❥ Plot: A group of 3 girls calls their boyfriends at the same time and then they proceed to hang up at the same time. To see whose boyfriend calls back first.
My two friends and I arranged plans to go shopping till our feet felt too tight for our shoes. Instead, we took a raincheck, and my friends and I were now plastered on the floor of my living room, chatting, or some may put it gossiping about our boyfriends. Quite honestly I wasn’t even a slight bit angry because here we were our feet crisscrossed under my living room coffee table, talking about men.
And hell, I was a sucker for talking about boys.
‘I’ve always wanted to play this game, but it required all of us to have boyfriends.’ My bestfriend Jane announced to Zoe and me.
I teased jane.
‘Let me guess you wanna borrow our boyfriends, and have your foursome dream come true.’
‘No, but I’ll put that on my things to do when I bored list.’ Jane soaked up the insult which then cause Zoe to take a shot at Jane.
‘Come on y/n don’t encourage her, you know she would only be disappointing 2 more men.’ Jane furiously shoved Zoe’s arm.
‘What I was saying before I was rudely interrupted -I have a boyfriend game. The game is, we all call our boyfriends at the same time and then we quickly hang up before they can answer and we see which boyfriend calls back first. And that boyfriend that picks up first will be crowned the boyfriend of the boyfriend’s and then -we go shopping and stop talking about boys.’ A smile spread on Zoe’s lips at the idea, but I just rubbed my eyes knowing Bradley wasn’t going to be crowned best boyfriend. The girls were quick to pick up on my emotions.
‘I already lost because, one Bradley's busy and two He’s not picking up the phone even if someone was holding a gun to his head.’ I stated. ‘He can’t even remember to grab his house key let alone put on a shirt.’ I added a few unnecessary insults.
Jane piped up.
‘Cut Bradley some slack, I bet the only reason he wouldn’t pick up is that- he’s uh- I don't know being a-flying a plane.’ She snaps at her response.
‘Good point why didn't I think of that? ’ I grab my phone off the couch and go to my contacts clicking on Bradley <3 while the girls go through their contacts too.
‘Ready?’ Jane had her thumb hovering over the call button
‘Yeah but I don’t know why but I’m so scared’ I let out a chuckle, feeling my heart beating faster than usual. Why am I afraid it’s just a game?
We all put our phones down on the coffee table pressing the call button at the same time then all three of us hang up in sync. We look up at each other letting out nervous laughs the anticipation beating through our hearts.
A few seconds pass and suddenly Bradley <3 is calling me. My jaw drops while the girls comment ‘I can’t believe it.’
I answer the phone and put it on speaker to let the girls know my man cared about me.
‘Hi, baby girl.’ Bradley said panting on the other end of the line. I shut my eyes tight smiling like a complete idiot.
‘Hi, babe. Didn’t think you were gonna call back’
‘Well I’m there for you babe.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry, I’m panting like a dog I had to do 200 push-ups.’
‘No, it’s fine- Congrats by the way Bradley you have now been crowned get this… boyfriend of the boyfriends.’ I bite my bottom lip trying not to let out a squeal not because he won but because I was picturing him drip sweating. I can't believe I'm dating him.
‘Any reason in particular?’ Bradley said trying to keep his heavy breathing to a minimum.
‘for being my boyfriend.’
‘The pleasure is all mine.’ Bradley let out a breathy chuckle. ‘Is that all you wanted tell me? Do you need anything before I get home?’
‘No, I can’t wait for my man to come home and hold me in his big arms- I just wanted to tell you that I love you.’ My cheeks started to hurt from smiling. It felt cruel to be throwing dirt on my boyfriend’s name one minute and the next loving on him.
‘Well… I love you too. I got to go I’ll see you when I get home.’ I could tell he was grinning too.
‘Bye hon, love you.’ Before Bradley could say his goodbye I quickly spoke again. ‘I’m also sorry I was shit-talking you earlier.’
‘What!’
‘Love you’ I hung up the phone realizing the other girls were still sitting with me.
‘Wow, I can’t believe your boyfriend was the only one that called you back.’ Jane through her arm over Zoe’s shoulder accepting their loss.
PAIRING: Eddie Munson x Reader (pretty gender neutral i believe but if you catch anything LMK)
Summary : Eddie has his sights on Chrissy Cunningham, and who can blame him?
Warnings: slight mention of ED, Eddie being a jerk to reader? Idk Based loosely on the song Mirrorball by T swift. I was listening to it when I wrote this.
It was hard to watch his eyes flutter to her table every time her joyous laugh rung through the small cafeteria. I’m not sure exactly when it began, when his happy, dopey gazes with the hellfire club became longing ones for the petite blonde that sat across the room. I couldn’t blame him though, this is Chrissy we were talking about, the princess of Hawkins high. She had everyone wrapped around her perfectly manicured nails, breaking them down slowly with her sweet smile and kind eyes.
I didn’t hate Chrissy.
I couldn’t, ever.
Chrissy and I had grown up together, living just across the street from each other. I sat in her living room, whilst her and her mother were in the kitchen. While her parent figure in her life degraded her appearance, tearing her down slowly.
Our friendship had ended abruptly when we entered high school. Chrissy’s mother had pressured the young girl to try out for the cheer team, and after that the friendship dwindle too practically nothing. To a friendly wave if we happened to pass in the halls, but not of course without a sneer from her football playing boyfriend Jason.
Because of course, freaks don’t mix well with the popular crowd.
Yet the longing gazes from our dungeon master continues.
The fixation begun to sneak into the clubs’ campaigns as the months continued too past. He’d come into 10 to 20 minutes late, a small smile on his face and the traces of old weed and her perfume rolling off him.
That smell made my chest hurt.
And here we are, yet again, waiting for the curly hair DM to arrive, while I set up our campaign. A soft sigh left my lips, the sound filling the small and quiet room. Then, there was a click, followed by a booming voice. “Hello, my little black sheep!” his voice echoed, walking through the room with a small pep in his step. He ruffled Dustin’s hair, much to the small boy complaint, before taking a plop beside me in his throne.
Weed and vanilla perfume.
My chest begun to constrict.
He wore a lazy smile as he spoke with the hellfire club, taking in all the information the excited boys had for the next campaign. That was until, Lucas spoke up about his next game coming up, and how he’d really appreciate if they could try to make this one, as it was the last game of the season before nationals. And of course, the curly black-haired man scoffed at this.
“You can’t just skip hellfire to throw some stupid balls into a laundry basket” Eddie laughed, which made a soft scoff escape past my lips. I prayed that it was soft enough to not draw attention to myself but based off the glare Eddie was sending my way, I know my prayer was not heard. “Got something to say, sweetheart?” He hissed, trying to present himself as threatening. I shook my head, which caused a small tick to escape from him, before he relentlessly encouraged me to speak my mind. A soft sigh left my lips, before I begun to explain myself.
“I just think its unfair, eds” I spoke softly, “we sit here every day, waiting for the guy who controls our campaigns to show up. You expect us to waste our time and wait for you hand and foot, and you give Lucas a hard time by him just because of this other activity he does, let alone support him in his athletic career.”
“Sounds like you’re a bit jealous, Y/N” he spoke, “No eddie, I-“ I begun to say, but he cut me short, with the raise of a ringed hand, and sharp nod. “If you don’t like what my rules are for Hellfire club, your more then welcome to leave it”.
And that’s when my chest collapsed.
I took in a sharp breath, while Mike and Dustin began to talk over Eddie. He begun to yell at them, as my chair scraped out from beneath me. Eddies brown eyes gazed up at me, the slight recognition of what he had just said changing his face in the slightest. Reaching into the front pocket of my ripped black jeans, placing a red and black marbled swirled D20 in front of him. His eyes flickered from my face, to the dice I placed before him, before back up at me.
Summary: with chrissy now off to college with her boyfriend, jason, eddie turns to you and wants to begin a relationship, making you feel a certain way about being his second choice.
Warnings: angsty angst, second choice, eddie being dumb, confrontation, crying, steve being the best mom friend
Request?: No
Word Count: 2.2k
A/N: i got the most amazing request to do like a little women type of thing between chrissy, eddie, and chrissy’s sister inspired by the jo, laurie, and amy relationship and i thought it was absolutely brilliant, so here it is! also i’ve aged chrissy up to about 19 and reader is 18, while eddie is 20 :) enjoy! -sava
part one | part two | part three
One week.
One week has passed by since you’ve seen your best friend. The man you’ve been used to sharing stories with during spontaneous sleepovers in his stain-filled bed and falling asleep on his shoulder during your movie nights. One week since that same man crushed your spirits, stomping and pulverizing them in front of you. No calls, no visits, just the empty house you’ve known since your parents brought you home from the Hawkins hospital.
Your parents decided to extend their trip a bit with Chrissy overpacking and needing some more help getting adjusted to living on her own for just a little longer. You weren’t complaining, as with the circumstances that left you being alone overnight for the first time ever made you well adjusted. Plus, you felt as if you needed some more time to wrap your head around everything, and your parents finally coming home won’t help the headspace you needed to avoid. The comparisons would start the minute they walk in the door and the absence of Chrissy settled in.
