"Three Years, One Fall" 3/3
| fem!reader × best-friend!efsgaming (Eddie)
— Reader and Eddie are close best friends throught their shared friend, Max, for a while. On one holiday after New Year's, something.. took a turn.
| tags/tw(?) : wlm, slow burn, friends to best friends to lovers, physical trauma, medical help, manhandling (sorta?), loyalty, reader included in friend group, self insert, minor swearing, minor blood, traumas/rough trauma (physical), minimal y/n usage, relative with one of the characters, winter, skiing, holidays, brother!PlentyXD, close-friend!3FS, friend!CloakMePls
≡ ! | a/n : «– Third part of this fic. Pretty happy how its turned out, but the ending may be boring so.. idk. Anyways, Enjoy!»
You were on the top of the hill with everyone. The group decided on a small and short race for the fun of it because you were already getting bored and wanted to leave soon. The group stood behind and imaginary line. Max, Plenty and Jacob were on the left side from you while Eddie was the right, ending it all off.
"Alright flams, yall ready?" Max asked, his voice dripping with excitement. His scarf swayed on the wind like a glider, a contrast to his red jacket that glistened under sunlight.
The voices after said excited "Yes", or a hearted "Heck yeah!" in the chill atmosphere. Plenty started counting down.
Eddie and Jacob followed after.
Everyone said before lunging forward down the hill. The scraping sounds and laughter filled your ears, plans of sabotaging each other filled the air. You hurried slides navigated you almost automatically after an hour of remembrance before you did everything on autopilot.
Max was leading first because –of course– of his height and stamina. Plenty was a breath behind him, balancing on his snowboard that gave out more ridiculousness than he already radiated. You were just a glide behind Jacob. While Eddie.. Eddie waited on top before sliding down with full force and speed he could.
Hearing his voice behind you, you jerked your head back, moving closer to the centre of the public road. You heard a '-whoooosh~' near your ear before seeing the familiar figure in orange puffer jacket passing you by on a speed of light.
Jacob, seeing this move, scoffed dramatically, moving a bit faster now. Max and Plenty, glancing to the side in Eddie’s direction, were bewildered, commenting about everything being unfair and calling ref, laughing for some moment before picking up their pace too. You smirked, shaking your head in disbelief.
But you saw something wrong in how he glided. His harness on left leg felt too free to be safe and the speed he had was dangerous to–
He turned to glance back at you before his left ski scooted off his leg on the slope, sending it to the side. His boot touched the iced snow barrier and he tripped, falling hard off track with a sound of something breaking. You felt your heart stop at this scene, face changing into frighten in mere seconds.
Jacob was the one to hear it too. You heard him mouth something but you couldn't tell what he said. Your ears were ringing too much from chilling thoughts your mind created.
Plenty was the second to notice, tugging on Max's arm, catching him off guard for the moment, before he turned his head and his face went from concentrated into alarmed in seconds. His eyes widdened as he left the race goal, his direction shifting from one side of the track to the other, excusing passers by. The two headed towards the crashed one.
Your slides grew more urgent. You rushed down like a wanted one, like a lost soul desperate to reach a lifeline. The dizzying feeling and want to throw up were quickly shut down by a sore feeling deep in your throat. Other people looked at you speed down, passing other visitors.
When you came to the crash, some other people who witnessed the situation came down too. Even some staff from the park were making their way here. You threw your sticks on the ground, reaching down and unclasping the safety harness off your boots. Your knees felt weak as you threw yourself up again, ignoring how your pants absorbed the snow and made you shiver. How your gloves and scarf were almost fully covered in snow, hair a mess near your face.
Then finally, you spotted him, plunging yourself forward and moving hair away from your face. You fell on your knees near him, turning him around from his stomach and onto his back with a anguished groan. You could see blood dripping down his nose.
He looked at you, eyes solaced and filled with hurt, hazy from the impact. His lips were a thin line, cheek being bitten down hardly. One of his leg was still in ski, forcing it to be slightly lifted from the ground, the plank sticking out in the snow. His breathing was quivering. You could see him trying to be bear with pain in this situation, trying not to break down.
"Oh god." Is all you mannaged to choke out, before taking off one of your gloves and placing in near his nose. "Are you okay!?" You added, reaching to unclasp the harness on his boot, letting his leg fall on a slope.
"Don't think so???" He grunted, a shooting pain in his hip forcing him to lower his leg unhuriedly in chill cold. Gritting his teeth together, he squeezed his eyes shut for that moment, howling silently. You stared at him, worry still etched.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" You said, starting to pat down his physique. "Are you cold?" The questions flowed with each moment. For a moment you were just rambling about everything.
