The Eddie-Nancy friendship is something I need so desperately in life that I wrote it myself!
Hovering next to the arm of the couch, Eddie spoke softly. “I’m glad you came. I don’t think I could have handled this without you guys.”
Nancy nodded, hand still twirled in Robin's hair. “She was really worried.” She said, gaze flicking down toward the sleeping girl and then back up again. “She made me speed here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her that eager to break the law.” The ghost of a smile was dusted over Nancy's solemn lips, but it was a sad one. One filled with regret and blame and fear.
“You saved him.” Eddie assured her, resting a hand on her shoulder. “He’s alive because of you.”
A sniff came from Nancy as she hung her head low. “I know. But what if I hadn't made it? What if he-” Her voice broke, and she took a long, deep breath in. On the exhale, she spoke again. “What if he died? After everything. What if this is how we lost him? I don’t think I could take it. I don’t think I could take the look on Robin's face- she’s already losing sleep over him. I don’t want her heart to get broken any more than it already has. I need to keep him alive. I need you to help me keep him alive.”
Eddie rested a hand on her shoulder, stroking his thumb slowly across the fabric of her shirt. “He’s not going anywhere.” He said. His words were nothing but true. “Not if I can help it.”
She smiled up at him, lips pressed together to stop the tears from pouring. “You're a good person, Eddie. I’m sorry if I ever doubted that. You bring out the best in Steve.” A genuine smile formed, curling on one side into a weak smirk. “Plus, you two look cute together.” She teased, leaving Eddie flushed and stammering excuses beside her. Not even the darkness of the room and the faint flickering of the tv could hide the cherry red color that had overtaken his cheeks.
“Shut up.” Was all he managed to mutter, leaving Nancy to chuckle victoriously. She gave him a fond look.
“You should go for it. After all this, I mean. Give it some time and see what happens. I bet you’ll be surprised.”
Eddie shook his head slowly. “I don’t think I’m his type, Nance.” He said, sadness surrounding his tone. Nancy rolled her eyes.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s more than friendly. Just trust me.” She said, words serious but soft.
“How does he look at me?” Eddie asked, afraid of the answer.
Nancy took a breath. “Like he looked at me while we were dating.” She said, but not before continuing. “But there's more to it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy. He really likes you, Eddie. Don’t break his heart.”
He cleared his throat before speaking slowly. ‘Are you sure?” He asked, and his heart skipped a beat when she gave a truly genuine nod.
“I’ve never been more certain. And I'm also never wrong.” Eddie laughed at that, because it seemed true. There was something so assuring about the way Nancy Wheeler spoke, full of confidence and hope. She was like an open flame, burning bright through the darkest of tunnels. Ready to explode if someone dared to touch the people she cared for. She was sort of extraordinary, in a way, despite everything inside Eddie telling him to be jealous that she got what he would never have.