As much as you loved your sister, it hurt to be constantly in her shadow. She was your parents favorite child, star athlete thanks to being captain of the cheer squad, and now going on to do great things at a great university, while you weren’t sure what it was you wanted to do with your life yet. You loved running the paper and being in debate club, but you weren’t sure if those would still stick with you once you walked the stage of the Hawkins High auditorium. That was what you admired most about Eddie, his determination and drive towards his ultimate goal.
He knew he was going to be a big rock star since he was in middle school, he would remind you and Chrissy of that any chance he got. He wand his band were going to take off any minute now, soar the charts and become overnight sensations, selling out a world tour and headlining every venue and music festival. You vowed the moment you became his best friend you’d be by his side and support him during his entire journey. Now, you weren’t sure that was still a possibility.
Being second best to Chrissy was something you had grown used to, but never did you think it would happen with Eddie. You had accepted the fact that a romantic relationship was never in the cards for the two of you, opting to stay happy and content with a friendship that couldn’t be broken by anything, at least, that’s how it used to be. But then he tried to kiss you and settle for you, as if it was just some thing that needed to happen now that she was off to college and out of Hawkins for good, settling for the crumbs that were leftover from the delicious Thanksgiving dinner. And it hurt.
It fucking hurt.
On top of everything, you felt as if you had no one to really go to about this. Only a few people knew about your crush on Eddie, and you had no desire to spill your guts about your dilemma at the moment. In most stressful situations you encountered, Chrissy was always the person you’d go to. Being your big sister, she always knew exactly what to say to get you to think clearly or point you in the right direction. But with this situation involving her directly, and her off at college living her new life, it wasn’t an option. So here you were, left to your own devices, a week of thinking and stressing about the future between you and Eddie, platonic or not.
You park the car in front of Family Video and make your way towards the entrance. The allotted time for the videos you rented to your movie night with Eddie was up, and maybe seeing your friends would cheer you up a bit. Steve and Robin always knew what to say to get your spirits high, or even higher if you just wanted to hang.
“Welcome to Family Video how may I-oh! Hey Y/N,” Steve greets you, his smile stretching from ear to ear. You return his smile, your lips tight and teeth remaining behind the barrier of your mouth as you approach the counter. You place the tapes in front of Steve and tap your nails against the surface.
“Just here to return those,” you say simply.
“How’d you and Munson like them? I’ve been meaning to check out this specifically,” Steve asks, picking up the tape that had just began to play when everything went down between you and Eddie. You look down at your hands, trying to avoid eye contact with the man known as ‘the hair’.
“We, uh…we didn’t finish that one. Some stuff came up,” you let out lightly. You sigh to yourself as the silence around you and Steve begins to thicken. You hear the gears and ringing of the cash register as you continue to look away, all around the video store.
“Do you want to talk about it?” He asks you. You knew Steve had grown into quite the understanding person within recent years, finally growing out of the asshole popular kid who only cared about reputations and looks. You knew it had something to do with the kids he looked after, the kids you had grown closer to since they became friends with Eddie last year through Hellfire. You always appreciated his advice, but you were still in a funk about the entire thing, not in the mood for talking much.
“Nope, just need a distraction. Any new movies come in since last week?” You deflect.
“Unfortunately no, but I know you said you wanted to finally check out the Star Wars trilogy, and the person who had Return of the Jedi just returned it, so I saved all three movies for you,” He tells you, reaching beneath him and pulling the three tapes onto the counter. You gasp and jump a bit, excitement surging through your body for the first time in a week. You were so thrilled that you didn’t hear the bell to the door chime, alerting everyone that someone new had arrived.
“Steve! You shouldn’t have. This is going to be amazing,” you exclaim, beating your fists in excitement against the counter.
“What’s going to be amazing?”
Suddenly, you felt your blood turn cold and shivers run up your spine at the sound of that familiar voice. You turn slowly to see the frizzy curls that you to fill you with as much excitement as just felt with getting to watch Star Wars. All happiness that you were temporarily experiencing was gone, taken away by the sheer sound of his voice.
“Uh, Y/N is going to finally watch the Star Wars movies, that’s all,” Steve says, trying to break the tension in the room.
“That’s great,” Eddie says, faking enthusiasm. You hear his heavy footsteps walk around the other side of the counter and off to the horror section. You let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding in, shifting your attention back to Steve. His features soften at the sudden change in your demeanor.
“Y/N, are you sure you’re ok-“
“Just ring me up, Steve. Please?” You mumble out. He simply nods and begins to process of ringing you out. You keep your head low, but every so often you watch Eddie walk about the store. You had no idea what was going on in his head, but his lack of reaching out to you made your heart sink. Did he not realize what he had done to you? Or did he just not care?
“Alright, Y/N, you’re all checked out,” Steve tell you as he passes you the tapes. He gives you a soft smile and you just look at him as you grab the tapes.
“Thanks Steve. See ya later,” you tell him quickly, before running out the door and towards your car. You’re quick to open the driver’s side door and jump inside, tossing the tapes gently on the dash. You jump out of your skin when you see the passenger door flip open, but quickly calm yourself when you see Eddie jumping in and slamming the door shut.
“Get out of my car Eddie.”
“No, not until we talk,” he tells you, his body facing you and eyes boring into you. You know you have to be strong and talk things out with him. He’s been part of your life for so many years, but he also broke your heart when he called you by your sister’s name, essentially settling for you while still thinking about her.
“Spit it out then,” you say coldly. Your keep your eyes ahead of you looking out towards the hood of your car. You hear him sigh and the clanking of his chains as he shifts around a bit.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” he begins, letting out a sigh. “I know you probably hate me for what happened last week, and I’m sorry for the way things went down. I shouldn’t have had that much to drink and I shouldn’t have put your feelings on the line,” he tells you. His voice was soft and you felt as though it was sincere. You turn to him and look at his big, round, brown eyes, the ones that always left you in a puddle on the floor.
“I could never hate you, Eddie,” you tell him simply. You watch the serious look on his face creep into a smile, his eyes gleaming at your words.
“Really? Good, because I was thinking-“
“I’m not done,” you tell him, holding your hand out to try to stop him. “Just because I don’t hate you, doesn’t mean I don’t hate what you did. Eddie…you really hurt me. The feelings I had for you, they were real and strong and clouded all my judgement most of the time. I thought I could handle you having a crush on my sister and pushing my own feelings aside in order to be your friend-your best friend. But when you said what you said last week, it broke me in ways I can barely fathom into coherent words. You called me Chrissy for crying out loud Eds,” you explain to him. You watch him nod and look to your floorboard, the look of shame and guilt you hadn’t seen much from him seeping into his features.
“Had?” He asks, quirking a brow at you.
“I’m sorry?” You question, confusion smeared across your face.
“You said the feelings you had for me. Do you not think of me that way anymore?” He asks, turning his body towards you once more and looking back into your eyes. You let out a soft sigh and shake your head.
“I don’t know. I’ve been in pain for a week and it’s given me a lot of time to think about the situation, how it all went down, and so many outcomes from how we can go on from this,” you tell him. You feel your eyes prick with tears and you swallow down a sob, the raw emotions coming from this conversation really hitting you. “I don’t think I can continue loving someone who doesn’t truly love me the way that I love them. Hell, I’m not even sure I can move past it and be friends.”
You watched Eddie’s face fall at your words, his eyes full of sadness and his jaw hanging open. He grabs your hands and holds them in his own.
“Y/N, please. I-I can’t lose you, I need you. Please just listen to me-“ he begins to say, but you’re quick to cut him off.
“Eddie, I’m sorry I can’t. Not right now. A-and I’m not sure when. But I do know I need you to get out of my car because I can’t take this anymore right now,” you explain, letting the tears race down your cheeks as you choke out the words to him. You’re breaking your own heart at this point, but it might be better this way.
Right?
“Y/N, please-“ he chokes out, tears of his own welling in his eyes.
“Eddie, please let me go.”
He slowly lets go of your hands and sits in the passenger seat for a moment, his head hung in defeat. You turn to look out the driver window, trying to muffle your sobs by putting your hands over your mouth and choking them back more. The passenger door opens once again and you feel the movement spread throughout the car, and the door closes softly. You watch as Eddie walks around to your side and hops in his van that was parked in the space beside you, starting his engine and speeding off down the road, not caring if he’d get pulled over or crash the damn thing.
You finally move your hands away from your mouth a grip your steering wheel as you let the cries escape the barrier that is your lips. Resting your forehead against the wheel, your whole body shakes as you let your true feelings out, screaming and tears streaming down your cheeks. No one ever said heartbreak was easy. Maybe it would for the best that Eddie wouldn’t be in your life anymore. Or maybe it wouldn’t.
i hope y’all enjoyed! comments, likes, and reblogs are greatly appreciated!
prompt: when Eddie confesses he wants to ask Chrissy Cunningham to prom, you start coughing out flower petals.
pairing: Eddie Munson x female!reader
show: stranger things
besties, be proud of me! i wrote this in second person!! so this is a "you did X Y Z" narration, instead of "I did X Y Z" narration. is it stupid to be proud? probably a little - but i'm feeling good about this. maybe i'll even graduate to using "y/n" next.
word count: 8.6k [got a bit carried away]
warnings: Hanahaki Disease ([Japanese folklore] fictional disease where the victim coughs up flower petals when suffering from one-sided love), cursing, angst, seemingly unrequited love, but things work out!