"Did you feel like you were gonna pass out?"
Before making another question again, you felt his hand cover yours on his chest, the movement of his hurt arm made him wince. He squeezed it like he would break your fingers. "Shut up. Don't worry, alright?"
Your voice strained into silence, looking at him, not daring to say anything more, agaped lips closed into silence as you heard help come closer. He didn't look at you, his eyes were looking somewhere else but you.
From behind, steps grew closer, Max's voice coming closer, consern etched in his words. Your hands slipped from his grip like you were burnt from a wildfire. Turning around, you saw rescuer and others leading to the crashed one.
Radio static cackled on the rescuer before you stood up and backed away from him, letting the rescuer do his work. Eddie turned his head one last time, his eyes following you go, your glove still near his nose before he returned his attention back to the rescuer.
Your steps were heavy as you climbed back up on the road. Ethan ran up to you, asking what happened.
"I dont know." You said, shaking your head in worry. You couldn't be upset around known people — not in front of your brother. Not in front of your and his friends.
Ethan pattet your shoulder before starting to walk uphill to the lobby. Max and Jacob soon came too, asked the same. You gave them the same answer.
"Dang. Poor guy." Jacob murmured, looking to the direction where his friend crashed.
"Yep.." Max added after, nodding.
Other worker came up to you three, asking about the details. You gave your witnesses, worker making notes about everything, eventually asking our contacts is needed.
"Wait in lobby until everything settles." They said before walking off. Now, you just need to do it, there is nothing else to do.
Walk up was quiet, everyone still processing what just happened and how it all escalated. Eventually, you got to the lobby, sitting down on soft benches. You, Max and Jacob sat in silence, dripping with sorrow.
You stared at your boots, still in snow. Hands in pockets, mind blank, expression unreadable. Jacob sat there, fiddling with his shirt, lips shut in a straight line. Max bounced his leg nervously, head leaned back, eyes looking at the ceiling.
Sun slowly started to set outside, sky a mix of bright yellow and blue, clouds having orange undertone to them.
Ethan came after, scent of cheap coffee clinging to him. Seeing the three on the bench, zoned out, he noded to himself, sitting down next to you without any further questions.
What felt like forever, a call came, ringtone a reminder of present time. Max picked up, putting his phone on speaker, straightening up and clearing his throat. "Hello?". Everyone leaned closer to listen.
The voice on the other end started asking if its the right caller before finally saying that Eddie is in a good shape to leave – no serious injuries, just minor damage done. His right hip and left shoulder were strained but in a good shape to move around.
You could feel yourself breath out a breath you thought you didn't hold, leaning back on the bench, continuing to listen to the worker.
"You can pick him up from Healing Wing, room 42. We are sorry for damage and will ensure that this would never happen again in our resort. Thank you for cooperating." The caller said before ending the call.
"Thank god, oh my lord." Max murmured, shaking his head, standing up from the bench. You looked around in search of sign to that 'Healing Wing' they said.
The others too raised from their seats, walking to the doors for other wings around the main building. You walked relentlessly before spotting that said wing.
The hallway was quiet except some quiet whispers and coughs from other visitors in the heal wing of the building. The group steps echoed in the hallway, getting closer to Eddie’s room. Hopes about the situation not being serious were filled in their shared thoughts.
You fidgeted with the edge of your hoodie, comforting touch against the tense moment. You didn't look up a single moment after that. Ethan tried to talk to you, comfort you, knowing that you worry about him as a friend. It helped you, but not for long.
Finally, Jacob opened the door, stepping in. The room was filled with sunlight, the walls were painted muted green, the other furniture was mostly wooden. In the bed, Eddie sat upright, his arm was visibly injured.
Ethan ran to the injured one, dabbing him up and hugging slightly before pulling away. "Damn, we thought you were dead or so!"
"We never say that, Plenty." Max scolded him before sitting down on one of the plush armchairs in front of the bed. Jacob leaned on the wall near the door, watching the interactions unfold. Ethan, as he is, started rambling about what happened after he fell and what the others did.
You cautiously entered the room, sitting down on the outher armchair, the soothing scent of Max’s laundry detergent and cologne next to you calmed you down just for a bit. You didn't pay attention to the talk really, you just zoned out for a long moment, adding your own comment from time to time.
When the time came for everyone to go home, the question hang – How does everyone go home? Ethan can't drive legaly. Eddie can't drive with his hand and hip injured. There are three cars, so you needed a plan.
