a/n: We're so back. It's been a while, I know, but I'm not ready to let go of Eddie x bitchy reader just yet. I apologise in advance for the trauma that your inevitable reread of Days of the Week and Death of Me will cause.
Comment/DM to be added/removed from taglist.
"Eddie."
A soft grunt from the figure beside you that you barely hear of the harpy shriek of your son's cries.
"Eddie wake up."
"Urghhhh."
"Cmon it's your turn to get up with Oscar."
Eddie rolls onto his front smushing his face into his pillow before stretching out his limbs with a groan.
"M'kay I'm up, I'm up." You attempt to settle back into sleep as you hear Eddie taking quiet steps to the crib in your room and soothing the cries.
"Come on little man, mama needs her sleep or she gets grumpy and scary." You snort as you roll onto Eddie's now empty side of the bed, spreading yourself out comfortably as you breathe in the smell of Eddie from his pillows.
You fall back asleep listening to Eddie softly singing to Oscar as he scoops him up and heads downstairs. This from the man who for the first 2 nights of Oscar's life would not dare to move Oscar up or downstairs by himself for fear that he would drop him.
"Okay sir, here we have a recent vintage. Expressed from your mom's boob in the sunny plains of our living room." Eddie laughs to himself as he preps a bottle for the fussing baby cradled close to his body. Once prepped and warmed Eddie gently kicks the living room door open, juggling baby, burp cloth and bottle and settles down on the sofa, unable to wipe the smile from his face as he holds his son in his arms.
"You're absolutely adorable, you know that?" Eddie kisses Oscar's head, breathing deeply the newborn smell, content to listen to the sound of Oscar breathing and suckling. Bottle now empty and baby burped, Eddie leans back slightly, adjusting Oscar so he's laying on his bare chest, soft cheek resting on a scar,
"You gotta get back to sleep Ozzy, you got lots of growing to do if you’re going to be the joint lead guitarist of Corroded Coffin with your old man.” Eddie squints at the clock in the dim light cast from a table lamp "4am, shit little man no wonder we’re exhausted.” Eddie realises he's sworn and covers Oscar's ears after the fact,
"You didn't hear that." Eddie chuckles again as he gets up from the sofa, pausing by the kitchen to throw Oscar's bottle in the sink and the burp cloth ends up alongside it. Eddie stares for a second then shrugs, reasoning he'd rather throw the burp cloth in the sink accidentally instead of his newborn son.
Oscar squirms a little as Eddie takes the first step to go upstairs and immediately freezes,
"Okay I'm not ready for advanced dadding like holding a wriggly baby while going upstairs, so just shh." Eddie coos quietly until Oscar settles back down and he is free to ascend the stairs. He's gotten good at putting Oscar back to bed and getting into bed without waking you up, even if he needs to roll you from his side, this time you stir a little and grumble before resting your head on Eddie’s chest and snuggling into his arms. It's moments like these, where the first rays of sunlight are starting to stream into the bedroom bathing the room in warm light and he can hear the soft breathing of your son, feel you in his arms that he has to pinch himself, just a little. Because for Eddie, this is closer to heaven than he ever thought he'd get.
The first two weeks pass in a blur of diapers and bottles and that one time Eddie had to catch pee in his cupped hands mid diaper change so it didn't land on the carpet. You'd laughed until your stitches hurt with that one. You lived in your own alternate dimension with Ozzy and Eddie, a baby bubble with only room for the 3 of you. It was cosy and contented. Your families and friends had respected both of your wishes to spend the first few weeks just the three of you, allowing you some much needed time to make the adjustment to being parents and to rest all you could. So the first time Eddie attempts to leave the bubble you panic a little.
“It’s just for an appointment with the eye doctor, I will be back in like an hour.” Eddie presses his hands into your shoulders soothingly, offering a warm smile, “What if I pick up your favourite snacks on my way home?”
Your eyes narrow, aware he’s bribing you but since having Ozzy your hunger has increased to ravenous demon levels, “1 hour?”
Eddie nods, “Scout’s honour.”
A snort escapes you “You were never a scout!”
Eddie grabs his keys from the bowl near the front door, “No, but I do promise I will be back as quickly as I can.” He blows a kiss to you and one to the bassinet set up in your living room as he heads out.
All things considered, Ozzy was an easy baby, keep him fed and he barely makes a fuss, miss a feed and its armageddon. You settle on the couch, pulling a blanket over you as you flick through the channels, you settle for a rerun of Cheers and glance at the bassinet, Ozzy is awake so you scoop him up into your arms for some cuddles, planting a kiss on his forehead. For all the trouble labour caused you, you can’t deny it was worth it for this moment, holding your son close, his fuzzy dark hair tickling your nose. You shift so that Ozzy’s tummy is against your chest, both giving him his needed tummy time, and providing you with a direct line to sniffing his head. You realise the episode is nearly over and you’ve spent the entire time staring at Ozzy, who is somehow still awake, blue eyes staring up at you.