✅ no spoilers
🔪 please note there are a thousand ways to write Hanahaki Disease, and this is just my variation. yes, i did research, and yes, i tired my best.
Like every other Friday night, you hitched a ride back to his trailer with Eddie as you had nowhere else to be. Well, probably wasn't true, you were a social butterfly with plenty of prospective friends to hang out with, but your favorite place was always with Eddie.
He was home, he was safety, he was warmth, he was what you needed after either a really bad, or even a really good day.
Eddie had this superpower where he could either turn your bad mood around or he could increase your happiness tenfold. He was next to never upset or angry or frustrated, he was content to vibe in a constant state of "chill".
Your feelings for him might've started around your sophomore year, when he decked Jason Carver in the jaw for making you uncomfortable. Even to this day - it was one of the only times you've seen him angry, and the fact that it was because Jason was flirting with you made your heart lift. It spurred the hate between the two boys, but only solidified your everlasting friendship with Eddie. Yet, you buried these feelings out of fear of rejection, and change - you didn't want things to change.
You liked things where they were.
But it was getting harder to pretend you didn't like your best friend. As if everything he did didn't make you feel silly, stupid, and giddy all at once.
As if those wide, brown, doe eyes didn't make you melt, yet simultaneously make you feel stronger than before. A single look from him could give you enough confidence for a week.
As if his antics, pet names, hand holds, late night cuddle sessions when you were feeling lonely didn't put your stomach in knots but send you heart up to the sky, like if was filled with helium.
However, you were content because you never wanted to lose him. So, you'd suffer through whatever this was if it meant he stayed close. Despite the heaviness in your chest, you continued to pretend nothing was wrong because if Eddie pick up on it, he would surely hound you until you confessed - something you couldn't handle.
So, you curled up beside him in his bed with your head leaning on his shoulder as his hands distracted themselves with fiddling with the strings on his acoustic guitar while you nursed the joint between your lips. You were content to simply exist with him; be in his presence and listen to his musical skills. Occasionally, you hand would raise the joint to his lips, allowing him to take his own hit and for the peacefulness to prolong.
Things were good - like they've been for the past few years of being "best friends". I mean, yeah, you knew Eddie before the "Jason incident", but you were just a Freshman that only knew the town's Freak from a distance. You had two classes together. Often saw him at lunch. Sometimes gave him notes if he missed class. And since that day that he protected you from Jason's creepy moves, you've been thicker than thieves.
Things were quiet outside of the occasional crackling of the joint's end, and his lazy strumming; things were peaceful; things were good.
Until Eddie sighed and leaned back to the wall behind you both, interrupting the simple thoughts in your head.
"What's up?" You asked quietly, turning to ash the joint in the plastic tray on his bedside table. "Huffin' pretty loud over there, pretty boy."
"It's stupid," he chuckled, focusing on the strings beneath his fingertips again. "Don't even think about it."
"I doubt it's nothing," you countered. "C'mon, you tell me any and everything."
"I, uh... I don't know how to tell you this thing, though..."
Now you were curious, "You kill someone?"
"What? No! God!"
"Gotta hide a body?"
"Not this weekend."
Nodding, you asked, "You fuck my mom?"
"Not yet, but can't say it's not on my to-do list," he teased lightly.
"Then I don't know what scenario there could be that you're too scared to tell me," you chuckled, smoking wafting in the air between you, lingering from the lack of circulation. "C'mon, cutie, what's up with you? You don't usually hold back.
He sighed, the strings plucking harshly as he his head flopped back now. "It's just... Have you given any thought to prom?"
"Prom?" You repeated with a small laugh. "Not entirely, I don't know. Why? Thinking of crashing it?"
But he was silent, which made you a little nervous. You sat up and turned to face him more, your criss-crossed legs resulting in one knee pressing to his thigh. He looked like he wanted so say something, but a subtle shake from his head assured me that he changed his mind.
"Are you going?" he asked softly instead.
"Um, nobody's asked so I don't know. I'd like to, maybe," you tried to joke. "Why? You offering?"
He chuckled lowly, "Uh, well, I would be, if..."
"If?"
He gulped, "You know Chrissy?"
Of course you knew Chrissy Cunningham, who didn't? You didn't live under a rock, for God's sake. She was the designated 'it girl' of Hawkins, the 'queen' as people dubbed her - a sweet girl who was captain of the cheer squad that had an impeccable smile. Adorable strawberry blonde hair. A petite body, sweet voice, and of course, she'd been Eddie's crush since middle school. Yeah, you knew Chrissy Cunningham.
"Yeah," you breathed, nodding slowly. "What about her?"
"Well, I uh... I was thinking of asking her to prom. You know, before we graduate and get the fuck out of this town... Thought maybe I'd try my hand, you know? See if... See if something could happen."
You swear your ears started ringing because no way you heard him correctly, right? No way he was telling you he was going to ask Chrissy Cunningham to prom - no way. There wasn't any way. After all, the plan since about a year ago was that you would go together pending no other offers. No way the guy you've been in-love with for fucking YEARS was telling you he wanted to ask someone else.
And Eddie didn't know, but about 8 different guys had already asked you but you didn't want to go with them. You wanted Eddie to ask you - you wanted to spend a night of teenage normalcy with your best friend, and maybe get the chance to confess your feelings for him on the dance floor. Maybe you'd dress to match. Maybe he'd even get you a corsage - but Eddie wasn't the type.
So, why was he thinking about asking Chrissy? High school thriving Chrissy? Who was definitely wanted the stereotypical high school experience? Like prom with a pretty dress, lots of laughter, her date giving her a corsage as her mom snapped pictures. She would want all that, right?
You were honestly shocked he wanted to even go due to the idea that anything socially conforming was out of bounds for him. And when you made that pact, it was mostly out of a joke but you had hoped this whole time he was being serious. And he was being serious about prom, but not with you...
"Sweetheart?" Eddie asked softly, his brows now furrowed in concentration. "You okay? You look a little shaky."
Instantly, you nodded. "Yeah, totally, just, um... Just remembered I have this huge essay due Monday, yeah. I should probably get started on it." Eddie's brows now fully crinkled as you jerked your leg away from his when his hand moved to lay on it, turning and instantly finding your belongings scattered around the floor of his bedroom. "Um, yeah, so, as for prom and Chrissy - I think it's cute. You should ask her, she'd be stupid to say no."
Eddie watched you tug your shoes on in haste, sitting up, "Hey, slow down, speed racer, I'll drive you - "
"No, it's cool," you assured swiftly, tugging your jacket on to combat the chill of the spring night. "I need the exercise."
Eddie scoffed, "I'm not letting you walk."
"I don't want a ride, Eddie," your voice took on an uncharacteristic hardened tick. But you couldn't help it, your chest was caving in and lungs burning the longer you stayed there. "I just wanna walk for a bit, clear my head before homework, okay?"
He nodded slowly, "You sure?"
"Positive."
Eddie frowned when your bag was tugged up your shoulder, turning from his room and jumping when he called, "Wait!"
Praying to God he was going to tell you he changed his mind and he wanted to ask you to prom - not Chrissy - you turned to look back to him. But he only pouted, "Don't leave without sayin' goodbye, doll, c'mere."
Fearing the wet sensation coating your throat, you just backed up to the door, "You'll see me later, Eds. I've gotta go."
"Call me when you get home?" He asked, standing from his bed when you pulled his bedroom door open and moved out into the rest of his trailer. "Hey, doll, what's the rush?" Eddie called, jogging a couple steps to follow after you.
"Just gotta go, Eds," you couldn't face him. But something tickled your throat and nose, prompting you to ask, "Um, do you have any tissues?"
He nodded, watching you pause by the front door before turning for the bathroom. A moment later, he returned with a box and handed it over, "Take it. I'm sure your allergies are acting up."
You nodded, "Thanks."
"Wait - "
But you were out the door and surging down the steps of his 'porch', turning on the gravel and making for the main road. Eddie watched you go from his front door, worrying over whatever he'd said but after wracking his mind, he couldn't understand. He didn't need to know your chest was so painful, you debated if you were having a heart attack at 18; making you desperate to get away from him if it meant the pain would lessen.
You cried the whole walk home. The 8-minute car ride was actually a 41 minute walk due to the tightness in your chest, the tissue box tight in your hand as your lungs started to itch, burn, constrict themselves.
The coughing started that night. The entire walk, you used tissue after tissue to cough into and would ignore the flecks of color present against the soft white, shoving them down into your bag.
When you arrived home, the house was, as usual, empty. Steve Harrington used to hang out a lot with you due to how often both of your parents are out of town but once he started dating Nancy Wheeler, all visits stopped. Granted they were broken up now, he still didn't come back, and you were forced to get used to the loneliness. It left room for Eddie to slide into his place, often coming over to keep you company as being home alone for so long often made you nervous.
Eddie hated you feeling nervous, so, he had a couple of shirts and pants at your house for him to change into when he stayed the night. Now that he was going to make a move on Chrissy Cunningham, it made you think there wouldn't ever be other sleepovers. You worried he would never come back to your home, and an ice pick was conjured to stab through my heart.
