hellfirehottie

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter One - Black Magic Woman

‘Yes, you’ve got your spell on me, baby, 

You’ve turned my heart into stone, 

I need you so bad, magic woman, I can’t leave you alone’ 

Black Magic Woman - Fleetwood Mac 

Friday / 10:55pm: closing time / Hawkins Record Store

In Hawkins, Indiana, the nighttime sky is raining heavily. Nina’s car enters and parks in the dimly lit parking lot. The only light provided in the dark night is by the worn out street lamps and the neon sign of the record store. Nina leaves her car, leather jacket over her head to shield from the downpour, and runs to the record store.

Eddie: “Damn it, Dustin!” [muttering to himself, dunking the mop into the bucket] “Those damn kids,” [mopping the red slushie stain on the ceiling] “How did the damn slushie get on the ceiling?” [sighing, defeated, turning up the volume on his tape player, Black Sabbath playing loudly in his ears] “That’s gonna come out of my paycheck.” 

[The door opens.]

Nina: “Hello? Are you still open?” [Nina walks into the building, cautiously looking around. She walks behind Eddie,  who is singing softly to himself, and taps him on the shoulder.] “Hello?” Eddie: [loudly, shocked] “Gah!” [Eddie turns around in fright, mop leaving his hand and hitting Nina in the face] “What the fu-”  Nina: [clutching her face] “Oof!” [clutching her nose, eyes watering] “What the hell, man?!” [blinking away her tears] “I think you broke my nose!”  Eddie: [earnestly, heart racing in shock, disorientated] “Oh fuck, oh shit, I’m so sorry! Are you okay? You scared the shit out of me!”  Nina: [sarcastically] “Oh yes, I’m never better, you just broke my nose!”  Eddie: “You scared me! I wasn’t expecting anyone in, we’re closed!”  Nina: [looking at the closed sign on the door, sheepish] “Oh, my bad.” [apologetic, sniffling, bumbling] “I’m sorry, I should have read the sign, I’ll go, this is totally my fault, I-”  Eddie: [awkward] “Hey, don’t apologise, I’m sorry I threw a mop at you…”[scratching his neck awkwardly] “Is your nose okay? Can I get you anything?”  Nina: [still sniffling, smiling to ease the tension] “A new nose, maybe?”  Eddie: [joking] “Sold the last one this morning.” [Nina gives him a deadpan stare. Eddie blushes and chews his thumb nervously] “I don’t know why I said that.” Stupid, stupid, stupid, he thought. “A tissue, maybe?”  Nina: “Please.” [she takes the tissues off Eddie and wipes her nose and eyes] “I should have checked the sign. Guess we’re both at fault, huh?”  Eddie: (bewildered) “Sure…” I’ve never seen you before, he thought. [Eddie smiles shyly at Nina] “So, er, can I help you with something?”  Nina: [tugging at her cardigan sleeves, awkward under Eddie’s gaze] “I know it’s late but I’m looking for an album, I was wondering if you have it in stock? I know it’s past closing time but I’m desperate, and then we can call it even. Cool?”  Eddie: [feeling nervous, small smile on his face, palms sweaty] “Sure, what are you looking for?”  Nina: “I’m looking for Rumours by Fleetwood Mac on vinyl, any luck? Mine’s broken.”  Eddie: [springing into life, false enthusiasm] “Why of course! Here at Hawkins Record Store we’re here to cater to all musical tastes!” 

[Eddie skips over to the back corner of the store, doing dramatic jazz hands in front of the rock section. Nina watches, amused.]

The corner is decorated with twinkly fairy lights and bohemian wall hangings, and smelled like opium incense.

A pang of homesickness fills Nina’s gut. 

Nina: (quietly) “Thanks.” 

Eddie stands behind Nina, watching her every move, as she flicks through the vinyls. Nina finds  herself smiling at how adorably awkward the cute shop clerk is. Eddie chews his thumb again, thinking of ways to carry on the conversation.

Eddie: (awkwardly) “So, er,  your last vinyl broke huh? That good, is it?”  Nina: (shyly) “Oh it broke in some boxes, I’ve just moved here.” [Eyes flicking between Eddie and the vinyls.] “But yeah, Fleetwood Mac are the best. You like them?”  Eddie: “Thought I hadn’t seen you around. I would definitely remember seeing you.” [Eddie blushes at the realisation of what he said, eyes widening, Nina smiles and flushes at his comment. Eddie feels giddy that he made her smile. Eddie sways, faking nonchalance] “Can’t say I’ve listened to them.” 

Nina: “You should, you’re missing out.” 

A peaceful quietness settled in the store. Eddie shamelessly checks out the new customer. He shakes himself back to reality.

Eddie: (voice squeaky, loud in the quiet room) “Two for one on selected albums!”  Nina: [turning around, puzzled] “…Sorry?”  Eddie: (awkwardly) “We, erm, have two for the price of one on certain items. Spring sale, y’know, all that jazz.”

You’re making an idiot of yourself, Eddie thinks. 

Nina: (smiling, eager to engage in conversation) “Oh cool, anything you’d recommend?” 

Excitement bubbles in Eddie’s stomach. 

The cute girl is talking to me. Be cool. 

Eddie: (enthusiastically) “A personal favourite of mine is Ride the Lightning, ten out of ten would recommend.” [He pulls the album off the rack, presenting it to her.] Nina: “Wow, ten out of ten, I’ll have to give it a go. But if it sucks, I’m blaming you.” [Nina’s smile widens, fidgeting in her spot under his stare.]

Is she flirting with me? Eddie thought. No, she can’t be. 

Eddie: (attempting to flirt, smiling at her.) “I will happily take the blame, though I doubt you’ll be disappointed.” 

[Eddie rings up her bill, his mind desperately trying to think of ways to continue the conversation. Eddie cautiously takes sneaky glances at Nina as her eyes wander around the store.]

Nina: [eyeing up Eddie’s name tag on his black shirt] “See you around, Eddie.” [She smiles, picks up her bag and leaves.]

I didn’t even ask her name. 

[Eddie finishes up mopping the floor, smiling to himself as his heart flutters.]

Monday / 8:50AM / Hawkins High School. 

[Eddie’s combat boot clad feet land hard on the gravel as he hops out his van. He slams the door behind him tiredly, swinging his bag over his shoulder. 

He rubs his eyes tiredly as he looks over the school car park. He scans the crowd in front of him, looking for anyone he knows. A flash of red hair catches his eye, but vanishes again.]

Christ, I’m imagining things. 

[Eddie shakes his head and walks grumpily to the school cafeteria.]

Eddie is face down on the lunch table, half asleep, waiting for the 9AM bell to ring. Dustin, Will and Mike exchanging D & D theories. El and Max talking about the Beach Boys, Lucas groaning and rolling his eyes. 

At the next table, Steve is ranting about another failed date, while Nancy and Jonathan joke at his expense. 

[The 9AM bell rings, and everyone pours into the hallways to go to the first lesson of the day.

Eddie sees a flash of red hair again walk past the doorway and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.]

Eddie: [muttering to himself] “Damn, she’s haunting me.” [yawning] “I’m going crazy.” [pulling his books out of his locker, grumpy in the morning.] “Fucking English” [tired] “Who gives a shit what Hemingway says anyway.” 

[Robin and Nina make their way down the corridor, on their way to first period. 

Eddie chokes on his own spit and attempts to hide himself behind the door of his locker.]

Eddie: [to himself, wide eyed, palms sweaty] “Shit, shit, shit!” [Eddie looks around frantically for an escape route, runs towards a door which closes before he can reach it. He attempts to hide behind a bin, the bin starts to tip over] “Oh, fuck!” [Eddie steadies the bin, other students look at him weirdly, Eddie’s eyes flick to Nina and Robin who are only 15 feet away, he panics more.] “Oh god, Oh god!” [Eddie hides once again behind his locker door, head deep inside the locker.] “I can’t believe this is happening!”  Robin: [smiling, too happy for so early in the morning] “Hey Eddie! Meet my cousin Nina! She’s just transferred here!” Eddie: [peeping his head around the locker door, a nervous smile on his face, raking his hands through his hair, shy] “Hi.” 

Nina: [bewildered, then pleasantly surprised] “Hi.” (amused, smiling) “We’ve met before actually, Eddie here nearly broke my nose.” 

She has blue- no, grey eyes, Eddie thought. 

Eddie: [smiling too, but dying of embarrassment] “I threw a mop at her face.” 

Damn, I forgot how cute she was. 

Robin: (looking confused, then laughing) “I’m not going to ask! Come on, I’ll walk you to Maths.” 

[Robin drags Nina away down the corridor, Nina turns around and gives a small wave to Eddie, which Eddie reciprocates.  Eddie takes a moment to compose himself before slamming his locker door, walking to English.]

12:40pm, lunchtime / Hawkins High School cafeteria. 

[Eddie’s eyes flick around the room, mind alert, waiting for Nina to enter the cafeteria; eyes glueing to the table below him when she enters. He can’t help himself from sneakily watching her every move, not being subtle. 

Nina sits down beside Robin two tables away from Eddie and the Hellfire Club, with Steve, Nancy and Johnathan. They all laugh hard at a joke Steve makes. Eddie watches with jealousy as Nina giggles cutely at his joke. He finds himself staring as he watches Nina steal some of Steve’s fries.]

Eddie felt stupid over how jealous he was over a girl he didn't know but he wanted to be the one she leaned on when he made her laugh so much, whose food she steals.

[He looks at Nina and then down at the table bitterly.]

Dustin: [waving his hand in Eddie’s face] “Hello, earth to Eddie?”  Mike: [shaking his head at Eddie] “You’re wasting your time dude, he’s long gone.”  Gareth: [intrigued] “He’s been like this all morning.” Max: (muttering) “Maybe Vecna has possessed him.” Lucas: [shaking his head, swatting Max] “Too soon.” [Max grins at him.]  Eddie: [blinking, returning to earth from his jealous thoughts] “Huh, what?” Gareth: (laughing) “You were totally staring at the new girl.” Eddie: (embarrassed, trying to play it off coolly) “Was not.” Jeff: “I don’t blame him, she’s hot.” [Not so subtly glancing at Nina.]  Argyle: (to Jeff, sassy) “She’d never go for a freak like you in a million years.” 

[The table erupts in a chorus of “Damn”’s “Oh Shit”’s. ]

She’d never go for a freak like me either Jeff, Eddie thought. 

Dustin: (quietly, pulling Eddie to the side) “You okay, man?”

Eddie: (hushed) “The new girl is Fleetwood Mac Gi- Nina. She’s called Nina.” [Dustin looks at him confused] “The girl from the record store I was telling you about.”  Dustin: (erupting, standing up from his seat) “No way! That’s awesome! Eddie and Nina sitting in a tree!” 

[Eddie drags Dustin back down to his seat as people stare. Eddie goes red with embarrassment.]

Eddie: [hissing] “Dustin! Keep your voice down!”  Will: “Why are we shushing?” Mike: “When has Eddie ever shushed, or been shushed?”  El: “What’s going on?”  Lucas: “Eddie has a girlfriend, what?” Dustin: (laughing) “Eddie’s in looooove!” [doing his signature purr that he does for the ladies]

[Questions fly around the table.]

Eddie: (grumpy) “Not cool man.” [shoving Dustin] “Can we please get back to the campaign?” (Back to his usual charismatic self) “A loud rumbling is emerging from the enchanted forest that you little shits aren’t ready for.”  

2:40pm / Science class 

Eddie huffs as he goes to his seat at the back of class, ready for the day to end. His eyes perk up when Nina enters the classroom. 

Mr Clarke: “You’re late.”  Nina: (sheepish) “Sorry, I got lost. Won’t happen again.” [she works her way to the free seat in the row in front of Eddie.]  Mr Clarke: “Wait, not so fast!” [Nina freezes in her spot, eyes closed with dread] “You’re the new girl, right? Why don’t you come up to the front and introduce yourself?” [A few people in the class laugh and whisper at each other, Nina turns on her heels and stands awkwardly at the front of the class]  Nina: “Hi, I’m Nina. I’ve just transferred here from California.” [The whispers increase and Nina fiddles with her rings nervously.] “That’s about it, really.” [She shuffles awkwardly back to her seat.]  Mr Clarke: “Why don’t we give Nina a warm Hawkins welcome?” [the room is scattered with applause, Eddie claps quietly, watching her every move.] “So! Physics…” [Mr Clarke begins the lesson.] 

[Nina rummages through her bag for her notebook, leaning on the desk in front of her, the hem of her jeans dipping to show the lace of her underwear. 

Jeff notices and elbows Eddie to get his attention, nodding over at Nina’s direction. Eddie shoves him, muttering a quiet ‘Perv’, trying his hardest not to stare. His neck and cheeks go red with heat, and he shuffles uncomfortably in his seat.]

Nina: [turning around to face Eddie, Eddie’s eyes raise to meet hers, blushing from nearly being caught staring at her ass] “Do you guys happen to have a pen I can borrow?” 

Eddie: [stuttering] “Su-sure.” [He goes into his bag and hands her a pen] “Hope it works.”  Nina: [smiling, eyebrow raised] “Thanks.” 

‘Hope it works’? She must think you’re so lame. 

Eddie spends the rest of the lesson daydreaming and doodling in his book. He occasionally looks up at the board, and looks at Nina, hoping to catch her eye. At the end of the lesson, Nina picks up her bag and walks out the classroom. Eddie follows behind along with the rest of the class. He watches from a distance as she meets up with Robin, Steve, Jonathan and Nancy in the car park, laughing with the group before they get into their cars; and Eddie is left saddened he didn’t speak to her more. 

Next Chapter: Chapter Two - Cherry Bomb

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Sixteen - Friday, I'm in love

Chapter summary: Schools out at Hawkins High and Eddie and Nina… celebrate. wink wink. 

Content warnings: (chapter spoilers!) animal neglect (Eddie and Nina find and rescue kittens), SO MUCH DAMN FLUFF, love confession, lots of sexual tension, Eddie being a damn horndog, lovesick couple, heavy petting, pet names, teasing, smut! (f!oral receiving), loss of virginity (sike! Not really! Well kinda) awkward interrupted sex (Wayne walks in on Eddie and Nina about to have sex), this chapter was so fun to write I’m sorry it took so long to write it! Don’t worry, our boy Eddie will be cashing in his V card very, very soon….. 

Chapter Sixteen - Friday I'm in love

"I don't care if Monday's blue,

Tuesday's gray and Wednesday too,

Thursday I don't care about you,

It's Friday, I'm in love."

"Friday, I'm in love" - The Cure

Friday / Hawkins High School / 4PM

Crowds of people are flooding out the doors of Hawkins High, excited for the end of exam season and the start of the summer break.

Nina: (tiredly) “Thank fuck for that.”  Robin: [dragging her feet] “My brain has turned to sludge.” 

[Steve is standing leaning on his car, waiting for Nina and Robin to appear from the gate.] 

Nina: “Hey Stevie, how did the exam go?”  Steve: [smug, punching the air] “All the questions I studied came up on the paper, I nailed that exam!”  Robin: [groaning, rubbing her temples] “Lucky for some, I feel like I made up every answer on that paper.” 

[Eddie appears through the doors and walks over to the group.] 

Eddie: (pouting) “This has been the longest semester of my life. I could sleep for weeks.”  Nina: [walking over to him, cuddling into his side, pouting] “Me too, maybe we should hibernate for a while.”  Eddie: [whispered softly to her] “Hey gorgeous.” [Kissing her forehead] “So, what’s the plan for tonight guys?”  Steve: (hyper) “I feel like we should go out and celebrate!”  Robin: (groaning) “No alcohol, I’m still hungover from last weekend.”  Steve: (teasingly) “Not even a few sambuca shots?” [Robin gags and Nina giggles]  Eddie: “We could go for some food?”  Nina: (softly to Eddie) “Don’t you have D&D tonight?”  Eddie: “Gave Hellfire the night off, tonight we’re celebrating!” 

[Nancy and Jonathan walk over to join the conversation.] 

Nancy: “What are we doing tonight then guys? Final year is finally over!”  Steve: (Vindicated) “See! It feels wrong not celebrating.”  Nina: (joking) “We’re getting old.”  Eddie: “We could go to the Arcade?”  Steve: [pinching his eyebrows] “We’ve just spent the entire semester surrounded by screaming kids, the arcade is the last place I want to go.” 

[Eddie pouts and Nina laughs at him, playing with his pet lip, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He blushes and smiles, pulling her under his arm.] 

Nina: “Could go see a movie?”  Steve: (sarcastically) “Cause we don’t do that enough already.”  Robin: “Meet at the mall at 7!” 

Eddie’s trailer / 6:30pm

Eddie and Nina are in Eddie’s trailer. The sun is setting and the air is warm in the summer heat. Eddie is carrying a basket of laundry through the trailer while Nina sits on Eddie’s bed, lotioning her legs.

[Eddie does a double take upon seeing Nina wrapped in a towel, fresh out of the shower, wet hair dangling as she rubs the lotion into her skin.] 

Eddie: [stuttering] “What, erm, what are you doing?”  Nina: “I’m putting lotion on.” [looking at Eddie with a raised eyebrow] “What are you doing?”  Eddie: (cheekily) “I’m watching you put lotion on, apparently.” [Eddie can smell the scent of her vanilla lotion, he blinks himself back to reality] “I’m, erm, doing laundry.”  Nina: (teasing) “Laundry? You?”  Eddie: (slow, dazed) “Yeah, I wanted it done for when you came over but I got side tracked.” [mumbling] “You smell good.”  Nina: [standing up, straightening her towel, Eddie’s eyes linger on her] “You’re sweet.” [She presses a kiss on his cheek as she passes by him, he blushes] “Proper little housewife, aren’t you?”  Eddie: (shy) “Just wanna make things nice for you.” 

[Nina wraps her arms around Eddie’s back as he shoves his wet bedding into the dryer.] 

What did I do to deserve you? Nina thinks.  

Nina: (softly) “Thank you.”  Eddie: [laughing lightly] “You don’t have to thank me.”  Nina: [resting her head on his back, smiling to herself] “I do.” 

[Eddie turns around and wraps his arms around her, pressing a kiss on her forehead. They stay standing like that for a few moments, enjoying their embrace.] 

Nina: “Think I’m gonna wear my new dress tonight.” [Eddie groans] “What, what’s wrong with the dress?” (pouting) “You don’t like it?”  Eddie: (groaning) “No, it’s good, it’s too good.” [Nina giggles into his chest] “First the lotioning and now the dress, think you’re purposefully trying to make me hard.”  Nina: [laughing] “The lotioning?”  Eddie: [mumbled into her hair] “You smell good. And you’re all soft and radiant, and then the thought of you in that dress…” [he groans exaggeratedly again, Nina laughs] “Boner city over here.”  Nina: [giggling into his chest] “You’re impossible.”  Eddie: “And you’re a tease.” [Eddie pushes Nina’s wet hair over her shoulder and kisses down her neck] “Getting me all hot and bothered over here.”  Nina: (teasing) “Sure it’s not this heatwave?”  Eddie: [nibbling at her skin, pulling at the bottom of her towel] “Nope, definitely you.”  Nina: [pulling back, extending a hand out to him to bring him out of the wash room, smirking] “Don’t want to be late now, do we, Mr. Graduate?”  Eddie: (groaning) “Oh, you are the worst.” 

7pm / Starcourt Mall

The gang are walking through the mall to the cinema. Nancy, Jonathan, Steve and Robin are walking ahead. Nina and Eddie are hanging back to talk, walking with their pinky fingers linked. Eddie avoids eye contact with the shop window of the lingerie store as they walk past.

Nina: [enjoying how uncomfortable Eddie is] “Something the matter, Eddie?”  Eddie: [blushing furiously] “Nope, nothing wrong.”  Nina: [standing in front of the shop window so Eddie has to look at her and the red underwear set behind her in the window as they talk] “Are you sure honey? You look a little… flustered.”  Eddie: (amused, smiling) “You’re being especially evil today, Nina.” [Pulling Nina away from the shop window, whispering in her ear] “And you’d look really hot in that red set.” [Nina smiled and pulls him into a quick heated kiss; not helping Eddie’s frustration.]  Nina: “Come on, we better catch up.” [Eddie groans, not wanting to stop the kiss, Nina smiles as she pulls him by his arm.] 

[Eddie and Nina catch up to Steve, Nancy, Robin and Jonathan. Steve is reading the film viewings to the gang.]

Steve: “Stand by me?”  Jonathan and Robin: “Yes!”  Eddie, Nina, Nancy: “No!  Steve: “The Breakfast Club?”  Robin and Nancy: “Yes!”  Jonathan, Eddie and Nina: “Nope!” “Fuck no.” “No thank you.” Steve: (annoyed) “Aliens?”  Eddie and Nina: [at the same time] “Yes!” [They smile at each other, Eddie nudging Nina’s hip]  Nancy, Robin and Jonathan: “No way!” “Gross, no.”  Steve: “Dirty Dancing?” [The group looked around at each other questioningly, shrugging with indifference. Steve sighs dramatically, faking annoyance] “Dirty Dancing is our last option guys, it’s either that or The Goonies.”  Eddie: [quietly to Nina] “I think Steve secretly wants to see the Goonies.” [Nina giggles and playfully shoves him]  Steve: (unimpressed) “Heard that Eddie, and since nobody will decide I vote we see Dirty Dancing.” [muttering to himself] “Jesus, traded one group of kids for another.”  Nina: [whispering to Eddie] “I think Steve secretly wants to see Patrick Swayze shirtless.” [Nina winks at Eddie and he laughs loudly, causing the group to turn and look at him funny] 

Eddie buys Nina’s raspberry and bubblegum slushie and Nina buys their sharing popcorn. They buy their tickets and sit in their seats. The trailers play and Nina cuddles into Eddie’s bicep, her head resting on his shoulder, hand occasionally dipping into his lap to reach for some popcorn. Eddie gulps.

Eddie: [whispered to Nina] “You are in such deep trouble when we’re home.” [Nina giggles] 

[Eddie yawns and puts his arm over Nina’s shoulder to which she rolls her eyes, laughing at him who is smirking adorably.]

Nina: (amused, fond) “Smooth.”  Eddie: [smiling like a dork] “I try.” 

10:25pm / Starcourt Mall parking lot

The gang are walking out of the mall to the carpark. Eddie is giving Nina a piggyback, Jonathan and Nancy are walking hand in hand, Robin and Steve are bickering about the mechanics of the scene where Baby is lifted over Johnny’s head in the lake in Dirty Dancing.

Steve: (insistent) “I’m telling you Robin, I could totally lift you over my head!”  Robin: (deadpan) “Like hell you could, I could probably lift you however.” [Everyone laughs at Robins joke]  Steve: (scoffing) “Excuse me? Have you seen these guns?” [Robin scoffs and shoves him, Steve looks determined] “Right, the next pool day we have we’re gonna do it.”  Robin: (cheeky) “Bet you can’t, loser buys the drinks.” [Holding out her hand for Steve to shake]  Steve: [smug, shaking her hand] “Deal.”  Eddie: [looking up at Nina whose head is next to his] “Next time we go to Lovers Lake, we’re gonna try that.”  Nina: [to Eddie, smirking] “Get some practice tries in before we besmirch the good Harrington name.” [shouting to Steve] “Hey Steve, you’ve got competition here, Eddie and I gonna kick your ass.”  Steve: “Damn it!” [playfully backhanding Robin’s arm] “Now we’ve got to do it. Come over tomorrow, we’ve got to practise the routine.” [Robin shoves him again, telling him to ‘fuck off’]  Jonathan: [joining in, smirking] “Bet Nancy and I could do it before you two do.”  Nancy: [smiling cutely] “Hell yeah!” [she high fives Jonathan]  Steve: (whiny) “See Robin! Come on!”  Robin: (dramatically) “Fineee! But if you dunk me under the water on purpose I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”  Steve: [fist pumping the air] “Fuck yes. Tomorrow, 2pm?”  Nancy: “We’ll be there.”  Nina: “We’ll have to miss rehearsals, Eddie and I have plans.”  Robin: (confused) “You do?”  Eddie: (equally as confused) “We do?”  Nina: [to Eddie] “We do.” [Nina looks at Robin with her eyebrow raised, Robin clicks to what Nina is telepathically signalling, Robin mouths a silent “Oh!” then nods with a smirk] “But we could on Sunday? It’ll be the last time I see you guys before I go home for a while.”  Jonathan: (disappointed) “You’re going back to California?”  Nina: “Just for a few weeks, to tie up some loose ends.” [Eddie goes quiet, Nina notices] “But I’ll be back for 4th July!”  Nancy: “We should go to the fun fair this year! We missed it last year.” [The gang goes quieter still, contemplating the events of last summer] “Or not…”  Eddie: [trying to recover the mood] “We should. It’ll be fun!” [Everyone looks at him weirdly] “What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”  Robin: [laughing] “It’s just weird seeing the spawn of Satan wanting to participate in fun patriotic events, that’s all.”  Eddie: [smirking, dramatic] “Even the spawn of Satan wants to ride fairground rides and eat cotton candy sometimes.” [Nina giggles on his shoulder and presses a kiss on his cheek]  Nancy: “We better go, it’s getting late.” [Pulling Jonathan to the car] “Night guys!” [Jonathan mumbles a “Bye” and leaves with Nancy]  Steve: [to Nina] “Do you need a lift home too Nina?”  Nina: (politely) “Eddie is giving me a lift home, but thank you! See you on Sunday!” 

[They say their goodbyes and Nina tells Robin she’ll see her at home. Eddie and Nina walk to Eddie’s van.] 

Nina: “Wait… Eddie, do you hear that?”  Eddie: (Confused) “Hear what? I don’t hear anything?”  Nina: “That! Can’t you hear it?”  Eddie: (worried, grabbing the waistband of his jeans tightly) “If this is you trying to give me a wedgie again, you can forget it!” Nina: [laughing] “I’m serious! I can hear a cat stuck or something.”  Eddie: (dramatically) “Oh fuck, it’s finally happened, she’s lots the plot, she’s gone mad.”  Nina: “Shut up!”  Eddie: (dramatic still, antagonising) “Alert the asylum, bring the restraints, I have a feeling she won’t go quietly!”  Nina: [grinning] “You’re such a dick.” [quieter now, listening] “I can totally hear a cat somewhere. Come help me find it.” 

[They search the alley behind the Mall with no success. They walk back towards the car.]

Eddie: [smirking] “I’m telling you babe, you’ve lost it.”  Nina: (confused, pouting) “I was so sure I heard a cat meow. Oh well.”  Eddie: (nonchalant) “That’s how it starts, then you’ll start seeing dark clouds and a seven foot tall dude with no nose who's sending his demon bats to eat you alive.” [Nina looks at him confused] “True story.”  Nina: [laughing] “You’re so weird.”  Eddie: [smiling] “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”  Nina: “I wouldn’t.” [hearing the noise again] “I heard it again, this way!” [running in the other direction] Eddie: “Christ, it’s like dating a sheepdog.” [running up to her, panting] “Did you find it?” 

[Nina turns around with a little scruffy black kitten in her hands, Nina’s eyes watering with emotion.]

Nina: [tearing up over how cute the kitten is] “Eddie, look! Look at it! Aw, the poor baby is all by itself!” [Petting the kitten] “Look how cute it is.”  Eddie: [looking fondly at Nina rather than the kitten] “Pretty damn cute.”  Nina: “Can we keep it? Please?”  Eddie: [torn] “We shouldn’t, it’s mother must be looking for it.”  Nina: (sadly) “I found it in that beaten box there with the lid sealed up. I think somebody dumped it.” [pouting at Eddie, holding the kitten up to her face to emphasise her point, playing with Eddie’s emotions, dramatic, begging] “Please Eddie! Us two stray kittens need a loving home to live in, won’t you please take us in?”  Eddie: [rolling his eyes but smiling] “You really are evil, I hope you know that.” Nina: (hopeful) “Is that a yes?”  Eddie: [trying to hide his smile] “Fine, we can keep it.”  Nina: [Smiling widely] “Yay!” [talking to the kitten] “I’ve always wanted a cat. I’m going to call you Ozzy.” [Eddie looks at her with a raised eyebrow] “What? After The Prince of Darkness? Seems fitting, don’t you think?” 

Fuck, I love you, Eddie thinks. 

Eddie: “We’ll have to take it to the vets to get it checked over. And to the pet store in the morning to get the stuff we need.”  Nina: (smirking) “Look at you being a responsible adult.”  Eddie: [taking the kitten from Nina’s hand, patting it lovingly on the head, it looks up at him and meows] “I just want the best for my son.”  Nina: (sarcastically) “Oh typical Eddie, first he doesn’t want the cat and now it’s son, typical.” (serious now) “I’ll get Auntie Mel to take me to the store in the morning while you’re at work.” [stroking Ozzy’s nose with her finger] “Looks like you need a bath, little guy, you’re stinky.”  Eddie: [looking around, frowning]  “I think I can hear another.”  Nina: [after searching for a while, she finds another kitten near the box] “Oh look Eddie, there’s two! Now we have one each!” [looking at the box, confused] “Poor thing must have eaten its way through the cardboard, there’s a hole in the box.” 

[Nina struggles to catch the timid kitten while Eddie watches with amusement. Nina picks up the ginger kitten and cradles it in her arms. She looks at Eddie with glee, he smiles at her fondly.] 

Eddie: [trying not to laugh at the kitten’s fat belly] “Makes sense, have you seen the size of him? He’s practically the size of the box himself.”  Nina: (gasping, covering the kitten’s ears) “Don’t talk to your son that way!” [patting the nervous kitten on the head] “Don’t listen to him sweetheart, you’re perfect the way you are.” [Eddie melts, Nina extends the kitten out towards him] “You can name this one.”  Eddie: “Barrel. Fatty. Ginger Von Roundboy.”  Nina: “And you call me evil.”  Eddie: (immediately) “Garfield.”  Nina: [rolling her eyes, amused] “Original.”  Eddie: [Shrugging his shoulders, laughing, walking to the car with the kitten in his hands] “I’m going to feed it lasagne and make it even fatter.”  Nina: “Spoke too soon about the responsible thing.”  Eddie: (dryly) “Better than eating cardboard.” 

[Eddie smirks at Nina as the two hop in the car with the kittens. Eddie looks over at Nina as he drives, as she plays happily with the kittens on her lap.]

When they arrive back at the trailer, they spend the night taking care of the kittens. They fill the sink with warm water and gently wash the kittens. They make a makeshift bed out of a cardboard box of Wayne’s and an old towel. Eddie decorates the box with drawings of bats. 

Eddie loves how happy they make Nina, he could watch her play with the kittens for hours. 

[Eddie is sitting with Ozzy on his lap, drying his now clean fur with a towel and feeding him bits of ham. Nina is sitting playing with a shoelace with Garfield.]

Nina: (warmly) “Are you sure Wayne won’t mind?”  Eddie: “I’m sure he won’t. They can stay here until you come back from Cali and then we can share custody of them.”  Nina: (smiling widely) “You’re gonna become a cat dad, I can feel it.”  Eddie: [playing with Ozzy on his lap, Nina smiles at him lovingly] “Become? Babe, I already am.”  Nina: [yawning] “I better head home, it’s getting late.”  Eddie: [pouting] “You’re going to leave us?”  Nina: “Oh don’t give me that look, I stayed late last night!”  Eddie: (cheeky) “Easy, stay over.”  Nina: [giving him a warning look but can’t hide her smile] “Eddie…”   Eddie: [smiling cutely]  “Come on…” [playing with the shoelace, shy] “You already have some clothes here, I washed the bedding, and I bought you a toothbrush. Plus, the kitties need their mother.” [looking at her again, doe-eyed] “Please?”  Nina: [blushing, fake annoyance] “Fineee, you’ve twisted my arm.” (shy)“You bought me a toothbrush?”  Eddie: [shrugging nonchalantly] “I wanted you to feel comfortable here, I dunno… it’s stupid.”  Nina: [catching his eyes] “It’s not stupid.” [shying away] “I think it’s lovely. Thank you.” 

Midnight

[Nina is lying down on her stomach on the carpet of Eddie’s living room, reading her book, the kittens asleep in their bed. Eddie squats over Nina, slapping each ass cheeks repeatedly in rhythm.]

Nina: (scalding) “Eddie! Stop it! What are you doing?”  Eddie: (cheekily) “Playing the drums.” [hitting her cheeks harder and faster, headbanging] “Drum solo!”  Nina: (squealing) “Eddie! Get off!” 

[She rolls over so she is lying facing up underneath Eddie.] 