Ethan can go home by your car if Jacob drives. Max can drive his own car. There is only You and Eddie left now. Eddie’s car is left only now. There was no other choice but for you to drive Eddie’s car.
You lifted your gaze out of your hands to the bed infront of you. He looked at you, blinking slowly. The time headed to dinner so that was the only way.
Everyone slowly started leaving. Jacob and Ethan left first, because of Jacob having plans to himself. You knew Ethan had spare keys to your apartment so you didn't have to worry about unplaned sleepover at your house. Max had his own car and apartment to go to so he was booked. And you?
"If Eddie gives me the keys, I'll drive." You blurted out, not thinking for a second in your mind. You, driving his car, driving to his apartment and sleeping in his space? That drove your mind insane but part of you didn't mind it.
"Ethan, dont you dare eat my food in the fridge I swear." You scolded, looking at Ethan near the bed. He rolled his eyes. "You don't want to share food with your brother, how rude of you!" He complained dramatically, already starting to walk out of the room with Jacob. "Alright, Eddie, get better soon man, goodbye everyone."
You tossed your car keys out of the pocket to Jacob, him cathing them in his palm. Ethan waved, dissappearing into the hallway. Jacob, after him, casually said 'bye' and waving too, your car keys jingled with some keychains you had. Max lifted from his armchair, kicking you on the shoulder in a joking manner, trying to calm you down fully before walking off in the hallway, the banter reviving after, their voices disappearing down the hall.
The two were now alone in the room. Your gaze finally landed on him, his gaze on you. The room felt incredibly tense now, the way he looked at you was electric, something from the past 3 years was finally understood.
Looking away, you started packing up his things in his backpack that layed near the bedside table. Your walking was methodical, not too slow and not too fast, trying to ignore the figure in bed.
Eddie on the other hand, reached for his other clutter on the nightstand. You pushed his hand off, your palm wrapping around his wrist to pull it away. "Nope, not with your shoulder fucked, unc." The teasing nickname flew off your tongue, making you smile to yourself. You could feel his pulse jump under your thumb before you let go.
"Unc? Nahhh, thats mad insult." He said, voice rough like sandpaper but with a hint of warmth he always had. His head leaned back on the bed frame behind him, looking at you pack.
You packed everything he had except his car keys, apartment keys and his phone– of course. The packed bag landed on one of the armchairs. You trailed back to his bed, sitting on the edge next to him.
"I ... worried about you." You started, fidgeting with your sleeve.
Eddie, on the other side, looked out of the room window, as if thinking what to say, charging the silence more. "I saw that."
"You rushed to me. You were worried, helped me.."
You felt a hand on your thigh, giving one a squeeze and staying there. Touch felt pleasing. Like it's supposed to be there. The palm felt warm, easing the last stress and dread you felt for the past hours.
But the elephant in the room needed to be adressed anyway.
"Do you think.. Are we still friends?" Eddie finally said, leaning forward from the bed frame, his eyes searching your silhouette. He yearned you and he couldn't hide it no more. Even if it meant staying strong just to not falter you. Even if it meant trying not to worry anyone too much but failing miserably.
Your breath shallowed for that moment, you let yourself be honest to yourself for once in three years about this everything. You turned to him, his eyes were filled with vulnerability, honesty and that feeling that you tried to bury down for the past years. Love. Genuine love. The kind that makes your heart ache everytime you see or hear him.
Palm of your hand ungrasped from the other hand and clasped with the one that held your thigh. Your fingers curled around the palm, the size difference between each other's hands were too good.
A moment of hesitation. You started leaning in close to him, looking him straight in the eyes, even if it made your breath shake. Eddie, mirroring your actions, brought his other hand to your shoulder, trailing it up your collarbones and your neck. It was the first time he has ever done this.
You could feel his fingertips, warm and gentle over the fabric of your shirt and neck. Scooting closer, your lips were already too close to be on the friend category, parting. Your breath hitched as you lowered your eyelids. His middle and pointer finger scooting under the collar of your shirt, traveling up and down your pulse.
The distraction on your neck wasn't too long before he finally leaned forward, closing the distance between your lips. A feeling of your glossed lips finally met in a gentle kiss, moving freely against each others. A feeling of fresh shaven hair on his chin felt extatic, making you shake.
A taste of coffee, dark chocolate and salt was radiating from him, the warmth of his breath tickling your face.