In your room, you tossed your bag to your bed and groaned when it bounced off and spilled the contents over the floor. Shaking your head, you coughed a couple more times and got ready for bed; but soon, the coughing turned violent.
Kneeling over, your throat burned with tight pain as your chest felt too tight with pressing tension. The heaviness was back, sitting right on your sternum and causing a twisting discomfort when you hurled into the toilet bowl. However, when your eyes opened, they were staring straight into clear water that was peppered with tiny little florals with swirls of bright red blood.
Panting in shock, confusion inked into your mind as you stood shakily to your feet and rushed for your bag again, pushing through the belongings to find the used tissues. Panic swelled in your chest when the tissues found, too, were coated in petals and blood.
"What?" you whispered to yourself, fear taking over. However, instead of doing the rational thing, like go to the hospital, you just threw the tissues away, flushed the rest, and curled up in bed out of exhaustion and draining adrenaline. Sobs wracked your lungs, making your body convulse and for the coughing to get worse.
You didn't move all weekend. You couldn't, for the pain was too great in your heart, mind, and body. Even when the phone rang multiple times through those two days, you couldn't care enough to get out of bed and answer it to see whatever was wanted from you. When the next Monday came around, you forced yourself to get in the shower and wake up from the cold water; getting dressed and heading out the front door to spy Eddie's van at the base of your driveway.
You sighed and made sure there were extra tissues in your bag as you made for his passenger door. When you hopped in, you were greeted with a glare.
"How was the essay?" he grits.
"Fine," you sighed, knowing it was a lie to make your swift escape, and leaned your arm on the door to prop your head up and stare out the window.
"Mhm. Thanks for letting me know you got home safe," he snipped. "Not like I was driving around at 1 am to make sure you weren't dead in a ditch somewhere."
You nodded slowly, "I forgot, I-I'm sorry."
"You forgot?" he repeated before scoffing. But when he glanced over and noted the heavy bags under your distant (watery) eyes, he frowned, "Hey? Y-You okay?"
"Mhm."
"Your nose is bleeding."
"Shit," you hissed, reaching for a tissue, and trying to mop up the blood from under both nostrils. "It's nothing," you tried to explain, sniffling a few times, and noting how sharp the action made your chest. Like something was stabbing through you, perhaps that ice pick again.
He shook his head, leering, "Suuuuure, mhm, okay." But when you didn't respond for another 3 minutes, he was annoyingly asking, "The hell's up with you?"
"Nothing, Eddie."
"Bullshit! You haven't looked at me once, didn't even greet me when you got in, and now you're sitting there, silent as the grave."
You only shrugged, not knowing how to put it in words, "Just tired, Eddie."
"Bullshit," he sighed. "But fine, if you don't want to talk, that's whatever. Just continue ignoring me, I guess."
Your eyes shut as you sighed, whispering, "I'm sorry."
"Why? What'd you do?"
Only shrugging, your head shook, and you sat up when you two made it to school. The moment the car stopped - not even in park - you were opening the passenger door and hopping out. You waited a moment as Eddie got out, too, and just as his arm lifted to wrap around your shoulders to lead you into school, his attention was caught by someone else.
"Oh, there's Chrissy," he smiled, seeing the pretty cheerleader at her car. "Should I do it now?"
Gulping, you shrugged, "Do whatever makes you happy, Eds."
Eddie didn't understand what he did wrong to deserve your cold shoulder but figured he could talk to you later before making a beeline for Chrissy while you made for the front of the school. You ignored peers around you as you stuffed books and such into your locker, wheezing into a tissue when coughing took over.
A few other students paused to look at you with concern; you hand slamming to a closed locker as you couldn't draw breath in. The pain was suffocating, and the coughing made you nearly double over.
Robin paused at the sight, making her way over to you and just before she could ask if you were okay, she was gasping lightly. Looking up, you saw what caught her attention to spy Eddie Munson entering school with Chrissy Cunningham daintily hanging off his arm. Jason's glare was most prominent, but your best friend’s was much, much fiercer and you? You had to look away because the ice pick was now hacking at your heart; palpitations making your chest throb with white-hot, blue warmth.
"Oh, no," Robin paused, glancing at you to see tears already in your eyes as your hands shook. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry - "
"Why?" You sniffled, shaking your head. "Doesn't matter, they look happy, right?"
"You don't," she whispered.
"Doesn't matter," you repeated. "I'll see you later, Rob."
She frowned as you charged away, watching you go as Eddie and Chrissy came to a halt beside her. "She say what was wrong with her?" Eddie asked the girl softly.
"No," Robin grit her teeth, offering him a stale up and down look. Though, she was slightly impressed Eddie bagged the popular cheerleader, she knew of your feelings for the metalhead, and huffed through her nose before taking off down the hall after you.
"Is everyone mad at me now?" He asked, looking down to the girl he'd successfully asked to prom.
"I'm not," Chrissy chirped with a soft smile.
So, here's the whole thing. Even though you've denied it for years, your friends knew DAMN well how in-love with Eddie you were. Robin had been the only one to really pick up on it a few years ago but kept quiet because of how close you and Eddie were. However, when you sat down for lunch, the Hellfire Club were ready to ask what was wrong when they saw their Dungeon Master enter the cafeteria with Chrissy.
They offered you looks of pity.
Your hands started to shake, and you coughed harshly, bending at the waist to cough into a tissue half under the table. From beside you, Dustin caught a glimpse of pink and red in the tissue as your hand fisted over it and sniffled hotly. "Are you okay?" Gareth asked in concern, his wide eyes looking ready to shed tears. "You're sweating."
"Yeah," you whispered, catching sight of Eddie and Chrissy heading for your table. "Um, I-I forgot I have a test to make up in Spanish, so, I'll see you guys later, okay?" You rushed, picking up your untouched tray of food and shouldered your bag.
Before any of them could protest, you were tossing the tray and racing out of the opposite doors Chrissy and Eddie had come in through. You vaguely heard Eddie calling your name, never turning around, and shoving out of the doors.
You gasped when the fresh air hit you, not caring that you lied about some test and now headed down for the field. You didn't care if someone picked up on your lie. You didn't care about anything other than the crushing feeling in your chest; the way your lungs felt deflated, and how your throat was consistently wet from blood.
Robin had seen your abrupt departure and left Nancy Wheeler's side to follow you. When she found you under the bleachers, coughing and throwing up with tears down your cheeks, she knew something was wrong. Robin crawled under the bleachers, not caring about the trash or debris left, to reach your side and hold your hair back.
"Oh, my God," she wobbled, catching sight of the puddle under you. "W-What the hell is that?"
You panted, a string of blood hanging from your lips before falling to the saliva beneath you. "I-I think... I think something's wrong, Robin."
"No shit!" She hissed. "Let me take you to the nurse - "
"No, it's fine," you insisted, using another tissue to wipe at the blood under your nose. "I uh... I think I know what's going on."
"What?"
"We'll need to go to the library first," you nodded before shaking your head. "No, never mind, y-you should go back to class."
"Nope," she insisted. "I'll go to the library with you. Want me to call Steve? Get us a ride?"
You sniffled and nodded, tugging your bent knees into your chest as she nodded and begged you to stay put before dashing for the outside payphone. She felt anger as her eyes cast through the glass windows of the cafeteria, catching sight of Chrissy and Eddie laughing away with the rest of the Hellfire Club. Her fingers roughly punched in Steve's number and insisted he come pick you and her up. "Right fucking now, dingus!"
About 15 minutes later, Eddie had glanced out of the windows and caught the distance sight of Robin holding you in her arms and walking you (slowly) to Steve Harrington's trademark BMW.
His brows furrowed in confusion and concern before Chrissy's sweet voice was distracting him. In fact, he might've let himself get swept up in the sweetness of Chrissy - that he forgot you. The girl he's wanted since middle school was finally in his grasp but in order to do that, he had to let you go - resulting in cherry blossoms to sprout in your lungs.
The moment he made up his mind about Chrissy was the moment your fate was sealed. And after a trip to the library with Steve and Robin, you had your answer as to what was going on. It didn't make sense, but you understood there were three options for you at this point.
Option One: die. Literally, that was it. Let this disease kill you.
Okay, then Option Two: get Eddie to love you back... And that was seemingly farfetched and way out of asking range.
Third Option was to undergo a surgery, but according to literature, choosing this surgery would save your life but erase Eddie Munson from your memory. It was the only way to stop the pain besides dying from it or make someone to fall in love with you.
But that wasn't real love, was it?
So, you checked the book out and Steve drove you home.
You thought you could handle things, after all, the book said it could be manageable. So, you soldiered on and played everything off the next Monday as if you had some head cold making you a bit off, and not literal florals blooming in your fucking lungs.
Eddie didn't question it because he was too excited to tell you that Chrissy had said yes. She said yes - to him! To prom! And she was going to wear red, his favorite color. He was so shocked, it made you want to weep a little because Eddie Munson seemed to be the only one (minus Jason Carver) to not understand how amazing Eddie Munson truly was...