Eddie: [grinning] “Hi there.”  Nina: (amused) “I’m guessing you found the leftover candy I hid, huh?”  Eddie: (mischievous) “Maybe.” [Nina rolls her eyes] “You love me.”  Nina: (taunting) “Hmm, maybe.” [Eddie gasps dramatically, clutching his ‘wounded’ heart, rolling around on the floor in fake pain] “Oh stop it, you’re so dramatic.”  Eddie: “Can’t, I’m wounded, my girlfriend doesn’t love me.” [lying still, splattered on the floor] “You’ve killed me, see, look, this is me dead.” [He flops again on the floor with an exaggerated “ugh!”, tongue sticking out comically. He opens one eye to see Nina Nina hasn’t looked up from her book, he kicks her gently to get her attention] “Nina, look, I’m dead, see!” [opening one eye again to see Nina looking at him with raised eyebrows over the top of her book] “Wow, I’m dead and I can’t even get a sympathy tear, you’re a cold woman.” [Nina’s jaw drops in offence and she climbs over on top of him]  Nina: [ticking his sides] “I’ll show you a cold woman, Munson, come here!” [Eddie squeals with laughter, cheeks hurting from smiling] “Submit to the ice woman’s will, Eddie, or she’ll tickle you to death.”  Eddie: [choking with laughter] “I submit, I submit!” [Nina continues to tickle him] “Please! You’re killing me, I submit!” [Nina stops, grabbing his hands and pinning them above his head, smirking down on him, he lies there breathless with wide eyes]  Nina: (flirty) “Got you pinned now, Munson.”  Eddie: [fake looking out the window] “Shit, what’s that over there?” [Nina turns to look, distracted, Eddie flips her so he is on top, pinning her down] “Ha, got you pinned now.”  Nina: [tugging at her pinned wrists] “Hey! No fair! You cheated!” (disappointed) “I can’t believe I fell for that.”   Eddie: (smug) “Not my fault you’re shit at wrestling.”  Nina: “I’ll show you shit at wrestling.” [Nina swings her legs up from underneath Eddie and wraps them over his shoulders, using her thighs to pull Eddie back to the ground, Eddie falls back to the ground with a thump, looking at her bewildered] “Seems like you’ve met your match, Munson.”  Eddie: (breathless) “Fuck, that was hot.” [Nina smirks down at him] “Wrestling with a girl is a lot sexier than wrestling with guys.” [Nina looks at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, Eddie looks embarrassed] “I mean- I meant.. oh fucks sake, Nevermind.” [Nina continues to cackle with laughter, Eddie goes red in the face] “Oh come on, I didn’t mean it like that, it wasn’t that funny!” [Nina laughs harder, face scrunching, Eddie looks at her adoringly] “Fine, you win this one.”  Nina: (recovering, smug) “That’s cause I always win.”  Eddie: [with heart eyes] “I think I’m the one who won here.”  Nina: [smiling widely, happy] “You’re cute. Cheesy, but cute.”  Eddie: “You are too.” (joking) “You’re the hottest wrestling partner I’ve ever had.” [Nina burst into laughter again, Eddie smiles proudly at her as she does] 

[Eddie silences her by pulling her down to him, catching her in an unexpected kiss. She smiles into the kiss causing Eddie to do the same. Eddie hums contently as she softly slides her fingers through his hair, gently scratching at his scalp; Eddie’s hands now resting on her hips. Eddie slides one hand under her dress and Nina pulls away, making Eddie pout with disappointment.]

Nina: (smirking) “Now, now, not in front of the children.”  Eddie: (grinning, eyes glistening hopefully) “They’re asleep.”  Nina: (laughing) “You’re not even looking at them.”  Eddie: (cheesy, brushing Nina’s hair behind her ear) “How can I, when I have the most beautiful view in front of me?”  Nina: [shaking her head, laughing] “If you think that line is gonna get you laid, think again.”  Eddie: (mischievous) “Worth a blowjob at least though, right?”  Nina: (snorting, amused) “You stay with the boys, I’ll put the bedding on.”  Eddie: “Hey, hey! I’ll put the bedding on.”  Nina: “I’ll do it, it’s okay.”  Eddie: “It’s my bed, I should be putting the bedding on.”  Nina: “And I’m a guest in your bed, so I’ll do it.” 

[Nina stands up to walk to the clothes dryer, Eddie shamelessly watches her as her dress rises up as she stands, giving Eddie a view of her thighs and ass in a thong. Eddie gulps and bows his head, crawling over to Ozzy and Garfield in their box to play with them intently, hiding his flustered expression.] 

Eddie: [playing with the kittens] “You’re more than a guest. It’s our bed if anything,” [Eddie is oblivious to Nina blushing. Her heart beats hard at his comment, said so nonchalantly] “But if you insist, I shall stay here and entertain the boys.” [Picking up Ozzy and holding him high in the air, swooping the cat up and down like an airplane] “Look, cat-plane.” [Eddie makes ‘airplane’ sound effects and Ozzy chews on Eddie’s fingers as they play and Eddie pouts]  Nina: “Can’t call Garfield fat when Ozzy is trying to eat your flesh.”  Eddie: (cheeky) “He’s just appreciating how tasty his dad is, unlike his mother.” 

[Nina shakes her head with amusement and peers into the dryer, touching the clothes. Eddie watches Nina, biting his lip as he eyes her up and down.] 

If only you knew how beautiful you are, Eddie thinks. 

Nina: “They’re still a bit damp, I’ll put them on for another half an hour.” [she looks up to see Eddie staring at her] “Eddie?”  Eddie: [shaking from his trance] “Huh? What?” [blinking himself awake to see Nina smirking at him, he blushes] “What did you say?”  Nina: “I said they’re still wet, I’ve put them on for another half an hour.”  Eddie: (flushed) “Oh, right, yeah sure.” [he sticks his head down, distracting himself with Ozzy and Garfield.]  Nina: “What’s up with you?”  Eddie: “Nothing, nothing.” (Bashful) “I just really like you in that dress, that’s all.”  Nina: “Really?”  Eddie: “Yeah.”  Nina: (cheeky) “Well…Why don’t you come and show me how much you like it?” 

[Eddie’s eyes bulge out of his skull. He scrambles to stand up, causing Nina to laugh. He puts Ozzy back in their bed, then runs to Nina’s side.] 

Eddie: (softly) “Hi.”  Nina: (grinning) “Hi, handsome.”  Eddie: (gulping, desperate) “Thought you said ‘not in front of the boys’?” Nina: (coy) “We’re out of sight, I think it’s safe.”  Eddie: (desperate) “Oh, fucking finally.” [He wraps Nina in his arms and kisses her heatedly, tangling his fingers in her hair. He pulls back and looks into Nina’s eyes, stroking her warm pink cheeks] "C'mere."

[Eddie takes Nina’s face in his hands, pressing his lips on hers passionately. She wraps her arms around Eddie’s neck, as Eddie backs her against the dryer. Their tongues lick at each other and Eddie’s hand slides into her hair; Nina melts and quietly moans at the feeling.] 

Eddie: [mumbled on Nina’s lips] “Jump up.” 

[Nina jumps up and Eddie’s hands catch her thighs, placing her on top of the dryer. His hands stay on her thighs, stroking her soft skin, as their lips reconnect. He grabs her hips and pulls her flush against him, wrapping her legs around his waist.] 

Eddie: “Been wanting this all evening.” [he kisses across her jaw, below her ear, down her neck. He inhales the scent of her perfume and his heart flutters] “Missed you.”  Nina: (giggling) “I’ve been with you all day.”  Eddie: [smiling into her neck between kisses] “Had to share you with everyone else. Not the same. Can’t do this in front of them.” [Nina giggles harder and Eddie smiles proudly]  Nina: “We could, but we might have been kicked out of the movie.” [Nina gasps as Eddie slides the strap of her dress off her shoulder, kissing along the warm skin] “Eddie…” [He kisses, sucks and bites a love bite above her collarbone in the crook of her neck, Nina pushes him back] “Eddie! Below the neckline! I told you this!”  Eddie: (unapologetic, looking at the lovebite proudly) “Sorry, can’t help it.”  Nina: (fake- scalding) “My mom’s gonna think there’s vampires roaming around in Hawkins.”  Eddie: (flushing) “Sorry.”  Nina: “Don’t apologise, I like it. Don’t think my mom will though.” [She pulls him back between her legs using the dangling silver chain attached to his belt, Eddie’s eyes go wide with arousal] “I think it’s hot.” Eddie: [turned on, groping her thighs] “Yeah?”  Nina: [mindlessly, head cloudy] “Mmhmm.”  Eddie: “I’ve gotta admit, I kinda like the thought of you walking around with my hickies on you, letting everyone know you’re taken.” [brushing the hair off her shoulders, thumbing the love bite on her neck, possessive] “The handsome surfer dudes of Cali know to fuck off.”  Nina: (teasing, sultry) “Not the handsome surfer dudes of Cali I want right now.” [she wraps her legs around his waist once again, feeling his hard cock press against her underwear] 

[Nina pulls Eddie back into a kiss, running her hands up his firm chest. Eddie hums happily into the kiss, moaning softly when their tongues lick into each other. As the kiss heats up, Eddie can’t keep his hands off her; stroking her skin, grabbing her and kissing her all over.] 

Eddie: (breathless) “Want you so bad, you have no idea.”  Nina: [smiling against his lips, flustered] “Really, right here on the dryer?”  Eddie: [mumbled against her neck, nipping, groping, primal] “Never wanted you more.” [His lips curl into a smirk against her skin] “Plus I have a great view of your tits from here.”  Nina: (giggling) “You’re terrible.”  Eddie: “Terribly in love with you.” 

[Eddie freezes in shock with the realisation of his confession. Nina blinks a few times, stunned, looking up at Eddie with glassy eyes.] 

Nina: (in awe) “You are?”  Eddie: (stuttering) “I mean, um, yeah… I am.” [now looking at her in the eye, his nerves soften] “I am, Nina.” [clearing his throat] “I’m yours. If you’ll have me?”  Nina: [pressing their foreheads together, soft] “You’re mine, and I’m yours.”  Eddie: [breathing heavy with anticipation] “I’m yours to take. Take me Nina, please.” 

[They both look deeply into each other's eyes. The atmosphere softens from ambient to electric. Eddie gently strokes Nina’s cheek with his thumb, tracing along her jaw and over her top lip. She looks at him with anticipation, lips parting when he pushes his thumb onto her bottom lip. He looks at Nina’s lips, mesmerised, then looks back to her eyes.] 

Eddie: [repeating] “Please Nina, I want you to take me.”  Nina: “Right here?”  Eddie: “Right here.” 

[They kiss again, gently melting into each other. Nina’s fingers comb through Eddie’s hair and tug gently at his curls, causing him to groan, butterflies erupting in his stomach. His hands slid up her dress once again, stroking the smooth skin. 

His lips trail along her jaw and neck, down to her chest. He yanks the front of Nina’s dress down, exposing her breasts, biting his lip and groaning at seeing her braless under the dress. He leans down and wraps his lips around her nipple, cupping the other breast and gentle squeezing. Nina sighs Eddie’s name contently and rests her head on the wall behind her, cupping Eddie’s head as he rolls his tongue around her nipple. Her legs instinctively rise from the washing machine, her knees bending, giving Eddie better access between her legs. 

Eddie takes that as his cue to drop down to his knees, sliding Nina’s dress up to her waist. She watches with longing as he kisses up her thigh to be face to face with her clothed pussy. He shamelessly takes a deep inhale and licks the dampening fabric, placing a kiss on the wet patch on the cotton thong.]

Nina: [clutching Eddie’s shoulders, whimpering] “Eddie, please.”  Eddie: “I’m coming baby, I’m coming.” [Nina lifts her thighs up as Eddie reaches for her underwear, pulling them down over her legs. Once off, he crumples them up and puts them in the back pocket of his jeans.] “I’m keeping these, by the way.”  Nina: (laughing, heart fluttering) “Perv.” [looking at him with a raised eyebrow] “Something to remember this by?”  Eddie: (smirking) “Don’t think I’m gonna be forgetting this anytime soon.” 

[Eddie leans forward and traps Nina’s thighs between his biceps and forearms, locking her in place. His breathing deepens as he looks at Nina’s wet pussy, he looks up at Nina with darkened eyes.] 

Eddie: (hungrily) “This all for me, princess?” 

[Before Nina can fully reply, Eddie licks between her folds with a bold, heavy lick of his tongue.] 

Nina: “All for- oh!” [sighing with content] “All for you, baby.” 

[Eddie hums happily as he licks, sucks and kisses all over her; leaving no part of her unloved. Nina’s hand clutches the side of the dryer, the other tangled in Eddie’s hair.] 

Nina: (breathless) “Jesus, Eddie - thought you wanted something else?”  Eddie: “Sorry, princess, couldn’t help myself,” [He kisses and sucks her clit and she whimpers] “Taste too damn good,” [she gasps as he licks her clit] “Can’t help myself,” [she whines as he teases her entrance with a finger, he eventually slides his finger in] “So tight around me, bet you’ll feel like heaven on my cock-“ [Nina cuts him off with a loud groan, her fingers tightening in Eddie’s hair. Eddie looks up at her with a smirk] “Someone’s being impatient.”  Nina: [with gritted teeth] “Someone is trying to be patient but God, you’re killing me here.”  Eddie: [smug, not moving his finger or using his tongue] “Might just stay down here for hours, make you wait.”  Nina: [desperate, but trying to not show it] “And as a supportive girlfriend who doesn’t want to pressure you, I’ll wait.”  Eddie: (cheeky) “God, I love it when you talk dirty to me.”  Nina: [blushing] “Shut up- oh!” [Eddie shakes his head side to side, rubbing his tongue inside her] “Fuck, Eddie, please!”  Eddie: [eyes closed, in bliss] “Gotta feel you cum on my tongue first, sweetheart, then you can have it.”  Nina: (desperate, writhing) “Eddie, your fingers, please…”  Eddie: “Hmm? What about them?”  Nina: (breathless) “I need more, please!”  Eddie: [smirking] “Anything for my girl.” [His eyes light up as Nina melts in relief when he inserts a second finger, twisting his fingers in the way he knows Nina loves. Her sounds are music to his ears as she begins panting and moaning above him.]  Nina: “Eddie, if you don’t-“ [she’s surprised as Eddie stands up, licking his fingers then wiping his mouth lewdly] “What are you doing?”  Eddie: (wild, desperate) “Can’t wait any longer…” [he fumbles with his belt, Nina takes over and undoes it, as well as the button and zip on his jeans. He shoves his jeans and boxers down his thighs, and grunts when Nina takes his hard cock in her hands, jerking his length slowly in her hands.] “It’s cruel to tease a man, y’know.” Nina: [mumbled into his neck] “Karma’s a bitch.” [She sloppily kisses his neck and strokes him faster, he moans and bucks into her hand]  Eddie: [dominant, pushing Nina back, she looks at him with wide wild eyes] “No more, need to feel you now.” [Eddie spreads Nina’s legs wide and grasps his length, rubbing his leaking end through her folds, rubbing on her clit, her breath hitches, Eddie’s eyes are alive with lust] “Fuck, you’re so wet baby,” [muttering to himself] “Feels obscene.” [Nina raises her legs again and Eddie holds the back of one of her thighs, looking deeply into her eyes] “You sure this is okay?”  Nina: (moaning) “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.” 

[Eddie and Nina look at each other. Both of their hairs are a mess, cheeks are flushed and sweaty, both of their chests are heaving with adrenaline.] 

Eddie: [taking a deep breath] “Okay.” [he begins to push his end inside of her, a strained moan comes out of his mouth.] “Oh, my god-“  Wayne: [entering the trailer] “The boss gave me the night off, son, wanna watch the game?” [When he hears no response, he walks towards the light in the hallway. His voice is faint from a distance in the washroom, becoming louder as he approaches Eddie as he walks through the trailer. He notices the kittens in a box, pets them on the head and tuts to himself] “Edward Munson! What have I told you about taking in stray animals?! Why are there two damn cats in my damn crockery box?! I swear to God himself boy- oh Jesus H Christ!” [He covers his eyes, shocked to see both Eddie and Nina half naked on the dryer]  Eddie: “Fuck!” 

[Eddie scrambles on his feet, scrambling around with his jeans around his thighs, trying to find something to cover Nina with. Nina lets out a shriek and covers her bare chest, she falls off the side of the dryer and  into the laundry basket.] 

Eddie: [red faced, embarrassed, pulling his trousers up]  “Jesus, Wayne! Could have knocked! I thought you weren’t home tonight!”   Wayne: [from behind his covered eyes] “I did knock! And I didn’t know what you two would be going at it on the damn clean laundry!” [Eddie helps Nina out of the basket, she’s red with embarrassment but can’t help but giggle]  Nina: [trying to hide her laughter] “I’m really sorry, Wayne.”  Wayne: [walking away, grumbling] “Damn kids can’t keep it in their damn pants, sheesh.” 

Eddie’s bedroom / 1AM 

[Eddie and Nina are lying parallel in the bed, both of them silent. There is an awkward tension in the air. Nina looks at Eddie who is staring at the ceiling.] 

Nina: (lightly) “You know, it hurts my ego that you’re this quiet after losing your virginity.”  Eddie: [snorting] “Hardly count that as losing my virginity.” [turning to Nina, tension erased] “It was barely the tip.” [Eddie is relieved when Nina bursts into laughter, hiding her amusement in Eddie’s shoulder.]  Nina: “God, I’m never gonna be able to face Wayne again. I feel like I’ll be going the walk of shame tomorrow.” [Eddie tuts at her and pulls her into him, she cuddles under his arm, her head on his chest.]  Eddie: (cheeky) “He better get used to it, I plan on having you on every available surface of this trailer.”  Nina: (appalled) “Eddie!”  Eddie: [grinning] “And my van.”  Nina: “You’re really worked up today, huh?”  Eddie: (pouting) “I’ve had blue balls all day, and now they’re so far inside me that they’ve befriended my lungs.” [Nine hides her head in Eddie’s neck to muffle her laughter, Eddie nips at her side as revenge and she squeals. Eddie’s smile turns and he sighs]  “Yeah. I don’t know whether it’s ‘cause you’re going in a couple of days, or…” [sighing again, glum] “I think I just don’t want you to go. Want you here, with me.” (Softly) “Gonna miss you like hell.”  Nina: (gently) “I know.” [stroking his cheek] “I’ll be back here with you soon.” [coy, mischievous] “Maybe its not a bad thing that we got interrupted. Who knows, maybe we’ll get a special night alone before I go.”  Eddie: (pouty) “The Buckleys are home tomorrow and Wayne has the night off.” [smirking] “Back of the van it is.”  Nina: (mysterious) “Hmm, something like that.” [Eddie raises his eyebrows, curious] “You’ll have to wait and see.”  Eddie: "Nina?" Nina: (yawning) "Yes, Eddie?" Eddie: "If Nancy and Robin hear about this, you're in deep trouble."

AN - Hey guys! sorry its been a while! life got busy. Someone kindly pointed out that I've been tagging this fic wrong, so sorry about that! Hopefully this is better.

Comment to be added to taglist! Reblogs, likes, comments and shares are always appreciated, thank you :)

Chapter Seventeen is coming a lot quicker than this chapter.... x

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Fifteen - Cinnamon Girl

Chapter Summary: An unexpected event creates issues in Eddie and Nina’s relationship. Nina and Robin let off some steam at a gay bar.

Content warnings: ANGST. FLUFF. Mentions of abusive household, Argument between Eddie and Nina (resolved, sort of?) Mental health warning (Nina questions her worth/relationship). Nina and Eddie being cute. Alcohol consumption (Nina and Robin), Robin and Nina being cute drunks. 

Chapter Fifteen - Cinnamon Girl

‘There’s things I want to say to you, but I’ll just let you live, 

Like if you hold me without hurting me, You’ll be the first who ever did.

Hold me, love me, touch me honey, Be the first who ever did.’ 

Cinnamon Girl - Lana Del Rey

Four weeks later…

Monday / Hawkins High School cafeteria /12:30pm 

[Nina walks out of the exam room glumly and into the cafeteria. Eddie is sitting at the Hellfire table in the cafeteria, talking excitedly of the new campaign he’s been planning for over the summer. Eddie’s gaze catches Nina’s and she gives him a little wave as she stands in line at the food counter. 

Eddie pulls his chair back with a screech and walks over to Nina. He approaches Nina and gently puts his hand on her lower back. She looks up at him and smiles.] 

Eddie: [stroking her arm to get her attention] “Hey beautiful, how did the exam go?”  Nina: [picking up some fruit] “Sucked. Totally flunked it.”  Eddie: (softly) “I doubt you did, you’re being too hard on yourself.” (teasing) “As per usual.”  Nina: (Disheartened)  “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s the case.” Eddie: (worried) “Wanna talk about it?”  Nina: [sincerely] “It’s okay, I’ll be alright. It is what it is.”  Eddie: [smiling, giddy] “Need some good news?”  Nina: [sad smile] “Please.”  Eddie: “I got an A in my English assignment. I’m going to graduate!”  Nina: (completely uplifted, mood glowing) “Oh Eddie, I’m so happy for you!” 

[Nina leaps into Eddie’s arms excitedly and he spins her around happily as she laughs. They are both oblivious to the whispers and looks of confusion they are getting.] 

Eddie: (excitedly) “Mrs O’Donnell actually pulled me to the side to congratulate me! She also thinks I plagiarised it but it was all me!” [Nina raises an eyebrow accusingly, amused] “Okay it was kinda you too but still! We did it!”  Nina: (matching Eddie’s energy) “We should celebrate!”  Eddie: [blushing, almost shy] “Oh I don’t think that’s necessary.”  Nina: [teasingly] “Oh, we are so celebrating!” 

[They leave the queue and walk over to the cafeteria table.]

Eddie: (giddy) “Really?”  Nina: (smiling widely) “Of course! Leave it with me, I’ll organise something.”  Eddie: [pulling Nina’s chair out for her] “You don’t have to go to the trouble, it’s okay.”  Nina: (excitedly) “Yes I do, it’s worth celebrating! Trust me, you’re going to want to celebrate.”  Eddie: (bashfully) “If you’re sure.”   Nina: [looking up at Eddie who is still standing, smiling brightly] “I’m sure. Gotta go, we’re having lunch and then I’ve got another exam afterwards.” [pouting] “Pray for me, exam season is killing me. I’ll see you after school, meet me at the front gates?”  Eddie: “Sure. Good luck with your exam, you’ll smash it. Keep the faith.” [pecking Nina on the cheek, the Hellfire club jeer and whoop and Eddie flushes and flips them off.]  Nina: (amused) “Keep the faith? And you call me the hippy.”  Eddie: [laughing] “Oh shut up.” 

[Nina bites into her dinner as Robin and Steve approach and sit down at the table. Eddie is talking with the Hellfire club: Eddie and Nina occasionally catch each other's gaze and smile fondly at each other.]

Nina: “What are you guys doing tonight?”  Robin: (dramatically) “I’m stuck at work, again.” [head slumped on the table] “Oh and crying about how that exam went because it was fucking brutal.”  Nina: “Preach. Psychology exams take what’s left of my poor unfortunate soul.”  Robin: [smirking] “Glad to know your flair for the dramatic is still in tact.” [Nina laughs and smirks in response.] Steve: [pushing his dinner tray back dramatically] “I have a hot date with ‘Understanding Chemistry’ and Supernoodles.”  Nina: “Ugh, you guys are no fun.”  Robin: “Why, what’s up?”  Nina: [stirring her milkshake] “I need some way of celebrating Eddie graduating this year and I have no idea what to do.”  Steve: “You know what I’d do?”  Robin: (interrupting) “Don’t say it-“  Steve: “-Blowjob.” Robin: [throwing her fries at him] “You’re a pig.”  Nina: (amused) “And a cliché.”  Robin: “Wait, Eddie is going to graduate this year? Wow, that’s amazing.”  Nina: “Yeah! It’s awesome, isn’t it!”  Steve: (muttering) “It’s a miracle.” [Nina shoves him playfully, scalding him, calling him a dick]  Robin: “You must be a good influence on him.”  Nina: (blushing) “Shut up.” 

Steve: “What did you do, bribe him with blowjobs to study?”  Nina: [shoving him again, talking too loudly] “Will you shut up already about damn blowjobs!” 

[Everyone turns around in the cafeteria to stare at Nina, laughing quietly. Nina sinks in her chair in embarrassment. 

Robin tries and fails to hide her laughter, Steve is sniggering to himself. Red in the face, Nina looks up at Eddie, who is smirking and laughing at her teasingly. She mouths a silent “fuck off” to him and he winks at her.] 

3:30pm. 

Eddie: [wrapping an arm around Nina]  “Hey babe, how did the exam go?”  Mike: [screwing his name up in disgust at Eddie] “Babe? Who even are you?”  Nina: (scoffing) “Shut up Mike, I hear you calling El ‘babe’ all the time!”  Eddie: “Ha!” [squeezing Nina] “That’s my girl!” 

[Mike goes bright red as Dustin and Luke jab at his side, Will rolls his eyes.]

Nina: (cockily) “I made that exam my bitch.”  Eddie: (proudly) “Atta girl.”  Max: (nosey) “So are you guys like a thing now?”  Nina: [oblivious to Eddie turning bright red, smiling] “Yeah, we are.” 

[Eddie beams with pride like a lovesick puppy. He nods his head shyly at Max.] 

Dustin: [grabbing Eddie by the cheeks] “Awh, our little Eddie is all grown up! His first girlfriend!”  Eddie: [shoving Dustin, embarrassed] “Fuck off.”  Dustin: [winding Eddie up] “Only took him 10 years!” [stretching on his toes to reach Eddie’s head, ruffling his hair] “Does it hurt that I got a girlfriend before you? Does it?” [putting Eddie in a headlock, Eddie grunts] “Tell me it does. Well that shouldn’t be surprising actually, I’m quite the catch.”  Eddie: [Shooing Dustin away] “Seriously dude, fuck off!”  Dustin: “And you found a girl almost as nerdy as you! You’re a match made in heaven!”  Nina: (offended) “I’m not a nerd!” [Eddie looks at her smirking with raised eyebrows, Nina looks at him appalled] “I am not!”  Eddie: (smug) “You kinda are, babe.” 

[They pick up their bags and walk out the school entrance] 

Nina: “Says the 20 year old who stays up till 3am planning dungeons and dragons campaigns.”  Eddie: “Only because you stay up till 3am revising for Sociology!”  Nina: “I have an exam on Friday!”  Max: [walking behind Nina and Eddie who are arguing in front, muttering to El] “Looks like the first lovers spat is coming a bit earlier than scheduled.”  Eddie: “You must have read that book like five times!” Nina: “That’s how revising works, dumbass!”  Dustin: “Yup, we better go.”  Eddie: [enjoying winding Nina up] “I’m like, cool nerdy, and you’re like, dorky nerdy.”  Nina: “Oh I am not a dork!”  Dustin, Mike, Max: [falling on deaf ears] “Bye guys.” “See you tomorrow.” “Good luck Eddie!”

[Nina stops and looks at Eddie who is grinning madly.] 

Nina: [too amused at Eddie to be annoyed] “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”  Eddie: (giddy) “We’re like an old married couple.”  Nina: (amused) “I can see it now, “Woman murders annoying manchild Husband.”  Eddie: (flirty) “Super hot amazing wife murders adorably cute, sexy, awesome-“ Nina: [muttering under her breath, interrupting] “Manchild.” Eddie: “Shush, don’t interrupt! I won’t tolerate any interruptions when we’re married!” [Nina snorts with laughter and Eddie beams proudly] “Super cute, hot, amazing-“ [Nina shoves him playfully, he laughs] “Husband which is a shame cause he reallllyy likes his wife even though she wants to kill him.” [Opening his car door for her]  Nina: [hopping in the car] “I may be a dork, but you sir-“ [playfully pushing him] “Are lame.”  Eddie: (cockily) “Whatever, you love me.” [leaning in the car and kissing her cheek]  Nina: [blushing furiously, trying to be nonchalant] “Yeah yeah, whatever.” 

Tuesday / 6pm / The Clothes Store

[Robin and Nina are at the local clothes store, sliding the hangers along the rails.]

Nina: [holding up a blue dress] “This one?”  Robin: [shaking her head] “Nope, it clashes with your hair.” [Nina rolls her eyes] “What about this?” [Holding up a cream two piece co-ord, Nina cringes] “For me, not for you, dingus.”  Nina: [smiling] “You’d look hot in that.” [Robin smiles and folds it over her arm]  Robin: (tenderly, curious) “So, how’s counselling going? You’ve been going for like, over a month now, right?”  Nina: [flicking through the trousers section] “Surprisingly well. I mean, Miss Kelly isn’t exactly a psychiatrist, but it’s nice to talk to someone.” [exaggerating with her hands] “I mean, I know I have you and Eddie and Steve but-”  Robin: (reassuringly) “I know, you don’t have to explain yourself to me.” [Nina smiles at her earnestly] “I’m glad you’re talking to someone, it seems healthy. You seem… brighter.”  Nina: [smiling] “I feel better. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”  Robin: “Have you told Eddie about your mom yet?”  Nina: [chewing her lip] “Nope.” [changing the subject] “What about these?” [holding up some black velvet flares]  Robin: (disapproving) “Nina…”  Nina: (teasingly, avoidant) “Robin…”  Robin: “You need to tell Eddie.” [looking at the trousers] “Your ass would look great in that.” [Nina smiles and puts the trousers in the basket] “He deserves to know.”  Nina: [sighing] “I just don’t want him to freak out.”  Robin: [rolling her eyes] “Of course he’ll freak out, he’s more protective over you than he is over that damn guitar.” [Nina blushes] “But he’ll be more freaked out if you wait too long to tell him.”  Nina: (uncomfortable) “I haven’t fully decided what I’m doing yet.”  Robin: [both walking to the till] “Don’t wait too long!” 

[They pay and walk out of the store.] 

Robin: “Food next?”  Nina: (teasingly) “How about Scoops? I’d love to see you in that little outfit again.”  Robin: [rolling her eyes, shoving her] “You’re such a dick.”  Nina: [linking arms with her] “You love me.”  Robin: “Sure, bestie.” 

Thursday / Nina’s room /7pm. 

[Eddie is sitting at Nina’s desk, papers scattered everywhere, slaving over his new campaign plan. Nina is sitting beside him. She looks down at the doodles Eddie has drawn over her arms during Science and smiles. She takes a deep breath and speaks.] 

Nina: “So, erm, my mom called last night…”  Eddie: (unimpressed, scoffing) “What did she want?”  Nina: (quiet) “She, uh, she needs me to come home.”  Eddie: [not turning his attention away from the paper] “I hope you told her to fuck off.”  Nina: (uncomfortable) “Well…” 

[Eddie turns around, completely shocked.]

Eddie: (hurt, quiet) “You’re going home?”  Nina: [chewing her thumb anxiously] “Not permanently. Just for a few weeks.”  Eddie: (disbelief) “A few weeks? Why? Why would you go home after all that she’s done to you?” [frustrated] “Why would you put yourself through that again?”  Nina: “She, um,” [turning to face him, nervous] “She’s been in rehab for the past couple of weeks. She says she’s sober now. She needs someone to check her out and, I don’t know, help her get settled back at home.” (unsure) “She said she’s changed, I don’t know, maybe I should hear her out.”  Eddie: (sarcastic, angry) “Changed? Sure! Maybe she won’t put you in the hospital this time!”  Nina: (appalled) “Eddie!”  Eddie: (angry) “No, I’m sorry Nina, you aren’t going.”  Nina: (disbelief) “Excuse me?”  Eddie: “I’ll be damned if I’m letting you go back there. You’ll just end up hurt again.”  Nina: “And I suppose you’re in charge of me now, is that it?”  Eddie: [getting angrier by the minute] “I guess I am if you’re going to be making stupid decisions like this!”  Nina: (sarcastic) “Nice Eddie, real nice.”  Eddie: [standing up, angry] “You’re in the middle of finals! What does she expect, for you to drop everything for her?”  Nina: (small) “I’d go after my exams are done. She’s still got a few weeks in there until she’s discharged.” Eddie: (serious, angry) “You drove three days to get away from the woman and you voluntarily want to go back there?”  Nina: “Look, Eddie, it’s just for a few weeks until she’s settled, I’m not moving back there! I owe it to myself to put the whole thing to rest. I need closure.”  Eddie: (protective)  “You can get closure over the phone!”  Nina: “Eddie, please, just listen to me. If I go home, maybe I can finally make peace with her. I’ll finally know if…” [sighing] “If it’s me who caused her to drink, or whether… Whether its a ‘her’ problem, I don’t know… I have a chance at having a relationship with her, don’t you want that for me?”  Eddie: (enraged) “She’s had your entire life to have a relationship with you! And I think parenting 101 is not abusing your child!”  Nina: (flabbergasted) “You are unbelievable!”  Eddie: “And so is your mother! She can let you leave to god knows where, without giving a shit about you or your safety, screams abuse down the phone at you, and then calls you crying to come home ‘cause miraculously sober, fuck knows how long that will last! You could have been homeless or dead for all she knew but she was three bottles deep to even care!”  Nina: (torn, shouting) “She’s my mom, Eddie!”  Eddie: [shouting, hands clenching in anger] “And I am your boyfriend! I am trying to look out for you!”  Nina: (quietly, shaking) “Don’t shout at me, please.”  Eddie: (frustrated) “She’s taking advantage of you!”  Nina: [tearing up] “Eddie, please don’t shout.”  Eddie: “She’s using you like she always has! Nina will come along to pick up the pieces, as usual!”  Nina: “Eddie, stop.”  Eddie: [noticing Nina is crying] “Oh darling, come here.”

[Nina flinches at his touch, Eddie’s heart breaks.]

Eddie: (devastated) “Can I hug you? Please?” 

[Nina mumbled a subdued ‘mhm’ before letting Eddie hold her. She is stiff at first but eventually eases into it. She begins to sob into his shoulder.]

Nina: “I don’t know why I want to go back.. I just know if I never do I’ll regret it.” 

[Eddie chews his lip thoughtfully.]

Eddie: “I won’t say I understand, but I’ll support you in whatever you want to do.”  Nina: (tearfully) “Thank you.”  Eddie: (vulnerable) “I guess I’m just worried in case you get hurt again.”  Nina: (sad, sighing) “To be honest Eddie, me too.”  Eddie: (pleading) “Then why go?”  Nina: “She’s my mum. She’s the only family I have.”  Eddie: (upset) “I thought we were your family now.”  Nina: (torn) “Oh Eddie.” [lifting his head out her shoulder, holding his face in her hands] “You guys are my family. I just, I don’t know, I have this dream that one day maybe her and I will be fine. She would come to my graduation and be proud of me, and things could be normal for once.” 

[Eddie sighs, defeated.]

Eddie: (hopeful) “I could come with you?” 

[Nina smiles at him sadly.]

Nina: “I don’t think that’s the best idea.” (Joking) “Don't want you in the line of fire.” [Eddie cringes]  Eddie: “Somehow, that’s not convincing me to let you go.”  (dramatic) “Maybe I want to be in the line of fire.”  Nina: [rolling her eyes, smiling] “Crappy way of saying you’d die for me, Eddie. Try Romeo and Juliet and take notes.”  

[Eddie laughs and pulls her into him, kissing her hair.]

Eddie: (lightly) “You know I won’t read that shit!” [Nina playfully slaps him but he catches her hands, pulling him into her, mumbling into her hair] “I’ll miss you.”  Nina: (sad smile) “I’m not going for two and a bit weeks.”  Eddie: (sad, clingy, sighing) “I know. I’ll still miss you.” 

