Eddie Munson x Reader (Friends to lovers!)
Synopsis: Reader and Eddie go to see a new movie together. Reader is obsessed with the movie, and one particular song in it. Eddie learns it to impress her, fluff ensues.
A/N: This is not meant to be part of the lil miniseries I've been working on. The idea struck me when As the World Falls Down from The Labyrinth started playing while I was doing homework and I thought this was just too cute not to write. Also, I think the Labyrinth came out in June of '86 so they wouldn't have been in school because summer, but we are going to ignore that plz and thank you. As always, any feedback is welcome! Enjoy :)
*GIF is not mine, but I wish Eddie was*
"Are you busy this Friday?" You bounded up to your best friend's locker, effectively startling him.
Eddie jumped a little at your sudden appearance. "What'd you have in mind?" He shut the door and walked with you to the cafeteria. He had made plans with Henderson, but he wasn't one to turn you down when you wanted to hang out.
"You know that new David Bowie movie that just came out? I thought it looked really good. Wanna go?" You offered him a little smile. One that he soon returned. "It's got goblins and like a shit ton of other cool fantasy creatures!" He couldn't help the lovesick feeling he got in his chest at the way your face lit up when you rambled about the movie.
"Yeah, sounds cool. What time should I pick you up?" You both took your seats at the table. "Well there's a showing at 4. We could go to that and get dinner after?" He nodded at this.
He knew it wasn't a date.
You two hung out together often and considered the other to be your best friend. He knew he didn't have a chance with someone like you, and he sure as hell wasn't going to confess and risk your friendship.
So instead he settled for stolen glances, fleeting touches, and little scenarios that played out over and over again in his head. He wished for more, but he was content being in your life any way you wanted him. Even if that meant being just a friend.
Friday rolled around and it was time for you to get ready. When you got home from school you immediately began looking for an outfit. Something cute, but not trying to hard.
You knew it wasn't a date.
You and Eddie had been friends since you'd moved to Hawkins your freshman year. He was a year older than you. You two had been glued at the hip since your first week when you stood up to Jason for picking on him.
Eddie had always been sweet to you. He would always offer to give you a ride (even though you had your own perfectly good car), hold your backpack when the two of you would walk to class, and even let you sit in his throne during Hellfire meetings. Not that you would actually play; you just sat there, looked cute, and added into the conversation when you could. Occasionally you would actually participate, but your knowledge was limited and Eddie would have to hold your hand through the entire session.
You snapped out of your thoughts as you entered your room. You had about an hour to pick out an outfit and freshen up your hair and makeup before Eddie would arrive.
Even though this was just two friends hanging out you couldn't help your desire to look nice for him.
After getting changed you went to touch up your makeup and hair, slip on your shoes, and add a cute little accessory to enhance your look. You knew you looked adorable. Despite knowing he would never feel the same, you could never shake the hopefulness you'd felt when he'd give you a compliment or use one of his signature pet names. Obviously, he didn't mean anything by it but a girl could dream.
Before you were able to get too engrossed in your wishful thinking, your doorbell brought you back to reality.
As soon as you opened the door Eddie's breath caught in his throat. Of course, you got all dolled up to go out. You always did. And it caught him off guard every. single. time.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart." It was your turn to feel butterflies now as that stupid name left his lips. You had to play it cool. He didn't mean anything by it.
"You don't look too bad, yourself, Munson." You walked down the steps with him to his van, hopping in after he opened the door for you.
After the movie ended you could not stop gushing about two things.
1. Bowie in those tight ass pants.
And 2. The ballroom scene.
The movie overall was amazing, but you couldn't help how much you loved the ballroom. You loved the costumes, specifically Connelly's dress; the atmosphere in the scene; and most importantly, that song.
At the diner you talked Eddie's ear off about how beautiful you thought the song was and how you just had to buy the soundtrack on cassette. He didn't mind thought. He loved watching you talk about something you were passionate about.
Even when you went on and on about that damned song, face full of burger, he thought you were the prettiest little thing he'd ever seen.
After that night at the movie Eddie got an idea. He wasn't good at many things, but definitely knew how to shred his guitar.
His feelings for his best friend had grown every stronger, and he felt like this could be his opportunity to win her over. After all, it was their senior year and he knew she was planning on leaving for college once she graduated. This could be his only chance to confess his feelings before she's out of this shit-hole town and on to bigger and better things.
Two weeks had gone by since they had gone to see that movie. He had two weeks of practice under his belt, and was finally confident enough to execute his plan. He just hoped he wouldn't lose his nerve.
"Hey, sweetheart, wanna come over Saturday?" He hoped she hadn't notice the slight shake in his voice. "Yeah that sounds good." She nodded with that sweet little smile that he loved so much.