Well, maybe the rest of the school body didn't understand either, but that was beside the point. Eddie was always too hard on himself and hearing how shocked and happy he was that Chrissy said yes, just made you honestly sad. He didn't even know how loved he was, making the self-deprivation very real. It was once upon time ago that your job was help him out of those ruts, but now it would be Chrissy's responsibility.
You knew if he was yours, you wouldn't let a single day go by where he thought he was inadequate. But he wasn't yours, and now that he had Chrissy, you knew he never would be.
Your throat swelled and more petals were coughed into a tissue in your hand when you realized that you'd bought a prom dress (in case Eddie did ask you) about a month ago, and it, too, was red. Yet, he was going to match Chrissy and you'd wasted $150 on a pretty, silk dress... And new heels because your mother insisted you feel (and look) like a princess.
You tried to be excited and happy for him, but it was hard to when Eddie was enraptured with Chrissy. You coughed more in that week than when you had that terrible flu 2 years ago.
When that Friday rolled around, you were heading for his van (like usual), only to find him and Chrissy waiting on you.
"Hey," you greeted cautiously, smiling at the pretty girl you never really had a full conversation with.
"Hey," Eddie smiled - and you noted the lack of pet names. "Uh, you ready?"
"Um, yeah," you cleared your throat, glancing at Chrissy again.
He understood your nonverbal question. "I'm thinking I'll drop you off at home first. Cool?" Eddie offered, looking at you as his arm snaked around Chris' waist.
Confusion warped into your voice, "Um, i-it's Friday?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
"I-I thought we hung out on Fridays? Like, every Friday?"
Eddie's other hand rose to rub the back of his neck, "Well, yeah, usually, but I'm taking Chrissy out on a date, so, I'll have to drop you off first."
"Oh," your eyes widened, and you felt so fucking stupid in that moment. "Shit, okay, my bad," you backed away, "I can get another ride, it's no big deal. Have fun on your date!"
"Hey, no, don't be ridiculous," Eddie shook his head, taking a tentative step forward as if he was nervous to leave Chrissy's side and approach you. "I take you home every day, c'mon. It's nothing, get in the van. I always take you home."
But you felt sick over the petty idea of sitting in the back while Chrissy took your seat in Eddie's car... Your place in Eddie's life.
Your head shook and a half-smile was forced over your lips. "No, it's seriously okay. You guys should go, it's cool. Have fun, okay?"
Eddie frowned, "I'll call you later tonight, okay?"
"Sure," you whispered, turning finally, and hustling your steps back for the school. Your hand balled in a fist to catch the splatter of blood and petals that shot out of your mouth, trying to shake the sick off so nobody would notice.
Light pink petals danced to the pavement behind you, and your heart plummeted with it as Eddie's van tires squealed when he peeled out of the carpark.
Robin was still at school and agreed to give you a ride home with Steve and Dustin Henderson; the two sharing looks of concern for you the entire drive. They kept asking if they could do anything, but the truth was, they could see the life slowly draining from you, and knew they couldn't do anything.
You didn't answer Eddie's call that night. You didn't let him drive you to school, either, since he'd been busy with Chris that all your conversations now revolved around the girl. This didn't mean he didn't come pick you up, but you usually always opted for the bus to "catch up on reading." You didn't hang out on Fridays either, because it was "date night with Chrissy", and you didn't sit at the Hellfire Club table at lunch.
It went on like this for another three weeks. Eddie replaced you with Chrissy, and she was everywhere you looked. You stopped going to lunch all together in an effort to save yourself from the sight of Eddie's arm around the pretty, popular cheerleader; instead, coughing out cherry blossoms under the bleachers and then forcing a smile on your lips like nothing happened.
The time you did spend together (a minuscule amount of time in comparison), Eddie would fill the space between you with chatter about how amazing Chrissy was - unaware of the pain he was causing you.
Unaware that every word strangled breath from you.
Unaware that you often held your breath to save you from the pain; to save you from bursting into tears; to save you from yelling at your best friend that you didn't care he finally bagged his crush.
Eddie was going mad, however. He didn't understand your distance, but he also didn't do anything to rectify. He just figured you were going through something, and you'd show up at his trailer soon; tears down your cheeks as his arms open to welcome you.
He started to count the day since he last touched you. Eddie began to feel as if maybe he'd done the right thing by choosing Chrissy due to how far you pulled away from him. He's loved you for years but never admitted or confronted the feelings; so, he convinced himself to let you go in pursuit of Chrissy. So, to save himself from rejection of the most important person in his life, he thought it was a "safer rejection" by asking Chrissy.
He was just shocked she accepted, though he had a sneaking suspicion it was just to piss Jason off. Eddie didn't mind being her distraction because Chrissy was his distraction from you.
When the week of prom rolled around, you couldn't get out of bed because you were in excruciating pain in your heart and mind. Your mother had left on another business trip and only left a stack of cash for "emergencies", telling you she loved you, and never noticing your overflowing waste bin of bloody tissues. So, when Eddie rolled up that Monday, he was confused when you didn't come outside for a few minutes. He beeped, waited longer, beeped again - louder and longer - before confusion troubled his heart.
He knew you were upset and distant, he knew you "liked" riding the bus now; but he also knew you weren't out of your house, yet. He planned it because he wanted to ensure you drove to school together - like usual.
Eddie got out of his van and approached your door, knocking repeatedly but never receiving an answer.
When he got to school, Chrissy told him to call your house and check on you - standing with him, as all he did was listen to the dial tone of a connecting call. You never answered.
At lunch, Eddie found Robin and asked her if she spoke to you at all this past weekend. She glared, "What? You didn't?"
"No," Eddie admitted, "I-I was with Chrissy the whole - "
Robin's eyes rolled and she stood abruptly, making Eddie take a step back. "Forgive me while I go vomit," Robin deadpanned, casting a single glare over his shoulder to the strawberry blonde before pushing past them both.
Eddie asked Hellfire what he'd done - but none of them had an answer. "She's not been looking well," Dustin mentioned. "Keeps coughing out blood."
"What?" Eddie asked, rigid with fear.
Dustin nodded slowly, "I don't think she knows I know, but Steve gave her a ride with us, and her tissues are all bloody."
"She's coughing out blood?" Gareth asked sadly, Dustin nodding. "That's not good, we should get her to a hospital."
"She won't go," Dustin frowned. "I heard Robin trying to convince her, but she keeps saying she's fine."
"She's not fine," Eddie growled.
"Obviously," Lucas rolled his eyes. "She's also not sat with us for weeks."
"She's been avoiding everyone," Jeff added sadly.
"Wonder why," Lucas sneered, casting a glare at his Dungeon Master.
"Am I supposed to know what you're insinuating, Sinclair?" Eddie snipped.
"Aren't you her best friend? Shouldn't you know that she's sick - instead of hearing it from Dustin?"
Eddie shrugged, "So, what? I haven't been able to track her every move. I've been busy - "
"With Chrissy," Dustin and Lucas chimed together; Lucas rolling his eyes before stabbing a green bean forcefully.
"We know," the Freshman 'all-star' basketball player rolled his eyes, pushing his tray away and glaring to the tabletop.
"What did I do?" Eddie asked, looking to his comrades with earnest confusion.
None of them answered because nobody knew what was really wrong. All your friends (including outside of Hellfire) felt concern fester because you were never forthcoming with problems. You never asked for help - it was something observed by others before they're offering you a hand. So, if you were going through something, they knew you'd handle it alone until you couldn't anymore and would confide in him.
Eddie grew increasingly frustrated as time went. For you, time was slower than ever, and you were forced to live through each painful retch and convulsion of your muscles. You laid in bed; a blood projectile splattered across your sheets; dotted with pretty petals.
The night of prom rolled around, and you were knelt in front of your toilet. It had gotten worse; Dustin phoning you every day to update you on school and unconsciously complaining about how much time Eddie and Chrissy were spending - causing a riff in the group. You tried to assure the Freshman that it was a new and exciting relationship for them both, but Dustin voiced his concerns after spying Chrissy speaking with her ex, Jason Carver.
The vomiting got worse after Dusty's phone call. Acid burned your nose and your throat wept for relief; finding only more pain as the toilet bowl before you decorated with not just your blood, but actual buds of flowers. You knew naturally that cherry blossoms didn't have thorns, but there, before you, were floating pieces of your flesh that was cut from the sharp floral.
You sobbed the whole night. Your chest was ready to cave in and the vomiting, nor pain, wouldn't stop. You wondered if this was how it ended for you - alone, on prom night, coughing out blood while the rest of the town got their romantic night.
Fuckers, you thought bitterly.
But then - the weirdest fucking thing happened. Amid vomiting more buds and thorns, your chest started to feel a little clearer and you could cough the rattling wetness from your lungs. There was just slight relief, but enough for you to draw in harsh breaths. You panted and spat out another bloom, trying to ignore how oddly poetically beautiful this was - to die by a fucking flower strangling me. Your body was thinner in the weeks since your turmoil started, throat too raw to pass any food as your lungs were stuffed with petals. It made living harder.
It made getting out of bed physically impossible.
It made your feet numb.
Your chest aches.
Your head to throb.
And your stomach to knot itself.
Sweat pooled over your brow and your hand rose to wipe at your nose, smearing blood over your cheeks. More vomiting. More pain. More petals and blooms and thorns and blood.