  Next Friday / 7:45pm / on the phone. 

Nina: “Y’ello!”  Eddie: “Hey gorgeous.”  Nina: (smiling) “Hey stranger, what’s up?” Eddie: “Just wondering if you wanted to come over tonight. ‘The Lost Boys’ is on TV, I know it’s one of your favourites.”  Nina: “I thought you had work tonight?”  Eddie: [twirling the keys around his finger as he talks on the phone] “I’m closing up early; it’s quiet tonight. Could pick you up after?”  Nina: “I’m sorry honey, I can’t tonight. Robin and I are going out, girls night!”  Eddie: [smiling at Nina’s excitement] “Don’t apologise, you’ve been working your ass off, you deserve a night out. Where are you going?”  Nina: “We’re going to some club just outside Hawkins. I’m playing wingwoman.”  Eddie: (amused) “You’re going to a gay club?”  Nina: [fluffing her hair in the mirror] “Sure! Maverick needs a little help when it comes to the ladies.”  Eddie: “Maverick?”  Nina: [matter of fact] “Top Gun? I’m Goose, Robin is Maverick.”  Eddie: [smiling, phone between his shoulder and ear as he’s organising receipts] “Doesn’t Goose die?”  Nina: [applying her lipstick] “Oh yes, Robin said she’d kill me if she had to go alone.”  Eddie: (teasing) “Ahh, a blackmail invite.”  Nina:  “Precisely.” (Teasingly) “Would say no but I haven’t spent much time with her since I’ve been babysitting you, manchild.”  Eddie: (apologetic) “I’m sorry.”  Nina: “Don’t apologise, I was only joking honey.”  Eddie: (half-joking) “At least I don’t have to worry about guys hitting on you tonight.”  Nina: (jokingly, smirking) “You think I couldn’t pull a woman? I could pull a woman.”   Eddie: “Oh I don’t doubt that either. How are you getting there?”  Nina: “Just getting a taxi I think.”  Eddie: “I’ll give you both a lift. And pick you up.”  Nina: (surprised) “Really? It’s going to be late.”  Eddie: “I don’t mind, I’d rather you got there and back safely. Plus it means I get to see you looking all dolled up and pretty.”  Nina: (teasing) “Lame, it’s almost as if you fancy me or something.”  Eddie: “I fancy the pants off you babe. Pick you up in a couple of hours?”  Nina: “Sure, thank you Eddie.”  Eddie: (cheeky) “No problem, doll. So, moving on to the next question; what are you wearing?”  Nina: (amused) “Perv.”  Eddie: [smirking] “I meant tonight, not right now, get your mind out the gutter woman.”  Nina: “You’ll have to wait and see.” [Robin is shouting in the background for Nina’s attention] “Gotta go, Robin is having a hair emergency. See you tonight, handsome.”  Eddie: “See you soon sweetheart.” 

[They both hang up the phone.]

Robin and Nina’s house / 10pm 

[Eddie pulls up on the drive, honking the horn to let Nina and Eddie know he’s arrived. The neighbours look out their windows and scowl. 

Nina and Robin hurry out the door, already having a few drinks in the house, clobbering around in their heels. 

Robin is wearing the outfit she bought last week: a waistcoat and trousers with black heels, her hair flicked back in a blowout. Nina is wearing a pair of black velvet bell bottom flares and a bandeau crop top, a choker necklace around her neck. 

Eddie is practically drooling at the sight of Nina.]

Nina and Robin: (tipsy) “Hey Eddie!”   Eddie: “Hello gorgeous girls!” [opening the door for them both] “Your chariot, my ladies.”  Robin: (smirking) “Ever the gentleman.”  Nina: [pressing a red lipstick kiss on Eddie’s cheek, smiling happily] “Hey baby.”  Eddie: “Hey beautiful.” [taking a stand back to admire Nina, looking at her up and down, eyes lingering] “You look phenomenal.”  Robin: [fake gagging] “Come on guys! Tonight’s about getting me laid, not you!”  Nina: [blushing] “We better go.” 

[Eddie slams the door closed on Robin, to which she replies a “Hey!” of offence from inside the van. Eddie grins, still eyeing Nina up hungrily, pulling her into him.]

Eddie: (flirty) “She can wait a minute.” [Eddie pulls Nina into a deep kiss, his hands wandering from her waist to her ass, giving it a squeeze, Nina giggles into the kiss.]  Nina: [rubbing her arm over his lips, removing the lipstick stains, still blushing under Eddie’s loving gaze] “You’ve got lipstick all over your face.”  Eddie: (dumb, giddy) “I don’t care.” Nina: [rolling her eyes, amused, pulling Eddie to the car] “Come on, let’s go.” [Eddie groans.] 

[The club is a 45 minute drive away. They arrive outside the club, and Robin and Nina hop out, Robin mumbling a polite ‘thanks’ as she tumbles out the van.]

Eddie: “Call me when you want picking up.” [looking at the entry line of the club, seeing multiple men, now worried] “Be safe, please.”  Nina: (smiling) “I will darling. See you soon.” [she waves Eddie off and walks into the club; Eddie eyeing her bum as she walks away] 

2:45AM / the phone box outside the club.

Nina: “Yoohoo! Eddie! Your darling girlfriend is here!” (Hiccup)  Eddie: (amused) “Having a good time baby?”  Nina: (drunkenly) “You wanna know a funny story?- Shh Robin I’m on the phone… Yes I'll tell Eddie you said hi…. Wait, save me some pizza! Hey Eddie, wanna know a funny story?”  Eddie: [smiling widely, in love] “Sure.”  Nina: [giggling to herself] “I dialled the wrong number like three times before I got through to you.” [Cackling] “I woke so many people up, they were so mad at me!” [Mumbling incoherently] “I used up all my change.”  Eddie: (fondly) “You got there in the end, darling.”  Nina: “Are you still okay to pick us up soon? Robin says to say her feet hurt- Robin put your shoes back on, there’s broken glass! - Robin says her feet hurt and I would very much like my bed. Or your bed. A bed would be nice.”  Eddie: (amused) “I’ll set off now. Won’t be long.”  Nina: “Bye bye honey, love you-“ [embarrassed, Eddie is frozen in shock but smiling like a madman] “Whoops, I said that way too early- oh well I won’t remember tomorrow. See you soon honey!” 

[Nina hangs up the phone and Eddie drives excitedly to the club, smile never leaving his face.]

45 minutes  later

[Eddie waits patiently in his van, waiting for Nina and Robin to emerge. After 10 minutes of waiting outside, he gets out his van to look down the street, trying to find them. 

After speaking to the bouncer, he enters the club, trying to find them both. He sees Robin talking to a girl at the bar, her head tilted on the side, flirty. She’s somewhat holding herself upright using the bar.] 

Eddie: (worried) “Robin, where’s Nina?”  Robin: “Hey Eddie! What time is I- oh shit we were meant to meet you! We just came in ‘cause I left my bag and I got to talking to-“ [gesturing to the woman in front of her] “this is the part where you say your name,” [the woman in front smiles and says ‘Vickie’] “Vickie here, and I think Nina went to the bathroom.” [pointing towards the bathroom sign] 

[After looking around the club and by the bathroom; Eddie spots Nina dancing freely on the dance floor. He looks at her in awe, watching as a bright smile fills her face, her hair spinning as she sways to the loud music, the move of her curves to the rhythm. Eddie smiles and moves over to the bar, leaning on it as he watches her, loving seeing her so happy and carefree. When Nina notices Eddie watching her he smiles wider and looks at the ground, heart racing.] 

I can’t even look at you without grinning like a damn cheshire cat, Eddie thinks. 

[Nina notices Eddie on the bar and runs over to him, drunkenly jumping into his arms. Eddie notices a few guys turn away disappointed when she does.]

Good, she’s mine, he thinks. 

Nina: “Eddie!”  Eddie: [moving the hair from Nina’s face] “Hey angel. I couldn’t find you outside, you had me worried for a while there.”  Nina: “Sorry Eddie, Robin dropped her bag and I needed to pee and-“  Eddie: [reassuring her, with her in his arms, smelling her perfume] “It’s okay Nina, as long as you’re having a good time, I don’t care.” 

[‘The way you make me feel’ by Michael Jackson begins to play.] 

Nina: [smiling widely] “Oh I love this song!” [pulling at Eddie’s arms] “Dance with me!”  Eddie: [feet firmly planted on the ground, not budging] “Oh, Hell no, I don’t dance.”  Nina: [batting her eyelashes] “Please!” [pet lip] “For me?”  Eddie: [trying to resist] “Nope, bed time.”  Nina: [pouty] “One last song, please!” [Nina begins to sway to the music, extending her arms out to him. He looks around then walks over to her.]  Eddie: [reluctantly, watching Nina mesmerised] “…Fine, one song.”  Nina: [Arms over Eddie’s shoulders] “Yay!” [planting a kiss on his neck] “Thank you baby.”  Eddie: (flustered) “You start kissing my neck and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you to the back of the van right now.”  Nina: [aroused, smirking] “Hot.” [she kisses his neck again, softly but for longer]  Eddie: (hissing) “Nina, stop it.”  Nina: [smirking, fake innocence] “What? I’m not doing anything!”  Eddie: (frustrated) “You know exactly what you’re doing.”  Nina: [subtly touching Eddie over his jeans, he’s semi-hard, purring in his ear] “I don’t see you complaining.”  Eddie: (laughing) “You really are a tease.”  Nina: (giggling) “You love it.” 

[Nina sways to the rhythm of the music, Eddie’s hands going from her waist to over her ass, occasionally grabbing a handful, to which Nina giggles and swats him away. As they dance, Nina whispers the lyrics in his ear as they sway: causing Eddie to gulp, feeling hot in the already stuffy club.] 

‘The way you make me feel, 

You really turn me on, 

You knock me off my feet now baby, 

My lonely days are gone.” 

[Robin interrupts the two by running over, waving a piece of paper in her hands.]

Robin: (proudly, tipsy) “Look what I got, bitches! That’s right, Vickie gave me her phone number!” 

[Eddie is still distracted by Nina’s dancing and the lyrics: as Nina laughs in response to Robin, saying ‘congratulations.’

They leave the club and hop in Eddie’s van: Eddie running to Nina’s side as her ankle twists in her heels and she nearly falls. Robin and Nina dramatically fling their shoes off as they enter the van, sitting on the seat in a puff of exhaustion.  

Eddie looks over occasionally at Robin and Nina, who have fallen asleep on each other's shoulders, and smiles.]

Saturday / 3:56am / Robin & Nina’s house 

Eddie: [gently touching Nina’s shoulder] “Nina? Rob? You’re home, time to get up.” [Nina moans, nuzzling into Robin, Eddie smiles fondly] “Come on darling, time for bed.”  Nina: (sleepily) “Mmm, five more minutes.”  Eddie: “Come on, let’s get you to bed.” 

[Robin groans and rises from Nina’s shoulder, waking Nina up with a fright.]

Robin: [rubbing her face, smudging her makeup] “Ugh, what time is it?”  Eddie: (amused) “Nearly 4.”

[Eddie opens the passenger door, lending a hand to Robin who lazily puts her shoes back on and shuffles sleepily off the seat and onto the gravel of the ground, stumbling toward the door; key in hand. Eddie turns to Nina who is slumped half asleep on the seat, smiling lazily to herself.] 

Eddie: (fondly) “Come on darling, it’s time to go to bed.” [Nina whines] “Come on baby.” 

[Nina gets up slowly and rubs her eyes, smudging mascara over her face. Eddie tries to hide his laughter and helps Nina down from the van seat. 

They enter the house, walking into the kitchen. Robin sticks her head under the sink to drink water, which makes Nina burst loudly into laughter, Eddie sniggers at Robin’s drunkenness. 

He manages to wrangle the girls and get them up the stairs, both of them clinging to the hand rail as they climb. Robin says ‘good night’ to them both, and Eddie and Nina enter Nina’s room. 

He helps Nina take off her clothes as she giggles, clinging to Eddie tightly. He pulls up Nina’s pyjama shorts and pulls a top over her head, booping her nose as her head emerges from the baggy t-shirt. She walks to the bathroom to finish off getting ready for bed. 

He sits on the end of her bed and waits patiently for her to return. He takes the time to look around the bare room. 

He notices the pink record player in the corner, a small stack of records underneath. He walks over and slides through them: the Beatles, AC/DC ‘Back in Black’, Black Sabbath ‘Paranoid’, Queen ‘News of the World’. He smiles as he strokes over the Metallica album he recommended to her. He looks and sees Fleetwood Mac in the record player and turns it on, it plays softly in the room. He looks at her small book collection, making note of the books on her shelf. 

She really does like the classics, he thinks. 

He eyes the photo of the windowsill, a photo of Robin and Nina around age 18. Nina had short blonde hair then, and a tan, as did Robin; the pair of them standing next to their surfboards. 

It made him slightly sad looking around the room. No posters, one or two photos, just a shell of a room; nothing that shows who she really is. She really did only bring with her what she could carry in her car. The thought pulled at his heart. 

He runs his fingers over her blanket, smiling at her bunny plushie. His head perks up as Nina enters the room, fresh faced and smiling.]

Eddie: “Come on you, time for bed.” 

[Nina jumps in excitedly, snuggling up in bed. Eddie tucks her in, tucking a loose hair behind her ear. She sighs contently and turns on her side, patting the bed beside her, beckoning him to lie down with him.]

Eddie: (torn) “I should go, I don’t know how Richard and Melissa would feel with me staying over.”  Nina: [sleepily, clinging to Eddie’s arm] “She won’t mind.”  Eddie: (fondly) “I should really let you sleep.”  Nina: (cutely) “You should really stay with me and help me sleep.”  Eddie: “Nina.”  Nina: (cheeky) “Eddie.”  Eddie: [giving in] “I’ll stay till you fall asleep then go.”  Nina: [climbing under his arm, content] “Not if I have anything to do with it.”  Eddie: (laughing) “You’re cute when you’re drunk.”  Nina: [blushing] “Shush you! Besides, I’m not that drunk anymore-” [hiccup] “Just tipsy.”  Eddie: (teasingly) “Sure, princess.” 

[Nina hums as she cuddles further into him.] 

Nina: “You smell good.”  Eddie: (smiling) “Thank you gorgeous.” 

[Nina begins to kiss Eddie’s neck softly, making Eddie hum with satisfaction. Her hand slides down his torso to the band of his jeans. Eddie grabs her hand before she can dip into his jeans.] 

Eddie: “Not tonight darling.”  Nina: (whining) “Awh, why not?” [kissing his neck] “I want you.” 

[Eddie bites his lip, conflicted, heart racing at her confession.] 

Eddie: “Not tonight, I’m not taking advantage of you when you’re drunk.”  Nina: (giggling) “I’m giving you the advantage, Eddie.” 

[Eddie laughs and kisses her forehead sweetly.]

Eddie: (softly) “Not tonight.”  Nina: [sad smile] “You don’t have to stay then if you don’t want?”  Eddie: (confused) “What do you mean?”  Nina: “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. I mean, if you’re not getting any.”  Eddie: (hurt) “You don’t want me to stay.”  Nina: [clinging to him tightly] “Of course I do.” (Sadly) “I just have nothing to offer you in return.”  Eddie: “You don’t have to offer me anything. I want to be here with you.”  Nina: “Really?”  Eddie: (taken aback, joking hiding hurt) “You really think I’d only be here with you for sexual favours? After all this time, you really think I’m only with you to get laid?”  Nina: (quietly, sad) “I don’t know…”  Eddie: [pulling her head up by her chin, looking into her eyes lovingly] “I really like you Nina, not because you make me see God when you make me cum-“ [Nina laughs, covering her mouth shyly] “Or because you help me with school work. I like you for you. Watching paint dry would be fun with you.”  Nina: [pressing a sweet kiss on his lips] “Thank you.”  Eddie: [after a pause, thoughtful] “You’re not as scary and damaged as you think you are, you know. I think you’re incredibly brave.”  Nina: [tearing up, lying on his chest] “You really think so?”  Eddie: “I do. I’m so happy you’re mine.”  Nina: (teasingly) “And I thought I was meant to be the cute one.”  Eddie: [fondly, rubbing her back soothingly] “Oh you are, oh so cute.”  Nina: (confessional, sad) “I’m not used to people being this nice to me.”  Eddie: (sad) “I know. That’s why I’m here, to remind you.”  Nina: [sighing contently] “I’m so glad I found you.”  Eddie: “Me too.” [playing with her hair] “You were like coming up for air. I didn’t realise I was drowning and I met you and you brought life back into me.”  Nina: [smiling, quietly] “Me too.”  Eddie: (confessional) “You make me want to be a better man. I want to take care of you.” [Nina kisses his chest innocently, heart warmed.]  Nina: [after a pause: turning to look up at him, whispering] “I meant what I said you know.”  Eddie: [blushing] “You remember that, huh?”  Nina: [smiling warmly] “I do.”  Eddie: (shy) “I do too.” [They kiss softly again.] 

[Dreams by Fleetwood Mac is playing in the background.] 

Nina: “This is one of my sad songs.”  Eddie: (upset) “Want me to change it?”  Nina: “No, it’s nice to share it with someone. Gives it a new meaning now.”  Eddie: [kissing her hair] “Good.”  Nina: “I used to play this album on repeat to help me sleep when I was sad. I’ve sort of conditioned myself to get tired when it plays.” [laughing] “I’ve Palvlov’s dogs’ed myself.” [Eddie gives her a funny look] “Psychology humour, nevermind.”  Eddie: (teasingly) “Even when you’re drunk, you’re a nerd.”  Nina: [giggling] “Oh shut up.” (Confessional) “I’m scared about going home.”  Eddie: (torn) “I know you are. You don’t have to go, you know. You don’t owe her anything.”  Nina: “I know. I just feel like I should try.”  Eddie: (sadly) “I know. I’ll be here for you regardless.”  Nina: (teasingly, cute) “Such a supportive boyfriend.” 

[Eddie’s heart flutters.]

Eddie: (fondly) “That’s the second time you’ve called me your boyfriend tonight.”  Nina: [giggling] “You’re right, it is. And you haven’t even asked me yet, how presumptuous of me.”  Eddie: (confused) “Wait, I need to ask? I thought I was yours and you were mine?”  Nina: “Well, we are.” (teasingly) “But it’s nice to be asked. Officially and that.”  Eddie: [smiling widely] “Noted.”  Nina: (confessional) “I’m worried about being your first girlfriend.”  Eddie: (confused) “Why?”  Nina: “Incase I fuck it up. And let you down.”  Eddie: “You could never.” 

[Nina hums in response, falling asleep, feeling safe in Eddie’s arms.] 

Nina: (sleepy) “Goodnight boyfriend.”  Eddie: [kissing her hair, happy] “Goodnight girlfriend.” 

Saturday / 12 noon / Robin and Nina’s kitchen. 

[Eddie is in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. Nina and Robin smell the bacon and eggs cooking and slowly surface from their beds, hungry and hungover. Eddie has breakfast and painkillers waiting for them.] 

Eddie: (cheerful) “Good morning girls.” [pushing the bacon around in the pan, tone teasing] “How’s the hangover?”  Robin: [looking ill, hair everywhere, panda eyes] “I need coffee. And painkillers. Or a bullet. Or all three.”  Eddie: “I have no bullets but I do have bacon and sausages, eat up.” [Pushing the meat on two plates, walking over to Nina whose head is in the fridge, pouring juice for the three of them, giving her a kiss on the forehead] “Morning gorgeous.”  Robin: [groaning in satisfaction] “You better marry that man before I do Nina, he makes a good fry up.”  Nina: [smirking, not fully awake yet] “Noted.”  Eddie: (laughing) “Weren’t you at a gay club last night?”  Robin: [demolishing her food] “I’m straight for anyone who makes me hash browns in the morning.” 

[Nina giggles, wrapping her arms around Eddie to hug him from behind as he cooks.] 

Nina: (amused) “Good little housewife, aren’t you?”  Eddie: (smirking) “I’ll even make you a martini for when you come in from work.” [Nina and Robin gag at the mention of alcohol, to which Eddie laughs]  Nina: [quietly, barely audible but Eddie catches it, small smile on her face, resting her head on Eddie’s back due to the height difference] “Nobody has ever made me breakfast before.”

[They all sit down and eat their breakfast, humming contently, the radio playing in the background.] 

Eddie: (to Nina) “So what do you want to do today?”  Nina: (groaning) “Sleep.”  Eddie: (coy) “Oh, that’s a shame, I had an idea planned.”  Nina: [eyebrow raised, confused] “A surprise? Since when?”  Eddie: (shy) “Not really a surprise, just thought we could do something.”  Nina: (suspicious) “Like?”  Eddie: “I wanted to take you to the bookstore.”  Nina: [immediately] “I’m sold.”  Eddie: “And the shops. I thought we could get some stuff for your room.”  Nina: (confused) “Why?”  Eddie: “Just thought we could make it more ‘you’. So you’ve got a little nest for when you’re sad.”  Nina: [heart warmed] “Eddie…” [tearing up] “That’s so sweet.”  Robin: [tears rolling down her cheeks] “I am way too hungover for this. I can’t deal-“ [getting out of the chair, food finished] “Too damn cute for their own good.” 

Hope you like this chapter!

Next chapter: Chapter Sixteen - Friday, I'm in Love

Taglist: @soph342

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Fourteen - Rain (part two)

Chapter Summary: Nina falls into old habits and Eddie helps her. Eddie has insecurities, and Nina helps him. 

Content warnings: Smut! M!blowjob. Consensual, educational and vulnerable conversations about sex. Jokes about sex. Insecure!Eddie, Jealous!Eddie, Protective!Eddie. Kinda sexist/cocky/chauvinistic Steve (Pookie would never!!). Bad at emotions!OC / Nina. mentions of vomiting. Bad coping mechanisms / alcohol abuse. Questioning of God/faith.  Mentions of past abuse. Not proof read so sorry if its not great! 

I have had to FIGHT with Tumblr to get this posted so if its not in the usual format, also sorry!!

Chapter Fourteen - Rain 

“Just like the rain, you cast the dust into nothing, 

And wash out the salt from my hands. 

So touch me again, I feel my shadow dissolving, 

Will you cleanse me with pleasure?” 

Rain - Sleep Token 

Sunday / 7pm / Eddie’s trailer

Nina: “What are you doing?” 

Eddie: [embarrassed, shoving the magazine under the couch] “Nothing! Nothing!” 

Nina: (confused then amused) “Are you reading Teen Vogue?” 

Eddie: “I’m revising.” 

Nina: (teasing) “For what? Your first bikini wax?” 

Eddie: [pointing at the headline] “For this.” 

Nina: [reading the headline] “How to prepare for your first time?” (Realising) “Oh.” (Softly) “You’ve been thinking about it?”

Eddie: “Yeah, a bit. Well, a lot actually.” [pink, shy] “Ever since we, y’know, got closer, I’ve been thinking about it a lot.” 

Nina: “You mean, you want me…?”

Eddie: (dryly) “Well I don’t mean Steve.” [Nina laughs and sits next to him on the couch] 

Nina “Where has this come from?” 

Eddie: “The conversation at the diner the other day, it got me thinking. I’m the only virgin in the group.”

Nina: “That’s not true, Robin is too.” 

Eddie: “I’m the only guy virgin. Even Gareth has lost his.” 

Nina: [frowning] “There’s no rush, Eddie. It happens when it feels right, when it feels natural.” 

Eddie: (timidly) “I know, I know, but I think I’m ready.” [looking at Nina, nervous] “What do you think?” 

Nina: [stroking his hand with her thumb as she takes his hand] “It doesn’t matter what I think, but for the sake of clarity, I think it sounds great.” [pressing a kiss on his jaw] “More than great.” [Eddie shivers, heart racing] 

Jesus, if you knew how much I want you, Eddie thinks. 

Nina: “Well, if you wanted to learn about losing your virginity, you know who you should have spoken to?”

Eddie: (confused) “Who? Steve?”

Nina: “No, me!” [smirking] “Jonathan nearly put it in the wrong hole on his first time and definitely not Steve, he was so wasted he can barely remember it.” [Nina slaps her hand over her mouth, eyes wide, Eddie looks at her gobsmacked, humour in his eyes] “Oh, I totally so wasn’t meant to tell you that!”

Eddie: [laughter thick in his voice] “They what?!” 

Nina: [Head in her hands to hide her laughter, Eddie is in hysterics] “Man, Robin and Nancy are going to kill me.” 

Eddie: (giggling) “I won’t tell, I promise.” [Nina looks at him with wide eyes] “I can’t promise I won’t tease them a little bit though.” 

Nina: “You better not!” 

Eddie: [grinning] “No promises.” 

Nina: [fake annoyance, smiling] “Asshole.” [Eddie takes her hand and kisses it, his smile pressed against her skin] “So, do you have any questions?”

Eddie: (flustered, shy) “I, erm, I wanna know how to make it good for you.” 

Nina: “I think it’ll be easier to show you than explain it.”

Eddie: (cheeky) “Well, Wayne isn’t home for a few hours.” 

Nina: [blushing, rolling her eyes] “I’m not taking your virginity having a quickie on your old couch.” [Eddie laughs] “We’ll do it properly.”

Eddie: (teasing) “Gonna wine and dine me?”

Nina: [winking] “And sixty-nine you.” [Eddie’s eyes go wide and he flushes red.] “I mean it, it’ll be special, we’re gonna do it right.” [Eddie’s heart flutters] 

It will be special, it’ll be with you, Eddie thinks. 

Nina: “Any other questions?” 

Eddie: [curious] “Will it hurt?”

Nina: “It shouldn’t hurt, no, it should feel good for you.” 

Eddie: “I meant for you.”

Nina: (nonchalant) “Oh, I get you. Well, it’s been a while, and since you’re packing, it might hurt a bit till I get used to the size. But that’s what foreplay is for,” (cheeky) “And we both know you have no faults in that department.” 

Eddie: [gobsmacked, flustered, sweating, trying to control his breathing] “You- what?” (Stunned) “Wait, rewind, that was a lot to process.”

Nina: (smirking) “Which bit are you struggling with, baby?” 

Eddie: (gulping, flustered, disbelief) “I’m… big?” (Aroused) “And I’m good? At the, y’know, stuff?” 

Nina: [eyes electric, relishing Eddie’s reaction] “You’re big, Eddie. Maybe the biggest I’ve had. Well, will have.” [Eddie is bright red now] “And yes, handsome, you’re good at the stuff.”

Eddie: “Fuck.” [looking at the clock] “I gotta get a cold shower before Wayne comes home or I really will fuck you on this old couch.” [Nina bursts into laughter and Eddie smiles proudly.] 

Nina: “Anything else you want to ask?” 

Eddie: “Did your first time hurt?” 

Nina: “It was a bit uncomfortable, yeah, but we didn’t really know what we were doing, it wasn’t planned very well.” [Nina catches Eddie’s look of uncertainty] “We’ll be prepared and I can help you, don’t overthink it, honey.” 

Eddie: “There is one other thing…” [Nina looks at him expectantly] “We’ll, everyone was talking about headcounts at the diner.” (coyly) “So what’s your magic number?” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes] “Eddie…” 

Eddie: (grinning) “What? I wanna know.” 

Nina: (snorting) “I bet you do.” 

Eddie: “It can’t be that bad, can it?” 

Nina: [throwing the cushion at him, he giggles] “What do you take me for, the village bike?” [Eddie snorts with laughter] 

Eddie: “Not at all, I’m just curious.” [pestering her] “Tell me.” 

Nina: “I will not.” (matter of fact, cheeky) “Headcounts are an outdated and sexist tradition. Women should be liberal in their sexuality.” 

Eddie: (cheeky, smug) “And I agree, I’m just curious on how liberal you’ve been.” 

Nina: (appalled) “Eddie!” 

Eddie: (huffy) “Fine, don’t tell me.” [he plonks next to her and hands her back the cushion.]

Nina: “Thank you.” 

Eddie: [after a moment of silence]  “Were they good?”

Nina: “Oh, for god's sake!” 

Eddie: “What! I just want to know my competition.” [Nina snorts] “Were they as good as me?” 

Nina: “No, Eddie, they weren’t as good as you.” 

[Eddie humphs triumphantly and looks back at the TV. He looks at Nina again, curious] 

Eddie: “But you were with Michael and Tommy for like, two years, it must have been good, right?” 

Nina: “You’re wandering into dangerous territory, Eddie.” 

Eddie: “As for any others, I don’t know, but…” 

Nina: “Yes, okay Eddie, some of them were good, some of them were bad, some of them gave me lots and lots of lovely earth shattering orgasms, are you happy now?” 

Eddie: “But your other boyfriends were experienced, weren’t they?” 

Nina: (awkward) “Yeah, some of them were.” 

Eddie: “So they knew what they were doing?” 

Nina: “Some of them did. Just ‘cause they were experienced doesn’t necessarily mean they were good, Eddie.” 

Eddie: “Steve was flirting with you today in the diner.” 

Nina: (scoffing) “Yeah, sure Eddie.” 

Eddie: “Steve is experienced.” 

Nina: “Oh, here we go.” 

Eddie: (jealous) “Steve had a crush on you when he first met you, y’know.” 

Nina: (scoffing) “No, he didn’t.”��

Eddie: “He did, I can tell.” 

Nina: “Good for Steve, then.” 

Eddie: “Would you have gone for Steve, if he asked you out?” 

Nina: “Probably not, no.” 

Eddie: “Why?” 

Nina: “Like I said at the Hideout, I had eyes for someone else.” 

Eddie: “I bet Steve knows what he’s doing.” 

Nina: “I‘m sure he does.”

Eddie: (jealous, head snapping to watch Nina) “So you’ve thought about it then? What Steve would be like?” 

Nina: (shrugging nonchalantly) “It's a small town and girls talk.” (suspicious) “Why are you so bothered by Steve all a sudden?” (winding Eddie up) “Does someone have a crush on Steve? Are you jealous?” 

Eddie: (mumbling to himself) “It’s not Steve I’m jealous of.” [Nina looks at him with a raised eyebrow] “Okay, I’m a little jealous of Steve too.” [focusing on the pillow in front of him] “I just worry that Steve can satisfy you better than I can, or any guy for that matter. And the other day when you were at Steve’s… I worried that you guys were gonna, y’know, do the deed. But then you guys were talking about all those things and somehow that hurt too.” [Nina looks at him worriedly] “I want you to talk to me about those things, not Steve.”

Nina: “Eddie, come here.” [she turns him to face her when he shies away] “I spoke to Steve about that stuff, ‘cause, well, in a weird way he can sort of relate. And you were at work and I didn’t want to bother you with it.” (Cautiously) “Truth is, I’m still a bit scared to show you that side of me, in case you run for the hills. I was a bit manic yesterday and turned to old coping mechanisms, it wasn’t good.” (Sighing) “But it won’t happen again. I’m working on it. As for the other thing, I’m pretty sure I’m happy with the guy I’ve chosen. I’m yours and you’re mine, remember?” [Eddie smiles softly] “Does it bother you that I’ve had other partners?” 

Eddie: “No.” [picking at Nina’s pillow, shy] “I just… I want to be better than them, y’know.” 

Nina: “You are better than them.” 

Eddie: (scoffing) “Yeah, right.” 

Nina: “Is that what this is about?” [Eddie looks away, Nina crawls over to him, taking his face in her hands] “Eddie, you are without a doubt the best I’ve ever had. You make me feel things only Jackie Collins writes about.” [Eddie tries to hide his smile] “Believe me, you are so much better than anyone else, what we have is amazing!” 

Eddie: “It’s just- it drives me crazy that other people have seen you and know you like I’ve seen you, like I want to know you. I know it makes me sound possessive and crazy and jealous but I want you all to myself.” 

Nina: “What do you mean? I’m all yours.” 

Eddie: “I mean…” [looking deeply into her eyes] “It drives me crazy that someone else knows all the spots that I know about, like how you get goosebumps when I touch you here,” [Eddie’s hand ghosts the side of her stomach, she shivers] “Or how I can tell you’re about to cum by a certain moan you make, or-“ 

Nina: “Eddie,” [she straddles his lap, stroking his face] “I may have slept with other people and been in relationships with other people, but it doesn’t mean they know me like you do, know my body like you do,” [she closes the gap between them] “Yes, with past boyfriends and others it’s been good, but with you..” [smiling softly] “We connect, we know each other! We know each other’s bodies, each other's likes, what we have is special. And we have all that good stuff to come.”

Eddie: “Y’sure?” 

Nina: “I’m sure, baby. And if and when the time comes when you’re ready to cash in your card-” [Eddie goes pink] “I’m sure it’ll be amazing.” (flirty) “And if not amazing right away, practice makes perfect, right?” [Eddie goes redder] 

Eddie: [flustered, blushing] “Right.” (Shy) “Does it bother you that I’m a virgin?” 

Nina: “Not at all.” 

Eddie: (scoffing) “Again, yeah, right.” 

Nina: “It doesn’t! It means we can both learn what we like and work it out together, it’s like that at the beginning of any relationship.” [Eddie blushes at the word relationship, heart racing] “Plus I think it makes it more special, y’know, that you trust me with this stuff.” [whispered in her ear] “Also, the possessive thing? Hot.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “There’s more where that came from.” [Nina giggles and kisses his lips softly, taking his face in her hands] 

Tuesday / 7pm / Lover’s Lake

[Eddie and Nina are lying in the back of Eddie’s van on a bundle of blankets and pillows. The back doors open; they are watching the heavy rain fall over Lover’s Lake. Eddie is mesmerised by the ripples of rain on the water and the soft thrumming of the rain of the van roof. The radio is playing softly in the background.] 

Nina: “Do you want the last of the joint?” (Pause) “Eddie? Earth to Eddie?” 

Eddie: “Hmm?” 

Nina: “I asked if you wanted the last of the joint. Are you okay?” 

Eddie: (softly) “Yeah, I’m good.” [lying back, pulling Nina into his side, she rests her head on his shoulder] “Just content.” 

Nina: “Are you tired? I can drive us back if you want?” 

