Side B Plays Softer
Eddie Munson x Reader
Hispanic reader implied cuz I said so.
The Princess of Hawkins High. You hated that title. You just were a cheerleader who happened to become the captain. Perfect grades, never mean or rude.
———
"Oh but isn't he just sooo hot!"
"Omg you guys would be so cute together!"
"He so likes you go ask him out!"
"If he doesn't like you he's an idiot!"
The table was filled with chatter about crushes. Becky liked Andrew on the football team, obviously Chrissy had Jason, Olivia liked Stan from swim... the girls all liked someone.
You liked someone too. But you knew how they would react if they knew. Scorn, mocking. Even if you were the captain. All you wanted was for them to do the same thing you would do, giggle and say they caught him looking at you in class, or say you'd look good together.
One time you mentioned that he was kinda cute, and the girls genuinely thought you had gotten a concussion from practice.
From your table, your eyes drifted across the cafeteria to where he sat with his club, laughing and joking with them. Stupid brown puppy dog eyes. He wasn't scared to be himself, and that was attractive. You were too scared to tell your friends you liked him... The only one that knew graduated last year. Robin had always teased you, but told you to go for it.
That was your best friend. That's why they called you "the people's princess" as a joke, because you were kind to everyone. Even those this town considered 'freaks'. Because until you were in cheer... until you swept the captain spot your sophomore year... you had been an outcast due to your family, where you were from.
"What about you Y/N? Any guy you've got your eye on?"
Chrissy's voice broke you from your thoughts as she put a gentle hand on your shoulder.
"Oh... uhm... not really," you lie, smiling, fixing your hair.
"Really? You could have any guy you've wanted why not?" Sandra laughed, nudging you softly.
"Oh she's too focused on her studies! Cmon guys be nice!" Olivia giggled.
The group quickly dropped it, and you sighed. You wished you didn't feel so scared.
———
After practice, you saw Lucas stressing out, pacing in the hallway. He saw you and sighed in relief.
"Oh Y/N! Hey, um.... So Mike, my friend, he's sick, and y'know Hellfire-"
Your eyes widened and you nodded. His club.
"I-I promise it's not demonic or anything, um... well, you wanna... take his spot? J-JUST FOR TODAY you will never have to touch a d20 ever again after this I swear-"
You bit your lip, thinking. On one hand, you could finally get to talk to him outside of class... on the other... you were wary of the rumors that would spread. Then... you thought about how technically you were friends with Lucas, and you could just say you thought of Mike as Nancy's adorable little brother, so you couldn't say no...
You nod tentatively, "Okay... but I need to change out of my uniform... a-and I don't know how to play..."
"It's fine! It's fine, Dustin can help or-or Eddie y'know he will help you-"
You shook your head, "I-i can learn it's okay I'm gonna change!"
——
You knocked carefully on the door, and opened it quietly.
"Sorry I took so long um one the freshmen wanted me to help with her high jump and-"
"Hey, no worries. Most of the party isn't here yet... and by that I mean it's just Eddie and I, so you're cool. We can teach you how to play in the meantime!" Lucas said, helping you over to the table. You tripped, the laces of your converse having come undone.
"Oh shoot!" You mumble, embarrassed walking to a chair, sitting and tying your laces back up. "Sorry..."
You were too embarrassed and scared to look up and meet his eyes.
"Oh yeah, uh Y/N this is Eddie, Eddie this is-"
Lucas in interrupted by Eddie saying, "The people's Princess, yeah yeah, I know who she is. Y/N right?"
"Mhm... u-uhm... it's nice to meet you... officially! We have... history class together," you whisper, avoiding eye contact.
Eddie knew that. Of course he did. He would only stare at you in class, watching you bring in new perspectives, ask question that made the teacher sputter as if they hadn't expected that... you were badass!
"Well... you can't play if you don't know how so... listen up. Let's go through this. First, your character."
——
You laughed hard as the kids groaned and cried out when Eddie did something to screw them over. You tucked a curl behind your ear, taking a sip of water.
The campaign ended with you dead, which you expected. You giggled, helping tear down.
"Any of you kids need a ride home?" You asked, spinning your keys around your finger.
"Uh-... we got our bikes-" started Dustin.
"No prob, throw them in the back! Here, turn her on Lucas. I'm gonna finish picking up," you say, throwing the keys to the boy.
"Holy shit- you serious?" He asked, already backing up.
"Uhuh! Just keep it in park. Or I'll get you," you laugh. The boys run out laughing to the parking lot.
"So... you drive?" He asks, the boys filing out.
You nod, "Saved up a lot to get it... 's my dream car. Oh shoot, wait-"
You run to the window, opening it and yelling, "Lucas there's a bike rack in the trunk!!"