The second episode finishes just as you hear Eddie pull up in the drive, Oscar has long since dozed off and rendered you nap trapped as Eddie comes around the door, brown paper bag in hand, his gaze softens when he sees the two of you, “Room for one more?” He asks as he gently sits beside you, careful not to shift the sofa and wake the baby. “Always, as long as you brought snacks home. How are the old eyes then?”
Eddie shrugs “Getting some glasses made, they reckon I need them for reading and driving, no big deal.”
Your parents, and Wayne had been patient with the bubble situation until week 3 when they started asking to come over. Wayne tried to be more casual about it than your parents had, suggesting he should pop over to check out any repair jobs you guys might need doing. So finally you relent, opting to invite them both over for lunch. Eddie had cooked, having found you asleep in bed with Oscar snoozing away in his crib, you had awoken to the sound of the oven timer going off, fear gripping you over what Eddie had cooked. You found Oscar still asleep so you plodded downstairs peering around the banisters,
“Relax, it's mac and cheese, no experimenting this time!” Eddie says as he sees the apprehension on your face as you come into the kitchen.
You’re still sleepy when you speak so your voice comes out much croakier than expected, “What time is it?”
“12:30, they’ll be here in about 30 minutes, I did mean to wake you sooner but I wanted to make sure everything was ready so you didn’t stress.” Eddie smiles apologetically as he adds the finishing touches and returns the dish to bake in the oven.
You glance around, the place is practically sparkling, even the bottle steriliser has been cleaned up and clean bottles stored. Overcome with gratitude at such a simple gesture, you wrap your arms around Eddie and pull him in for a kiss, Eddie’s hands immediately find your waist and lean you into a counter, pressing his body into yours, butterflies filling your stomach, your hands slide up from his waist, stroking up his chest through the fabric of his shirt, tracing up the neck you love to kiss and bite, until finally they’re tangling in his hair, locking him in. Eddie is similarly pre-occupied with your body, hands tracing over newly established curves, taking you all in. Breaking the kiss to come up for air feels like giving up, but when Eddie rests his forehead on yours, brown eyes staring into yours you know he feels the same.
“Eddie, we can’t… you know.” Your breath comes fast, heavy with want. Eddie smiles ruefully, peppering kisses along your jaw,
“I’m well aware, that doesn't mean we can’t enjoy this though.” His arms once more wrap around you, holding you close to his chest, you sigh contentedly and press into the cuddle. The moment is peaceful for a few minutes before there is a gentle knock at the door, and a cry from upstairs, alerting you that Ozzy is one minute overdue his feed, and that is unacceptable. You dash upstairs as Eddie invites your family in, letting them know,
“She’s just upstairs with the chaos goblin, she’ll be down soon.” Your parents laugh and Eddie shows them through to the living room, you can hear muffled conversation and polite laughter travelling up the stairs as you sit in your rocking chair, feeding Ozzy. Despite your hopes, your shirt becomes another spit up victim forcing you to get changed quickly before seeing your family.
You’re descending the stairs as Eddie and Wayne embrace in the hall, Wayne clocks the baby in your arms but stays in his conversation with Eddie, not wanting to make his nephew feel pushed aside. You leave them talking in the hall as you head into the living room where your parents sit,
“Okay granny and grandpa, who wants first cuddles?” Your parents groan at their new titles but your mother can’t hide the enthusiasm for cuddles and so you gently hand Oscar to her, supporting his head until she’s got hold of him, your father peering over her shoulder,
“He’s grown so much hasn’t he!” Your father exclaims, “Kids gonna be a basketball player if he stays this tall.”
“Perish the thought.” Eddie jokes as he and Wayne come in. After both of your parents have soaked up their baby cuddles you take Oscar back, planning to hand him over to Wayne as the timer dings once more. Eddie announces it’s time for food and starts serving up at the table, you plan to eat yours later, but Wayne offers to hold Oscar so you can enjoy your food while it’s still hot.
“You sure?” Wayne smiles and nods, you don’t ask for second confirmation, you hand Oscar over to his very proud grandpa and sit at the table, enjoying the conversation and freshly baked mac and cheese. You glance over to check in with Wayne and see him deep in conversation with Oscar and smile, it turns out talking to babies like they’re fully grown people is a family trait.
The rest of the afternoon passes, and as much as you loved the 3 person baby bubble you’re glad to have expanded it. You head to bed, feeling aglow, warm and loved. Eddie stays downstairs, tidying up, he insisted. You lay in bed, dozing lightly until you feel the mattress depress slightly under Eddie’s weight. You roll over, eyes half open until you clock something… different.
Eddie. Wearing glasses. Your eyes snap open fully.
“Well, hello handsome.”
Eddie blushes, unaware you were awake, the tips of his ears feel hot as he feels you appraising him, “They look stupid, I know.”
“No, Eddie, they look really good!” You push on his chest lightly and his eyes narrow, assessing your face for any sign you might be making fun of him, he finds nothing but earnestness.
“You sure?”
“Absolutely positive. Now, let me try them on!” You hold out a hand and he places the glasses in your hand, you slide them up your nose and grimace at the change in the world
“Eddie what the fuck?”