Eddie: “No, no.” [inhaling the scent of her hair, smiling softly, pressing a kiss on her forehead] “I’m happy here.” 

Nina: (teasing) “Someone’s gone all warm and fuzzy. You feeling it, baby?” 

Eddie: (sighing peacefully) “Yeah, feels good.” [he rubs Nina’s side with the arm wrapped around her] “It’s nice here, pretty.” [looking down at Nina] “Very pretty.” 

Nina: [finishing the last of the joint, putting it out] “I’m gonna tell Argyle his weed is strong as shit.” 

Eddie: (giggling) “I feel like I’m melting into the van.”  Nina: “Yup, definitely strong.”  Eddie: [stroking her skin] “You’re so soft.” [Nina giggles] “And you smell like cupcakes.”  Nina: (teasing) “This is the part of the movie where you cannibalise me, Hannibal Lecter.”  Eddie: [flirty, nibbling on her ear] “Spread your legs and I’ll eat you right here, baby.” [Nina giggles and Eddie kisses her neck, speaking softly, darkly in her ear] “All alone in the woods with nobody to save you, what would poor little Nina do?”  Nina: “Offer you as a sacrifice, obviously.” [she slides her leg over Eddie’s waist, cuddling into his side more, she hums contently] “Mmm, this is nice. Good job planning date night, honey. We should do this more often.”  Eddie: [stroking patterns on her skin] “Mmm, we should.” (quietly) “I like it when it’s just us. It’s nice here.” [curiously, after a peaceful silence] “Have you ever had sex while high?”  Nina: (cheekily) “Why, are you offering?” [Eddie blushes red and Nina giggles] “I have, yeah, once or twice.”  Eddie: “What does it feel like?”  Nina: “Feels like your body is electric, if that makes sense? Like every nerve tingles and the pleasure just rolls through you. Feels kinda mind blowing.” (Thoughtful) “Have you ever orgasmed while high?”  Eddie: “A few times, it feels good yeah, just short lived.” [Eddie snorts with laughter] “Except once, actually. Felt jelly-legged for a while after. It kinda blew my mind.”  Nina: “Yeah? Tell me about it.”  Eddie: (flustered) “It’s embarrassing.”  Nina: “Oh, now you have to tell me.”  Eddie: “It was over you. Before we were, y’know, together.”  Nina: “Hot.”  Eddie: “Yeah? You don’t think it’s weird?”  Nina: “The guy I’m seeing finds me attractive enough to have sexual fantasies and orgasms over me? Not weird at all, very very hot.” (flirty) “What do you think about, Eddie?”  Eddie: “I… um… Recently I've been thinking about the other night, about my head between your legs for hours and hours…”  Nina: “What else?” [Nina shifts from her position to straddle Eddie’s waist, he gulps in anticipation] 

Eddie: (distracted) “Huh?”  Nina: “You said recently, what did you think about before that?” [Eddie blushes] “What did you think about when you were high?”  Eddie: “I, erm, I…”  Nina: [lips ghosting his ear] “Cat got your tongue?”  Eddie: “I find it hard to think when you’re on top of me like this.” [Nina giggles and Eddie smiles, hands stroking up and down her waist] “Erm, I thought about,” [he gulps] “I thought about you kneeling in front of me, and your… I mean, I’m… my…”  Nina: “Tell me, and I might do it.” [Eddie’s eyes light up, a shy smile on his face] “If you want me to, that is.”  Eddie: [semi hard, eager] “You have no idea how bad I want you to.” (slowly) “I thought about you touching me, about you taking me in your mouth and in your throat…”  Nina: (sultry) “Yeah? And how did it feel?”  Eddie: [sighing as Nina lightly kisses his neck] “It felt incredible.” [his eyelashes flutter] “I felt like my body was on fire, and you,” [looking at Nina lustfully, eyes dark, tucking her hair behind her ear] “You were a goddess.”  Nina: [pupils dilated, in awe, passionate] “Take your top off, Eddie.” [Eddie pulls his shirt off over his head. He looks down at his scars, his mood changes. He’s oblivious to Nina’s loving look as she gently strokes his skin, her long nails softly grazing his skin. He shivers under her touch.]  Eddie: [poking at his skin, disheartened] “It’s ugly. It’s like…”  Nina: “Like rose quartz.”  Eddie: (confused) “Huh?”  Nina: “It’s like rose quartz, the crystal. Or like rhodochrosite.” [smoothing over his scars] “It has the same pattern.” [smiling softly] “One of a kind, beautiful, unique.” [kissing over his scars] “Just like you.” 

I adore you, Eddie thinks. 

[Nina moves to unbuckle Eddie’s belt, anticipation catches in his throat.]

Eddie: (suddenly) “Wait, wait!”  Nina: (worried) “What’s wrong? Do you want to stop?”  Eddie: (nervously) “C-Can you kiss me a little first?”  Nina: [smiling softly] “Of course, honey.” 

[Nina smiles widely, climbing onto Eddie’s lap. She scratches his scalp comfortingly, looking deeply into his eyes before connecting their lips. Eddie’s racing heart calms as her hands rest on either side of his neck as they kiss lazily for a while; Eddie now feeling more content than nervous. His hands grab at her thighs and ass, trying to signal to her that he feels ready now.] 

Nina: [picking up on his cue] “Want me to go slow?”  Eddie: (breathless) “Mmm, please.” 

[Unmoving, Nina leans back slightly to unbutton his jeans, touching him over his boxers, not moving from her position straddling him. His breathing quickens, as he grabs her by the jaw to pull into a passionate kiss. She cups him tightly over his boxers, pulling his bottom lip between her teeth and biting lightly, causing him to moan.] 

Nina: “Is this okay?”  Eddie: (panting) “Yeah, feels good.” [he sighs contently as she cups him and strokes him up and down, he’s fully hard now] “Feels really good.” 

[Nina kisses his temple, dipping her hand into his boxers, pulling him out. She wraps her hand around his wide length, feeling the hard warmth in her hand. Eddie gulps in anticipation.] 

Nina: (quietly) “You’ve got such a pretty cock baby…” [Eddie whimpers as she rubs her thumb across his tip, knowing how much he likes it] “So big.” [Purring in his ear] “You’ll have me aching for days.”  Eddie: [head lulling back, shuddering] “Fuck.” 

[She pulls Eddie in for a deep kiss as she begins to move her hand up and down his length, Eddie twitching in her hand already, sensitive to her light touch. Eddie whimpers in response and buries his face in her neck, biting gently, trying to hide his arousal. Nina pulls him back gently by his hair.]

Nina: “You don’t have to hide from me, Eddie, I want to hear you.” [she kisses his neck] “I want you to enjoy yourself.” [she kisses his neck again] “Wanna make you feel good.” 

[Eddie gulps and nods timidly as Nina continues her hand movements, then shuffles off his lap to pull his jeans and boxers down around his ankles. She climbs back on top, continuing to stroke him steadily. His hands grasp onto her thick thighs tightly, his chest rising and falling heavily with lust and anticipation. Her spare hand cups his balls and he moans shakily, tilting his head back, Nina’s lips kissing his neck. The feeling he has inside his stomach is overwhelming, his mind racing. He gulps his breaths and blinks as his whole body tingles.] 

Eddie: (breathless, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat) “I, I’m ready.” 

[Nina slides off his lap and crawls down between his spread legs. She looks up at Eddie who is watching her with parted lips and wide eyes, mesmerised by the sight before him. His cock twitches at Nina’s full lips so close to where he wants, needs, her. Her eyes sultry but comforting; loving. He screws his eyes shut and tilts his head back as Nina begins to stroke him again, rubbing his thigh comfortingly as she does.]  

Nina: (softly) “Look at me, baby.”  Eddie: [with his eyes screwed shut] “I can’t look at you right now, I’ll bust in like five seconds.”  Nina: (whispered) “Please, baby, trust me.” 

[He opens his eyes to see Nina’s large honest ones looking back at him. She presses a light kiss on his leaking tip while she strokes him and Eddie’s bottom lip trembles, his hands clenching by his sides in anticipation. His eyes widen as she traces the veins of his cock with her tongue. She gives a gentle lick across his tip, causing him to jolt at the warm sensation. She repeats this action a few times, Eddie’s jaw slack as he watches her.] 

Nina: “This okay?”  Eddie: (slurred, whimpering) “More than okay, shit, Nina.” 

[Nina kisses up and down his thighs, his shaft and his balls while continuing her slow tortuous hand movements. Eddie becomes restless; his chest reddening and veins protruding on his neck.] 

Eddie: (desperate) “Please, please Nina.” 

[Nina licks a long stripe with her tongue along the underside of his shaft: Eddie is watching her, mesmerised, as she does. She wraps her lips around his strained end, sucking him softly in her mouth. He lets out his loudest moan so far.] 

Eddie: “Fuuuck, that feels good Princess.” (dazed) “Your mouth is so warm.”  Nina: “This okay?”  Eddie: [stumbling to find words, dumb with arousal] “More than okay- amazing, you’re amazing.” (moaning) “Better than I could have imagined, shit baby.” [thumb running over her bottom lip] “Dreamed of you like this.”  Nina: [kissing his balls] “Like this?”  Eddie: [thighs tensing, voice shaking] “Yeah, Angel, just like this.” 

[Nina continues to take Eddie in her mouth, palming what she can’t fit in her mouth. To Eddie’s surprise she would occasionally slide him down the back of her throat, bobbing her head a few times, causing Eddie to shudder, obscenities falling from his mouth. ] 

Nina: (lustfully) “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this for.”  Eddie: [groaning, hands flexing by his sides] “I- fuck, I…”  Nina: (reassuringly) “Here.” [she takes his hand and puts it on the back of her head] “You won’t hurt me, I promise.” 

[Eddie picks up the stray strands of hair falling around Nina’s face and pulls them away, holding her hair on the crown of her head. He cradles her head as she bobs up and down on Eddie’s throbbing length, not forcing her movements at all. She hollows her cheeks and uses her tongue against the underside of his cock; Eddie lets out a huff of air and slumps in his position, melting in her mouth.] 

Eddie: (mumbling, almost drunkenly) “Look so damn pretty like this.” [he uses the pad of his thumb to wipe away the falling tears from Nina’s eyes as she gags on Eddie’s cock] “So good f’me, feels so fuckin’ good baby.” [sighing contently] “Feels fucking divine.”

[Nina takes Eddie from her mouth and moves to his balls, gently suckling on them before taking them in her mouth. Eddie throws his head back with a loud moan, hands going slack by his sides, his body tensing in on himself at the intense feeling] 

Eddie: “Oh shit, Nina!” [she rolls her tongue around his balls]  “Oh fuck, oh Jesus fucking Christ, fuck Nina, fuck!” [practically cross eyed, panting writhing]  “Shit, baby, I’m not gonna last much longer, feels like fuckin’ heaven, feels too fuckin’ good.” 

[Nina lets go of his balls with a pop and kisses up his shaft, taking him in her mouth once again. She blinks up at him as she sets a moderate pace, throating him often now, her free hand gripping his base. He holds tightly onto the blanket below him and Nina’s hair, feeling he could fall off and back down to earth at any point.

Eddie’s stomach begins to tense, his thighs trembling, his breathing becoming jagged and uneven. Nina rubs the underside of his shaft with her tongue with each bob of her throat and Eddie whimpers and pants desperately.] 

Eddie: (desperate) “Baby… baby, I’m getting close, where do you-? [Nina looks up at him again and bats her eyelashes as she takes him deep down her throat, he grunts and tightens the grip on her hair] “Yeah? I can cum in your mouth?” [Nina hums to agree with him and he moans again, the vibrations making his shudder] “Fuck, you’re gonna kill me.” [he lets out a string of curses, whimpers and moans] “Baby, I’m, fuck, I’m gonna cum.” [he looks at Nina for approval, she blinks sweetly and sucks him harder, Eddie whines] “Oh Jesus Christ, Nina, Nina baby, I’m coming, I’m gonna- Fuuuck!” 

[Eddie comes with a groan down Nina’s throat. She pulls away satisfied, looking at Eddie who looks wrecked, chest and neck red, thighs twitching. She rubs over his thighs, tummy, chest and neck soothingly as she arises from the floor, climbing back on top of him, giving him kisses on his temple and forehead as he becomes more awake.]

Eddie: “That was, oh my god.”  Nina: (whispered) “That okay for your first time?”  Eddie: [dazed] “More than okay. Come here.” [He pulls Nina down so she’s lying on his chest, stroking her hair] “Can you feel how hard my heart is beating? Nearly sent me into cardiac arrest. Think you sucked the soul out of me, woman.” [Nina giggles, raising her head and kissing Eddie on the lips, Eddie sighs happily, content.] “You’ve got your hooks in me, Angel, anything you want it’s yours. Money, bags, shoes, it’s yours.” [Nina snorts, laughing harder]  Nina: “You’re ridiculous.” 

Ridiculously in love with you, Eddie thinks. 

Monday / Miss Kelly’s office / 2pm 

Miss Kelly: “So, Nina, tell me what you want from these sessions.”  Nina: (dryly) “I don’t know what I want from these sessions. I’m being forced to have them.” [cringing at her bluntness, thinking for a moment] “I guess… I want… I want to let go.” [frowning] “I don’t want to feel like this anymore. I don’t want to be held back by the past.”  Miss Kelly: [writing things down] “I see. Any motivation for this?”  Nina: “I guess…” (blushing) “There’s a guy. And I don’t mean this in a cliche ‘I want the whole transformation for a guy’ sexist bullshit from rom-coms, I mean…” [fiddling with her fingers] “I want the cycle to end. I see the future, and I know I can get it, but I don’t think the current ‘me’ is able to get there. I want to get there.” [self-deprecating] “I’m rambling, this makes no sense.”  Miss Kelly: [putting her pen down, looking at Nina earnestly] “You want to better yourself. You’re recognising a pattern in your behaviour of dwelling on the past and you want to let it go in order to progress in the future. I understand.”  Nina: [blinking, taken aback] “Uh, yeah, that's' kinda spot on, actually.”  Miss Kelly: “So, how has your sleeping been? And the journaling?”  Nina: [timidly] “Sleeping sucks. I get nightmares most nights. I find that journaling helps calm me down.” 

Eddie and his weed helps too, Nina thinks, smiling to herself. 

Miss Kelly: “Tell me more about the nightmares, if you can.”  Nina: “It’s usually the same one, sometimes with a few variations. A clock ringing, flashing lights, windows and mirrors smashing, everything is loud and bright and then it goes silent and I’m staring at the ceiling with my mom hovering over me. She’s screaming at me but I can’t hear what she’s saying. And then…” [biting the skin of her thumb] “Recently I’m in a hospital bed with Robin, Eddie, Steve and everyone around me, and they’re all crying and I’m lying there, practically dead but in my mind I’m alive and begging for them to hear me and I can’t move or speak or…” [sighing, anxious] “It sounds dumb but I don’t know why it keeps happening.”  Miss Kelly: “Dreams are your brain’s way of organising and digesting memories, thoughts and emotions. If we were to break down your dream, the beginning part of your dream could be your mind’s way of coping with the traumatic situations of your past and figuring out your emotions towards it. For the second part, maybe your friends seeing you in the hospital bed and you being unable to talk to them could be you feeling like you’re unable to communicate to your friends about the past and feeling trapped emotionally because of that. You think?”  Nina: [impressed] “You’re good.”  Miss Kelly: [smiling] “That’s what I’m here for, Miss Sloan. Let’s end this cycle.” 

I’m going to get better for you and I, Eddie, Nina thinks.

Up next: Chapter Fifteen - Cinnamon Girl

Thank you for reading! Comments, likes and reblogs are very appreciated :)

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California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Fourteen - Rain (part one)

Chapter Summary: Nina falls into old habits and Eddie helps her. Eddie has insecurities, and Nina helps him. 

Content warnings: Smut! M!blowjob. Consensual, educational and vulnerable conversations about sex. Jokes about sex. Insecure!Eddie, Jealous!Eddie, Protective!Eddie. Kinda sexist/cocky/chauvinistic Steve (Pookie would never!!). Bad at emotions!OC / Nina. mentions of vomiting. Bad coping mechanisms / alcohol abuse. Questioning of God/faith.  Mentions of past abuse. Not proof read so sorry if its not great! TUMBLR IS ANNOYING AND WONT LET ME POST THIS IN ONE PART SMH

Chapter Fourteen - Rain 

“Just like the rain, you cast the dust into nothing, 

And wash out the salt from my hands. 

So touch me again, I feel my shadow dissolving, 

Will you cleanse me with pleasure?” 

Rain - Sleep Token 

Thursday / The Diner / 4:45pm

Steve: [picking at his fries, disinterested] “I’m just saying, she could have warned me she had a dog the size of a hellhound, kinda killed the mood a little.”  Robin: (amused) “Killed it even more when he started humping you.”  Jonathan: [laughing loudly] “PAH! The dog started humping you while you were having sex?”  Steve: [red faced] “No, it didn’t hump me while we had sex. We never actually got to the sex part.” (Embarrassed, quietly) “He kept making eye contact with me while we made out, it killed my mojo.” 

[The group laugh at Steve’s expense] 

Nina: (teasing, mixing her milkshake with her straw) “Another girl left unsatisfied ‘cause of Steve’s mojo, what will the female population of Hawkins do? Who will satisfy the ladies of Hawkins?” Robin: [teasing, nudging Nina playfully] “The vibrator sales will be through the roof!” Steve: (offended) “Hey! I could have satisfied her if I wanted to!”  Eddie: (teasing) “Sure you could, big boy.”  Steve: (muttering) “Satisfied lots of girls, actually.”  Nina: (winding him up) “Oh yeah? How many?” [Eddie looks at Nina, eyebrows furrowed, curious] 

That’s weird, Eddie thinks. Jealousy churns in his stomach.  His fingers clench. 

Steve: “At least eight.”  Nancy: [disguising her comment as a cough] “Three.”  Steve: [flicking a chip at her] “Didn’t hear you complain, Nancy Pants.”  Nina: “Wait! Steve and Nancy bumped uglies? How didn’t I not know this!”  Nancy: [teasing Steve] “It was a tragic time in my life.”  Steve: “Didn’t seem so tragic when I made you c-“  Jonathan: (interrupting) “Okay! Okay! Change the subject, please, people are trying to eat here.” Nancy: [winking at Nina] “I’ll give you all the deets later, Nina.”  Nina: [grinning mischievously] “Can’t wait.” 

What the hell? Eddie thinks. 

Robin: [after pause] “So, how big is the hellhound, Stevie? Chihuahua, or smaller?” 

[Steve groans as everyone laughs] 

Steve: “Gizmo happens to be a pretty large dog.”  Nancy: [laughter thick in her voice] “Wait, the dog is called Gizmo? I refuse to believe a dog called Gizmo is threatening.”  Eddie: [with pursed lips, peacocking] “Maybe he seemed bigger cause you fed him after midnight.” [Nina snorts at Eddie’s joke and he beams proudly, watching her fondly as she and Robin giggle into each other.] 

[Steve rests his head on the diner table, exasperated.] 

Jonathan: “Was it raining on your date?”  Steve: (annoyed, in a pinched tone) “No, why?”  Jonathan: [smug] “Well, you know you’re not supposed to get gremlins wet after midnight.”  Steve: “I hate you all.” [smirking] “It’s her I was trying to get wet after midnight, actually…” 

[the gang groans] 

Robin: [scrunching her nose] “You’re disgusting.”  Steve: [muttering to Steve, rubbing elbows with him, macho-energy] “If you think that’s disgusting, you wouldn’t want to be in my head that night, the things I would have done with her, oh my!” [Jonathan shakes his head, cheeks red as he chokes on his laughter.]  Jonathan: [with a crinkled nose] “You really are disgusting.” 

[Eddie drums his fingers off the table, pretending to not be listening to the conversation between Jonathan and Steve. Nina notices everyone in their own conversations but Eddie. She frowns, watching him for a few moments as he stares out the window before gently tapping his side and whispering to him.]

Nina: (concerned) “You okay, honey?”  Eddie: [deep in thought] “It looks like there’s a storm coming.”  Nina: “Hmm, it does.” [holding his hand under the table] “We can go for a drive later, if you’d like? Watch the rain?”  Eddie: (comforted) “I’d like that.” [he squeezes her hand, heart-warmed] 

Friday / 6:15pm / Robin & Nina’s house

Eddie: “Hey guys, what are-“  Robin and Steve: “Shh!”  Eddie: [joining their side, whispering] “What are you guys doing?”  Robin: [watching Nina intensely] “Nina’s on the phone to her Mom.”  Eddie: (protective) “Her mom is still ringing her?”  Robin: [with an awkward smile] “Three times this week, at least ten calls each night. We had to unplug the phone.”  Steve: (curiously) “We think she’s finally going to tell her-“  Eddie: [nodding, understanding, interrupting Steve, now watching Nina too] “-To get fucked.” [Robin snorts then covers her face, trying to remain quiet]  Steve: (nonchalant) “I was going to say tell her to leave her alone and stop calling, but your way works too.”  Eddie: “What’s been said so far?”  Robin: “Not a lot so far, which is concerning.” [chewing her thumb, she mumbles quietly to herself] “Come on Nina, you can do it…”  Eddie: [batting Robin’s hand away from her mouth] “You and Nina have the same nervous habit, you’re like co-dependent anxiety twins.” [Robin grabs his nipple in her fingers and twists it, he yelps] “Ow! Son of a-!” [he winces at the volume and Nina turns around; Eddie, Steve and Robin hide behind the wall. Eddie peers around again and Nina is talking quietly on the phone, he frowns, concerned] “Is she okay?” [Nina is leaning on the living room wall, twirling the phone cord around her fingers]  Robin: (uneasy) “I hope so…”  Nina: “You need to stop calling.” [pause] “People are starting to think I’m weird, I’m trying to have a fresh start here, Mom. You can’t keep calling the school or the police.” [frowning] “I’m not coming home.” [gulping, brave] “Because I don’t want to come home.” [sighing] “Because the same thing is going to happen again and again and I can’t do it anymore.” [after a pause, chewing the skin on her thumb] “Nothing has changed, Mom.” [rubbing her forehead, frustrated] “I’m happy here, why can’t you just leave me be?” [after a pause, gulping] “I- I’m not a burden to Robin and her family… they’ve been really kind.” [voice wavering] “I can’t do this anymore Mom, please, just leave me alone. I don’t want to come home.” [exasperated] “I don’t see how this is my fault-“ [angry, snappy] “Is it the guilt making you feel sick or the damn hangover?!” [Nina slams the phone down] 

[Nina rests her head against the wall, bottom lip trembling.] 

Oh, my darling, Eddie thinks. His heart breaks at the sight of her so hurt. 

Steve: (cautiously) “Should we do something?”  Robin: (unsure) “Maybe we should leave her for a while.”  Eddie: “Hell no.” [moving from behind Robin and Steve]  Robin: “Wait, Eddie-” [She goes to pull Eddie back but he’s already approaching Nina.]  Eddie: (softly) “Nina…” [Nina looks up at him with sad eyes] “What can I do?” 

[Nina starts to tear up and shies away from Eddie’s concerned looks. She begins to tremble, pacing backwards and forwards, her hands twitching in distress. She doesn’t know what to do, how to process her emotions. Eddie watches her, arms out as he cautiously goes to hold her, panicked, eyes focused on her every movement. He impulsively grabs Nina and pulls her into his chest. She bursts into tears and Eddie’s heart breaks. He wraps his arms around her, one arm pulling her tightly into him as he strokes her back, one hand sliding into her hair to comfortingly hold her head. Nina sobs into his chest and clings to him, finding comfort in his embrace.] 

Nina: [muffled, distraught] “I don’t know, I mean, I can’t-” [beginning to hyperventilate] “I don’t know how to deal with this,” [shaking] “I don’t want to deal with this, I don’t want to feel this!”  Eddie: [holding her even tighter] “I know.”  Nina: (desperate) “I don’t want to feel like this anymore, Eddie!”  Eddie: [gulping, worried] “I know.”  Nina: “I don’t want to feel it!”  Eddie: [kissing her hair, heart thumping in his chest, filled with fear] “I know, Angel, I know.” 

I’d take all your pain for you if I could, Eddie thinks. 

[Robin and Steve look at Nina and Eddie, surprised by Nina acknowledging her emotions, surprised by her allowing Eddie to hold her. They walk over and wrap their arms around both Nina and Eddie, holding them both tight.] 

Saturday / 2:30pm / Nina’s house 

Nina: [on the phone] “Stevie! Hi! Are you at work today?”  Steve: “You do know it’s me who answered the phone, right?”  Nina: [snorting] “Right, my bad.” [twisting the phone cord] “Don’t suppose you fancy an afternoon of reckless drinking and avoiding our emotions?”  Steve: (bewildered) “Sure.”  Nina: “Great, I’ll be at yours in 20.” 

5pm / Steve’s house 

[Nina and Steve are sitting on his kitchen floor, passing a bottle of tequila back and forth.]

Steve: [slurring his words] “It’s eyes Nina, it had evil in its eyes.”  Nina: [snorting, head lolling back against the counter] “Much like my mother then.”  Steve: [passing her the bottle] “It could sense my fear, like it knew my intentions.”  Nina: [swigging from the bottle] “My mom is like that.” [wiping the tequila from her mouth] “Except it’s not pervy intentions like you, perv, it’s like, calmness.” [she passes the bottle back] “She waits until things are calm, suspiciously calm, almost peaceful, if you will, and then, bam!” [aiming to clap her hands together, her hands miss each other, one hand accidentally hits Steve, spilling the tequila on his shirt, he pouts] “Throws me down the stairs. What a bitch.”  Steve: “You know what else is a bitch?” [scowling] “Gizmo thinks I’m not good enough for Melissa, that’s what this is.”  Nina: [slurring, pointing at herself] “I’m not good enough for my mom,” [prodding Steve’s chest] “You’re not good enough for Melissa,” [resting her head on the cupboard door] “We’re just two below average people struggling with impossibly high standards we’ll never be able to reach.” [drinking from the bottle] “What a bitch.”  Steve: [high fiving Nina] “Preach!” [muttering to himself]  “Damn dog and it’s high standards, I-“  Nina: [quietly to herself] “I’ll never be enough for you.”  Steve: “Huh? What was that?”  Nina: [sniffling, rubbing her nose] “What? Nothing, nothing.”  Steve: [frowning] “Are you okay?”  Nina: “Yeah, yeah I’m good!” [blinking away her tears] “You were saying?”  Steve: “Do you think I have a shot with Melissa?”  Nina: “Of course! She’d be an idiot not to like you.”  Steve: (touched) “You really think so?”  Nina: “Of course man, don’t let her dog get to you.”

 [Nina and Steve burst into laughter] 

Nina: “Shit, I need the bathroom, I think I’m gonna hurl.” 

[Nina scrambles on the floor to stand up to run to the bathroom but skids on the floor, tumbling onto the hardwood floor. Steve bursts into laughter again as Nina scrambles up and runs to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Steve stands up carefully and walks over to the phone.] 

Steve: [dialling the number for the Record store, hiccupping] “Damn, this number is loooooong,” [sliding on the floor on his socks] “Damn, this floor is slippy too, Jesus.” [the phone dials up and rings] “Hellooooo!”  Keith: [fumbling behind the phone, tutting as he goes to put the phone down] “....Damn kids and their prank calls, thought this shit ended months ago…” Steve: “Wait, Keith!” Keith: “Harrington? Is that you?”  Steve: “It is indeedilydo! Is Eddie there?”  Keith: (weirded out) “Yeah, he’s here.” [passing the phone to Eddie] “Eddie, your weird friend Steve is on the phone.”  Steve: (offended) “Hey, I’m not weird!” (quietly to himself) “Robin says I’m unique.”  Eddie: (concerned) “Steve? What’s up?” (serious) “Has something happened? Are you alright? Is Nina okay?”  Steve: (slurring) “We’re good, we’re good, we may have had some- well, a lot - of tequila, and now Nina is throwing up.”  Eddie: “You’re both drinking? It’s 5pm!” (serious) “Wait, Nina is throwing up?” Steve: “It’s wine o’clock somewhere!” [hiccupping] “Shit, I sound like my mother.” (muttering) “And Nina’s mother, apparently.”  Eddie: “Nina’s throwing up? And talking about her mom?” [chewing his lip, nervous] “You guys are like, drinking together?”  Steve: “Yeah but it’s all good! I was just wondering if you could pick Nina up when you’re done with work? I’m kinda worried about her being alone.”  Eddie: (worried) “Is she bad?”  Steve: [looking over his shoulder at Nina, still throwing up] “I wouldn’t say bad, more… not good.”  Eddie: (deadpan) “Fantastic.” [chucking the keys at Keith] “I’m on the way.” [turning to Keith] “Lock up for me, Keith? Family emergency.”  Keith: [fumbling the keys] “You owe me!”  Eddie: [rolling his eyes, annoyed] “Whatever, man, I’ll cover your shift tomorrow.” 

Just get me to Nina, Eddie thinks. 

20 minutes later

Eddie: [storming through the door] “Where is she?”  Steve: (bewildered) “Wow, you came through that door like, like, like the Terminator or something.”  Eddie: [ignoring him] “Is she in the bathroom?”  Steve: “She’s finally stopped hurling now, I think she’s taking a nap on the floor.” 

[Nina is lying on the bathroom floor, eyelids fluttering with sleep, mumbling to herself. Eddie rushes to her side, turning her head on the side in case she’s sick again. He brushes her messy hair out of her face and she nuzzles into his hand.] 

Eddie: “Nina?” (softly) “Are you okay?”  Nina: (fragile) “Eddie? Is that you?”  Eddie: “It’s me, sweetheart, I’m here.” [pulling her into his lap, stroking her cheek] “How’re you feeling?”  Nina: “I don’t feel too good. I think I had too much tequila.”  Eddie: [chuckling] “Not surprising, you guys drank nearly two thirds of the bottle.” (concerned) “Have you eaten today?”  Nina: [mumbling] “Do pizza rolls count?”  Eddie: “Right, come on.” [he scoops her up, bridal style, in his arms and carries her out the bathroom] “Steve, help me with the door?”  Steve: [on the phone] “Melissa? Hey, it’s Steve! I was just wondering-”  Eddie: “-Nope, that’s fine, I’ll get it myself.” [shouting outside of the door] “Bye Steve! Thanks for getting my girlfriend inappropriately drunk!”  Steve: [shouting to Eddie] “Glad I could help man!” [back on the phone] “I just feel like Gizmo doesn’t like me and I-”  Eddie: [carefully opening the door whilst holding Nina] “Here we go, sweetheart, that’s it.” [he pulls her seatbelt on] “We’ll get you home, get you some food, and get you to bed, yeah?”  Nina: “Yes, please.”  Eddie: “Okay, darling.” 

[Eddie runs around to the driver’s side and hops into the car. Nina lies her head back onto the headrest, looking out of the window. Eddie drives quickly, looking at Nina occasionally, worried.] 

Eddie: “Nina? Are you okay?”  Nina: “I’m fine.” [glum] “I’m sorry I’m a mess.”  Eddie: “You’re not a mess.” [he looks at her slightly smudged makeup and dishevelled hair and smiles] “You’re anything but.” 

You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, he thinks. 

Nina: “Did Steve call you?”  Eddie: “He did, yeah.” [looking at her] “He was worried about you.” [he resists the urge to reach for her hand] “I’m worried about you.”  Nina: [dismissive, tired] “No need to worry about me, I’m fine.” [self-deprecating] “I guess I got too drunk and got emotional. I’m totally fine.” [laughing bitterly] “Like mother, like daughter I guess.”  Eddie: (careful) “You’ve been thinking a lot about your mom?”  Nina: “A bit, yeah.” [fiddling with her fingers] “Sounds dumb but I miss her. Well, sober her.”  Eddie: “That’s understandable.” [finally grabbing her hand] “Wanna talk about it?”  Nina: “Maybe. Yeah. No. I don’t know.” [shaking away her thoughts] “Can I steal a cig, please?”  Eddie: “Glovebox.” [rubbing his thumb across her hand] “I’m here if you need me.”  Nina: [looking at him warmly] “I know.” [vulnerable, lighting the cig] “You have too much faith in me.”  Eddie: “I have every faith in you.”  Nina: [thoughtful, inhaling]  “Do you believe in God?” 

Eddie thinks back to the upside down, how he prayed to whoever could hear him to spare his life. 

If there is a god, I think he made you just for me, Eddie thinks. 

Eddie: “Not really. Prayed to them once or twice, jury’s out on whether they heard.” [looking at Nina intently, curious] “You?”  Nina: “I used to. I’m not religious or anything, I just hoped there was something out there that could explain all of,” [gesturing] “This. But there isn’t.” [Snorting sadly, blowing cigarette smoke into the air] “I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and it never ended. Guess there’s some bullshit reason for that too, huh? That I’m meant to create my own destiny.” [Choking up] “When I realised nobody was coming to save me, I realised I had to s-” [laughing sadly at herself, self-deprecating] “Jesus, what am I rambling about, I’ve lost the damn plot.” Eddie: “You haven’t lost the plot. I get it.”  Nina: “You do?”  Eddie: “I do. I’ve been there. It’s like-” [struggling to form the words] “What is the point of it all, y’know? Like, there’s no life lesson learned from it all. Sometimes it’s all just, well, sometimes life is just bullshit.”  Nina: [sighing, somewhat comforted] “Life is just bullshit. You’re right.” (honest) “I can’t let it go. It just comes as this unbearable wave of sadness and I can’t let go.”  Eddie: “I know how that feels. But the cycle will end.”  Nina: “It will? How do you know? When did yours end?” 

I think the cycle ended when you smiled at me, Eddie thinks. 

Eddie: (thoughtful) “A few months ago. It takes time. Jesus, it takes a lot of time. I didn’t think I’d ever be, I don’t know, whole again, I guess.” (quietly) “I didn’t think I was fit for anybody, anyone. Till I met you.” [looking at her softly] “I can see the future now. I have hope, I guess.” [smiling to himself] 

Maybe my grief can help you through your grief, he thinks. 