It felt like it'd never end but that was the most justice you had - that this would kill you because you couldn't let go of the love you had for Edward Munson. Love that would last a lifetime - or until it killed you.
Seemed like a fate closer than graduation.
You were startled when knuckles began rapping on your window as another violent purge overtook you. Shaking and sobbing, you ignored whoever had climbed up to your window because you were so focused on keeping your hair back as you purged.
The rapping turned into full-on pounding; the glass pane shaking.
The blossoms were bigger now. Thicker. Small, wee little stems on them that only added to your pain. Petals were left behind on your tongue and cheeks; throat bleeding into your stomach from the way thorns shredded it up and down.
"Hey, hey, hey, sweetheart," you recognized Eddie's voice over the sounds of your retching. "Shit, you're okay, I got you," he assured quietly, taking your hair in his hands to hold back as another wave racked through your body. "You're okay, let it out," he soothed, sitting on the lip of the bathtub, and rubbing your back.
You sniffled and spat the remaining petals in your mouth, using your arms to cover the toilet bowl and block his sight. "W-What're you doing here?" You asked through a thick tongue.
"Your window was open, I let myself in." He reached out for the toilet paper and pulled a bit off, gingerly reaching up and wiping the blood from my lips. "A-Are these petals?" He asked in shock, looking at the toilet tissue.
"Why're you here, Eddie?" You asked again, turning to close the toilet lid and rest your head on it. The cool porcelain felt nice on your feverish skin.
"Where else would I want to be?"
You scoffed, "Just fuck off back to Chrissy, I know that's where you'd want be."
It was quiet as sweat dried on your skin and created a new cooling sensation across your tired muscles. "Why're you throwing up blood and petals?"
"Why are you here?" You snapped, lifting your head to glare at him. "If I wanted you around, I would've called."
"Haven't called me in weeks."
"Then maybe I don't want you around. Just go - get out," you grit, turning away from him again. "This is hard enough with you fucking here. Get out."
It was quiet as Eddie didn't move, your chest rattling with every labored breath to make it sound like a wheeze. It caused a new wave of violent coughing, Eddie's eyes widening when you appeared to choke on something in your throat, toilet lid lifted as your fingers crammed in the back of your throat.
From this position, Eddie could make out the blood and blooms floating in the water, flinching when you threw up blood - a sight he'd never wanted to see again. Thorns cut your mouth and lips, making you whimper in sheer pain as your chest was ready to cave in finally. Sweat coated your skin again, and Eddie refused to leave your side. He watched you as your body shook with each retch; how the color of blood stained your lips like expensive make-up.
When you panted and threw yourself back to the wall behind you, Eddie reached out and started to wipe blood from your nose, mouth, chin, and cheeks.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
"Tell you what?" You wheezed.
"That you were sick."
You scoffed, "Would it have mattered? You're too busy with Chrissy."
He shook his head, "We broke up."
Now this - this shocked you. Your brows furrowed, "It's prom night."
"Mhm."
"All you wanted was to go to that stupid fucking dance with her," you pointed out.
He nodded, "I thought so, too. Until we got there, and I realized that I was with the wrong girl... I thought I wanted to be with her, she was unobtainable and has been my crush for years..."
"Guessing the real thing didn't compare with your imagination?" You sneered, rolling your eyes. "Big fucking deal, Eddie - "
"No, no, I uh... I just, we got there, and I wanted it to be you."
Something in your chest twisted.
"That's not funny," your eyes rolled again.
"I'm not joking. I wanted to be with you all night - hell, every day the past few weeks you've been avoiding me. Why? Was it that shitty to see me and Chris together?"
You admitted, "Yes."
"What?"
You chuckled dryly, "It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me."
"Why?"
"Because I love you."
And there it was... "Yeah," You whispered, "love me like a best friend, right - " Only, the words were gargled as you leaned forward and puked violently.
"No, sweetheart," Eddie frowned, holding your hair again. "Shit, this isn't good, baby, we need to get you to a hospital."
"No," You groaned into the bowl.
"Please," he begged, other hand coming to sooth up and down your back. "You're in pain, and - "
"It doesn't matter, Eddie," you coughed again, sticking your tongue out to pick a few petals off. They fell to the water, a sightly morbid beautiful imagine as blood swirled.
"It does matter! To me, it does!"
"Why!?"
"Because - Jesus Christ!" He raged, anger finally morphing over his expression. "I'm in love with you, God damn it!"
Your brows furrowed, bottom lip trembling, "W-What?"
He shook his head, "You really don't know?"
"Know WHAT?" You felt anger swell in your stomach. "That I've spent the past however many years thinking I was only good enough to be your friend, and now you're telling me you're in love with me? What? Did Chrissy stand you up? You need a rebound?"
He sighed, nudging you over an inch to slide down the wall into the space between you and the bathtub. You both stared forward, a light splattering of blood across the pale porcelain you stared at.
"I was the one who left her," he admitted with a sigh. "I just... We got to the first dance, and I just hated myself, because all I wanted - for the last few weeks, too - has been to have you in my arms, again. I've missed you more than anything."
You shook your head, "You've wanted Chrissy - "
"She was a want, doll," he whispered. "But I realized tonight that you're a need. I need you in my life, baby, please believe me. Look, I-I got caught up in the excitement of dating Chrissy, but she knew my heart wasn't 100% in it, and told me it was okay."
"Ch-Chrissy told you to leave?"
"She told me to run to you and not let go when I had you in my arms," he nodded, looking down at me now. "She knew the whole time... I couldn't stand being away from you, not talking to you, so she offered to help distract me until I bucked up the nerve."
"Nerve to what?"
"Ask you to be mine," he smiled softly. "Look, I know, I've had this thing for Chris, and when I finally had her, I just didn't know what to do. But she knew the whole time, and insisted I come find you."
"Oh," you breathed, chest tight for a new reason.
"And I realized I was at the prom with the wrong woman," he nodded, gingerly reaching his hand out to stroke over mine. I sniffled and turned my hand over to lace our fingers together, leaning into his shoulder. "Not seeing you there, I felt worse than ever before. I couldn't admit I was in love with you - I was scared we'd lose this. Our friendship, we'd lose the comfort and protection."
Tears swelled in your eyes as you squeezed them shut; a few tears rolling sadly down your cheeks. "You don't mean that..."
"How can you say that?" He asked incredulously.
"Because you just feel bad," you whimpered. "It's okay, Eddie. I'm okay - you don't have to do this. It doesn't matter - "
"Anything regarding you, to me, definitely matters. Why're you so against this - against us?"
"Because it's not real," you sniffled. "You've been in love with - "
"Please, please, go ask Chrissy yourself," Eddie begged, shaking his head. "She'll tell you - go ask Dustin, Garth, Jeff - anyone, baby. Please. I'm in love with you, and I need you to believe it."
"Why now?"
"Why what?"
"Why tell me now?"
He chuckled, "Because I hoped there was enough time to get here and take the girl of my dreams to prom."
"You don't even like prom. Or any social gathering, for that matter."
He chuckled, "Yeah, very true, but you're everything to me and I know you wanted to go. Remember last year?" You sighed, soft smile stretching across your face. "You were so excited that I made you that pact that if neither of us had a date, we'd go together." You nodded against his shoulder. "And I just thought... I thought other guys wanted to take you, and you'd want to go with them more. So, I panicked and focused on Chrissy..."
You sighed, "I wish you told me the truth... And that you'd have just asked me properly."
"I regret nothing more," he sighed. "Because it made you feel left out and neglected."
You nodded, "Eddie?"
"Yeah, peaches?"
The old nickname from 10th grade made heat pool in your chest, cheeks, and ears; feeling flustered as you whispered, "I'm in love with you, too."
"Yeah?" He chuckled.
"Mhm."
He sighed, "Oh, thank God."
You couldn't help but chuckle lightly, "What?"
He looked down at you with a grin, "Been waiting years to hear that."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Since I decked Carver in the face, yeah," he breathed. "Just wanted to pull you into my arms and tell you how much I loved you."
"Maybe if you did, we could've had more time together."
"We have all the time in the world, baby," he beamed. "'Cause I'm not letting you go - hear me? You're mine, and I'm not letting go."
You smiled and leaned up so you could rest your forehead on his, "I don't want you to let go."
"I'll hold on forever, baby," he whispered. "But I have something important to ask you..."
"Hmm?"
"Think you're feeling up for a dance with me?"
You chuckled and nodded, "Uh, maybe one. Do we have to go to the school?"
"Nope, not if you don't want to."
You paused for a moment, asking shyly, "Eddie?"
"Yeah, peaches?"
"Would you go to prom with me?"
Eddie chuckled, "You're throwing up blood, baby, I think I should take you to the hospital."
"Come with me, I need to show you something," you sighed, reaching forward to flush the blood and petals before standing up. With his hand in yours, you lead him from the bathroom and to your room, sitting in on the bed and placing a book in his lap.
"What am I looking at?"
"Just... Read this page," you pointed to the paragraph you wanted him to read; taking the spot beside him and leaning to his shoulder again as he scanned the page quickly.
"Holy shit," he breathed at the end, looking up at you with tears in his eyes. "Doll, no, no, no. I-I did this to you?"