"Got it!" You hear him yell back.
You hum, closing the window, putting dice in cloth bags.
"Mind if uh... I play somethin'?" Eddie asks, gearing up his record player.
"Oh, uhm no go ahead," you say, figuring out where things go despite having never been in the room.
He plays some Motley Crue, and catches you bobbing your head to the music.
"You like this?"
"It's good. Not what I usually listen to though."
"What? Listen to... Madonna? Bowie? Hmm... maybe the Beatles?"
"Ha... not uhm, I listen to lots of jazz and blues. Like uh I really like Cab Calloway... oh oh and Paul Anka... Ella Fitzgerald..."
He looks at you wide eyed, blinking. He listened to those because they reminded him of his mom.
"I uh... I mean I listen... I've heard-"
"You don't gotta pretend to like my music y'know..."
"No I-i do I listen to music like that um my mom used to really like it..."
You smile softly, "It's good, right?"
Eddie is about to answer before the unmistakeable low rumble of a car engine turns his attention to the room.
"Pfft. Probably one of the idiot jocks-"
"Probably the boys turning my car on-"
You both look at each other, then he shrugs, finishing up as you listen to music.
"Y'know... rock and metal couldn't have started without jazz and blues... most music wouldn't have without the influence of black Americans and immigrants..."
He looked over while you organized. He would have let out a lovesick sigh at the sight and sound. Music in the background, you talking about music history (which was so metal, so punk of you, he couldn't help but fall harder), the yellow light front above made you look like you were glowing, as you put away DnD mini figs with the utmost care. Was this love? You were a perfect angel in this moment.
"Yeah... and... the influence it all has on... mainstream pop that no one talks about," he manages to choke out.
"Yes! You get it!"
——
The conversation ran a bit longer than intended, but you eventually remembered you had kids to drop off.
He lets you get out first with a soft 'ladies first' locking the door after you both leave. You fidget with the hem of your shorts as you both walk to the parking lot.
"...There's only two in the parking lot... so which one's yours?" Eddie asks, looking around expecting a generic car or truck.
"You're uh... looking at her," you giggle, jogging over.
"No fucking way. That's your car? I thought that was like... a stupid jocks car that's yours?!"
You laugh and nod, "I saved up for her, my dream car!"
"1969 Pontiac firebird-"
"Yep. I uh... saved up. So that's my car," you smile, the boys in the backseat. "Ope, those bikes are gonna fall, give me a sec!"
You run over, not even asking for help, tie the bikes so they don't fall and don't mess up your paint.
"I thought you were just a preppy cheerleader... woah..."
You blush and shrug, "We learn new things huh?"
"Hey! Uh, uhm... would you wanna like... hang out sometime? Like us, not the party like uh... just watch a movie or something?" Eddie nervously shoves his hands in his pockets, waiting for the laughter and the rejection.
"O-oh um-... I-i..." you fidget. It was happening, it was actually happening, Eddie Munson, the guy you thought was completely unattainable, just asked you out. Well not on an actual date but this was close enough! "I-I'd love to! Yes, um... Friday? Friday uhm... after the game I'm free?"
Ah the game.
"Y-yeah! Yeah, no, yeah! Uhm... I can-... we can I-... uhm... go watch? You, not the game I know jack shit about the game uhm... yeah I'll... see you tomorrow!"
He ran off to his van, waiting until you left the parking lot before he laughed to himself, shaking his head, and yelling in excitement.
——
You hummed, driving the first boy to his house.
"So um... what took you and Eddie so long?" Dustin asked.
"Oh? We were just cleaning up! And we talked about music, it was nice," you answered, looking in the rearview mirror with a smile.
"You sure cuz you looked kinda nervous when you were coming out to the car-"
"Dustin! Don't be weird..." Lucas scolded, shaking his head.
"It's no worry. I know what happened, believe me or not," you smile, pulling into Dustin's driveway.
"Oh shoot, hey, tell your mom my mama says thanks for the help the other day!" You call out as he gets out. He nods and smiles jogging into the house.
——
Friday could not have come faster!
You were buzzing with excitement, you had picked out your outfit for after the game with such care, giggling as you put in your locker along with your makeup. Now you were getting ready for the game, and you couldn't wait for it to be over!
"Someone giddy," Sandra teased, shutting her locker.
"Yeah! I'm uh... I'm excited... game and all... and um my mama made my favorite at home so when I get back... it's yeah I'm... just excited!" You ramble, lying... why did you lie? Why couldn't you just tell them you had a da-... a hang out with Eddie Munson after the game?
"You sure it's not to play with that freak's club again?"
Ah. That's why.