Nina: [looking at him lovingly as he drives]  “You give me hope.” 

[Eddie’s heart warms as their fingers intertwine.] 

You give me more hope than you know. 

Up next - Chapter Fourteen - Rain (Part Two)

Taglist: @soph342

[hellfirehottie]

Chapters: 14/50 Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Eddie Munson/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Robin Buckley's Mother, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Maxine "Max" Mayfield's Parents, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Hellfire Club (Stranger Things), Gareth (Stranger Things), Jeff (Stranger Things), The Party (Stranger Things), Argyle (Stranger Things), Vecna (Stranger Things), Vickie (Stranger Things), Corroded Coffin (Stranger Things), Unnamed Freak (Stranger Things), Scoops Troop (Stranger Things) Additional Tags: Strangers to Lovers, Stranger Things 4, Post-Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Hawkins (Stranger Things), Inspired by Stranger Things (TV 2016), Post-Vecna (Stranger Things), The Upside Down (Stranger Things), Friends to Lovers, Eddie Munson Lives, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Protective Eddie Munson, Virgin Eddie Munson, Loss of Virginity, Soft Eddie Munson, Good Friend Robin Buckley, Eventual Smut, Smut, Fluff and Smut, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Eddie Munson Smut, Idiots in Love, Original Female Character(s) - Freeform, Love at First Sight, Romantic Soulmates, Soulmates, Mental Health Issues, Depression, References to Depression, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Past Child Abuse, Meet-Cute, First Meetings, Falling In Love, Love, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Mutual Pining, Pining, Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Romantic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Eddie Munson is a Gentleman, Eddie Munson is Whipped, Eddie Munson is Bad at Feelings, Eddie Munson is Bad at Flirting Summary:

!!!! NEW!!!!! 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN - RAIN 

I will be uploading on here tomorrow, but for those interested it is also posted on here too! 

(tumblr won’t let me upload the whole chapter on here so I’ll have to split it into two parts, so if you want to read the full thing today rather than tomorrow, here it is!!!) 

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Thirteen - Do you wish that you loved me?

Chapter summary: Jason comes between Eddie and Nina. Will Eddie’s self doubt ruin his chance of happiness? 

GIFs are not mine, credit to the original creators! @buckleydiaz @dailystrangerthings @djo @psyche-edits

Content warnings: ANGST! Jason Carver is a dick. Breakup/Makeup, Hurt/Comfort, Insecure, self-hating Eddie. Insecure!Nina. Miscommunication, Eddie and Nina are bad at emotions and relationships. Chrissy mentioned, Eddie backstory, Nina backstory. Mentions of past abusive homelife (Nina in California.) and parental alcoholism. Tense argumentative situations (Nina and Jason), threat of violence, eventual reconciliation,  fluff, smut! (f!oral receiving), use of the word pussy, multiple orgasms, squirting, emotional, reassuring sex. Lots of (eventual) reassurance!!

Chapter Thirteen - Do you wish that you loved me?

“It’s been so long that I’m forgetting what it feels like, 

But I’d rather not remind myself and leave it all behind. 

And I’ve tried so hard to fix it all but nothing seems to help, 

But I cannot hope to give you what I cannot give myself. 

Do you wish that you loved me?”

DYWTYLM - Sleep Token  

Wednesday / 1pm / Hawkins’ High School field

[Eddie and Nina are sitting on the grass of the school field on a sunny afternoon. Eddie is pulling on the tufts of grass and Nina is pulling out three cards from her tarot card deck.]

Nina: “So this card is your past card-“ [revealing a decorated card] “Ooh the seven of wands, interesting! And your present card is-“ [revealing another card] “Ooh the two of cups, that’s a good one,” [turning over another card] “And your future is- the lovers, very exciting.”  Eddie: [endearingly watching Nina] “Tell me what it all means.”  Nina: “So the seven of wands symbolises some sort of struggle or challenge you’ve had to overcome, that you’ve had to defend yourself from. The two of cups indicates romance- “ [she looks up at Eddie who winks at her, she blushes] “And healing. All that good stuff. And the Lovers-“ [a football lands on Nina’s deck, splattering the cards everywhere] “Hey, watch it asshole!” 

[Jason walks over to Eddie and Nina and picks up his ball, standing on Nina’s cards.]

Jason: “What is this, Freaks United?” 

[Eddie scoffs and looks back down at the grass, not wanting a fight.] 

Nina: “Ooh sick insult Jason, must have used plenty of precious brain cells coming up with that one.” 

[Eddie snorts lightly to himself] 

Jason: “Something funny, freak?”  Eddie: (tired) “Fuck off Jason, take your ball and go.”  Jason: [ignoring him] “So are you two together, huh?” [Eddie becomes flustered, uncomfortable] “You need to be careful Nina, women aren’t safe around him, are they Eddie? You sick freak!” [the jocks around Jason murmur in agreement, egging him on]  Nina: [getting ready to stand up] “What did you say-“ [Eddie pulls her down, she looks at him confused, then looks back at Jason] “Just back off Carver, I don’t have time for this shit.”  Jason: “Seems like you won’t have much time left at all now you’re hanging out with Munson the Murderer here.”  Nina: (angry) “Jason, will you just!-“  Eddie: [grabbing Nina’s arm, dragging her up from the floor, pulling her away] “Just leave it Nina, let’s go.” [he grabs their bags and walks them towards the school doors]  Jason: [calling after them] “That’s right, walk away, coward! You know I’m right! That’s ‘cause you’ve got a damn guilty conscience!”  Nina: [annoyed, yanking her arm away from Eddie] “Eddie! What the hell was that? You hate Jason, why did you let him talk to you like that?!”  Eddie: (defeated) “Drop it, Nina.”  Nina: “Are you serious?! You never back down to Jason, You can’t-“  Eddie: (frustrated, pained) “‘Cause it’s true!” [Nina flinches, he sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, heart hurting and torn] “Just forget it.” [He picks up his bag and walks away from Nina] “I’ll see you later, Nina.” 

[Nina is left in the doorway, speechless. Eddie gulps away his tears as the school bell rings and the corridors fill with students.] 

7:45pm / Forest Hills Trailer Park

[Nina stands nervously at the door of Eddie’s trailer. His bedroom blinds are shut and there is no noise from inside the trailer. Nina paces back and forth on his doorstep, then takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. After no answer, she knocks again louder this time.] 

Nina: (cautiously) “Eddie, it’s me…” [she pauses] “Are you home?” 

[Eddie is sitting in bed, the covers up to his shoulders, torn whether to answer the door.] 

Nina: [concerned, frowning, touching the door] “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” 

[Eddie’s bottom lip quivers and he hides further into his duvet.] 

Nina: (defeated, solemn) “I guess you’re not home… Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow then.” [she turns to walk back to her car, disappointed] Eddie: “Wait!” [the front door swings open. Eddie looks broken, hurt] “I’m here.”  Nina: (torn) “Oh, I thought you weren’t home.”  Eddie: (lying) “I didn’t hear you, I had music playing.”  Nina: [frowning, awkward laughter in her voice, uneasy] “Oh, okay. Just you usually have your music deafeningly loud, you can hear it from outside the trailer park.”  Eddie: (lying) “I had headphones on.”  Nina: “Oh.” [taking a step forward] “Are you okay?”  Eddie: [sniffling] “Fine.” [he looks at Nina shuffling awkwardly on the spot, he is conflicted] “You?”  Nina: “Also fine.”  Eddie: “So we’re both fine then.”  Nina: (hurt) “Yes, we are.” (nervously) “Have I done something wrong?”  Eddie: [immediately] “No, no, you’ve done nothing wrong.”  Nina: [bravely, taking another step forward] “I’m sorry if I overstepped with Jason - “  Eddie: (dismissive) “We don’t need to talk about this,”  Nina: “-What he was saying was bullshit and I’m worried I’ve pissed you off somehow cause you were supposed to meet me after school and you didn’t show up and-“  Eddie: (defensive) “I wasn’t feeling too good,”  Nina: “And I haven’t heard from you so I wanted to make sure-“  Eddie: (snappy) “I’m fine, okay!” [Nina shakes, startled, blinking in shock, Eddie softens] “You should go.”  Nina: [she takes a step backwards] “Go? Go where?”  Eddie: “Home-I mean Robin’s, anywhere, you shouldn’t be here.” [looking around, conserved] “You shouldn’t have come.”  Nina: “But I-“  Eddie: “I’m serious, Nina. This was a mistake.” [Eddie’s voice cracks] “Jason is right. I can’t prot- you should go home.”  Nina: “But Eddie,”  Eddie: [choking up, heart breaking] “It’s for the best. I’ll see you around, Nina. No hard feelings, right?” [he closes the door, leaving Nina tearing up]  Nina: (hurt, confused) “Eddie?” (pleading) “Eddie!” 

[Behind the door Eddie’s face is muffled into his elbow to suffocate his loud, pained sobs.]

Lover’s Lake / 10:30PM 

[Eddie is sitting on the dock at Lover’s Lake. He is pulling the petals off a daisy he has found. His eyes are red and his face is puffy.] 

Eddie: (to himself, sullen) “Call Nina,” [he pulls a petal off] “Leave Nina alone,” [he pulls a petal off] “Go find Nina,” [he pulls off another petal] “Let Nina go,” [he pulls off another petal, hardened] “Stop being an asshole and go get Nina,” [he pulls off another petal, sighing, voice guarded] “Give Nina the peace she deserves.” [he sighs and throws the daisy into the lake. He tugs at his hair fiercely, heart sunken and aching.] 

I don’t want to let you go, he thinks. 

The daisy floating on the water reminds him of the daisy chain Nina made him. He thinks back to the time they sat on the dock only a few weeks ago…

“We could come here when we get scared, y’know?” 

“This can be our safe place.” 

[Eddie scoffs at his naivety.]

Eddie: (sniffling, bitter) “Jason is right, I can’t protect you. You’re better off without me.” [he dips his fingers into the water] “I’ve got to let you go.” 

[Unbeknownst to Eddie, Nina is walking down to the dock. She stops when she sees Eddie sitting staring at the water. She hides behind a tree and watches him, concerned.]

Nina: (to herself) “What are you so scared of, Eddie?” 

The Buckley’s house / 11:20pm

[Nina is lying in the bath. The water is now barely warm causing her numb body to shiver. She dunks her head under the water, letting the water calm her mind. She can faintly hear someone talk nearby.] 

Robin: (echoed underwater) “Nina? Are you okay? Nina!” [Nina emerges from under the water, gasping] “Nina? You good?”  Nina: (breathless) “Yeah,” (sniffling) “Yeah, I’m good.”  Robin: (appalled) “Are you doing number two?”  Nina: “What? No!” Robin: “Good, ‘cause I’m coming in.” [she opens the door]  Nina: (screechy) “What! Robin!” [trying to cover her naked body with her hands] “Robin! What the hell!”  Robin: [sitting on the toilet seat, blasé] “Relax, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” (cheeky) “Nice tits, by the way.”  Nina: [annoyed, flicking water at her] “What do you want, dickhead?”  Robin: “You’ve been in the bath for like, an hour, I’m just making sure you’ve not drowned.”  Nina: (dryly) “Very much alive, thank you very much, now can I-”  Robin: “You only have your weird mermaid bath time when you’re anxious about something. Spill.”  Nina: [sighing, giving in, lying back in the bath] “I think Eddie and I are over.”  Robin: (appalled) “What! What the hell happened? I swear I’ll kill his curly haired ass-”  Nina: [glum, playing with the water] “I don’t know what happened… He was meant to meet me after class and he never showed… I went to the trailer and he told me to go home and shut the door on me.” [voice thick with tears] “No hard feelings, those were his words.”  Robin: (enraged) “Is he stupid? What the hell is his problem?”  Nina: “I don’t know, I don’t know what happened.” (quiet, insecure) “I don’t know what I’ve done wrong.”  Robin: (sighing) “Walk me through it, honey.”  Nina: “We were sitting on the field and I was reading his fortune and he just started acting weird, all defensive.”  Robin: (confused) “Was his fortune bad?”  Nina: “Not at all! Pass me the shampoo please?” [Robin passes her the shampoo] “And then Jason-” [Nina realises, she deflates] “Oh, crap.” [she rubs her face, stressed] “I think I fucked up, Rob.”  Robin: “What happened? What did Jason do?”  Nina: “Jason’s dumb basketball landed on the deck. I got annoyed and argumentative and Jason was trying to start a fight. Eddie kept wanting to go and leave it but I wouldn’t let him.” (worried) “I was defending Eddie and I must have embarrassed him, emasculated him maybe?” [chewing her thumb, bothered] “Jason asked if we were together and Eddie seemed embarrassed and wanted to leave, is that it? Does he not want to be seen with me?”  Robin: “Wait, wait, go back. What were you defending Eddie over?”  Nina: “Jason was saying some bullshit about how women aren’t safe around him. Called him Munson the Murderer.” [sunken, guilty] “Said I should be careful around him, that I’d end up dying too.”  Robin: [putting her head in her hands] “Oh, damn it Jason.”  Nina: (oblivious) “What? What have I missed?”  Robin: “You know how Eddie told you about Chrissy, the girl who died in his trailer? Jason was Chrissy’s boyfriend. When Eddie was accused of her death, Jason and his gang of jumped-up assholes went on a witch hunt for Eddie. Baseball bats, the lot.” [Nina’s heart sinks and she winces] “Before Chrissy died Eddie was picked on enough, but after she died, even after he was exonerated of her murder, Jason made Eddie’s life a living hell.” [Nina tears up] “Even though Eddie is more or less back to his old self again, whenever anyone mentions Chrissy, he totally shuts down.”  Nina: “Oh.” 

Thursday / 1PM, lunchtime / Hawkins High School

[Nina marches angrily down the corridor. When she sees Jason, she grabs him by the shoulders of his jacket and slams him into the lockers.] 

Jason: “What the? Are you crazy?!”  Nina: (determinedly) “You need to leave Eddie alone.”  Jason: (laughing, cocky) “What? Now Munson’s got a girl fighting his battles?” [his friends laugh]  Nina: [slamming him again, enraged] “I’m serious Carver! You need to back the hell off!”  Jason: “Are you for real?” [People start to look at the commotion, it gets Eddie’s attention as he enters the corridor. Jason gets close to Nina’s face, smug, Eddie clenches his fists] “What with that little tyre stunt he likes to pull, I’m pretty sure Eddie is going to get what’s coming to him.”  Nina: [losing patience] “You need to drop the macho bullshit and move on. The rest of this town has, why can’t you?! Are you that sad and pathetic that the only joy you can find is making other people’s lives miserable?” [A few people in the corridor chuckle to themselves overhearing the argument, Jason puffs his chest, embarrassed] “Or are you destined to spend the rest of your meaningless existence hurting other people, until you find yourself all alone like you truly deserve?” [the crowd “oooh”s, Eddie begins to push his way through the crowd]  Jason: (wounded, bitter) “Take that back, bitch.”  Nina: (riled up) “Or what? You’ll hit me?” [angrily pushing him again] “Seems like you enjoy hurting people, why don’t you pick on someone who’ll bite back for once?” [she shoves him again, he clenches his jaw] “Or are you so insecure that you only go for the defenceless ones? Don’t think people haven’t noticed the way you treat people “beneath you” Jason, you’re a disgrace.”  Jason: “You and Eddie are insane, you know that?! You’re both batshit crazy! All that metal music and satanist bullshit is making you both disturbed and deranged. You both don’t belong in this town. I’ve put him into the dirt more than once, I’ll happily do the same to you.” [he rolls up the sleeves of his jacket]  Nina: [smug, pulling a hair off his jacket] “Better hope I’m not into that witchy satanist shit or you’ll be first on the voodoo doll, jackass.” [He goes red in the face and clenches his fists.] Eddie: “Okay, time to go!” [he grabs Nina in his arms and manhandles her down the corridor before she can lunge at Jason]  Nina: [angry, calling back to Jason in Eddie’s arms] “You better watch your back, Carver!”  Jason: (jeering) “Damn, Munson, you need to keep your bitch on a tighter leash!” [Nina lunges for Jason again, Eddie pulls her away] 

[Eddie drags Nina outside and bundles her into the passenger seat of his van. Nina is too angry to realise where she is, red faced and angrily gesturing around her. Eddie slides into the driver’s seat and turns to Nina.] 

Nina: (furious) “Dumb-fucking-peabrained-fucking-macho-bullshit-thick-headed-wanker, I swear to fucking god-” Eddie: (amused) “Got enough curse words in there, sweetheart?”  Nina: (still angry) “They’re sentence enhancers Eddie, and don’t interrupt, I wasn’t finished.”  Eddie: [grinning at her] “Apologies, carry on.”  Nina: [waving her arms wildly] “Thick-headed wanker, what is his problem?! How do you put up with that bullshit?!” Eddie: (sighing) “You get used to it. I don’t let it bother me as much anymore. Well, I shouldn’t let it bother me as much.” (teasingly) “You’re cute when you’re angry.”  Nina: (deadpan) “Eddie…”  Eddie: [smirking] “And I found it strangely sexy.”  Nina: [now laughing] “Eddie! I’m being serious!”  Eddie: “You stuck up for me.”  Nina: (embarrassed) “Yeah, that’s what you do for people you l- care about, isn’t it?”  Eddie: (fondly) “Yeah.” 

[Nina returns Eddie’s fond look, then her face turns grey with sadness. She remembers the conversation from last night and her body deflates.] 

Nina: (sadly) “I better go.”  Eddie: (desperate) “Nina, wait, I-“  Nina: “I’ll see you around, right, Eddie?”

8pm / Eddie’s trailer

Eddie: [slamming the receiver down on the phone] “Damn it!”  Jonathan: “I know things are kinda bad right now but don’t take things out on the phone.”  Eddie: (freaking out) “I’ve fucked this up, I’ve lost her, I-“ Jonathan: “You’ve not lost her.”  Eddie: (screechy) “She won’t even pick up the damn phone!”  Jonathan: “Maybe she’s out?”  Steve: (deadpan)  “I called Robin, she’s definitely not out.”  Eddie: (sarcastically) “Gee, thanks Steve.” (spiralling) “I can’t believe I’ve lost her, I’ve completely fucked this up. This was all a big huge mistake, I never should have tried to end things with her, I thought I was doing the right thing!” [slumping in his seat, gritting his teeth, bitter] “I can’t believe I’ve blown my damn shot over Jason fucking Carver.”  Jonathan: “You can still fix this!”  Eddie: (frantic) “How?! She could barely look me in the eye! You should have seen her face, I broke her!”  Steve: “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think!”  Eddie: (frustrated, angry with himself) “I told the girl with severe trust issues, the girl who let me in and trusted me, the girl I might actually be supposed to be with, to leave! That we were a mistake!” [sitting with his head in his hands, choking back his tears] “I stood her up like a coward, and when she came looking for me, I told her to go home.” (devastated) “I shut the door on her, man. No hard feelings I said.” [tugging at his hair] “Jesus, she should have kicked me in the nuts.”  Steve: “Well, when you put it like that…” [Jonathan shoves him and mouths “helpful!” ,  Steve scrambles to pick Eddie’s mood up when Eddie groans] “But she still cares! I mean, Jesus, Eddie, she was ready to bundle Jason into his own locker this afternoon! She was defending you, she obviously cares about you.” [Eddie’s heart flutters at Steve’s confession] “Look, all you need is some damage control.”  Eddie: (confused) “Damage control?”  Steve: “Yes, damage control, a romantic gesture of some kind, sweep her off her feet-“  Eddie: “Yeah, easy Patrick Swayze, this isn’t some chick flick, I don’t know how to do romance.”  Steve: [clapping his hands together, sassy] “Alright then, Eddie, I hope you and your hand have a very happy lonely life together…”  Eddie: (frustrated) “Alright, alright!” [sighing] “What do I do?”

Nina’s room / 10:52PM 

Eddie: [throwing pebbles at Nina’s window] “Nina! Nina, open your window!”  Nina: [grumpy, opening the window] “It’s late, Eddie.”  Eddie: (desperate) “I need to talk to you.”  Nina: “Go away Eddie!”  Eddie: (stubborn) “I’m not leaving until you talk to me. I’ll hold a giant speaker over my head and wake up all your neighbours.” Nina: (argumentative) “You don’t even own a giant speaker.”  Eddie: (challenging) “Are you sure you want to risk that?” [Eddie and Nina eye each other, neither backing down] “Alright, maybe I don’t have a giant speaker-” [Nina smirks, victorious] “But I have a very loud radio in the van and a large collection of Metallica tapes that I’m sure your neighbours would love.”  Nina: “You wouldn’t.”  Eddie: “Again, are you sure you wanna risk that?” [Nina remains unmoving by her window, arms folded. Eddie sighs dramatically and walks to his van, opening the door.] “Alright, I hope Richard and Melissa Buckley and their wonderful neighbours enjoy the soothing guitar tones of Kirk Hammett.” [He leans over and goes to press the radio.]  Nina: “Wait!” [Eddie turns around, hopeful.] “Don’t turn the music on, please.” Eddie: (pleading) “Nina…” [Eddie looks at the torn look on Nina’s face, his stomach quivers with nerves.]  “Can I come in?” [Nina huffs, he gives her pleading eyes] “Please?” 

[Nina rolls her eyes but nods. Eddie climbs up the lattice and through the window.] 

Nina: (dryly) “If I had a dollar for every time you climbed through my window, I would have two dollars. It wouldn’t be a lot but it would buy me a milkshake.” Eddie: “Or it would get you some-“ [he reveals the bouquet of roses hiding behind his back] “Flowers.”  Nina: [trying to hide her smile] “That was cheesy.” (confused) “How the hell did you climb up the window with them?”  Eddie: (sheepish) “Just put down my jeans, they didn’t touch my balls, I promise!” [Nina raises her eyebrow at him, amused but trying not to show it. Eddie squirms, embarrassed] “Guess I could have said in my mouth huh, that would have been less embarrassing.” [self deprecating] “Though I guess I deserve thorns to the testicles.” [Nina snorts dryly] “I need to talk to you.”  Nina: (short) “So you said.”  Eddie: “I…” [sighing] “I’m sorry. I fucked up…” [he perches on the edge of her bed, Nina seems so far away from him] “I never should have shut you out, literally. I just, what Jason said, it hit a nerve. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”  Nina: (insecure) “I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong.”  Eddie: “Nothing! You did nothing wrong! You-” [he cups her cheek, looking at her with loving eyes] “Amazing you, defended me. You did nothing wrong.” [sighing, can’t look Nina in the eye] “I need to be honest. I got in my head about what Jason said and thought that, y’know, maybe he was right, that you’d be better off, safer, without me.” [fiddling anxiously with his rings] “I thought I was doing you a favour by letting you go.”  Nina: “You could have spoken to me, we could have talked about it.”  Eddie: “I didn’t want you to think of me as weak or pathetic.”  Nina: “Why would I ever do that?”  Eddie: [shuffling, uncomfortable, fiddling with his rings] “Girls like manly, tough guys, right? Ones who don’t show any insecurities and shit.”  Nina: [softening, sitting next to Eddie] “Speaking on behalf of womankind, we like good communication and sensitivity.” [poking his nose] “So when you feel like this, talk to me, yeah?” [Eddie buries his face in his hands, trying to hide his tears] “Eddie, are you crying?” [She hears Eddie sniffling and pulls him into a hug, stroking his hair comfortingly] “Come here, honey.” Eddie: (embarrassed) “I can’t believe I’m crying in front of you.” [sniffling, rubbing his eyes angrily] “How pathetic.”  Nina: [patting Eddie’s hair] “It’s not pathetic at all. I want you to come to me with this kinda stuff, not keep it bottled in.”  Eddie: (teasing) “Hypocrite.” [Nina snorts with laughter and Eddie smiles through his tears, feeling comforted by the warmth and scent of Nina] “There’s something else that I need to tell you.”  Nina: (concerned) “Yeah, Eddie?”  Eddie: [holding Nina’s arms, sincere, looking deeply into her eyes] “I need you to know that I’ll never hurt you. And I’ll always protect you.”  Nina: (confused) “Eddie…”  Eddie: “I mean it, Nina. I’ll do everything I can to protect you. I’ve failed and been a coward in the past but not with you, I won’t let you down.”  Nina: “Eddie… I know you won’t.” Eddie: [tearing up again] “You’re safe with me, you’ll always be safe with me.”  Nina: (quietly) “I know.” [she pulls Eddie into a hug, he lies on her chest, crying quietly] “I know.”  Eddie: [rambling, frustrated] “And I’ll keep you safe from people, safe from your Mom, from Jason,  I’ll keep you safe from anyone or anything that would hurt you.”  Nina: (concerned, thoughtful) “I know darling, I know.” 

[They lie in silence for a while, Eddie between Nina’s legs, his head resting on her chest as she strokes his hair. He hums with content, eyes and cheeks stained red with tears, his breathing calming down.] 

Nina: (amused) “You can’t buy me roses every time you fuck up, you know.”  Eddie: (nonchalantly) “I know. But there’s always lilies, sunflowers, daffodils-“ [Nina shoves him playfully, he grins wide, dimples showing, then sobers up] “What I mean is, I just wanted to show you how sorry I am. I should have just spoken to you about it.”  Nina: “I’m sorry for antagonising Jason too, I didn’t like how he spoke to you and…” [sighing] “I just wanted to protect you.” [Eddie smiles at the floor, heart warmed] “I’m sorry. Are you mad?” Eddie: (softly) “No, no, I’m not mad.” [heart pounding] “I’m… flattered. Nobody, well, except for Dustin, has ever done that for me before.” [nonchalantly] “I reckon any girl willing to stand up for me is one worth keeping around.”  Nina: (smirking) “On a leash, right?”  Eddie: (fondly, looking at the ground) “Right.”  (nervously, twiddling his rings, fake nonchalance) “So… are we good then? Me and you?”  Nina: “You and I.”  Eddie: (grinning) “You and I.”  Nina: [coming closer] “Yeah, we’re good.” [she pecks him on the cheek. Eddie turns his head at the last minute, catching her lips, kissing her passionately with his hands in her hair, taking her breath away]  Eddie: “Sorry, couldn’t resist.” [reluctantly pulling back] “I should probably go now.”  Nina: [dazed, love sick] “Okay.”  Eddie: (grinning, dimples popping) “I’ll see you tomorrow?”  Nina: “Goodnight, Eddie.”  Eddie: “Goodnight, beautiful.” 

Friday / 1:15pm lunchtime / Hawkins High School

[Eddie and Nina are in the corridor towards the end of lunchtime.]

Eddie: “So are we still on for tomorrow?”  Nina: “We’re going to Steve’s, remember?” [Eddie groans] “We’ve got study group and babysitters club. We can do something after, though.”  Eddie: [dramatic, rolling his eyes] “Jesus, how much studying does one group need?”  Nina: (teasing) “Lots, if it’s going to get your dumb ass to graduate!” [Eddie gawks, pretending to be wounded, throwing himself on the linoleum floor of the corridor] “Eddie! Get up!” Eddie: [rolling around, dramatic] “Can’t, you think I’m a dumbass, I’m wounded!” 

Nina: “Eddie! Get up!” [students are looking at them, Nina sees them and gives them an awkward smile, turning her attention back to Eddie] “Eddie, people are looking, get up!”  Eddie: [lying on the floor still, mischievous] “Tell me I’m a genius and I’ll get up.”  Nina: “You should know I don’t respond to blackmail.” [Eddie thrashes harder, faking injury] “For God’s sake boy!” [quietly, hissing] “You’re a genius, now get your smart ass up off the floor!” Eddie: [jumping up with a cheeky grin] “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”  Nina: [shaking her head, amused] “You’re a dick.”  Eddie: “But I’m your dick.” [Nina playfully shoves him]  “What about tonight then?”  Nina: [smiling, pulling Eddie back to her by entwining their fingers, they walk down the corridor holding hands] “We can do something tonight.” 

Eddie’s heart flutters in his chest. He sees other students looking at their joined hands as they walk past and anxiety fills his stomach, his palms sweating. But then he turns to Nina and sees how happy she is; walking down the corridor together, smiling brightly. His heart could burst with pride. 

[He pulls back his hand, Nina giving him a confused look as he wipes his sweaty palm nervously on his jeans, before taking her hand in his again. She smiles warmly as he rubs his thumb over her hand. 

Eddie shrugs off his leather jacket and drapes it over Nina’s shoulders. Nina beams happily, a sweet blush tinting her cheeks. Eddie looks at her fondly, proud.]

Eddie: “I’ve always wanted to do that.” [Nina blushes redder and Eddie loves it] “Meet me by the back door later?”  Nancy: [walking over to join the two] “Nina, Principal Higgins wants to see you in his office.”  Nina: [frowning] “Why?”  Nancy: [shrugging] “I don’t know, he just asked me to get you when I went past his office.”  Eddie: (annoyed) “This has Carver written all over it.” [Nina looks at him, concerned] “I’ll speak to him, tell him it was me-”  Nina: “Hell no, I’m not letting you do that.”  Eddie: (unimpressed) “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been in the office for the same thing, doubt it’ll be the last.”  Nina: “Regardless, I’m not letting you get in trouble for me.” [She gives him a quick peck on the cheek to which he blushes red, caught off guard by the public display of affection. Nina walks off before Eddie can reply] “I’ll meet you by the gym door!” 

[Nina walks to Principal Higgins office, knocking on the door and entering when called in.] 

Principal Higgins: (warmly) “Sit down Miss Sloan.” [Nina awkwardly takes a seat in front of the principal’s desk] “I’m assuming you know what this is about.”  Nina: “If this is about Jason I-”  Principal Higgins: “Jason? No, this isn’t about Jason. Yet. Would you care to elaborate on that?”  Nina: [eyes wide] “It was nothing, it was a minor argument.”  Principal Higgins: [looking at Nina suspiciously] “If you say so. I’ve actually brought you in today to talk about your home life.”  Nina: (confused) “My home life?”  Principal Higgins: “We’ve had a few phone calls from your mother. She seems…” (uncomfortable) “Unwell.”  Nina: (deadpan) “You mean drunk.”  Principal Higgins: (awkward) “Yes. And we are aware through Chief Hopper that she has been in contact with Hawkins Police too and it has raised a few questions about your welfare.”  Nina: “Oh god, this is so embarrassing.” [can't look him in the eye] “I’m sorry you’ve got involved.”  Principal Higgins: (reassuringly) “It’s my job to be involved, and to make sure that you’re safe.”  Nina: (awkwardly) “I am safe.” [with pause] “Now. I’m safe now I’m living with Robin and the Buckleys. Things have been…” [uncomfortable, fiddling with her rings] “Difficult. But they’re picking up now.”  Principal Higgins: “Can you tell me more about that? And your life back in California?”  Nina: [laughing through her discomfort] “I thrive on dysfunction apparently.” [face dropping] “But I’m happy here. I feel more…” [struggling] “At peace. I want to let go of California and focus on building a life here.” [worried] “You’re not unhappy with my work here, are you?” Principal Higgins: “Not at all! As far as school goes, you seem to have made yourself comfortable very quickly.” [smiling reassuringly] “Good grades and a good bunch of friends, you’ve adapted well.”  Nina: (confused) “Then pardon my abruptness, but what is the issue?”  Principal Higgins: [sighing, taking off his glasses] “Nina… We are concerned about your wellbeing. Your mother calling has raised several safeguarding issues.” [polishing his glasses] “We’re worried you’re bottling in your emotions and not dealing with them. We’d like you to start having hourly therapy sessions with our school guidance counsellor, Miss Kelly.”  Nina: [laughing, dismissive] “Oh I don’t think-”  Principal Higgins: “It’s not up for discussion, I’m afraid. A few teachers have noticed you seeming… absent in classes.”  Nina: [taken aback] “I… I can try harder, I just have trouble sleeping sometimes, it makes early classes hard, I can try-” Principal Higgins: “This isn’t a ‘telling off’ Nina, it’s a check-in to make sure you’re okay.” [putting his glasses back on] “We’d like you to see Miss Kelly every Tuesday during your free period, maybe twice a week when exams begin. I know you’ve been doing a journal under her guidance, we’d like you to continue with that too.”  Nina: (protesting) “But-” 

[The school bell rings signalling the end of lunch.]

Principal Higgins: “That’s all, Miss Sloan.” [Nina’s heart sinks, she swallows the lump in her throat, picks up her bag and heads for the door] “Oh and Nina?” [Nina turns around to face him, blinking back her tears. Principal Higgins gives her a small smile] “I think it’s in both you and Jason’s best interests to stay away from each other for a while, hmm?” [Nina smiles weakly and closes the door behind her]

For the rest of the day Nina desperately tries to concentrate on her lessons, but finds herself struggling to concentrate on her work. She doodles on the back page of her notebook, tears occasionally welling her eyes, before she sniffs and blinks them back. Her doodles turn to angry squiggles and she rips the page out of her book, crumpling it into a ball. She looks up and sees the teacher looking at her with concern. Nina smiles an awkward smile, mentally thanking the school bell for ringing, letting her escape for the weekend.  

Eddie: “Hey sweetheart, how did it go?”  Nina: (blankly) “It was fine.” (distracted) “Just a slap on the wrist, nothing major.”  Eddie: (serious) “You should have let me go with you-”  Nina: [tight lipped] “It’s fine Eddie, it’s okay.” [Eddie looks at her frowning, she puts on a fake smile] “Just had to promise not to do it again.”  Eddie: (annoyed) “Jason is such an asshole.” [shaking his head, getting riled up] “Higgins too, what a jackass!”  Nina: (weakly) “Can we just drop it? It’s done now.”  Eddie: [taken aback] “Sure.” [they walk out of the door side by side, Eddie sensing Nina’s solemn mood] “Are you okay?”  Nina: (stubborn) “I’m fine.” [turning to Eddie, softening when she sees his concerned look] “I’ll be fine.” 

[Eddie wraps his arm around Nina’s shoulder, pulling her closer to him as they walk. She rests her head tiredly on Eddie’s shoulder as they walk to their cars.]