With the newfound urgency, you slightly deepened the kiss, making him sigh in satisfaction through his nose. His hands now traveled up from your hip to your waist, pulling your body closer. His hand was hurting but it was worth the damage if this meant being closer to you, sitting you up on his lap. He winced in pain but it was quickly replaced back to satisfaction. Hands stayed at your waist, fingers digging into the fabric.
The sudden change in position caught you off guard but made it better for this moment. Your free hand trailed up his jaw and down his neck, stopping at his shoulder – not too close to where it ached.
You bit down his lip, your tusks leaving a faint mark under his lower lip before returning into the hellfire of your affection. Your clasped hands that were now tangling between each other's, were an unbreakable sign. You sighed, now without that shaky effect you had moments ago.
Both mind were full of emotions like sky with fireworks on New Year. Bright with satisfaction, joy and excitement. Yours? Let's just say that this moment alone answered all you questions between you and him. Words can't describe what you felt in this moment.
You both pulled away, staring at each other. He looked at you with affection and fulfillment, parted lips glistening with spit under the fluorescent lights above you and him. Your breathing was heavy, labored. You looked slightly down at him, eyes fluttering from the lack of oxygen.
"Counts as.. an answer? For you?" You whispered loud enough, your thumb trailing up and down at the front of his throat. You never thought you would be this cocky in your life but that movement proved you wrong. It all felt like a dream. A dream that came true.
"Yeah.." He answered, clearing his throat, his adam's apple bobbing under your touch. Squeezing your waist again he assured himself that all of this was real. He chuckled to himself, the rich laugh escaping like a breather.
You laughed too, maybe from the heavy stone off your chest, maybe from overwhelm. Placing a peck on the edge of his mouth before pulling back, your hand slid off his neck to your lap.
"Alright, we need to go, c'mon." The reminder escaped your lips as you slided off his lap and getting back on feet, grabbing his car and apartment keys that now felt natural in your palm.
He slowly crawled out of bed, shutting his eyes as the aching pain returned to his hip, but now it felt a little lighter and easy. Maybe it was from the haze of the kiss, maybe from the feeling of your lips against his it felt better. He slid his foot in one boot, reaching down to tie it, the zipper clicking shut after, echoing in the now peacefully quiet room. The satisfied smile on his face never faltered.
You grabbed your coat from a hanger, pulling your arms in and fixing it on yourself. The buttons clicked to their place, cocooning the fabric around you. Reaching for your scarf, you pulled it over your neck, letting your hair brush over it.
Eddie, now fumbling to the hanger too, grabs his coat and starts putting it on. You waited by the door, the hallway was already illuminated by sunset, awaited you both. When he finally finished, he grabbed his backpack, throwing it over his good shoulder and walking a bit slower, cocking from side to side just a little.
Seeing this view, you stepped out the door, looking at him and cackling quietly. "You look like a grandma that had liposuction, Ed, I'm in tears." You covered your mouth with your hand for a moment, before walking up to him for balance, your hand wrapping around his waist. Not really pulling but there if he needed a catch.
"Don't make fun of the injured for once, will you?" He said, joking anger in his dramatic line.
Remembering that you once had the second glove on, you glanced at him, eyes puzzled. "Wait, where is my glove by the way, do you have it..?" The question rose, making you stop, turning your head to him.
"Shit, I 'ont know. I dozed off when they layed me down on board." He started patting down himself before feeling something in his pocket. Eddie reached in, the bag almost sliding off his shoulder as he pulled off the blooded glove of yours out. "Found it." He gave you it, already closing the door behind him, leaving the lights on in healing room.
Falling into step, you both went to the exit. You studied your glove – a deep red stain was spread on the outer side of your palm, a contrast on brown fabric. Your eyes softened before putting the second glove on.
After a moment of quiet, you decided to return the dialogue again.
"One of my Christmas wishes came true already." You blurted out, looking out of the windows into the sky, the night sky already starting to show its stars after the sun setting.
A moment of silence stretched, Eddie looked at you, your profile a dark contrast to the beautiful sunset behind it.
"Same." He said, voice low as he stared at you for a long moment before returing forward, looking a bit down, lost in the process of the moment.
He sighed, wrapping his arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer to the one and only.
Hidden emotions and feeling now felt shown, not daring to be shadowed by denying in two's alone time or minds.
≡ ! | a/n: «— Finished! This fic will be on AO3. Also, I will make another post with all the parts for better navigation between my works (^o^)/. Thank you for reading through, I really hope yall liked it as I worked almost 2 months on this bs!»
≡ "Three Years, One Fall." p.1
≡ "Three Years, One Fall." p.2