"Yeah I can't believe you played!"
"I can't believe you got out alive!"
"Don't they do rituals?"
You shook your head, "Guys! Uhm guys, it's just a board game... just once. I just thought of Nancy and Mike is just her adorable little brother! That's why... okay?"
The girls stopped talking about it, and you sighed, finishing up your makeup.
"We start in 10, I'll see you ladies at the mat lined up. Remember, hair up and away from your face, bows in hair, skirts not hiked up, tennis shoes ties, smiles bright."
——
Eddie had watched their reactions as he said no Hellfire tonight.
"EDDIE?!?"
"YOU CANT CANCEL IT WHAT?!"
The group was in outrage. Eddie smirked, watching as the other tables looked at him with disgust. Except for you. You giggled from across the lunchroom.
"Cmon, we should be... supporting Lucas. We postpone it for one day. One," Eddie said.
"B-but-"
"No buts, I'm DM and President, what I say goes, I will see you all tomorrow!"
——
You walked into the gym, no one there except the teams practicing. You went by the bleachers, until someone pulled you in a hand over your mouth.
You were about to scream, bite and kick, until you saw it was Eddie.
"Sorry! Sorry sorry," he whispered, taking his hands off.
"You scared me... so what's the plan?" You giggle leaning in.
He grimaces. Was he really about to pick a sale over hanging out with one of the hottest girls at Hawkins? One of the nicest girls? But then he thought about his uncle, working nights, how they struggled to bring money in... even if it was drug money, it was money that helped. And Chrissy was rich. Sure, he lied and said he gave her a discount... that was morally not the best thing he had ever done. But it was for a reason! Maybe with the money from Chrissy he could get you apology flowers and get some takeout before the movie at his place.
"I-... I um... can we get a rain check on that?" Eddie, looked away, fidgeting with his rings.
"I-.. oh... uhm, yeah... yeah sure," you whispered, keeping a smile on your face despite your disappointment.
"I'm really sorry just... just something came up, maybe um... like tomorrow later or something? I uh... I can... I'm so sorry... fuck-"
"Hey... it's okay. Things come up," you whisper, shrugging. He obviously felt bad, and you didn't want to make him feel worse. "I'm-... wait, don't you... play tomorrow night though? W-with your band?"
He looked shocked you knew that, "Yeah... I do um... at the Hideout... dingy dive bar... actually I-..."
"Um... maybe I can... go watch? We can watch a movie after?" You suggest.
"Oh you are an angel... y-yeah! Yes. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, after my show, after you marvel at my skills, after you're my groupie, we can drive to the family video, then we go back to my place and uh watch a movie," he maps out the plan.
"Yes. Yeah, that sounds so great! Uhm, I have to go but um... yeah!"
"Break a leg princess... I'll be watching from the... very... very... very far back corner, hoping no one sees me so I don't get my ass kicked."
Once the game started, you did your cheers, always looking up at the top row, back corner where Eddie stood. Watching a smile.
"Form-"
"Oh my god. Y/N, the freak is at this game. Look! Ugh ew he's totally checking you out, gross!" Sandra whispered to you, grimacing.
Did she really think so? Eddie, checking you out? A girl could dream...
"Be nice... he's just watching the game," you sigh, trying to defend him while being lowkey.
"I don't want to cheer with him looking-"
"If you're uncomfortable that's one thing. But this is what we do. We cheer no matter who's in the crowd or who isn't. Chin up, smile bright or go home for the night. Please. This is the championship game."
Sandra looked shocked but nodded, immediately getting into position. You hated being rude. But you couldn't stand how they said such things...
On the bright side, your outfit wouldn't go to waste because you had plans on Saturday!
——
But Saturday never came. Instead, you heard news of Chrissy's death. Instead, you had the town freaking out. Instead, you got attacked by a monster and now we're brought in by Dustin explaining everything to you. Instead, Jason's gone batshit insisting Eddie was a vessel for the devil... black magic...
"Oh... I'm gonna be sick..." you groaned, holding your stomach, Robin bringing a trash can over as you hurled.
"A-and we gotta find Eddie because-" Dustin stammered.
Eddie. Oh god, you totally stood him up-
"They would be looking for him, she was found there..."
——
You found Eddie at skull rock. Dustin was shocked his compass was telling him the wrong way, and you were just nervous. Looking around, Eddie was not there.
"I concur... Dustin Henderson you are a butthead."
But there he was to prove you wrong, hugging Dustin. Steve had been bragging on and on about this being a notorious makeout spot that wasn't popular until he made it popular. You'd heard rumors... but uh... you'd never been.
"...They're after you now... I'm sorry I-... I-" you stammered, trying to explain what you knew... about Jason...