Eddie: “Do you still want to do something tonight?” [Nina nods, smiling] “Are you sure? We don’t have to-”  Nina: “I’d like to.” (awkward) “I can’t promise I’ll be much company, but I’d like to be with you.” [Nina blushes as she realises what she has said] “I mean-”  Eddie: [smiling reassuringly] “I know what you mean.” (cheeky) “Race you back to mine?”  Nina: “Winner gets my pudding cup I didn’t have at lunch.”  Eddie: [running to his car] “Oh, you’re on.” 

Eddie’s Trailer / 4pm

[Eddie is sitting on the couch grinning as he eats his victory pudding cup, Nina rolling her eyes at him as he does.]

Eddie: “So, what do you wanna do?”  Nina: [shrugging, in her own world, quiet] “I don’t mind, I’m easy.”  Eddie: (concerned) “Are you sure you’re okay?”  Nina: (dismissive) “Why would I not be okay?”  Eddie: [smiling at her] “You’re doing your dismissive joking thing again, love.” [Nina looks at him confused, then frowns as she catches on] “It’s okay, it’ll take time to get used to it.” [He turns to his side to face her] “But you should know that I’m asking because I genuinely care.” Nina: [looking away from Eddie, tearing up, not wanting to show him] “I’m fine.”  Eddie: “Nina…” [holding her chin to make her look at him, eyes softening when he sees her glassy ones] “Talk to me.”  Nina: [tears welling, stubborn] “I’m fine!”  Eddie: [frowning] “You don’t have to lie.”  Nina: [arms raised, defensive] “I’m not lying, I’m fine!” [Eddie looks at her, hurt. She softens, crumbling] “Okay, maybe I’m not fine.” [she sighs, sitting down next to Eddie, brushing her stray tears angrily] “I don’t think I’m doing as well as I think I am.” [sniffling] “I think it’s just been an emotionally overwhelming week, I’m okay.”  Eddie: [Guilty, brushing her hair back, earnest] “Talk to me.”  Nina: “It’s just…” [struggling for words] “Principal Higgin’s is making me see Miss Kelly, the guidance counsellor, as well as doing this dumb journal thing.” [shrugging, nonchalant, tears still flowing] “‘Cause of the whole Jason thing. And the whole Mom thing.”  [laughing through her tears] “I guess I have a lot of things.”  Eddie: (thoughtful) “Maybe going to Miss Kelly wouldn’t be a bad thing.” [Nina looks at him confused] “Might be good to have someone unbiased to talk to about these things.” [Nina’s eyebrows raise] “Because I’m sure my advice of ‘fuck them all’ or hiding in bed in the trailer isn’t the most helpful.” [Nina giggles] “Worth a shot, at least.”  Nina: [smiling] “Eddie Munson, you continue to surprise me. You might just be Eddie the Wise after all.”  Eddie: (mischievous) “And you’re Nina the Scruffy.” [Nina looks at him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Eddie cheekily picks up some chocolate pudding on his finger and smears it on her nose] “Look at you, making a mess!” [Nina gawks, gobsmacked, eyes alight with amusement, rubbing at her face] “God, Nina, can’t even eat chocolate pudding without getting it everywhere!” Nina: [laughing] “You little shit!” [Eddie is in hysterics laughing] “You’re such a douche!” [Eddie pulls her in close, rubbing the rest of the pudding off her face, licking it off his thumb. Nina stares at him as he does, watching him lovingly.] Eddie: [kissing the tip of her nose] “Missed a bit.” 

[Nina smiles in response, sighing peacefully. She lies down on the couch next to Eddie, head on his lap.]

Nina: “Would you play something on the guitar for me?”  Eddie: [smiling down at her, playing with her hair] “Sure. What song?”  Nina: “Surprise me.” [Eddie gets up and grabs his acoustic guitar, sitting beside Nina as she shuffles on the couch to watch him] “Eddie?”  Eddie: “Yes, sweetheart?”  Nina: (fondly) “Thank you.” 

Later that evening

Eddie: [getting comfortable on the couch, pulling Nina into him] “So, what do you wanna watch?”  Nina: (sleepily) “I don’t mind.” [cuddling into Eddie] “We can watch whatever you fancy.”  Eddie: (cheeky) “Think you’d find it a bit weird if I sit and watch you, sweetheart.”  Nina: (laughing quietly) “That was terrible.”  Eddie: (concerned) “You okay down there?”  Nina: “M’okay. Just tired.”  Eddie: “Have a nap if you want?”  Nina: [hopeful, visibly exhausted] “Yeah?”  Eddie: “Of course. You can go in my room, I’ll wake you in a few hours.”  Nina: (quietly) “I wanna stay here.”  Eddie: (warmly) “Then you can stay here.” 

[Eddie shuffles around on the couch to allow Nina to cuddle in. Nina turns over and cuddles into his chest, head lodged under Eddie’s chin. Eddie grabs Nina’s leg and throws it over his own, stopping her from slipping from the couch. 

Nina hums contently as Eddie pulls over the blanket from the back of the couch, draping it over their bodies. She releases a soft sigh and shuffles closer to Eddie, nose nuzzling against his neck.] 

Eddie: (softly) “Better?”  Nina: “Better.”  Eddie: “Get some sleep, doll. I’m right here.” [he presses a gentle kiss on her forehead and she falls asleep.] 

Later still…

Eddie: “Hey there, sweetheart.” (fondly) “Sleep well?” [Nina yawns tiredly in response and snuggles further into Eddie, Eddie chuckles fondly] “Not ready to wake up yet?”  Nina: [muffled into his shirt] “Five more minutes.” Eddie: (lovingly) “Okay, gorgeous.” [Eddie strokes her hair and she practically purrs, Eddie smiles happily down at her.]  Nina: (tiredly) “What time is it?”  Eddie: “It’s twenty past seven. Are you hungry?”  Nina: (yawning) “Not really, you?” [Eddie’s stomach growls as if on cue] “Apparently so.”  Eddie: (sheepish) “I didn’t want to wake you.”  Nina: (awake now) “Eddie! You should have woken me up!”  Eddie: (protesting) “But you looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to move you!”  Nina: (laughing lightly) “Idiot.” (quietly) “Thank you.” [cuddling back into Eddie] “How about I make us some of my famous mac n cheese?”  Eddie: (excitedly) “What makes it famous?”  Nina: “I add extra cheese.”  Eddie: [eagerly] “Up and at it, woman, I want mac n cheese with extra cheese!”  Nina: [nuzzling into Eddie again] “In five minutes.” 

Later still…

[The end credits of the cheesy romcom are playing on the television.] 

Nina: (softly) “I think we should go to bed now.”  Eddie: “Yeah? Still tired?”  Nina: [eyes electric] “No, not tired, honey.”  Eddie: [hopeful, heart racing with anticipation] “Yeah?” [Nina nods, her eyes flicking to Eddie’s lips. Eddie responds by holding Nina’s head in his hand and crashing his lips on hers] “Oh god, I’ve missed you so fucking much.”  Nina: [climbing onto Eddie’s lap, both hands tangled in his hair] “I’ve missed you too, Eddie.” [Eddie wraps his hands around Nina’s thighs and lifts her up; wrapping her legs around his waist as he walks them to the bedroom. He lies Nina down on the bed and continue kissing passionately] Eddie: [brushing Nina’s hair away from her face] “I thought I’d lost you.” (emotional) “I was wrong to freeze you out like that, Nina, I’ll never do that again.” [he kisses her lips, then nuzzles into her neck, lips ghosting her throat, speaking softly in her ear] “I care about you so much and I thought that I was protecting you by keeping you away from me,” [he kisses behind her ear] “But I want to be by your side and protect you from anything, everything, together.” [he kisses her forehead] “You stood up to Jason, for me, nobody has ever done that before.” [he kisses her nose] “I’m such an idiot for not knowing how lucky I am.” [kiss on the lips] “To have such an amazing,” [he kisses her cheek] “loyal,” [he kisses the other cheek] “beautiful girl like you.” [he kisses her lips again]  Nina: (tearing up) “Eddie…”  Eddie: “Lemme finish, Nina, please.” 

[Eddie continues kissing Nina all over, trailing down her neck, over her chest, down to her stomach. He bunches up her shirt, kissing along the exposed skin above the material of her skirt, sliding his hands up her shirt until he can pull the shirt over Nina’s head. He continues to kiss, lick, bite and suck at Nina’s stomach and chest, leaving her restless in Eddie’s bed.]

Nina: (breathily) “Eddie… what are you doing?”  Eddie: [reaching for the seam of Nina’s underwear] “Showing you how sorry I am.”  Nina: [putting her hand on top of his] “You don’t have to do that, Eddie.”  Eddie: “I want to.” [he kisses along her hip bones] “I really do.” [he continues kissing her hips] “I want to show you how much you mean to me.” [he looks up at her with pleading, loving eyes] “Please baby, let me show you how much I care.” [lips against her stomach, looking at her intensely] “I want to so bad, please let me show you?”  Nina: “Y-Yes.” 

[He kisses between her hips, his lips trailing kisses down over her underwear, then pressing a firm kiss over her entrance. Nina gasps as Eddie uses his tongue to like a soft stripe up her folds over her underwear, Eddie’s eyes watching how Nina shivers from his touch.] 

Eddie: “Tell me what you want, Nina.”  Nina: “I want you, Eddie.”  Eddie: [licking a stripe over her again] “Tell me where.”  Nina: (whimpering) “Eddie…”  Eddie: (determined) “Tell me, baby.”  Nina: “I want you to touch me, baby, kiss me, lick me, please…”  Eddie: (groaning softly, half hard) “Fuck…” [he kisses her over her underwear and she whimpers, reaching for Eddie’s hand] “Where? Tell me where.”   Nina: (shyly) “My… my pussy, Eddie, please, touch my pussy…”  Eddie: (breathing deeply, aroused) “Good girl.” [He links hands with Nina, tongue licking her again, she wines] “I’m here, beautiful, I’ll take care of you.” 

[Eddie uses his teeth to pull down Nina’s underwear, she lifts her hips up and Eddie pulls them down the rest of the way and throws them onto the floor. He entwines their fingers once again as he peppers kisses over her mound. Nina spreads her legs eagerly, sighing peacefully as Eddie gently kisses her clit. He softly licks gentle circles on her clit and Nina trembles, her head pushing into the pillow behind her head.] 

Nina: (blissful) “Feels good, baby.” 

[Eddie hums in response, licking her clit up and down. Eddie’s eyes light up as Nina moans lightly as she squirms in anticipation. The tip of his tongue explores all of her, kisses every part of her. Nina moans louder as Eddie sucks on her clit, soothing over his action with a thick hard lick and a kiss.] 

Eddie: [mumbled into her wetness] “I wanna try something…”  [Eddie cautiously uses the tip of his tongue to trace the outside of Nina’s entrance. His eyes go wide with awe when Nina’s head pushes further into the pillow behind her, hands clawing at the pillow, biting her lip hard as she moans loudly]  Eddie: “Does that feel good, Angel?”  Nina: (restless) “Mmm, yes, oh fuck yes, do it again, Eddie, please!”  Eddie: “Anything for you, my love.” 

[Eddie slowly traces the circumference of Nina entrance again, probing his tongue further inside her. She wails and grips onto the bed sheets, struggling to keep her legs still.] 

Eddie: “Has anybody touched you like this before, baby?”  Nina: (panting) “No, not like this…” [her eyes roll back as Eddie continues the movements of his tongue] “Never like this. Jesus Eddie, that feels so good.”  Eddie: “Those other guys clearly haven’t been treating you well enough, princess.” [sloppily kissing her clit, her legs jolt] “I’m glad sweetheart, ‘cause I wanna make you feel so fucking good. Would do this every damn day if you’d let me.” [he moves his tongue back to her entrance, pushing it all the way inside, and uses the tip to stroke down her walls]  Nina: “Oh my god, fuck!”  Eddie: “Taste so fucking good, angel, can’t get enough.” Nina: “Fuck, fuck, fuck! Oh my god, Eddie, don’t stop doing that, please, do that again!”  Eddie: (teasingly) “What, this?” [he strokes her walls with his tongue again]  Nina: (tearing up, trembling) “Yes, that! Oh god, that!” [her hand grips Eddie’s hair hard and he grunts, his eyes twinkling with lust. He wraps his arms around her thighs to keep her legs still and repeatedly licks over the same spot inside her] “Fuck, Eddie, right there, oh!” [Nina becomes desperate, Eddie is struggling to keep her pinned to the bed] “Please, please Eddie, don’t stop, feels so fucking good, I can’t-!” [she rests on both elbows to watch Eddie as she lifts her hips to ride Eddie’s tongue, Eddie’s eyes close contently and he hums with satisfaction; getting off on Nina using his face.] “Oh fuck!” [She lies back on the bed, restless, frenzied.] Eddie: (growling) “You are so goddamn beautiful like this.” 

[Eddie moves his hands from holding Nina’s legs apart to sliding them up the bed, entwining his fingers with Nina’s again. They hold hands as Nina’s chest heaves intensely and Eddie relishes at the sight. 

Her legs tense and her back arches off the bed, her head slams into the pillow and she bites onto it to muffle her moans of pleasure. Her toes curl Eddie begins to feel her tighten around his tongue, he moans and reaches the furthest point inside her, causing Nina to see stars and her eyes water.] 

Nina: (hoarsely) “Baby, I’m coming, holy fu- oh!” [her whole body tenses while Eddie continues his tentative deep licks inside her, eyes glued to the way Nina’s body arches off the bed and the way the sheen of sweat makes her look iridescent in the moonlight.] “Oh Eddie, Eddie, I- Oh!” [Without warning, Nina gushes over Eddie’s tongue. Eddie hums with satisfaction as he continues licking inside her, relishing every last drop of her climax.  Nina pants as she begins to come down from her high, dazed] “Oh my god.” Eddie: [kissing and licking all over her soaked cunt greedily] “Enjoy that, sweetheart?”  Nina: (dazed, panting) “Yes, oh yes.”  Eddie: (matter of fact) “Good, ‘cause I’m not finished yet.”  Nina:  (breathless) “You’re not?”  Eddie: “Nope.” [kissing her clit] “Want the whole of damn Hawkins to know you're my girl.”  Nina: (groaning) “Jesus, Eddie…”  Eddie: “Always gonna take care of you,” [he kisses her clit, sliding two fingers inside her, she whimpers, her insides pulsating] “Gonna protect you,” [he licks hard on her clit, she whines] “Gonna love you,” [Eddie curls his fingers inside her and she writhes in the bed, her fingers gripping the crumpled sheets. Eddie kisses and licks at her clit, causing Nina to moan loudly] “Mean the whole damn world to me.” [Eddie comes up for breath, scattering kisses across her thighs and hips] “Never gonna leave your side again.”  Nina: [tears streaming down her face, legs shaking] “God, Eddie!”  Eddie: (dreamily) “It’s just you and me Nina, us against the world.”  Nina: (in bliss, loudly) “Yes, oh god, yes! Just you and me, baby.”  Eddie: (taunting, smug) “Don’t you mean ‘you and I’?”  Nina: (laughing airily) “Not the time, Munson.” [Eddie twists his fingers as they slide in and out of her, her laughter is broken my moans] “Can’t concentrate when you do that, fuck!”  Eddie: “Feel good, angel?”  Nina: “So fucking good.”  Eddie: (smug) “And who’s making you feel so fucking good?”  Nina: “You, baby, oh god Eddie, you! Eddie, ‘m so close baby, please make me cum.”  Eddie: [he moans against her] “Can never say no to you, princess.” [he moves his fingers quicker, deeper] “Especially when you say stuff like that.”  Nina: (desperate, needy) “Clit, baby, harder on my clit, please!”  Eddie: “Like this?” [he pushes his tongue harder on her clit, then shakes his head back and forth to roughly stimulate her clit] 

[Nina’s eyes roll back and she grips Eddie’s hair tightly; she begins to shake once again, pressure building inside her] 

Nina: “Eddie, Eddie I think- oh I’m gonna squirt, please, slow down!”  Eddie: (excitedly) “Really?”  (growling, determined) “Do it, c’mon, gimme it baby.”  Nina: (whining) “But I’ll make a mess!”  Eddie: (possessive) “I don’t care, give me it, make a mess all over me baby, wanna feel you soak me.”  Nina: “Okay, just- Oh fuck!” [Eddie strokes that spot inside her which makes her see white; her legs clamp shut around his hand but Eddie continues his movements with his fingers, sending her crashing over the edge.] “Eddie!” [She screams Eddie’s name as her body convulses; she squirts over Eddie’s fingers as he rubs her clit vigorously. She whimpers as she comes down from her climax] “S’too much, Eddie, no more, I can’t!”  Eddie: [gently licking her clean, kissing her all over] “Okay, princess, no more.” [he kisses up her body as Nina lies exhausted in the bed, then presses a gentle kiss on her lips] “Did so good for me, baby.” [Nina hums happily in response, kissing Eddie lightly] “Am I forgiven now?”  Nina: (smiling tiredly) “You were forgiven anyway, dumbass.” [sighing contently, body weak] “That was amazing, Eddie.”  Eddie: (eager for approval) “Really?”  Nina: (laughing airily)  “I think the wet patch I’m lying in is evidence enough.” (content) “I’ve never done that before.”  Eddie: (surprised) “Really? None of your other boyfriends made you squirt?”  Nina: (honest) “No, never.”  Eddie: [jumping up from the bed, fist pumping the air] “Fuck yes! Critical hit!”  Nina: (fondly, adoringly) “I hate you.” 

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Next chapter: Chapter Fourteen - Rain (part one)

[hellfirehottie]

Chapters: 12/50 Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Eddie Munson/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Robin Buckley's Mother, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Maxine "Max" Mayfield's Parents, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Hellfire Club (Stranger Things), Gareth (Stranger Things), Jeff (Stranger Things), The Party (Stranger Things), Argyle (Stranger Things), Vecna (Stranger Things), Vickie (Stranger Things), Corroded Coffin (Stranger Things), Unnamed Freak (Stranger Things), Scoops Troop (Stranger Things) Additional Tags: Strangers to Lovers, Stranger Things 4, Post-Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Hawkins (Stranger Things), Inspired by Stranger Things (TV 2016), Post-Vecna (Stranger Things), The Upside Down (Stranger Things), Friends to Lovers, Eddie Munson Lives, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Protective Eddie Munson, Virgin Eddie Munson, Loss of Virginity, Soft Eddie Munson, Good Friend Robin Buckley, Eventual Smut, Smut, Fluff and Smut, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Eddie Munson Smut, Idiots in Love, Original Female Character(s) - Freeform, Love at First Sight, Romantic Soulmates, Soulmates, Mental Health Issues, Depression, References to Depression, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Past Child Abuse, Meet-Cute, First Meetings, Falling In Love, Love, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Mutual Pining, Pining, Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Romantic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Eddie Munson is a Gentleman, Eddie Munson is Whipped, Eddie Munson is Bad at Feelings, Eddie Munson is Bad at Flirting Summary:

Nina: “Why do you love me, Eddie?”

Eddie: “You were like coming up for fresh air.” [playing with his rings nervously] “Life kinda blurred into one long day. And then I met you.” [looking at her lovingly] “And you brought me back to life. I felt like the old me again.”

Nina: “Do you think we’ll get through this?”

Eddie: “We have to.” [smiling at her] “I haven’t finished loving you yet.”

Eddie’s life didn’t change much after he returned from the upside down. People still hated him, blamed him, and he retreated to a shell of his former self. Life passed him by, blurring into the same everyday routine. Until Nina, Robin’s ‘sort-of’ cousin arrives in Hawkins.

Fleeing from her past in California, Nina’s world is turned upside down (no pun intended) as she falls head over heels for the freak of Hawkins.

Can these two lost souls find peace with each other, or will the demons of their past come back for them?

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Twelve - Jaws (REVISED REUPLOAD)

content warnings: tooth rotting fluff, 18+ themes! Smut! (mutual masturbation, oral f!receiving, m!handjob, m!edging, softdomOC/softdom!Nina, cum eating if you squint. Mentions of stress and poor mental health. descriptions of abuse from a parent and parental alcoholism. Lovestruck couple, Eddie is a pervy awkward adorable dork and I love him. Period jokes.

Long chapter to make up for lack of uploads oops!

"Show me where the delicate stops,

Show me what you've lost, and why you're always taking it slow,

Show me what wounds you've got, show me love."

Jaws - Sleep Token

Monday / 4:45PM / The Diner

Nancy: (excited) “Sooo, tell us how the date went!” 

Nina: (shyly) “It was good.” 

Nancy: “Oh come on, we need more details than that!” 

Nina: “It was… eventful.” [Nancy and Robin raise their eyebrows, probing for more details] “We went for a picnic at the park-“ 

Robin: [interrupting] “You’re welcome.” 

Nina: “-And went on one of those little rowing boats on the lake-“ 

Nancy: (gushing) “How cute!” 

Nina: “-And Eddie fell in the lake-“ 

Robin: [rolling her eyes, amused] “How Eddie.” 

Nina: “-And then got food poisoning from a suspicious Chinese takeaway.” 

Nancy: [blinking, trying not to laugh] “Well that’s… something.” [Robin snorts while giggling] 

Nina: [mixing her milkshake with the straw] “But I liked it.” [blushing] “One of the nicest dates I’ve been on, actually.” 

Robin: (excited) “So this is it? Are Eddie and Nina finally sitting in a tree?” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes] “Very mature, Rob.” [sighing] “But yeah, I hope so.” 

Nancy: “So are you going to tell him about your Mom then?” 

Nina: (surprised) “How the hell do you know about that?” 

Robin: [arms up, defensive] “I didn’t tell her!” 

Nancy: [nonchalant, grabbing a handful of chips] “I put two and two together.” 

Robin: [teasing, nudging hips with Nancy playfully] “Ever the detective.” 

Nina: (uneasy) “I don’t know… I want to, I just don’t want to freak him out.” [self-loathing] “It’s his first relationship-type-thing, I don’t want him to run for the hills.” 

Robin: [reaching over to hold Nina’s arm comfortingly] “He wouldn’t do that, he’s crazy about you.” 

Nina: [muttering to herself] “He’s a fool for it.” 

Nancy: “We’re serious Nina, we’ve never seen him like this with anyone!” [light-hearted] “Besides, it’ll be a good thing if you tell him! Your first big serious life conversation together; you can tell a lot about a man by how he reacts to that kinda stuff!” 

Robin: [slurping her milkshake, pondering] “Isn’t it funny how you are terrified of love and don’t know how to trust, and Eddie has so much love to give but is so inexperienced and doesn’t know how to give it?” 

Nina: (sarcastic) “Gee, thanks Robin, you should be a psychologist.” 

Robin: “I’m being serious! You guys even each other out! He can teach you how to trust and you can teach Eddie how to love. You’re like yin and yang, you’re made for eachother.” [slurping her milkshake obnoxiously, deep in thought] “I should be a psychologist.” 

Nina: (teasing) “You’ve gotta be mentally sane to be a psychologist, sweetie. Maybe try a circus clown.” 

Nancy: “Or a relationship counsellor for the mentally insane.” 

Robin: [At Nina] “Seems like I’m doing a good job so far.” [Nina throws a chip at her] “Hey!” 

Wednesday / 6:30 PM / Eddie’s room

[Nina and Eddie are studying in Eddie’s room. Nina has been talking for the past ten minutes about Pythagoras Theory, but Eddie has been staring at her face, her lips, for the past ten minutes.] 

Nina: “Why are you looking at me funny?” [wiping her mouth] “Do I have chocolate on my face?” 

Eddie: (coy) “I want to kiss you again.” 

Nina: (blushing) “We’re supposed to be studying.” 

Eddie: [with a shit-eating grin] “So?” (Cheeky) “We can take a break. We’ve been working really hard.” 

Nina: (laughing) “I’ve been working really hard, you’ve been staring at me for the past ten minutes.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “Just admiring the view.” 

Nina: [can’t hide her smile] “We need to study, Eddie, you need to study.” 

Eddie: “I will once you kiss me.” 

[Nina rolls her eyes but scooches over to him, pressing a quick kiss on his lips. She pulls away and Eddie groans.] 

Eddie: “That wasn’t a proper kiss.” 

Nina: (laughing) “Eddie!” 

Eddie: (charming) “A proper kiss, then I’ll study.” 

Nina: [faking annoyance] “Fineee.” 

[Eddie cheers and slides up the bed, sitting next to Nina. He takes her face in his hand, rubbing his thumb gently over the cupid's bow of his lip, smiling down at her. 

He softly slots his lips over Nina’s, smiling when he feels her lips kiss him back. Eddie hums contently into the kiss as Nina threads her fingers through his hair.] 

Eddie: (content) “There, happy now- umph!” [Nina grabs him by the curls and brings his lips crashing back onto hers. Eddie smiles into the kiss again, it’s all teeth but they both smile and kiss happily. Both of Nina’s hands slide into Eddie’s hair and she lies back on the bed, Eddie crawls on top of her, needily chasing her lips. He pulls back, breathless, eyes wide with hunger] “Thought we were studying?” 

Nina: (grinning, sultry) “We’re taking a break, right?” 

[Eddie groans softly at her words and kisses her again. Nina slides her tongue into his mouth and they kiss deeply and passionately; Eddie’s hand glides up Nina’s thigh to grab a handful of her ass.

Nina’s hand holds his hip and side under his shirt, causing Eddie to shiver with want. He moans and pushes Nina down onto the bed, his lips trailing kisses along her jaw and neck. Nina takes in a sharp breath as Eddie bites along her collar bone, hands gripping Eddie’s hair hard, her legs spreading for him to slot himself between.] 

Nina: [breathing heavy, arousal heavy in her voice, mind dumb] “We- we should keep studying.” 

Eddie: [mumbled into her neck] “Five more minutes.” 

Nina: “Eddie… if we start, we won’t stop.” [Eddie snorts and laughs between kisses] 

Eddie: (cheeky, eager) “Then we won’t stop.” 

Nina: (giggling) “Eddie!” 

Eddie: (lustfully) “You say that like you aren’t spreading your legs for me, sweetheart.” 

[Nina pulls Eddie back by his hair harshly, he bites his lip through the pain, eyes wide, whimpering, aroused.] 

Nina: (devilishly, taunting) “Say stuff like that and I’ll make you regret it, sweetheart.” 

Eddie: (softly) “Fuck.” [He crashes his lips onto hers again and Nina giggles into the kiss] “Can’t get enough of you.” 

Thursday / 11:30PM / Eddie’s trailer

[Eddie is sitting on the couch in his pyjamas; baggy tartan bottoms and a black vest. Nina is watching him fondly, lovingly, as he watches the movie playing on the television, mindlessly strumming his guitar.] 

Nina: “Eddie?” 

Eddie: [turning to face her, smiling softly] “Yeah?” 

Nina: “Would you show me how to play guitar?” 

Eddie: (giddy) “Really? You want to?” 

Nina: (shyly) “Yeah. You make it look fun.” 

Eddie: [grinning] “Come here then.” [Nina shuffles off her end of the couch towards Eddie] 

Nina: “Um, how-?” 

Eddie: [patting his lap] “Sit here.” [Nina raises her eyebrows, he blushes, smirking] “I’m not being a perv, I promise, just trust me.” 

Nina: (nervous) “I’m kinda heavy, I’ll crush you.” 

Eddie: (pervy, mischievous) “The only heavy thing about you are those whopping great ti-“ [Nina rolls her eyes and turns to walk back to the couch, Eddie gently catches her arm before she can] “I’m kidding, I’m kidding, c’mere, just sit between my legs if you’re unsure.” 

[Nina slowly walks towards Eddie again, he lifts off his guitar so Nina can nestle between his legs. Her uneasiness is settled by the warmth of Eddie behind her, his arms wrapped around her, his long hair tickling her neck.] 

Eddie: [manoeuvring to grab his guitar again, speaking softly behind her] “Lemme just grab this.” [Eddie puts the guitar strap around both of them and sits the guitar on Nina’s lap.] 

[The space between Nina and Eddie is a lot closer than before. Her skin shivers as she feels Eddie’s carefully timed breathing on her neck. Eddie’s heart races as he notices the goosebumps on Nina’s neck and his gaze looks fondly on Nina’s face, warm with the ambient lights of the living room lamps.] 

Eddie: [after clearing his throat, softly in Nina’s ear] “So, Um, Can I?” [Nina nods and he wraps his arms around Nina, gently taking his hands in hers] “Put these fingers here.” [His larger hands guide Nina’s fingers to the chords, gently pressing them against the strings] “And hold this here,” [he puts the guitar pic in her hands, she fumbles with it before holding it against the strings] “And strum these strings here,” [he cups her hand as she gently strums the guitar, she smiles softly as the guitar hums its notes] “There, you played a G chord.” [He rests his chin on her shoulder, looking at Nina fondly as she looks down at the guitar] 

Nina: (happy, content) “Show me another one.” 

Eddie: (gently) “Move these fingers here,” [he manoeuvres Nina’s hands] “And stroke these two strings,” [He lets Nina stroke the strings without his help this time] “That’s a D chord.” 

Nina: [shuffling her hips backwards into Eddie’s, getting comfy] “Another!” [Nina feels Eddie’s arousal against her back] “Eddie, are you-?” 

Eddie: (rushed) “That’s, er, that’s not what you think it is!” [Nina looks at him amused, eyebrows raised] “Well it is, kind of, yeah I am hard but it’s,” [going pink] “It’s not a horny boner, it’s an romantic boner-“ [Nina tries to hide her laughter, eyebrows raised in amusement] “A boner of affection.” [Eddie looks at Nina desperately as she bursts into laughter, he groans and lays his forehead on her shoulder; his embarrassment turns into a smile when he hears Nina snort in her cackling laughter.] 

Nina: (teasing) “It’s okay Eddie, you give me romantic boners too.” 

Eddie: [blushing, embarrassed, hiding in her neck] “Shut up.” 

Nina: (teasing) “You give my heart a boner.” 

Eddie: (whiny) “Stop!” 

Nina: (teasing) “Is it the guitar? Or me? Or me playing the guitar?” (amused) “‘Cause if so I better put this down before it gets too R rated in here, it’s a school night.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “You, always you.” [lighthearted, staring at her shoulder, can't look her in the eye] “You think I’d be used to being constantly hard around you by now.” 

Nina: (surprised, flattered) “Really?” 

Eddie: “Oh yeah.” [voice low] “You give my heart and dick all of the boners.” [Nina snorts with laughter again then looks deeply into Eddie’s eyes. Their lips briefly brush before Nina looks at the clock, noticing the time.]

Nina: “Crap, is that the time?” [they look at the clock reading 11:52pm] “I should head home, I was meant to be home hours ago.” 

Eddie: (hopeful) “You could stay here, if you want?” [blushing] “I could drive you home in the morning.” 

Nina: (heart-warmed) “We’ve got school in the morning and I’ve got to be up earlier tomorrow.” 

Eddie: (yearning) “I could drive you home?” 

Nina: (fondly) “I drove here, silly, what about my car?” 

Eddie: [blushing] “Oh, right.” 

Nina: “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” 

Eddie: (glum) “Yeah, okay.” 

Nina: [trying to cheer him up] “And Saturday, at Steve’s? I could stay over after, if you want?” 

Eddie: (excited) “You’d want to?” [Nina nods shyly] “Yeah! I mean, yeah, that sounds cool.” 

Nina: [grabbing her bag, pressing a kiss on his cheek before heading to the door] “See you tomorrow, honey.” 

Eddie: “Wait!” [Nina turns around, confused, Eddie stands up and takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately] “There, now you can go.” [Nina smiles and reaches for the door again] “Wait!” [he shyly presses a kiss on her forehead, blushing] “Now you can really go.” 

Nina: (softly) “Goodnight, Eddie.” [She walks across the gravel to her car, waving goodbye as she drives off] 

Eddie: (sighing) “Goodnight, Nina.” [he pouts and closes the door reluctantly.] 

Saturday / 9:30pm / Steve’s house

[Eddie, Nina, Robin, Steve, Jonathan and Nancy are at Steve’s house. Nina is in the kitchen getting a drink, when Eddie comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, cuddling her from behind.] 

Nina: [jumping] “Jesus, Eddie, what are you doing?” 

Eddie: [nuzzling into her neck] “Coming to find you.” 

Nina: [grinning] “I’m right here, getting a drink of water.” 

Eddie: [kissing her cheek] “Missed you.” 

Nina: [laughing softly] “I’m only on the other couch.” 

Eddie: [showering her in kisses, she giggles] “Too far away, can’t do this when you’re on the other couch.” 

Nina: “Can’t do this here anyway, no PDA in public, you know the rules.” [Eddie huffs, pouting, not letting go] “We’ll be home in a few hours, can’t you be patient?” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “No.” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes, dragging Eddie back to the living room] “Come on.” [he groans playfully but follows her anyway]

[Nina sits beside Eddie on the couch, to his surprise. The gang continue their conversation as Nina slides her hand under the blanket between her and Eddie, taking Eddie’s hand in hers, interlocking their fingers. Eddie looks down at their covered hands and smiles contently to himself.] 

Tuesday / 8:30PM / Nina’s room 

Eddie: [walking through Nina’s bedroom door] “Hey gorgeous, Mrs Buckley let me in- Nina? Are you here?” 

Nina: “Down here.” 

Eddie: (confused) “What?” [he walks past the bed to find Nina lying on the floor staring at the ceiling, he looks at her and smiles ] “What are you doing down there?” 

Nina: “Having floor time.” 

Eddie: (amused) “And what is floor time?” 

Nina: “No questions are allowed during floor time.” 

Eddie: “Ookay…” [looks at Nina’s blank expression, becomes concerned] “Are you okay?” 

Nina: “That was a question.” [Eddie flinches, Nina softens, bottom lip threatening to quiver] “No, I don’t think I am.” [looking at Eddie] “Come lie with me?” 

[Eddie shrugs off his jacket and dumps it on the bed, walks around to Nina’s side and lies down. He turns his head to look at Nina, who is still staring at the ceiling.] 

Eddie: “I know I’m not supposed to ask questions, but do you want to talk about it?” 

Nina: (quietly) “Not yet, no thank you.” 