"I did it to myself," you whispered.
"B-But I've been in love with you, too? So, how did this happen?"
"Neither of us admitted it to ourselves. At least for me, it was until the night you told me you were thinking of asking Chrissy out."
"For me, it was until tonight," he realized with a whisper. "I-I told Chrissy I loved you, an-and it was the first time I admitted it..."
You nodded, "Yeah... So, uh... Yeah."
"Fuck," he shook his head.
"But it's over now, right?" you asked quietly.
"Yeah, baby, it's all over," he nodded, tossing the library book aside to turn and wrap you in his arms. He whined lightly and tugged so you were straddled in his lap, running a hand through your hair. "Oh, my sweet girl, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine the pain."
"You're here now," You whispered into his neck, fingers twirling a strand of his hair as your other hand clung to his neck. "That's all I care about."
"I'm never leaving," he swore, arms tight around my waist to drag me all the closer. "I'm so sorry, peaches, I-I didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's okay," you promised, sniffling after. "I could've spoken up, too, but I was ashamed. I didn't want to ruin anything between you and Chrissy."
"Promise me, you'll tell me from now on. Okay? I don't care what's happening or where you and I stand - you fucking tell me, okay?"
You nodded, sniffling lightly, "Yeah, okay, baby, deal."
"Hey," he cooed, pulling me from his neck. His hand reached up to caress the side of my cheek, "I love you, pretty girl."
The smile on your lips felt silly, but you replied, "I love you, too, baby."
"Can I kiss you? Please?" He pouted, making you chuckle lightly before reaching for his cheek and bringing him in to meet your lips. He groaned in relief, hands tightly over my ribs before sliding to my back as his tongue poked against my lips, sweeping into my mouth. I whined lightly, Eddie making a noise of surprise as he pulled back, a string of saliva trailing.
My brows furrowed as he reached up and picked something off his tongue; a light pink cherry blossom petal stuck between his pointer and thumb. "Oh, my God," I wheezed, leaning forward to rest against his chest and push my face into his neck. "I'm so sorry."
He chuckled and let the petal flutter to the ground, "Kinda hot."
"Eddie," you whined.
"I'm sorry, baby," he chuckled, pecking the side of my head. "Are you feeling better?"
"Mhm."
He pulled back to grin at me, "Wanna go to prom then?"
You sighed lightly, gazing down at him in his suit and smiling lightly when you pressed over his red shirt. "Did you match Chrissy?"
He sighed, "She ended up choosing a green dress. Thought red was more my color," he smirked lightly. "But I can't lie, we looked like human Christmas."
You snorted in humor. "Red's definitely your color," you agreed, glancing back at your closet before back at him. "Um, wanna give me a few minutes? We can leave after?"
"Take as much time as you need, peaches," he nodded, leaning in with another smile to press his lips to your own. He chuckled a few times, pecking his lips rapidly before pulling away.
Within an hour, your hair was fixed off your neck; make-up minimal but still noticeable; and red dress shimmied up your body to then tie over your shoulders. Lacing your shoes on, you looked in the mirror before exiting your room and descending the stairs to find Eddie hunched over a counter, working in the kitchen on something.
You cleared your throat as your fingers fiddled together nervously when Eddie turned, and you swear time stopped. "Shit," he breathed, eyes weeping you up and down. "Oh, my... God."
"You've said that," you teased. "Whatcha makin' over there?"
He smirked and picked up a flower from the counter, turning and taking your wrist. "My girl needs a corsage," he explained, showing off the flower he'd clipped from an old bouquet and then fashioned with a rubber band and safety pin. "There," he smiled when it was settled, "now you're ready for senior prom, huh?"
You nodded, hands placed to his chest as you smoothed out a few wrinkles, "You look unbelievably good right now."
He chuckled, "Look who's talkin'. Givin' Bo Derek a run for her money, aren't you? God damn."
You couldn't help the bright grin across your face, stepping into his embrace. "I love you," you whispered.
"I don't think I'll get used to hearing that," he beamed, pecking my lips after. "I love you, too, baby - so much. And I'm so sorry it took me this long. You didn't deserve that..."
"It's done now," you nodded.
"And we're never going back," his hands rose to caress either of my cheeks. "Now - wanna go rock this prom?"
"Smoke up your van after?"
"You know it, princess," he grinned, pressing another kiss to my lips. "My lady," he smirked teasingly, offering his bent arm.
"My lord," you breathed, arm around his, and chest feeling lighter than it had in weeks months. Maybe things would be okay and they could work out, but for now, it was refreshing to live in the moment with Eddie. Your partner in crime. Your other half. Your best friend, and now your boyfriend. Someone you adored - and someone who adored you in full return.
Maybe love wasn't too bad after all - when it's not trying to suffocate you from the inside.
*WARNING. SPOILERS FOR STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4, VOLUME 2 AHEAD*
(gif by @zen-coleman)
Summary: You follow Eddie into the Upside Down after he cuts the sheet rope in an attempt to save you and Dustin from the swarm of demobats.
TW/CW: Language, angst (resolved by the end!) descriptions of wounds, fluffy as fuck!
A/N: I sincerely hope this helps someone. Anyone. Writing it helped me immensely to cope with the ending of season 4 and I can't wait to write more. I'm not happy with the way Eddie's story ended in ST, so fix it fics it is! On that note, if you are struggling, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. We can rant, ramble, or cry together. Be kind to yourself during this time ♡
"Eddie, please! Stop. Stop. Stop! Eddie!" Dustin screamed, clutching a knot from the recently cut sheet in his hands, his eyes glued to the roof of Eddie's trailer.
"Eddie! What the fuck are you doing?!" You yell, pushing Dustin out of the way as you gaze up into the ripped ceiling, watching your boyfriend grab for his make-shift shield and spear.
"I'm buying more time," he said with sad eyes, silently pleading with you to forgive him for what he was about to do.
"Eddie, no! I swear to God- Fuck!" You yell, frantically searching for something to hoist yourself up into the gate.
"Here!" Dustin cried, pulling over a chair as you help him drag the stained mattress on top of it.
Dustin went to run but you cut him off, taking several lunges across the open floor before throwing yourself into the air with help of the springy surface, clutching the sides of the gate as you struggled to pull yourself up.
You felt Dustin under you, pushing you up by your ankles until you were able to pull yourself through, flipping upside down so that you fell onto your back, knocking the wind out of you in the process. You weren't the most graceful person, but that didn't matter right now.
Dustin fell through soon after, just missing you by a few inches as he yelled out in pain, landing wrong on his ankle.
"You okay?" He panicked as he helped pull you to your feet, limping as he hurried with you through the abandoned trailer.
"I'm fine, just hurry!" You cried, grabbing a spear and flying out of the screen door. You saw a swarm of demobats swooping down into the road and hopped on your bike, Dustin following closely behind as you sped toward the group of rabid winged creatures that were flying after your boyfriend.
"Come and get me, you sonsa' bitches!"
You heard Eddie's war cry piercing the sky, the sound of demobat screeching amplified as your chest tightened, no doubt a result of your anxiety and the way you were pedaling your legs faster than they could go.
"NO!" You screamed as you watched one dive down, knocking Eddie off of his bike as he rolled across the gravel.
You slid your bike to a halt, throwing it down as you ran toward him, bracing yourself against your spiked trash can lid as you forced your way through the wall of vicious demons that was circling the fallen metal head.
You swung your spear and shield, slashing and knocking them away as much as you could, crying out as you took several nips and bites to your arms and legs. Eddie was littered with them as you watch a singular tentacle wrap around his throat.
"Dustin!" You yelled, alerting him to Eddie's compromised state as he slid through the bats to his knees, trying his best to free his best friend from the strangling grip.
Suddenly, the bats slowed, then stilled, falling to the ground like dead flies.
You had no time to wonder about the strange occurrence, throwing your weapons to the side as you flew over to Eddie, helping Dustin unravel the choking grasp of the dead bat that had him.
He gasped, sputtering blood as you lifted his head into your arms, Dustin helping you support him so he could breathe better.
"What's wrong with you, man?!" Dustin cried, tears falling down his dirty little face as he started to apply pressure to Eddie's bleeding wounds.
"I didn't run away this time, right?" Eddie managed to stutter around his labored breathing, clutching your arms as you held him.
"Why would you do this, Eddie? Steve told you not to be a hero," You asked, shaking your head as your eyes frantically searched his torn, bloody flesh, panic rising by the second.
"Since when do I listen to Harrington, princess?" He asked, managing a struggled laugh as you dropped your face to your chest, crying even harder.
"Don't do that. Don't you fucking be cute with me right now," you scolded as your tears rolled down your face and neck.
Dustin stood quickly, still nursing his hurt ankle as he started screaming and waving his arms.
You looked over your shoulder to see Steve, Nancy and Robin running toward you as Dustin cried out, "Help! Help us! Hurry!"
"Hey, hey, stay with me," you said sweetly as you looked back down to Eddie's tired face. "You're gonna be okay, baby, but you gotta stay awake," you said quickly, hands shaking as you wiped Eddie's sweaty forehead with your sleeve.
"I just need a minute," he said softly as his eyes started to flutter closed.