"Hunt the freak, right?" He said it again. This time more bitter than before.
You sighed and grabbed him, sitting him down and looking him over for injuries. He sat still looking up.
He bit his tongue, trying not to cry in front of you or anyone else.
"You guys all get what you need... I'll stay here," you say to the group. Everyone nodded, leaving you and Eddie.
"Y/N, I didn't hurt Chrissy. I didn't hurt her I swear-" Eddie pleaded, looking up. He knew you and Chrissy had been good friends, even before you became the cheerleader.
"I know... I know I-... I would've never assumed you'd hurt her... Jason... he's gone mad... it's... ugh it's horrible he-... he's saying you're a vessel for the devil and-..." you shook your head. "He is not right in the head... I know he loved Chrissy... but I can't... believe he'd go this far. He's been itching to find a reason to-... to-..."
"To crucify me? Hurt me? Hunt me down?" Eddie scoffed. "After Billy left of course they'd go after me... I wasn't a freak when he was here. No, there I had the Hargrove law. But after he died... fuck I've been screwed."
"You and Billy.... Were friends?" You asked, looking out into the trees.
"Ehhh... I was his dealer... and smoke buddy... only other person I knew who liked the same music. I guess you could say we were friends at the end."
He put his face in his hands curling his knees up to his chest.
"Fuck.... Fuck! I should've just told Chrissy no deal! Should've just hung out with you, but noooo, extra 40 bucks would've-... fuck!"
You tilted your head softly. Chrissy... was buying? None of your business.... Actually it was as a concerned friend but... it didn't matter... she was gone. You attempted to gently change the subject to distract him.
"Skull rock... never been," you whisper, playing with the grass.
"Ha... yeah right. Pretty cheerleader... popular... you're telling me you've never been to skull rock?" He laughs sarcastically. "Makeout spot of the century?"
"N-no.. never. Never been kissed or been on a date or-"
"Hold up, you've never been on a date?! That's... you've never been kissed?!"
You look away, "I dunno... just always wanted to save it for someone special... someone who cares... you probably think I'm stupid right?"
"No! No no no no, not stupid," he scrambles to be in front of you, holding your hands. "That's so... unlike other-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there... I'm just like other girls... I'm kind, and I'm smart... and I care. I have hobbies and interests, I have hopes and dreams, just like other girls... can we phrase that differently?" You give him a shake of your head as you speak.
"You're so fucking metal..."
You giggle, grabbing your backpack. He was such a dork.
"Speaking of metal... I was gonna give this to you after I was done being your number one fan... but uh... now is as good of a time as any," you whisper, taking a sleeve out of your bag. "I hope it didn't get warped..."
You had it over, and he pulls out a record. The cover was plain black, no band or anything on it.
"What uh... band....?"
"Oh shoot, right! So um... side A plays metal... songs Dustin said you listen to a lot... uhm... and Side B plays softer... jazz and blues... like the ones you said about your mom," you whisper, hoping he likes it.
He was silent staring at the custom pressed vinyl in his hands, trembling, in his head repeating don't cry don't cry don't cry like a chorus. He looked between you and the vinyl, before deciding 'screw it'. He was tired of running and if this was the only brave thing he did for the rest of his life, it will have been the best.
He leaned in, vinyl placed gently onto of the cover on the floor before pressing his lips to yours. You made a shocked sound at first and he almost pulled away, until you grabbed his jacket pulling him in. It was sweet, slow. The kind he'd hear about on those old black and white movies on AMC whenever he got the channel.
You pulled away first, taking soft breaths, "Holy shit..."
"You just cussed!"
"You just kissed me..."
"Guess we both are full of surprises huh?"
You giggle, looking away, "I take it you liked it?"
"Vinyl or the kiss? Either way... I loved it. Sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me... you remembered that? About my mom?" He smiled, placing it back in the casing.
"Of course I do it was the first time we talked officially... first time I talked to the guy I liked," you admit.
"Oh who?"
... he couldn't be serious. Maybe he was joking.
"Seriously who?"
Oh he was not joking!
"You, Eddie I've liked you! For... forever and I was too much of a coward to admit it... I was scared... like really scared that people would find out and make my life a living hell again and... I'm sorry. I should've... said it sooner," you spill your guts, the words flying off your tongue faster than you can think.
"Hey... hey. It's okay... you told me now... that counts for something," he comforted, grabbing your hands.
"...yeah..." you squeeze his hands. "So... after this blows over... we defeat Vecna... clear your name... do you wanna... skip the show and go straight to watching a movie at your place? Not that I wouldn't love to watch you perform, just... I'm eager to...to actually spend time with you."
"Yeah... I'd love nothing more."