[Eddie pauses for a moment, contemplating] 

Eddie: “So, tell me how floor time works then.” 

Nina: “We speak in statements. Can use metaphors or scenes from movies or song lyrics or anything really to explain how we feel, but the other person can’t ask questions. And no judgement.” 

Eddie: (thoughtful) “I see.” (Contemplating) “Well today I had the burger from the canteen and it was nice, and I saw two raccoons fighting over a pretzel outside during English. Oh, and a song came on the radio that reminded me of you, so that made me happy.” 

Nina: [finally turning to look at him] “Yeah?” 

Eddie: [smiling softly at her] “Yeah.” [he tucks her hair behind her ear] “Hi, there.” 

Nina: (softly) “Hi.” 

Eddie: “Tell me about your day.” 

Nina: [looking at the ceiling again] “Played basketball in Sport which was fun. Robin got hit in the tit with the ball, which was funnier than it should have been.” [Eddie sniggers] “Had pizza for lunch which was not nice. Got a migraine in History so I got sent to the nurse.” [growing quiet] “Had a meeting with Miss Kelly.” [growing quieter still] “My mom called again this evening.” [Eddie opens his mouth to ask questions] “No questions.” 

[Eddie’s mouth closes and he looks back at the ceiling. They sit in silence for a few moments.] 

Nina: “I don’t want to talk to her. I don’t know what to say.” 

Eddie: (thoughtful) “Maybe don’t say anything until you know what to say.” 

Nina: [deeply concentrating on the ceiling] “I don’t think I have anything to say to her.” 

Eddie: “Then don’t.” [taking Nina’s hand and threading their fingers] 

Nina: “I don’t want to go back there.” 

Eddie: “California? Or to your Moms?” [catching himself] “Sorry, sorry, no questions.” 

Nina: (softly, fragile) “Both, I think.” 

Eddie: [frowning] “Then don’t. Stay here.” [booping her on the nose] “With me.” 

Nina: [smiling softly, heart warmed] “You make a compelling offer.” 

[Robin and Steve walk past Nina’s room.] 

Steve: (confused) “What are they doing?” 

Robin: (matter of fact) “Floor time, duh.” [looking at Nina proudly] “She’s growing.” 

[Steve raises his eyebrows and shrugs, they both exit.] 

Nina: “Whenever Robin and I used to call, we used to do floor time. We used to call once a fortnight and put the world to rights.” [blinking away tears, one sheds, Eddie notices] “I knew this would be a safe place to come.” 

Eddie: [now lying on his side, watching Nina] “You can tell me anything, you know? I’m here for you.” 

Nina: “I know.” 

Eddie: “I don’t think you do.” [Nina looks at him confused] “I want to know anything and everything, Nina. I want to know you at your worst so I can smile with you at your best.” [Nina’s lip quivers] “I’m here for you.” [unsure] “Right?” 

Nina: [sniffling back her tears, laughing sadly] “You’re so poetic and you don’t even try.” [Eddie grins and laughs] “Robin is wrong about you.” 

Eddie: (confused) “She is?” 

Nina: “She thinks ‘cause you’re inexperienced you don’t know how to love.” [turning on her side too] “But I think you know exactly how to love.” 

‘Cause I think I’ve finally found someone worth loving, Eddie thinks. 

[Nina looks deeply into Eddie’s eyes and kisses him passionately, tears still running down her cheeks] 

Nina: “I’m getting better, I promise, I might not look it but I am-“ 

Eddie: “Nina, you don’t have to explain anything to me-“ 

Nina: “I do! I’m, just, ugh!” [tugging her hair in frustration, sitting up now] “I’m not used to people-” [gesturing with her hands] “-caring. I don’t want you to think I don’t trust you, cause I do, I do so much Eddie!” 

Eddie: “Nina, Its okay-“ 

Nina: “I’m just not ready yet, I-“ 

Eddie: “Baby steps.” 

Nina: [panicked] “I want to, I-“ 

Eddie: “Baby steps.” 

Nina: [nodding, unsure] “Baby steps.” 

00:00AM - Nina’s room 

[Nina is lying in bed, asleep. The clock reads midnight. Nina thrashes in the moonlight of the open window, sweat drenching her body.] 

Nina: “Stop, you’re hurting me…” 

[A gust of wind blows through the room, her journal opens to a blank page.] 

[Dream sequence: 

The creaking of stairs, a shadow on the wall.

The smashing of glass, a grandfather clock chiming midnight. 

Nina: “Mom, please!” 

A thud at the bottom of the stairs, The red and blue lights against the wall. 

The blood stained glass, the blurring of time. 

Nina is standing in front of Robin’s house at midnight. The rain pours down over her head, mixing in with her tears. 

Robin: [concerned] “Nina, is that you?” [she sees Nina’s suitcase] “What’s happened?” 

Nina: [bottom lip quivering] “It got bad again.” 

Nina stands in front of Eddie’s mirror. The lights flicker above her and her Mom is screaming at her in the reflection, but no sound comes out of her mouth. 

The screaming goes from silent to progressively louder and louder, until it’s so loud the lightbulb above her explodes.

End of dream sequence.] 

[Nina wakes up with a gasp, clutching her chest. Her clammy hands grip onto the fabric of her shirt, feeling her heart beat rapidly with fear.

She lies back down and blinks away her tears, registering the dream. She holds onto her chest until she feels her heartbeat steady.] 

Nina: (croaky) “Damn it, not again…” 

[Nina stares at the ceiling waiting for sleep to come, it doesn’t.] 

01:23AM  / Eddie’s room

[Eddie is lying in his bed, strumming his guitar absentmindedly, his room aglow with the light from his alarm clock. 

He hears a gentle tapping on his window. He freezes in fear, uncertain of what the noise is. 

He gazes at his window and sees what looks to be a small rock being thrown at his window. Carefully, he climbs out of his bed and hides to the side of his window. Another rock is thrown.]

Eddie: (uncertainly) “Is someone there?” 

Nina: (whispered) “It’s me!”

Eddie: [to himself] “Nina?” [he opens his window, looking out confused to find Nina standing outside in her pyjamas] “What are you doing here?” 

Nina: (embarrassed) “I couldn’t sleep. I, erm, had a bad dream. I didn’t want to ring in case you were asleep and didn’t want to knock on the door in case Wayne was asleep.” 

Eddie: (amused) “So you thought you’d knock on my window and scare the shit out of me?” 

Nina: (bashful) “I didn’t know what to do.” (embarrassed) “This was stupid, I should go.” 

Eddie: (loudly) “Wait!” [Nina shushes him, Eddie cringes and smiles] “Come inside, it’s okay.” [Nina smiles and stands on the pile of wood outside Eddie’s window, waiting for him to let her through. Eddie looks at her amused as she holds onto the window frame] “You can use the front door, you know?” 

Nina: [smiling] “Where’s the fun in that?” [She hops through the window, her legs getting stuck as she does, causing her to tumble through the window landing with a ‘thump’ on the floor] “Oops!” 

Eddie: [watching her adoringly as she lies on the floor, hair splattered and shirt ridden up to show her stomach] “Hey there angel.” [he extends his hand out which she takes, he pulls her up] “Everything okay sweetheart?” 

Nina: (shyly) “Yeah, I’m okay.” [tugging her shirt down] “I just can’t sleep. I was just wondering if you couldn’t too.” 

Eddie: “Lucky for you, I can’t.” [smiling widely] “Come here.” [Nina climbs into bed by Eddie’s side, cuddled into his chest] “What’s on your mind?” 

Nina: (lying) “Nothing in particular, I just can’t turn my mind off.” [looking up at him lovingly] “What about you?” 

Eddie: [sighing] “Same.” [stroking her back under her shirt] “I’m glad you came to me.” 

Nina: “Me too.” 

Eddie: “I hope you can trust me with this kind of stuff more.” [kissing her forehead] “I’ll be here whenever you need me.” 

Nina: (whispered) “Thank you baby.” [nuzzling into his shirt] “You smell good.” 

Eddie: [laughing] “Thank you.” 

Nina: (quietly) “I like sleeping next to you.” 

Eddie: [smiling against Nina’s forehead] “I like sleeping next to you too.” [kissing her forehead again, hearing Nina’s breath slow and her relaxing in his arms] “I really do.” 

Thursday / The Byers’ house / 3pm 

[Nina flops down beside Eddie on the couch, bored of revising, laying her head on his lap. She sits and watches him adoringly as he talks passionately about his D&D campaign to Dustin and Mike. Nina pokes his dimple with her finger, giggling to herself.]

Eddie: [stroking her hair, amused] “You having fun down there?” 

Nina: “You have dimples.” 

Eddie: (teasing) “Observant as always.” 

Nina: “They’re cute.” 

Mike: “That’s my queue to leave.” [he walks off to find El, leaving Dustin on the couch by himself] 

Dustin: “Mike! Don’t leave me with them!” [looking at Nina and Eddie] “I’m gonna grab… something.” [he leaves the room]

Nina: “Now I’ve got you all to myself, yay.” 

Eddie: (amused) “You good?” 

Nina:  “Yeah. Happy.” 

Eddie: (smiling) “Good.” 

Nina: “You make me feel good. You make me happy.” 

Eddie: (beaming) “Good. You make me happy too.”  (concerned) “Are you sure you’re okay?” [he lightly strokes the dark bags under Nina’s eyes with his finger] “You look tired.” 

Nina: (dryly) “You sure know how to compliment a girl.” [before Eddie can interject, she responds] “I’m okay, just not sleeping well at the minute.” 

Eddie: “You can stay over whenever you want, y’know.” (joking) “I’ll even let you be the big spoon.” [Eddie grins proudly when Nina laughs] 

[Nina makes grabby hands at Eddie’s face to which he rolls his eyes, checking around the room to see if anyone is looking, before pressing a soft kiss on her lips.]

Nina: (whispered) “Thank you.” 

Friday / 5pm / Eddie’s trailer

Nina: [tugging at her hair, dropping her bag on the floor] “I’ve got biochem due on Monday and Lit due on Friday and ugh, three extra pages for my art assignment due the week after and-” 

Eddie: “Breathe.” 

Nina: [oblivious] “-And a history report due on the same day and a tonne of revising to do for Math, why does Math have to be so damn difficult.” 

Eddie: (amused) “Breathe.” 

Nina: [frustrated] “And then psychology, Jesus, psychology, Pavlov and his conditioning theories can kiss my a-” 

Eddie: (smirking) “Jesus, Nina, breathe.” [Eddie grabs Nina by the shoulders and sits her on the couch]

Nina: “I can’t breathe, I’ve got too much to do!” [Eddie rolls his eyes at Nina’s dramatic] 

Eddie: “C’mere, silly.” [He pulls her into his lap, she’s rigid at first but relaxes eventually] “You’re getting yourself worked up, you’ve got this, you know you do!” 

Nina: (whiny) “But I need to do well!” 

Eddie: (comfortingly) “And you will, you’re the smartest girl I know! You need to relax, you’re stressed.” 

Nina: (dryly) “What makes you think I’m stressed?”  

Eddie: “Your nose creases in the middle when you’re stressed, you look like a mildly annoyed bunny.” [Nina laughs and Eddie beams proudly]

Eddie: “You know what’s good for relaxing?” (whispered, smirk thick in his voice) “Orgasms.” 

Nina: (snorting) “You’re terrible.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “I know, but you love it.” [nuzzling into her ear] “You could teach me how to get you off…” 

Nina: (surprised) “Really?” 

Eddie: (shyly) “Yeah, I’d like to…” (hopeful) “Can I?” 

Nina: [wriggling in anticipation, stuttering] “Y- yes… Are you sure?”

Eddie: [lustful, head cloudy, fingers trembling with nerves] “Please.” [Eddie looks at Nina nervously, unsure where to place his hands] “I, er, can you-?”

Nina: “Eddie, come here.” [Nina stands up from her position cuddling him, much to Eddie’s disappointment] “How can I make this easier for you?” 

Eddie: [standing up too, eager, desperate but joking to ease his nerves, hiding in her neck and pressing a kiss on her shoulder, shy] “Well, I’m a visual learner.” 

[Nina laughs a loud laugh and he smiles into her skin, comforted. Nina pauses for a moment, thinking]

Nina: [aroused but shy] “Well… feel free to say no, but we could… I don’t know… I could get off and you could get off, and we could watch each other? That way we can watch what the other likes and-“ 

Eddie: [realising, excited] “You want to masturbate in front of me?” [Eddie trembles with want] “Fuck yeah, I’m down.” 

Nina: “You don’t think it’s weird or gross?” 

Eddie: (confused) “Why would I think that? I think it’s hot as fuck.” 

Nina: [shrugging] “Some people aren’t very liberal when it comes to self pleasure.” [smiling, heart racing] “Shall we go to the bedroom?” [Eddie nods enthusiastically, running to his bedroom, stripping of his belt and shoes as he does; making Nina laugh lightly] 

[Nina sits in front of Eddie on his bed. She clears her throat nervously suddenly, feeling shy under Eddie’s expectant gaze.]

Eddie: (awkwardly) “So… how do you want to do this?” 

Nina: (laughing awkwardly) “I’m not sure.” [looking at Eddie] “What do you think?” 

Eddie: “You could, erm…” [scratching his neck awkwardly, coughing, shy] “Lie back on the bed and I could watch?” 

Nina: “Sure…” [Nina leans back on the bed and beckons Eddie to join her] 

[After kissing softly for a few minutes the kiss becomes heated; hands grabbing at each other, tangling in each other's hair. 

Nina pulls Eddie’s shirt off over his head, kissing and biting his neck. His eyes flutter shut and brows furrow with restraint, chest falling and rising quickly with anticipation.

She pulls back to look deeply into his eyes as her hand slides down his torso and strokes him over the denim of his jeans. His lips part as his eyes flick between hers and her hand that strokes the outline of his hardening cock. 

Eddie bites back a moan as she teases along the hem of his jeans, slowly undoing the button and zipper. He excitedly kicks his jeans down and off onto the floor, breath ragged as Nina continues to stroke him over his boxers.]

Eddie: (breathless) “What are you doing?” 

Nina: “Watching you like this gets me wet.” [Eddie whimpers; Nina pulls his hard cock out of his boxers, wrapping her hand around him.] 

Eddie: (softly) “Oh, god.” (shyly) “Is… is he okay?” 

Nina: (confused) “He?” 

Eddie: (embarrassed) “My…. You know.” 

[Nina bites back a giggle, looking down at Eddie’s thick length in her hand. Her mouth waters at the sight, relishing at the precum leaking from his pink tip.] 

Nina: [practically purring, kissing his neck] “He’s wonderful.”

[Eddie’s arms ache while hovering over Nina, but he remains there, watching in a daze as she strokes him up and down. She rubs her thumb over his tip, softly paying attention to the pink leaking end of his cock. He buries his head in Nina’s neck as his thighs tense, overwhelmed by Nina’s touch. Nina lies underneath him, studying his reactions to her teasing touch: his parted red lips, flushed cheeks, wide glistening eyes and laboured breathing. Nina moved to take off her clothes.]

Eddie: “Wait!” [Eddie shuffles to the foot of Nina’s bed, back against the bed frame, Nina looks at him, confused] “Do it slow for me.” 

[Nina smiles shyly and sits upright in front of Eddie, slowly pulls her top off over her head. Eddie fights to stop himself from drooling at the sight of her full breasts in a black lace bra, unbuttoning her shorts to slide them down her legs. 

She leans forward into Eddie, both closing their eyes as they kiss softly again, and as she pulls back, Eddie finds her bra has been discarded somewhere on the floor. Eddie moans at the sight, reaching out to gently stroke her pierced nipples with his thumbs, cupping her breasts.

She lies back flat on the bed, legs spread apart for Eddie to see. He pulls her underwear down and off onto the floor, biting his lip at the sight of her naked in front of him.]

Eddie: “Fuck. This is so hot. You’re so beautiful.” [Nina blushes] 

[Nina goes to cross her legs but Eddie holds them open with his hands, taking the sight of her in. His mouth parted in awe, his fingers gently stroking her skin like he would the strings of his guitar.]

Nina: “You ready, baby?” 

[Eddie watches intently, wrapping his hand around his length but not moving it.]

Eddie: “Ready, princess.” 

He’d seen porn before, of course, but this felt different. Seeing Nina with her legs spread open and slick coating her felt more personal, more erotic. Knowing he caused Nina to be this turned on caused him to shiver. It awakened a desire in him that porn would never be able to compete with. His mouth watered at the sight of her. 

Eddie: (muttering to himself) “Fucking gorgeous.” 

[He slid his hand over her large breast, giving a soft squeeze, feeling himself getting harder at the sight before him. 

Nina puts on a show for Eddie, stroking her fingertips over her bare chest, along the curve of her stomach, over her hip bones, and down to her aching core. 

Eddie watches with hooded eyes, squeezing softly at his reddening tip, teasing himself. 

Nina sighs with pleasure as she slides two fingers through her wet folds, rubbing her fingers over her clit. Her eyes flutter closed, humming with content. Eddie moans softly at the wet sounds coming from Nina’s movements.]

Eddie: (amazed, aroused) “Wow, you’re soaked baby.” 

Nina: (smiling) “You turn me on, handsome.” 

[Eddie starts to slowly stroke himself up and down, watching Nina’s every move. When Nina opens her eyes her jaw drops slightly with arousal, loving the sight of Eddie pleasuring himself in front of her, over her.] 

Nina: (shy) “So, erm, this, here, is the clit. You need to be gentle, cause otherwise it can hurt.” [She shifts in the bed, making herself more comfortable, still rubbing slow circles on her clit] “Some people like it sucked, some people like it slapped or nibbled, but it’s always nice to rub it gently in circles. Soft licks with your tongue feels great too. Depending on how turned on I am, you can rub a little bit harder, faster, but I can guide you. ” 

[Eddie’s eyes go wide, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat, squeezing the head of his cock before giving a few shallow strokes focusing just on the end. He chews on his lip, watching as Nina’s chest rises and falls as she squirms from her own touch.

Nina watches intently, spurred on watching Eddie as he pants, tugging himself quicker now. Her mouth parts in awe as she watches Eddie’s head lull back, his hair sweeping across his shoulders, swallowing deeply with anticipation.]

Nina: (aroused) “So when it comes to fingering,” [Eddie’s eyes open as he studies Nina’s movements] “I usually use a toy as it gets to the spot I need, my hands are too small. But I don’t think you’ll have that problem…”  

Nina eyes Eddie’s long, thick fingers, craving them inside her. 

Eddie: [heavy lidded, licking his lips, horny, quickening his pace] “You have sex toys?” 

Nina: (flirty, teasing) “Oh honey, you don’t know the half of it.” 

[Eddie heats up at the thought, need twisting in his stomach. He imagines Nina lying in her bed late at night, crying as she came, legs shaking, mewling his name. His balls ache at the image.]

Eddie: (aroused, voice thick with want) “What do you think of when you get off, beautiful? Do you think of me?” 

Nina: (breathless) “Yes, Eddie, only you. I think of your hands - oh god your hands,” [she dips her fingers inside herself] “Your mouth, your cock deep inside me- oh god!” 

Eddie: “Jesus Christ.” [Eddie speeds up his hand movements, eyes glassy] “What else, tell me.” 

Nina: [moving her fingers faster, moaning] “I think of you pinning me down and making me cum over and over and over.” 

Eddie: [groaning, head back on the bed frame, flustered] “Fuck, Jesus, I want to so bad, you have no idea, baby.” 

Nina: [moaning louder now, back arching off the bed] “I think of you fucking me so loud and covering me in hickies so everyone knows I’m yours.” [legs beginning to shake] “Fuck, this is really is hot.” 

[Eddie pulls Nina down the bed by her thighs, draping her bent legs over his, so he has a better view of her. Nina whimpers as he uses one hand to play with her tits, the other quickly stroking over himself.]

Eddie: [biting his lip, restrained] “I’m not gonna last much longer baby, you’re killing me right now.” 

Nina: [writhing in front of him] “I’m nearly there baby, wait for me.” [She goes between quick circles on her clit and dipping her fingers inside herself, her head pushing into the pillow behind her] “Oh, fuck! Feels good, honey.” 

[Eddie edges himself towards his climax, picking up the pace and pinching his balls between his fingers as Nina moans and her legs shake over him. He slows down and grasps tightly at his heavy red leaking end to stop himself from coming too soon.]

Nina: (panting, restless) “Oh god Eddie! I’m nearly there, oh god!” 

[Eddie picks up the pace once again, almost edging himself, body tingling with want, desperate for release.]

Eddie: “Say my name when you cum baby, please.” [grabbing his balls, mind racing, babbling] “Fuck this is so hot, you’re so hot, oh my god I’m so lucky- fuck!” [his thighs tremble and balls grow taught] “Baby please, I’m so close, I want to cum so bad!”

Nina: (euphoric, glowing) “Fuck, Eddie! Fuck, fuck, fuck! Oh I’m coming baby, oh I’m coming! Eddie!” [her legs clamp shut as her thighs tremble, her hips thrusting up and down, humping her fingers inside her, moaning loudly] “Fuck! Oh my god!” 

Eddie: “Shit, shit, shit! Oh god!” [looking at Nina who is lying writhing in bed, legs shaking, coming down from her orgasm; Eddie still chasing his own, desperate] “Can I cum on your tits? Please?” 

[Nina spreads her legs and pulls Eddie towards him; him kneeling between her parted thighs. She wraps her wet hand around his length, making Eddie’s eyes go wide, firmly stroking him towards his climax.]

Nina: [breathless, pupils dilated, aroused] “Cum on me, baby.”  

[Eddie throws his head back with a loud groan, cum soaking Nina’s hand, her hip bones, stomach and tits. His thighs shake and he flops back on the bed, exhausted.] 

Eddie: (panting) “Shit, that was amazing.” [looking at Nina, lovestruck] “You’re amazing.” [Nina smirks as she picks up some of Eddie’s cum on her fingers and sucks them into her mouth, Eddie’s eyes widen with arousal] “You’re the devil woman.” [Nina giggles] 

Nina: “Satisfied, Munson?” 

Eddie: “You’ve blown my mind.” [grinning at her, looking at her cum soaked naked body] “Jesus, I don’t think I’ve ever cum so much in my life.” [lustfully, determined, eyes glossy] “Show me how to do it, I want to do it.” 

Nina: (breathless) “You want to try?” 

Eddie: (voice thick) “Please baby.” [looking deeply into her eyes] “You think you can cum again for me?” 

[Nina nods feebly as Eddie moves once again between Nina’s spread legs. He wipes two fingers through her wet pussy like Nina did before gently pushing his thumb inside her. 

She shivers at the feeling as he pulls his thumb out and rubs circles on her clit like she did before.]

Eddie: (aroused) “Like this?” 

Nina: (breathless) “Yeah.” 

[Using his other hand he slowly pumps two fingers in and out of her, waiting for further instruction. Nina lies on the bed, chest heaving, watching Eddie who looks irresistible with glowing skin and wild hair.]

Nina: (sighing contently) “Just like that, baby.” 

Eddie: (lustfully) “Does that feel good?”

Nina: (growing desperate) “Yeah, that feels good. Curl your fingers inwards just a little bit.” 

Eddie: [eyes glued on Nina] “Like this?” 

[Eddie smiles proudly, eagerly as Nina’s hips raise from the bed, her head pushing back into the pillows as she moans.]

Nina: “Yeah, just like that honey!” 

[Eddie pumps his fingers in and out of her slowly, using his other hand to gently rub  her clit, wanting to take his time. He relishes in the way she squirms underneath him.] 

Eddie: (lustfully) “Play with your tits for me, baby.” 

[Eddie bites his lip as she plays with her tits and her thighs tremble, loving how she responds to his touch whilst being covered in his cum.]

Eddie: “God you’re so beautiful, I’ve dreamed of seeing you like this- so perfect for me. You’re so wet for me. Been dying to taste you, Christ I wanna taste you.” 

[Eddie confidently dips his head down and licks a bold stripe up her core, tongue lapping over her clit. Nina whines, hands threading through his hair and knees buckling, as he picks up the pace with his fingers.]

Eddie: [determined, eyes glossy] “This okay?” 

Nina: (loud, unashamed) “God Eddie, yes just like that!” 

[Eddie groans against her as she tugs his hair harshly, he pins her down and licks determinedly over her clit, rubbing that sweet spot inside her that had tears forming in her eyes.]

Nina: [voice and legs shaking] “Eddie, Eddie baby, I’m so close, oh my god! Oh please! Oh fuck! Oh, I’m gonna come, Oh I’m coming!” 

[Nina throws her head back in pleasure, her mouth forming an ‘O’ as she climaxes again, her legs shaking violently as she chants a chorus of “yes”, “fuck”, and Eddie’s name. She claws at his shoulders and tugs at his hair making him groan with lust.

They flop down beside each other on the bed, panting hard.]

Nina: (hazy, laughing lightly) “You’re a fast learner.” 

Eddie: (relieved) “I had a great teacher.” 

[Nina laughs in response. Eddie rests his head on hers, smiling wildly.

Eddie gets up to grab a towel to clean them both off then returns to her side, cuddling into her chest.]

Eddie: “You feel less stressed now?” 

Nina: (smiling) “Oh, definitely. Though I suppose we should revise for exams and shit now since we gave up early this afternoon.”

Eddie: (whining) “Oh, come on!” (Dramatically) “You can’t make me cum like that and then expect me to do work!” 

Nina: (laughing) “Positive reinforcement baby.” [Winking] “You’d know if you studied psychology.” 

[Eddie whines when Nina tries to move him off her. She smiles and cuddles back into him, kissing each other softly in their post-orgasm haze.] 

Nina: (unsure) “Eddie… there’s something I kinda wanted to talk to you about.” 

Eddie: (filled with dread) “Oh god, don’t tell me I did it wrong…” 

Nina: “No, no! That was perfect. It’s, just, uh…” 

Eddie: “Yeah?” 

Nina: (smiling softly) “Nevermind.” [cuddling back into Eddie] “Just wanna lay here with you for a while.” 

Sunday / 9:30 PM / Nina’s house 

[Nina is sitting on her bed, blow drying her hair. She hears a tap at the window, looks at the window in confusion, but when she finds nothing, continues to dry her hair. 

A second knock is heard against the window. She sets the hair dryer down and looks out the window.] 

Eddie: “Ppst!” 

Nina: (confused) “Hello?” 

Eddie: “Ppst?” 

Nina: “Eddie? Is that you?” 

Eddie: [from behind a bush in the garden, muffled] “Am I really that predictable?” 

Nina: (snorting) “Yes.” [Eddie reveals himself from behind the bush, grinning] “What are you doing here? It’s late.” 

Eddie: “I’m bored. Thought I’d take a leaf out of your book and climb your window.” 

Nina: “Oh I see how it is, come on over whenever you feel like, let Nina the rodeo clown entertain you?” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “Pretty much, yeah.” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes] “Come on up.” 

[Eddie climbs up the lattice and through Nina’s window] 

Eddie: (charming) “Hi.” 

Nina: (softly) “Hey stranger.” 

[Eddie pulls Nina into a tight hug. He nuzzles himself into the side of her neck, inhaling her freshly washed hair] 

Eddie: (muffled) “Just wanted to see you. I won’t stay long.” 

Nina: “You okay?” 

Eddie: “Yeah, I just want your company. The trailer gets a bit lonely when you’re by yourself a lot.” 

Nina: (smiling) “Stay as long as you want. We have to be quiet though, I think Mr and Mrs Buckley are asleep.” 

Eddie: (teasing)  “At nine thirty? What a wild life they’re living.” 

Nina: [nudging him playfully] “Just ‘cause you’re nocturnal doesn’t mean the rest of Hawkins is.” 

Eddie: [leaping on Nina’s bed, snuggling under her duvet, she rolls her eyes] “Maybe I wouldn’t be nocturnal if I had a bed like this, Jesus it’s comfy.” [Eddie shuffles over something hard] “What’s this?” [he pulls out Nina’s journal] 

Nina: [snatching it off Eddie] “Nothing!” [he looks at her with raised eyebrows, teasing] “Fine, it’s my journal.” [she looks down at the nearly full journal, embarrassed] “Miss Kelly is making me do it.” [scratching the paper with her nail, nervous] “Kinda like a written therapy thing, I don’t know, it’s kinda stupid.” 

Eddie: “It’s not stupid.” (Cheeky) “Am I in it?” 

Nina: [blushing, trying to hide her smile] “Maybe.” 

Eddie: [eyes glittering, winking] “All good things I hope.” 

Nina: (proudly) “Always.” (nervous) “There’s actually something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.” 

Eddie: “Shoot.” 

Nina: (timidly) “About why I left Cali.” 

Eddie: (cautiously) “Okay…” 

Nina: “I know I told you I ran away, but I didn’t tell you why. See, the thing is…” [she looks at the journal, pages bursting at the seam, and runs her fingers over the pages. She looks up at Eddie and swallows her fear] “The thing is, I left because of my Mom. She, er, she’s an alcoholic you see-“ [she begins tearing up and looks down at the journal. Eddie’s eyebrows furrow with concern] “And, well, long story short she got violent one night.” [struggling, a bubble in her throat, Eddie’s face begins to crumble] “When the neighbours heard and rang the police, I packed my bags while she was in jail for the night and drove all the way here.” [letting out a deep breath] “There, I finally said it.” 

[Eddie sits, blinking for a few moments, fiddling with the corner of Nina’s blanket.] 

Nina: (nervously) “Say something, Eddie.” 

Eddie: [proud, smiling gently] “Baby steps.” 

Nina: (softly) “Baby steps.” 

Eddie: (cautiously) “Is this like floor time or can I ask questions?” 

Nina: “You can ask questions.” 

Eddie: “Did you get hurt?” 

Nina: [fiddling with the journal, quiet] “She pushed me down the stairs.” 

[Eddie clenches his fingers into a fist which he hides behind his back, his bottom lip pouting, a bubble in his throat. He clears it before speaking] 

Eddie: “Has she hurt you before?” 

Nina: [looking at Eddie briefly before looking back at the journal] “Yes.” [tucking her hair behind her ear, showing the scar on her neck] “This is the worst it got.” 

Eddie: [taken aback] “What happened? You don’t have to tell me if-“ 

Nina: [pushing herself, making light of the dark topic, laughing lightly] “She threw a glass at me, it smashed against the wall and kinda ricocheted into my neck. Good aim, huh?” 

Eddie thinks back to the bbq at Steve’s house; the picture of Nina - no more than fourteen years old- smiling in the hospital bed, with no hair and stitches curving from her neck to behind her ear. 

Eddie: “Nina… I’m so sorry.” 

Nina: [picking off her nail polish, embarrassed] “That’s why this is my second time doing final year. Last year-” [Nina takes in a big breath, her speech coming out rushed] “Well, things got bad and I had to take some time out of school and-” [anxious] “Basically I dropped out, I got a job to try and save money to move out, and then I started school again in September and-” [She looks at Eddie’s face, eyes sullen with sadness and feels ill with guilt] “Then everything happened a few months ago and that’s how I ended up here…” (worried) “Is it too much? Do you want to leave? I-“ 

[Eddie immediately grabs Nina and pulls her into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her and smothering her in his chest] 

Eddie: [mumbled into her hair] “I’m not going anywhere.” 

[Nina hums happily, nuzzling herself into Eddie’s shirt] 

Nina: “Thank you, Eddie, for being so cool about everything.” 

Eddie: (softly) “Thank you for trusting me.” [he presses a kiss on her forehead] 

Nina: (hopeful) “Do you want to stay here tonight? If you don’t want to be home alone?” 

Eddie: “You think the Buckley’s will mind?” 

Nina: (grinning) “They don’t have to know.” 

[Eventually Nina falls asleep in Eddie’s arms. He lies away, mind racing, holding onto Nina tightly, protectively.] 

Eddie: [stroking Nina’s skin, whispering] “I will do everything I can to protect you.” 

Tuesday / Eddie’s trailer / 5pm 

Eddie: “One more time.” 

Nina: “No, Eddie.” 

Eddie: “Come on! Just one more try! I promise I’ll get it in this time.” 

Nina: “No! Last time you got me in the eye!” 

Eddie: “I’ll aim better this time, I promise!” 

Nina: “No! Your room is covered in peanuts! Besides, you’re supposed to be studying.” 

Eddie: (whiny) “But I’m bored!” [persistent] “You do it to me then?” 

Nina: (laughing) “No! Not since you choked and I had to give you the Heinrich.” 

Eddie: [blushing] “Yeah, that was my bad.” [huffing, dramatically spreading over the bed] “I can’t study any more, my brain hurts.” 

Nina: [chewing her pen, writing down notes] “Your brain always hurts.” 

Eddie: “Rude.” 

Nina: [closing her physics book, looking at Eddie] “Want me to test you?” 

Eddie: (cocky) “I’ve done physics three years in a row babe, I’ve got it down.” 

Nina: (cheeky) “If only you were as good at English.” 

Eddie: [flinging peanuts at her] “Also rude. Are you on your period or something?” 

Nina: [gobsmacked] “Eddie!” 

Eddie: “Has the crimson curse been bestowed upon you?” [Nina swats at him, red faced, this eggs Eddie on] “Is it shark week in the Sloan household?” [Her jaw drops, she grabs the pillow to hit Eddie, he laughs loudly, dodging her] “Is it slasher week at the video store?” 

Nina: [wrestling with Eddie] “Oh my god, Eddie! You’re such a dick! Shut up!” 

Eddie: [struggling against Nina, laughing hysterically] “Is it your strawberry week?” 

Nina: [Eddie’s forearms in her hands, he’s pinned to the bed, she looks at him confused] “Strawberry week?” 

Eddie: [grinning] “It’s Japanese.” 

Nina: [laughing] “I hate you so much.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “Nah, you love me.” 

Nina: [even more embarrassed, letting go of Eddie] “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” [she sits back on the bed] 

Eddie: [throwing peanuts in the air, finally getting in his mouth] “Nina, I did it!” [pouting] “Awh, you weren’t even looking!” 

Nina: [reading a past physics paper, focused] “Well done Eddie, good boy.” 