She assumed it would be like any other time the two of them would hang out. Watch movies, talk, share a joint, maybe order a pizza. Eddie, however, was finally ready to make his move.
When she arrived at the trailer Eddie was already waiting for her on the couch.
He took her bag for her and put it in his room while she made herself at home. When he came back out a few seconds later, guitar in hand, she didn't think much of it. It wasn't out of the ordinary for him to lazily pick at his guitar while she was there.
Initially, Eddie was going to wait a little bit before he carried out his master plan. But he grew more and more nervous as it got closer to the time was expected to come over. He knew it was now or never. He had to jump into it before he lost his nerve completely.
He took a seat on the couch next to her. He was worried his hands would be too shaky to play at this point, but he pushed on.
"Hey," He grimaced internally at how weak his voice sounded. "I, uh, l know you really liked that one song. So I learned it. For you." He hated how awkward he sounded. He had gone over what he was going to say beforehand, but forgot everything as soon as he opened his mouth.
He felt that dull ache in his heart. It hurt, feeling like he wasn't good enough for you. He was unapologetically himself, but he'd be lying if he said he hadn't started to feel like he really was a freak after hearing it so often.
Your gasp brought him back to the present. "That's so sweet, Ed! Can I hear it?" His heart clenched, seeing those big doe-eyes looking up at him. Thought it made him nervous, he loved being this close to you. He adored these moments when he was able to really take in your features and envelop himself in your scent.
He was a sucker for your signature cotton candy perfume that you wore religiously. He even had a habit of waiting to wash shirts or jackets of his that you'd borrowed, wanting to keep the lovely fragrance around as long as possible.
Eddie only nodded in response. After taking in a shaky breath he began playing the guitar portion that was towards the end of the song.
You watched him with wide eyes. It was always so beautiful to see him doing something he loved. He was so talented with his guitar. You knew that one day he and his band would make it big, and you always told him so.
He looked downright heavenly when he was in his element like this. You couldn't resist staring at the way his fingers so smoothly plucked at the strings of his guitar. You'd bet he learned this song in no time. He always picked new ones up so effortlessly.
After he played the last note he set his guitar down gently, hands shaking. "Oh, Eddie, that was- that was amazing!" Before you could stop yourself you threw your arms around his neck. Instinctively, his arms wrapped around your torso. "I'm glad you liked it sweetheart."
When the two of you pulled back the energy had shifted. You could tell he was nervous about something. "Everything okay?" You put a hand on his forearm, concern growing.
Eddie let out a shaky breath. He knew that what he was about to do would change your dynamic forever, he just hoped that if things went sour you two would at least stay friends.
"Actually, I need to talk to you about something." You looked at him expectantly, letting him know you want him to go on. "(Y/n)... Sweetheart. I- fuck." He laughed dryly at his inability to form a sentence.
"What is it Eddie?" You looked up at him through your lashes, hand still on his forearm.
This had all gone so much more smoothly when he planned it out in his head. He had been confident and knew exactly what he was going to say and how he was going to see it. All of that went out the window when he looked into your eyes.
He felt like if he said the wrong thing he would lose the most important person in his life. He had allowed you to break down his walls and now he was at your mercy. He was, effectively, wrapped around your finger. Reduced to mush any time you came around.
"I'm in love with you." And it was the truth. He was truly, madly, deeply, in love with you. Unable to make eye contact, he looked to the floor. Suddenly, the carpet had become very interesting.
A hand turned his face towards the girl he had been dreaming about for the past four years. "Do you mean that?" Your voice was a whisper. It was all you could muster at this point.
Eddie's hand reached up to hold the hand still on his cheek. He was gentle, as if his touch could break her. "I do. But I won't hold it against you if you don't feel the same."
It was crazy how he had been reduced to a shy little boy in this moment. He had always been softer with you. But seeing loud, boisterous Eddie 'larger than life' Munson in this state was unnerving.
A smile spread across your face at his confirmation. You leaned in slowly, pressing your lips to his. The kiss was slow, tender, but filled with passion. Years worth of pent-up affection finally able to be released.
Your hand slid up his arm to grip his bicep, while he pulled you closer by your waist. After a moment you pulled away, letting out a soft breath. "I'm in love with you too."
At this a dope, lovesick grin spread across Eddie's face. He pulled you in for another kiss, and you obliged without hesitation. You knew you had a lot of lost time to make up for.
From here on out you two would have each other fully. Maybe it would be a challenge after graduation. You were going away for college, but you knew Eddie hated this town. Maybe he wouldn't be opposed to moving with you.
Whatever happens you knew you would always have each other, even if the world fell down.
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