy chuckle. “I want to be with you, Eds, but if I lose you, I swear to God.”
“You won’t. I’ll make this risk worth it.” He leans closer and lays his forehead on yours. Your eyes flickered down to look at his lips, but he didn’t want that. “Hey, look at me.” You pull your gaze away from his mouth and lock your eyes with his. “You won’t lose me because I’m not letting you go.”
“Promise me?” You sniffed, blinking back tears.
“I promise to make this risk worth it and never let you go.’ He hovers his lips over yours, refusing to press them together. “Tell me you love me.”
“I love you, Eddie.” You whisper, allowing a single tear to fall down your cheek.
Eddie exhales a chuckle, a smile painting his face. “Good.” He finally presses their lips together, earning a low whimper from you. You loved the feeling of his lips on yours. They were chapped but soft. He tasted like cigarettes and beer, which wasn’t the best combination, but you loved it because it was him. And you loved him for everything he was.
notes: since tumblr apparently has a limit of how many people i can tag, if i noticed i had you in multiple taglists for stranger things, i removed the duplicate so i can tag more people!
PERMANENT TAGLIST ( if it’s crossed out that means i couldn’t tag you )
origamiaround
ellievsbear
romaincrisis
jacobvanloon
blakekathryn