“What?” Eddie turns to you, concerned,
“You’ve been driving us places and you’re blind!” You’d be lying if you said you didn’t find it a little funny,
“Oh come off it, it's not so bad!” You hand them back to him, stifling giggles. Eddie rolls his eyes as he places them back on. “Now, go to sleep, you menace.” You shift closer, head resting on his chest, hair tickling Eddie’s nose, he shifts slightly and then wraps his arms around you in a warm embrace.
Dustin is the first to arrive, leaving Steve and Robin in the car as he practically runs to your front door, stopping himself shy of hammering on the door when he remembers the tiny human he is meeting, instead opting for a knock that Eddie misses and you only catch because you’re in the hallway, heading back to the lounge. Steve and Robin follow Dustin into the house a few paces behind him, greeting you politely but their eyes searching for a baby and immediately wandering once they realise your arms are empty. It makes you laugh a little as you gesture towards the lounge where Eddie, chest puffed out in pride, happily shows off your son.
“He’s so small!” Dustin whispers loudly as you gesture at everyone to sit, perching yourself beside Eddie,
“Can I, I mean, do you mind if I hold him?” Steve asks, a tinge of nervousness creeping into his voice, Eddie glances at you, a silent check in and you nod,
“Not that I don’t trust you Steve, but could you wash your hands first?” Eddie smiles, meaning no offence and Steve nods, heading into your kitchen to wash his hands. Eddie hands Oscar over easily, Steve seeming to be a natural at holding a baby, a quirk that surprises absolutely no one in the room. Oscar fusses slightly but settles as Steve coos at him, Dustin leans over, stroking the few dark curls that rest on Oscar’s head while Robin flicks her gaze between Oscar and you, finally speaking up when you raise an eyebrow,
“That head is HUGE.”
“I am well aware, Robin, I didn’t think I’d sit down ever again.” Eddie laughs and pulls you close by the waist, while Dustin and Steve groan in unison. The sudden noise unsettling Oscar in Steve’s arms, who lets his displeasure known with loud cries, panic clouds Steve’s face and he can’t pass the crying infant to Eddie fast enough,
“Dude! You broke their baby!” Dustin swats the back of Steve’s head causing Steve to whip around to respond before he double takes, looking Dustin up and down.
“When did you get tall?? No, you were not that tall yesterday.” Steve’s words make Eddie look too,
“What the hell Henderson? Okay, you’re not allowed to grow that fast, you hear me Ozzy?” Eddie directs the last sentence to the baby in his arms, who he is gently rocking, soothing his cries, a small straining grunt from Oscar prompts Eddie to lift him into the air and sniff,
“Uh-oh, getting a whiff of danger.” You snort as Eddie excuses himself to change Oscar’s diaper. You turn to Robin, “Did Nancy not want to come with you guys today?” she shrugs,
“Not sure. Maybe she didn’t want to meet Oscar with “ten kids and an RV” sitting beside her.” The tips of Steve’s ear turn bright red as you all erupt into giggles.
“Oh c’mon Steve, it’s funny.” Robin kicks at him, “Who’d imagine Eddie would have a kid before you huh?”
Steve doesn’t reply, now thoughtful,
“Hmm. I’m not saying I doubted him, but I never expected to see Eddie like this.” Steve says quietly while Robin and Dustin nod in agreement,
“What did you expect?” You narrow your eyes at Steve,
“Easy. I’m not criticising him. It's just, he’s been through a lot of trauma. I thought it would be more difficult for him to settle down like this, he’s doing amazingly.” You know Steve is meaning it as a testament to Eddie’s strength, but Steve has never had to hold Eddie while he sobbed, making himself almost sick in his own self-doubt that he could be a good father.
“Guess I’m just a natural.” Eddie’s voice calls from the top of the stairs as you open your mouth to respond. Steve goes to respond and Eddie holds up a hand, a reassuring smile on his face,
“I’m flattered you think I’m doing a good job, but believe me I’m making it look easy. I’m still a wreck inside.”
Eddie hands Ozzy to you, flopping down beside you and kissing the top of Ozzy’s head, before your cheek.
"But thankfully, I have these two keeping me sane."
The afternoon passes swiftly and before you know it your friends are saying hushed goodbyes to a snoozing Oscar in his basinet and pulling you and Eddie in for fond farewell hugs. The house falls silent for a few minutes after you hear Steve’s car pull out and you exhale quietly, flopping onto the sofa with Eddie moving in sync with you.
when your best friend’s subconscious is irrevocably in love with you and none of his love interests can ever live up to you or adequately fill the role you’ve meticulously carved into his life
Mail plushies! USPS's Farley Franklin & Mr. Zip dolls, a Makeship Mail Truck plush, Punchkin's Amazon Prime cardboard box, Jellycat's Amuseable Letter to Santa, iScream's Interactive Valentine's Mailbox & Letters, and SirHoliday's Valentine's Mail Puppy. Actually kind of amazed I found this many that fit the theme lol, I wasn't expecting much of anything
Eddie constantly wants to mouth on your chest, it helps him calm down and go to sleep. He can't help it, big needy eyes looking up at you as he silently asks to crawl into your shirt and latch on