"No, no! Eddie, you have to stay with me. Wake up!" You said loudly, lightly tapping his cheek with your fingers to keep him focused.
"Eddie, ya gotta listen to her, man. Stay up, gotta help us help you, alright?" Steve said firmly as he rushed to your side, taking Eddie's torso from your lap as Robin and Nancy helped you lift his legs.
"Fuck Phase 3," Nancy said softly as she looked over Eddie's bloody clothes.
You quickly made your way back into the trailer, letting Dustin and Nancy into the gate first so they could help you and the others transfer Eddie as carefully as possible, given the threats that gravity posed against his already poor condition.
You worked fast, like a real team as you loaded him into the back of the caravan.
Steve turned around from the driver's seat, giving you a nod and one last once-over to Eddie before he pulled off, racing toward Hopper's cabin.
Eddie was slouched against your chest as you continually trickled water down his neck to keep him alert. Robin was trying to clean up his legs as Nancy supervised from the passenger seat, making sure his eyes stayed open.
"My necklace... M-my pick..." Eddie mumbled sleepily, as you craned your neck to look down at him.
"-Is in my pocket, baby," you said, rubbing soothing strokes through his matted hair. He sighed, squeezing his eyes closed with relief.
"You're the best," he whimpered.
"Hey! Eyes open, Munson," Nancy snapped, clapping her hands so that everyone flinched, even Steve.
"Yes, Captain Wheeler," Eddie said with a sleepy smirk as he lifted his heavy arm to salute her.
It was the kind of comedic relief you all needed as small chuckles and smiles filled the gloomy caravan, only the kind that Eddie himself could deliver at a time like this.
He moved a bit in your lap, causing you to tense as you tried to help him get comfortable again. "What's wrong, are you hurting?" You asked with panic in your voice as he groaned lightly, shifting his shoulders so he was looking up at you from your lap.
"Just need to see you," he said with a lazy smile, his eyes heavy and tired. "You know, you're really cute when you're mad."
You inhaled a long breath, shaking your head with a half-smile. He was right, because you were pissed. But you couldn't let yourself feel it, not when he was dancing with death in the back of a moving house. Not when he was practically bleeding out in your lap. Not when he was giving you the sweetest, sorriest puppy-dog eyes you'd ever seen.
You leaned down to place a soft kiss on his lips as he sighed against your mouth, grinning softly as you sat back up to observe him.
"I'm already feeling better, do it again," he smiled goofily, causing you to giggle for the first time in days.
--------
"Alright, lovebirds, ya think you can separate long enough for me to try and fix this man up?" Murray asked sarcastically as he shooed you away with his hands, a hefty first aid kit tucked under his arm.
You gave Eddie a knowing glance as you rubbed your thumb across his cheek a final time, moving to supervise so that Murray could settle in next to him as he laid across Hopper's bed.
"Let's see here... Yowza, that looks like it hurts. They made quite the dinner out of you, didn't they, kid?" Murray asked as he focused his eyes over the brim of his glasses, cleaning Eddie's wounds with antiseptic of some sort.
Eddie hissed, clenching his jaw as his body began to jerk from the stinging pain.
You quickly made your way to the other side of the bed, ignoring Murray's annoyed glance that softened considerably when he watched Eddie relax instantly against your leg.
"Yeah, alright," Murray mumbled, knowing you were helping more than anything. "Almost done here - Manson, is it?" Murray asked as he looked down his nose at the stitches he was sticking through Eddie's forearm.
"Munson," you snapped with irritation, glancing down at Eddie who just chuckled with an amused grin. The man could literally be dying and still be the happiest nerd in the room.
"And... there. You really need to get the rest of yourself cleaned up, but those sutures oughta hold for a few days... Long enough to let the wounds begin to close," Murray said as he tucked his stuff away. "Joyce is gonna bring back some antibiotics, but try and get a shower and some rest in the mean time. Got it?" He asked.
"Thanks, man," Eddie said as he took Murray's outreached hand, sitting up gingerly as you helped support his back.
"Don't mention it," he said flatly, glancing over to you. "Help him in the tub, alright? But no funny business. Don't bust my stitches," Murray warned, giving you both a stern, wide-eyed look.
"What about head?" Eddie deadpanned, causing you to snort as Murray glared at him with a dropped jaw. "I'm kidding, doc. Jeez, lighten up," he laughed, holding his side as it was still sore from the movement.
Murray let out a rough exhale, leaving the room and letting you be alone with Eddie for the first time since you'd left to complete Phase 3.
You were quiet for a moment as you watched him take slow, calculated breaths as he seemed to be in a lot of pain. He sniffed, blinking away the look as he turned to you and tried to smile. You could tell he was trying his very best not to show you his pain.
"You don't have to hide from me," you said softly as his big eyes roamed your face. He sighed, letting his well-adjusted face falter momentarily as he winced.
"Hurts like a bitch," he admitted, shifting his weight to the side so he could lift his arm to stroke the side of your face. You leaned into his palm, feeling the tears prick at your eyes as the overwhelm began to set in.
"Why did you do that, Eddie?" You asked as you sniffled, not being able to hold back your questions, or tears, any longer.
"Same reason you came in after me, if I had to guess, princess..." he said with a small smirk, stroking your cheek.
You squeezed your eyes shut as you kissed his warm palm, reveling in the feeling. "You shouldn't have done that. You're an idiot for trying to sacrifice yourself like some... some..."
"Like some hero?" Eddie chuckled, quoting Steve as you glanced up at him with a worried expression. "And for you, well... I'd do it again."
You sighed, knowing he was just as stubborn and headstrong as you were. Maybe even more so at times.
"Come on, prince of darkness... Let's get you cleaned up," you said with a smile, nodding toward the bathroom as Eddie's eyes lit up playfully.
"You gonna give me a sponge bath, pretty nurse?" He asked with a bright smile, causing you to laugh and roll your eyes.
"Yes, but you heard Murray... Hands to yourself, Mr. Munson."
"This cabin is a frickin' prison!" Eddie joked dramatically as you shook your head, carefully helping him stand and make it into the bathroom.
------
End of Part 1.
If you'd like to be added/removed from my Eddie taglist, please send me a message.
Summary: Your boyfriend, Eddie Munson, accuses you of cheating on him due to your strange behavior. If only you could tell him you were hunting interdimensional monsters instead.
Word Count: 3.1k+
Warnings: language, drugs and alcohol mentioned, it’s a sad one
Author’s Note: As always, please reblog and comment to show your love on content you consume! Let me know what you think xoxo
“Are you cheating on me?”
Eddie’s tone is hard and accusing as you walk into your bedroom. You scream in shock and clutch at your chest as you turn the lights on. Your eyes meet his and your heart races at his unannounced arrival.
“Jesus Christ, Eddie,” you sighed, tossing your backpack on the foot of your bed. “You scared me. How long have you been sitting there?”
@sad-fridge2323 & @purplewis44 (and whoever else might want some recommendations - I got you!
So just a little side note here:
- I read mostly for the older drivers, I’m an old 26 year old, not a young 26 year old - 23 year old men do not excite me (yet).
- I read a ton of smutty stuff so if you don’t like it or you are not old enough, please don’t seek it out.
- Some of these writers write for Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, Toto Wolff, Lando Norris… you read who you like! If you don’t like a particular driver, scroll on by. Please don’t leave rude comments to the writers. They are trying their best and write what they like, it isn’t always what we like and that’s okay!
- Some of these are short and sweet, little drabbles, some are super long series fics. Make your pick!
-Some of these writers might only have 1 fic on their blog. Give them feedback! Give them a compliment! If their asks and requests are open, maybe drop an idea there!
To the writers on this list - Thank you!
If I accidentally left you out and I have read and shared it before, I’m so sorry! (And if I added your name twice - sorry!)
If you put in your favourite driver’s name and surname, and like “fluff” or “smut” after it, you will find these writers and maybe someone else too!
Right! Let’s get it:
@formulanaughty
@formulahs
@alltoolewin
@illicitlimerence-writes
@justspreadmythighs
@wishful-soda
@an-ocean-blue
@lewisdiary
@thirstyandbeautiful
@matbaerzal
@f1-and-chill
@ladyperceval
@ricciardothot
@pizza-portal
@suckerfordr3
@tiredbuthappy
@soyouthinkyoucanwrite
@baldgasly
@writtendaydreamm
@welld0nebaku
@whore4toto
@theonly1outof-a-billion
@formulathot
@mauvecherie-writes (this writer writes specifically for readers of colour - specifically black readers!)
@formulalex
@landinoandco
@windrush-child
@acollectionofficsandshit
@daniel-ricciardhoe
@aereres
@yungbludz
@drunkfrogg
@jwnchstr
@harleysarchive
@snowsfallwindsblow
@sunshinericciardo
@writing-about-current-obsessions
@racinggirl
@ricciardonorrisleclercgasly
@macybeckham7
@max-in-emillion
@deliciouscreatorcollective
@gothicwidowsworld
@landohunt
@inmynotes63
@urdaydreams
@ricciardobaby
@kepaxchillystars
If you have any more recommendations or I left you out, drop it in the comment section or reblog or whatever!!!
snowghoul
yousharknotpass
amandla
romaincrisis
jacobvanloon
dailybridgerton
titsay