Eddie: [smirking] “Calling me a ‘good boy’? Are you trying to turn me on?” 

Nina: (flustered, exasperated) “You are impossible today, have you had extra sugar or something?” 

Eddie: [grinning, visibly fidgeting] “Dustin gave me sour worms at lunch.” 

Nina: “Lucky me.” 

Eddie: “Hey, Nina!” [she ignores him] “Nina!” 

Nina: [can’t hide her laughter, can’t resist him] “What?” 

Eddie: [twinkly eyed, dimples showing] “Wanna make out instead of studying?” 

Nina: [hiding her grin in her work] “Our exam is next week. We can make out once I’ve quizzed you.” 

Eddie: (sarcastically) “If in future I can get a copy of our make out schedule so I can prepare a bit better.” [Nina giggles] “Bring some gum so my breath doesn’t smell like peanuts.” 

Nina: [amused, throwing him some gum] “Have at it, Munson.” 

[Eddie’s eye’s light up, now properly paying attention, excited] 

Eddie: [pestering] “What do I get if I pass the test?” 

Nina: (dryly) “World peace, good things for the rainforest.” 

Eddie: (groaning) “You’re no fun.” [Nina looks up at him, one eyebrow raised] 

Nina: (coy) “Want to make it fun?” [Eddie looks at her confused, she pats the space between her legs] “Come sit here.” 

[Eddie cautiously shuffles over the bed, sitting cross legged in front of Nina.] 

Nina: “No baby, like this.” [she takes his shoulders and shuffles him around until his back is pressed against her chest, her legs parallel to his longer ones] “Just like that.” 

Eddie: “Wh-what are we doing?” 

Nina: [softly in his ear] “For every question you get right, you get a reward.” [lips ghosting his neck] “Is that okay?” 

Eddie: [heart racing, excitement bubbling in his stomach] “It better not be you feeding me peanuts.” [Nina giggles behind him and he smiles] 

Nina: “Better than peanuts, honey.” [she places a light kiss on Eddie’s neck, he fails to hide his shudder] “So…” [she flicks to the paper, opening the first page, Eddie shifts nervously] “A Newton is equal to what?” 

Eddie: “A kilogram-meter per second squared.” 

Nina: (surprised) “Well done, that’s right.” [she kisses his neck again, soft and slow, he gulps] “A machine performed right joules of work in two seconds. How much power is delivered by the machine?” 

Eddie: (confidently) “Four Watts.” [Eddie can feel Nina smile against the skin of his neck, he gets goosebumps] 

Nina: “That is correct.” [Nina kisses him twice down his neck; once behind his ear, nibbling it as she moves lower to the curve of his neck] “Good job. If the resultant force acting on a body of constant mass is zero, the body’s momentum is…?” 

Eddie: [biting his lip, distracted by Nina’s hand rubbing up and down his arm and back] “Erm… Can you repeat the question please?” 

Nina: (smug) “Of course.” [her nails begin to lightly scratch down Eddie’s back, he visibly shudders this time] “If the resultant force acting on a body of constant mass is zero, the body’s momentum is?” 

Eddie: (stuttering) “C-Constant.” 

Nina: (smiling) “Excellent.” (whispered in his ear) “Take your shirt off, handsome.” 

[Eddie eagerly leans forward and pulls his top off over his head then leans back into Nina’s comforting embrace] 

Nina: [in between kisses, she can feel Eddie’s racing pulse under her lips] “What important conclusion was drawn from Davisson and Germer’s experiment using scattered electrons?” 

Eddie: [breathing laboured, eyes watching Nina’s hands as her nails tease down his torso, so close to his belt] “I- Um, I-“ 

Nina: “Need a hint, baby?” 

Eddie: (breathy) “Please.” 

Nina: “The electrons formed a strong diffraction pattern.” 

Eddie: (eagerly) “The electrons acted like waves.” 

Nina: “Knew you had it in you.” [she sucks lightly into the crook of Eddie’s neck, leaving a red mark, Eddie moans softly and drops his head back onto Nina’s shoulder] “A quarter of a wavelength is equal to how many degrees of phase?” [Nina’s fingertip teases along the edge of Eddie’s boxers poking out from his jeans, his stomach tenses and he feels himself harden] 

Eddie: “Nina, please…” 

Nina: (smirking) “Do you need me to repeat the question?” 

Eddie: (desperate) “I need you to touch me.” 

Nina: (aroused but unrelenting) “I am touching you, baby.” 

Eddie: “I-“ [struggling to form words, mind racing] “Fuck, I… 90, it’s 90 degrees.” 

[Nina slides her hand under Eddie’s jeans and squeezes his hard length over his boxers, she feels him twitch in her hand] 

Eddie: (groaning) “Jesus, Nina…” 

Nina: [rubbing back and forth, Eddie tries not to buck up into her hand] “A bit of a harder question now.” [Eddie’s eyes close with restraint and frustration, he bites his lip hard] “In Bohr’s theory of the atom, what force is responsible for electrons in their orbit?” 

Eddie: “I- erm- what?” [gulping, looking down at Nina’s hand rubbing over his hardening cock, precum now staining his boxers, he groans] “Please, please… Can you, um, repeat the question?” 

Nina: “Sure.” [she kisses his neck softly still, he becomes more restless] “What force is responsible for electrons in their orbit according to Bohr’s theory of the atom?” 

Eddie: “I… it’s… Wait, I know this…” [panting, hips moving gently against Nina’s hand, he groans in frustration] “It’s the force of… the force of…” 

Nina: (teasing, soft) “The force of?” 

Eddie: [eyes screwed shut] “The force of attraction between the proton and… and…” 

Nina: “And the electron.” [Eddie lets out a sigh of relief] “Good job, baby.” [Eddie whimpers] 

Eddie: [rushed, desperate] “Please baby, touch me, I need-“ 

Nina: “Keep getting the answers right and I will, Eddie.” [He groans, stomach tensing, head flung back into the crook of Nina’s neck] “Multiple choice now. The wave nature in light is demonstrated by which of the following? Is it A,” [Nina unbuckles his belt] “The photoelectric effect? B,” [Nina unbuttons his jeans] “Colour?” [Eddie whines] “C, the speed of light?” [she unzips his jeans] “Or D?” [She grabs his hard pulsing cock under his boxers through the gap in his jeans] “Diffraction?” 

Eddie: [chest and neck reddening] “Jesus fucking Christ!” 

Nina: (cheeky) “Not the right answer Eddie, want another go?” 

Eddie: [drooling, watching Nina’s thumb rub up and down his length as she holds him] “I, erm, C, it’s C, oh fuck Nina I can’t concentrate when you do that, it’s C!” [he lifts his hips to chase her hand] 

Nina: “That’s wrong, sorry baby.” [Nina uses her hands to push Eddie’s hips back down onto the bed to still them] “We’ve just answered a question on it, think, honey.” 

Eddie: (rushed) “No, No! Don’t stop, I’m begging you, please don’t stop! [thinking hard] “D! It’s D!” 

Nina: “Good boy.” [Eddie melts into Nina] “Describe to me how a one way mirror works.” [whispered in his ear] “And lift your hips up, honey.” 

[Eddie immediately lifts his hips and Nina pulls down his jeans and boxers, exposing himself to Nina. His breath comes out in shudders and pants as she wraps her hand around him fully now.] 

Eddie: [watching how his cock leaks in her hand] “A one way mirror… a one way mirror… it, um, fuck, it works by light, or some shit.” [he wraps his hand around hers around his cock, desperate for her to move her hand] “Please Nina, I don’t know, I don’t know the answer! Please touch me, I’m so hard it hurts.” 

[Nina begins to move her hand up and down his length, Eddie releases her hand with a content sigh, body relaxing under her touch] 

Nina: (softly) “A one way mirror works by reflecting light differently depending on the light intensity of either side of the mirror. If there's no light on the other side of the mirror, there’ll be no reflection.” [kissing his neck] “Think you can remember that, baby?” 

Eddie: (moaning) “I’ll never forget it.” 

Nina: “Just a few more questions and then we’re done.” [Eddie breathes a sigh of relief] “What type of glass is the lense of a magnifying glass?” 

Eddie: “Convex.” 

Nina: (smiling) “Great!” [She moves her hand gently up and down his length, her thumb rubbing circles on the underside of his tip, causing him to moan louder] “State Coulomb’s law.” 

Eddie: [through gritted teeth, nearly in tears] “You really think I can do that right now?” 

Nina: [Letting go of Eddie’s cock] “Unless you want me to stop…?” 

Eddie: “No, no, please don’t stop!” [she holds him and begins her movements again] “It’s, I er, the electrostatic force between two point charges,” [Nina’s hand rubs over his slit, gathering the precum. She rubs his reddening head in the palm of her hand in circles, Eddie goes cross eyed]  “Oh god Nina, fu-“ [he buries his head in her neck, panting desperately] “The point charges are directly proportional to the product of their charges and… and…” [Nina speeds up her movements up and down his length, Eddie’s thighs twitch] “Oh my, fuck, Jesus Christ I-“ [through gritted teeth] “And are inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them, fuck!” 

Nina: (cooing) “I’m so proud of you baby.” 

Eddie: “Please, no more questions Nina, I can’t, I’m so close already, I-“ 

Nina: “Just one more then you can cum.” 

Eddie: [shaking, nearly at breaking point, one arm wrapping behind him to thread his fingers through Nina’s hair to keep her kissing his neck] “Nina, please!” 

Nina: (softly) “Just one more, you can do it baby.” 

Eddie: [softly to himself] “Fuck, fuck!” 

Nina: “We’ll do an easy one, since you’ve been so good.” [Eddie moans, his arm is gripping Nina’s tight as she jerks Eddie’s throbbing cock] “Define resistance in an electric circuit.” 

Eddie: (rushed) “Resistance is the opposition to the flow of an electric circuit in a conductor. It’s measured in Oh! Shit Nina I’m- ohms! It’s measured in Ohms!” 

Nina: “Eleven out of Eleven, great job honey. come here.” 

[Nina leans back on the pillows on the bed and takes Eddie with her, Eddie still encased between her legs. His body is sweaty and red, and he twists and jerks against Nina’s movements, unable to sit still as she edges him towards release.] 

Eddie: (desperate) “Kiss me, please, kiss me.” 

[Nina immediately turns herself to kiss Eddie, he moans into the kiss as her pace on his cock speeds up. His eyebrows furrow with pleasure as she bites his lip, he contorts his body around to hold Nina: face as they kiss; he clings to her desperately, melting into her. 

As they part; Eddie’s sweaty forehead and fringe is pressed against Nina’s as they look deeply into each other's eyes; Eddie’s wide pupils staring into Nina’s loving gaze. She softly pecks at his lips as he lets out a string of puffs and moans, unable to keep quiet or still.] 

Eddie: “Nina, fuck, baby, I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum, please let me- Oh fuck!” 

[Before he can stop himself, he flings his head back and moans loudly as his body tenses and he orgasms hard in Nina’s hand, his cum coating Nina’s hand and the majority of his chest. 

Nina kisses softly and gently down Eddie’s neck and shoulder as he breathes through the remainder of his orgasm. Eddie goes quiet, eyes closed, almost blacking out from the intensity from his climax.] 

Nina: (softly) “You okay, handsome?” 

Eddie: [breathless, panting, exhausted] “I love studying with you.” [he smiles as Nina giggles] 

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Twelve - Jaws (REVISED REUPLOAD)

content warnings: tooth rotting fluff, 18+ themes! Smut! (mutual masturbation, oral f!receiving, m!handjob, m!edging, softdomOC/softdom!Nina, cum eating if you squint. Mentions of stress and poor mental health. descriptions of abuse from a parent and parental alcoholism. Lovestruck couple, Eddie is a pervy awkward adorable dork and I love him. Period jokes.

Long chapter to make up for lack of uploads oops!

"Show me where the delicate stops,

Show me what you've lost, and why you're always taking it slow,

Show me what wounds you've got, show me love."

Jaws - Sleep Token

Monday / 4:45PM / The Diner

Nancy: (excited) “Sooo, tell us how the date went!” 

Nina: (shyly) “It was good.” 

Nancy: “Oh come on, we need more details than that!” 

Nina: “It was… eventful.” [Nancy and Robin raise their eyebrows, probing for more details] “We went for a picnic at the park-“ 

Robin: [interrupting] “You’re welcome.” 

Nina: “-And went on one of those little rowing boats on the lake-“ 

Nancy: (gushing) “How cute!” 

Nina: “-And Eddie fell in the lake-“ 

Robin: [rolling her eyes, amused] “How Eddie.” 

Nina: “-And then got food poisoning from a suspicious Chinese takeaway.” 

Nancy: [blinking, trying not to laugh] “Well that’s… something.” [Robin snorts while giggling] 

Nina: [mixing her milkshake with the straw] “But I liked it.” [blushing] “One of the nicest dates I’ve been on, actually.” 

Robin: (excited) “So this is it? Are Eddie and Nina finally sitting in a tree?” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes] “Very mature, Rob.” [sighing] “But yeah, I hope so.” 

Nancy: “So are you going to tell him about your Mom then?” 

Nina: (surprised) “How the hell do you know about that?” 

Robin: [arms up, defensive] “I didn’t tell her!” 

Nancy: [nonchalant, grabbing a handful of chips] “I put two and two together.” 

Robin: [teasing, nudging hips with Nancy playfully] “Ever the detective.” 

Nina: (uneasy) “I don’t know… I want to, I just don’t want to freak him out.” [self-loathing] “It’s his first relationship-type-thing, I don’t want him to run for the hills.” 

Robin: [reaching over to hold Nina’s arm comfortingly] “He wouldn’t do that, he’s crazy about you.” 

Nina: [muttering to herself] “He’s a fool for it.” 

Nancy: “We’re serious Nina, we’ve never seen him like this with anyone!” [light-hearted] “Besides, it’ll be a good thing if you tell him! Your first big serious life conversation together; you can tell a lot about a man by how he reacts to that kinda stuff!” 

Robin: [slurping her milkshake, pondering] “Isn’t it funny how you are terrified of love and don’t know how to trust, and Eddie has so much love to give but is so inexperienced and doesn’t know how to give it?” 

Nina: (sarcastic) “Gee, thanks Robin, you should be a psychologist.” 

Robin: “I’m being serious! You guys even each other out! He can teach you how to trust and you can teach Eddie how to love. You’re like yin and yang, you’re made for eachother.” [slurping her milkshake obnoxiously, deep in thought] “I should be a psychologist.” 

Nina: (teasing) “You’ve gotta be mentally sane to be a psychologist, sweetie. Maybe try a circus clown.” 

Nancy: “Or a relationship counsellor for the mentally insane.” 

Robin: [At Nina] “Seems like I’m doing a good job so far.” [Nina throws a chip at her] “Hey!” 

Wednesday / 6:30 PM / Eddie’s room

[Nina and Eddie are studying in Eddie’s room. Nina has been talking for the past ten minutes about Pythagoras Theory, but Eddie has been staring at her face, her lips, for the past ten minutes.] 

Nina: “Why are you looking at me funny?” [wiping her mouth] “Do I have chocolate on my face?” 

Eddie: (coy) “I want to kiss you again.” 

Nina: (blushing) “We’re supposed to be studying.” 

Eddie: [with a shit-eating grin] “So?” (Cheeky) “We can take a break. We’ve been working really hard.” 

Nina: (laughing) “I’ve been working really hard, you’ve been staring at me for the past ten minutes.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “Just admiring the view.” 

Nina: [can’t hide her smile] “We need to study, Eddie, you need to study.” 

Eddie: “I will once you kiss me.” 

[Nina rolls her eyes but scooches over to him, pressing a quick kiss on his lips. She pulls away and Eddie groans.] 

Eddie: “That wasn’t a proper kiss.” 

Nina: (laughing) “Eddie!” 

Eddie: (charming) “A proper kiss, then I’ll study.” 

Nina: [faking annoyance] “Fineee.” 

[Eddie cheers and slides up the bed, sitting next to Nina. He takes her face in his hand, rubbing his thumb gently over the cupid's bow of his lip, smiling down at her. 

He softly slots his lips over Nina’s, smiling when he feels her lips kiss him back. Eddie hums contently into the kiss as Nina threads her fingers through his hair.] 

Eddie: (content) “There, happy now- umph!” [Nina grabs him by the curls and brings his lips crashing back onto hers. Eddie smiles into the kiss again, it’s all teeth but they both smile and kiss happily. Both of Nina’s hands slide into Eddie’s hair and she lies back on the bed, Eddie crawls on top of her, needily chasing her lips. He pulls back, breathless, eyes wide with hunger] “Thought we were studying?” 

Nina: (grinning, sultry) “We’re taking a break, right?” 

[Eddie groans softly at her words and kisses her again. Nina slides her tongue into his mouth and they kiss deeply and passionately; Eddie’s hand glides up Nina’s thigh to grab a handful of her ass.

Nina’s hand holds his hip and side under his shirt, causing Eddie to shiver with want. He moans and pushes Nina down onto the bed, his lips trailing kisses along her jaw and neck. Nina takes in a sharp breath as Eddie bites along her collar bone, hands gripping Eddie’s hair hard, her legs spreading for him to slot himself between.] 

Nina: [breathing heavy, arousal heavy in her voice, mind dumb] “We- we should keep studying.” 

Eddie: [mumbled into her neck] “Five more minutes.” 

Nina: “Eddie… if we start, we won’t stop.” [Eddie snorts and laughs between kisses] 

Eddie: (cheeky, eager) “Then we won’t stop.” 

Nina: (giggling) “Eddie!” 

Eddie: (lustfully) “You say that like you aren’t spreading your legs for me, sweetheart.” 

[Nina pulls Eddie back by his hair harshly, he bites his lip through the pain, eyes wide, whimpering, aroused.] 

Nina: (devilishly, taunting) “Say stuff like that and I’ll make you regret it, sweetheart.” 

Eddie: (softly) “Fuck.” [He crashes his lips onto hers again and Nina giggles into the kiss] “Can’t get enough of you.” 

Thursday / 11:30PM / Eddie’s trailer

[Eddie is sitting on the couch in his pyjamas; baggy tartan bottoms and a black vest. Nina is watching him fondly, lovingly, as he watches the movie playing on the television, mindlessly strumming his guitar.] 

Nina: “Eddie?” 

Eddie: [turning to face her, smiling softly] “Yeah?” 

Nina: “Would you show me how to play guitar?” 

Eddie: (giddy) “Really? You want to?” 

Nina: (shyly) “Yeah. You make it look fun.” 

Eddie: [grinning] “Come here then.” [Nina shuffles off her end of the couch towards Eddie] 

Nina: “Um, how-?” 

Eddie: [patting his lap] “Sit here.” [Nina raises her eyebrows, he blushes, smirking] “I’m not being a perv, I promise, just trust me.” 

Nina: (nervous) “I’m kinda heavy, I’ll crush you.” 

Eddie: (pervy, mischievous) “The only heavy thing about you are those whopping great ti-“ [Nina rolls her eyes and turns to walk back to the couch, Eddie gently catches her arm before she can] “I’m kidding, I’m kidding, c’mere, just sit between my legs if you’re unsure.” 

[Nina slowly walks towards Eddie again, he lifts off his guitar so Nina can nestle between his legs. Her uneasiness is settled by the warmth of Eddie behind her, his arms wrapped around her, his long hair tickling her neck.] 

Eddie: [manoeuvring to grab his guitar again, speaking softly behind her] “Lemme just grab this.” [Eddie puts the guitar strap around both of them and sits the guitar on Nina’s lap.] 

[The space between Nina and Eddie is a lot closer than before. Her skin shivers as she feels Eddie’s carefully timed breathing on her neck. Eddie’s heart races as he notices the goosebumps on Nina’s neck and his gaze looks fondly on Nina’s face, warm with the ambient lights of the living room lamps.] 

Eddie: [after clearing his throat, softly in Nina’s ear] “So, Um, Can I?” [Nina nods and he wraps his arms around Nina, gently taking his hands in hers] “Put these fingers here.” [His larger hands guide Nina’s fingers to the chords, gently pressing them against the strings] “And hold this here,” [he puts the guitar pic in her hands, she fumbles with it before holding it against the strings] “And strum these strings here,” [he cups her hand as she gently strums the guitar, she smiles softly as the guitar hums its notes] “There, you played a G chord.” [He rests his chin on her shoulder, looking at Nina fondly as she looks down at the guitar] 

Nina: (happy, content) “Show me another one.” 

Eddie: (gently) “Move these fingers here,” [he manoeuvres Nina’s hands] “And stroke these two strings,” [He lets Nina stroke the strings without his help this time] “That’s a D chord.” 

Nina: [shuffling her hips backwards into Eddie’s, getting comfy] “Another!” [Nina feels Eddie’s arousal against her back] “Eddie, are you-?” 

Eddie: (rushed) “That’s, er, that’s not what you think it is!” [Nina looks at him amused, eyebrows raised] “Well it is, kind of, yeah I am hard but it’s,” [going pink] “It’s not a horny boner, it’s an romantic boner-“ [Nina tries to hide her laughter, eyebrows raised in amusement] “A boner of affection.” [Eddie looks at Nina desperately as she bursts into laughter, he groans and lays his forehead on her shoulder; his embarrassment turns into a smile when he hears Nina snort in her cackling laughter.] 

Nina: (teasing) “It’s okay Eddie, you give me romantic boners too.” 

Eddie: [blushing, embarrassed, hiding in her neck] “Shut up.” 

Nina: (teasing) “You give my heart a boner.” 

Eddie: (whiny) “Stop!” 

Nina: (teasing) “Is it the guitar? Or me? Or me playing the guitar?” (amused) “‘Cause if so I better put this down before it gets too R rated in here, it’s a school night.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “You, always you.” [lighthearted, staring at her shoulder, can't look her in the eye] “You think I’d be used to being constantly hard around you by now.” 

Nina: (surprised, flattered) “Really?” 

Eddie: “Oh yeah.” [voice low] “You give my heart and dick all of the boners.” [Nina snorts with laughter again then looks deeply into Eddie’s eyes. Their lips briefly brush before Nina looks at the clock, noticing the time.]

Nina: “Crap, is that the time?” [they look at the clock reading 11:52pm] “I should head home, I was meant to be home hours ago.” 

Eddie: (hopeful) “You could stay here, if you want?” [blushing] “I could drive you home in the morning.” 

Nina: (heart-warmed) “We’ve got school in the morning and I’ve got to be up earlier tomorrow.” 

Eddie: (yearning) “I could drive you home?” 

Nina: (fondly) “I drove here, silly, what about my car?” 

Eddie: [blushing] “Oh, right.” 

Nina: “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” 

Eddie: (glum) “Yeah, okay.” 

Nina: [trying to cheer him up] “And Saturday, at Steve’s? I could stay over after, if you want?” 

Eddie: (excited) “You’d want to?” [Nina nods shyly] “Yeah! I mean, yeah, that sounds cool.” 

Nina: [grabbing her bag, pressing a kiss on his cheek before heading to the door] “See you tomorrow, honey.” 

Eddie: “Wait!” [Nina turns around, confused, Eddie stands up and takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately] “There, now you can go.” [Nina smiles and reaches for the door again] “Wait!” [he shyly presses a kiss on her forehead, blushing] “Now you can really go.” 

Nina: (softly) “Goodnight, Eddie.” [She walks across the gravel to her car, waving goodbye as she drives off] 

Eddie: (sighing) “Goodnight, Nina.” [he pouts and closes the door reluctantly.] 

Saturday / 9:30pm / Steve’s house

[Eddie, Nina, Robin, Steve, Jonathan and Nancy are at Steve’s house. Nina is in the kitchen getting a drink, when Eddie comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, cuddling her from behind.] 

Nina: [jumping] “Jesus, Eddie, what are you doing?” 

Eddie: [nuzzling into her neck] “Coming to find you.” 

Nina: [grinning] “I’m right here, getting a drink of water.” 

Eddie: [kissing her cheek] “Missed you.” 

Nina: [laughing softly] “I’m only on the other couch.” 

Eddie: [showering her in kisses, she giggles] “Too far away, can’t do this when you’re on the other couch.” 

Nina: “Can’t do this here anyway, no PDA in public, you know the rules.” [Eddie huffs, pouting, not letting go] “We’ll be home in a few hours, can’t you be patient?” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “No.” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes, dragging Eddie back to the living room] “Come on.” [he groans playfully but follows her anyway]

[Nina sits beside Eddie on the couch, to his surprise. The gang continue their conversation as Nina slides her hand under the blanket between her and Eddie, taking Eddie’s hand in hers, interlocking their fingers. Eddie looks down at their covered hands and smiles contently to himself.] 

Tuesday / 8:30PM / Nina’s room 

Eddie: [walking through Nina’s bedroom door] “Hey gorgeous, Mrs Buckley let me in- Nina? Are you here?” 

Nina: “Down here.” 

Eddie: (confused) “What?” [he walks past the bed to find Nina lying on the floor staring at the ceiling, he looks at her and smiles ] “What are you doing down there?” 

Nina: “Having floor time.” 

Eddie: (amused) “And what is floor time?” 

Nina: “No questions are allowed during floor time.” 

Eddie: “Ookay…” [looks at Nina’s blank expression, becomes concerned] “Are you okay?” 

Nina: “That was a question.” [Eddie flinches, Nina softens, bottom lip threatening to quiver] “No, I don’t think I am.” [looking at Eddie] “Come lie with me?” 

[Eddie shrugs off his jacket and dumps it on the bed, walks around to Nina’s side and lies down. He turns his head to look at Nina, who is still staring at the ceiling.] 

Eddie: “I know I’m not supposed to ask questions, but do you want to talk about it?” 

Nina: (quietly) “Not yet, no thank you.” 

[Eddie pauses for a moment, contemplating] 

Eddie: “So, tell me how floor time works then.” 

Nina: “We speak in statements. Can use metaphors or scenes from movies or song lyrics or anything really to explain how we feel, but the other person can’t ask questions. And no judgement.” 

Eddie: (thoughtful) “I see.” (Contemplating) “Well today I had the burger from the canteen and it was nice, and I saw two raccoons fighting over a pretzel outside during English. Oh, and a song came on the radio that reminded me of you, so that made me happy.” 

Nina: [finally turning to look at him] “Yeah?” 

Eddie: [smiling softly at her] “Yeah.” [he tucks her hair behind her ear] “Hi, there.” 

Nina: (softly) “Hi.” 

Eddie: “Tell me about your day.” 

Nina: [looking at the ceiling again] “Played basketball in Sport which was fun. Robin got hit in the tit with the ball, which was funnier than it should have been.” [Eddie sniggers] “Had pizza for lunch which was not nice. Got a migraine in History so I got sent to the nurse.” [growing quiet] “Had a meeting with Miss Kelly.” [growing quieter still] “My mom called again this evening.” [Eddie opens his mouth to ask questions] “No questions.” 

[Eddie’s mouth closes and he looks back at the ceiling. They sit in silence for a few moments.] 

Nina: “I don’t want to talk to her. I don’t know what to say.” 

Eddie: (thoughtful) “Maybe don’t say anything until you know what to say.” 

Nina: [deeply concentrating on the ceiling] “I don’t think I have anything to say to her.” 

Eddie: “Then don’t.” [taking Nina’s hand and threading their fingers] 

Nina: “I don’t want to go back there.” 

Eddie: “California? Or to your Moms?” [catching himself] “Sorry, sorry, no questions.” 

Nina: (softly, fragile) “Both, I think.” 

Eddie: [frowning] “Then don’t. Stay here.” [booping her on the nose] “With me.” 

Nina: [smiling softly, heart warmed] “You make a compelling offer.” 

[Robin and Steve walk past Nina’s room.] 

Steve: (confused) “What are they doing?” 

Robin: (matter of fact) “Floor time, duh.” [looking at Nina proudly] “She’s growing.” 

[Steve raises his eyebrows and shrugs, they both exit.] 

Nina: “Whenever Robin and I used to call, we used to do floor time. We used to call once a fortnight and put the world to rights.” [blinking away tears, one sheds, Eddie notices] “I knew this would be a safe place to come.” 

Eddie: [now lying on his side, watching Nina] “You can tell me anything, you know? I’m here for you.” 

Nina: “I know.” 

Eddie: “I don’t think you do.” [Nina looks at him confused] “I want to know anything and everything, Nina. I want to know you at your worst so I can smile with you at your best.” [Nina’s lip quivers] “I’m here for you.” [unsure] “Right?” 

Nina: [sniffling back her tears, laughing sadly] “You’re so poetic and you don’t even try.” [Eddie grins and laughs] “Robin is wrong about you.” 

Eddie: (confused) “She is?” 

Nina: “She thinks ‘cause you’re inexperienced you don’t know how to love.” [turning on her side too] “But I think you know exactly how to love.” 

‘Cause I think I’ve finally found someone worth loving, Eddie thinks. 

[Nina looks deeply into Eddie’s eyes and kisses him passionately, tears still running down her cheeks] 

Nina: “I’m getting better, I promise, I might not look it but I am-“ 

Eddie: “Nina, you don’t have to explain anything to me-“ 

Nina: “I do! I’m, just, ugh!” [tugging her hair in frustration, sitting up now] “I’m not used to people-” [gesturing with her hands] “-caring. I don’t want you to think I don’t trust you, cause I do, I do so much Eddie!” 

Eddie: “Nina, Its okay-“ 

Nina: “I’m just not ready yet, I-“ 

Eddie: “Baby steps.” 

Nina: [panicked] “I want to, I-“ 

Eddie: “Baby steps.” 

Nina: [nodding, unsure] “Baby steps.” 

00:00AM - Nina’s room 

[Nina is lying in bed, asleep. The clock reads midnight. Nina thrashes in the moonlight of the open window, sweat drenching her body.] 

Nina: “Stop, you’re hurting me…” 

[A gust of wind blows through the room, her journal opens to a blank page.] 

[Dream sequence: 

The creaking of stairs, a shadow on the wall.

The smashing of glass, a grandfather clock chiming midnight. 

Nina: “Mom, please!” 

A thud at the bottom of the stairs, The red and blue lights against the wall. 

The blood stained glass, the blurring of time. 

Nina is standing in front of Robin’s house at midnight. The rain pours down over her head, mixing in with her tears. 

Robin: [concerned] “Nina, is that you?” [she sees Nina’s suitcase] “What’s happened?” 

Nina: [bottom lip quivering] “It got bad again.” 

Nina stands in front of Eddie’s mirror. The lights flicker above her and her Mom is screaming at her in the reflection, but no sound comes out of her mouth. 

The screaming goes from silent to progressively louder and louder, until it’s so loud the lightbulb above her explodes.

End of dream sequence.] 

[Nina wakes up with a gasp, clutching her chest. Her clammy hands grip onto the fabric of her shirt, feeling her heart beat rapidly with fear.

She lies back down and blinks away her tears, registering the dream. She holds onto her chest until she feels her heartbeat steady.] 

Nina: (croaky) “Damn it, not again…” 

[Nina stares at the ceiling waiting for sleep to come, it doesn’t.] 

01:23AM  / Eddie’s room

[Eddie is lying in his bed, strumming his guitar absentmindedly, his room aglow with the light from his alarm clock. 

He hears a gentle tapping on his window. He freezes in fear, uncertain of what the noise is. 

He gazes at his window and sees what looks to be a small rock being thrown at his window. Carefully, he climbs out of his bed and hides to the side of his window. Another rock is thrown.]

Eddie: (uncertainly) “Is someone there?” 

Nina: (whispered) “It’s me!”

Eddie: [to himself] “Nina?” [he opens his window, looking out confused to find Nina standing outside in her pyjamas] “What are you doing here?” 

Nina: (embarrassed) “I couldn’t sleep. I, erm, had a bad dream. I didn’t want to ring in case you were asleep and didn’t want to knock on the door in case Wayne was asleep.” 

Eddie: (amused) “So you thought you’d knock on my window and scare the shit out of me?” 

Nina: (bashful) “I didn’t know what to do.” (embarrassed) “This was stupid, I should go.” 

Eddie: (loudly) “Wait!” [Nina shushes him, Eddie cringes and smiles] “Come inside, it’s okay.” [Nina smiles and stands on the pile of wood outside Eddie’s window, waiting for him to let her through. Eddie looks at her amused as she holds onto the window frame] “You can use the front door, you know?” 

Nina: [smiling] “Where’s the fun in that?” [She hops through the window, her legs getting stuck as she does, causing her to tumble through the window landing with a ‘thump’ on the floor] “Oops!” 

Eddie: [watching her adoringly as she lies on the floor, hair splattered and shirt ridden up to show her stomach] “Hey there angel.” [he extends his hand out which she takes, he pulls her up] “Everything okay sweetheart?” 

Nina: (shyly) “Yeah, I’m okay.” [tugging her shirt down] “I just can’t sleep. I was just wondering if you couldn’t too.” 

Eddie: “Lucky for you, I can’t.” [smiling widely] “Come here.” [Nina climbs into bed by Eddie’s side, cuddled into his chest] “What’s on your mind?” 

Nina: (lying) “Nothing in particular, I just can’t turn my mind off.” [looking up at him lovingly] “What about you?” 

Eddie: [sighing] “Same.” [stroking her back under her shirt] “I’m glad you came to me.” 

Nina: “Me too.” 

Eddie: “I hope you can trust me with this kind of stuff more.” [kissing her forehead] “I’ll be here whenever you need me.” 

Nina: (whispered) “Thank you baby.” [nuzzling into his shirt] “You smell good.” 

Eddie: [laughing] “Thank you.” 

Nina: (quietly) “I like sleeping next to you.” 

Eddie: [smiling against Nina’s forehead] “I like sleeping next to you too.” [kissing her forehead again, hearing Nina’s breath slow and her relaxing in his arms] “I really do.” 

Thursday / The Byers’ house / 3pm 

[Nina flops down beside Eddie on the couch, bored of revising, laying her head on his lap. She sits and watches him adoringly as he talks passionately about his D&D campaign to Dustin and Mike. Nina pokes his dimple with her finger, giggling to herself.]

Eddie: [stroking her hair, amused] “You having fun down there?” 

Nina: “You have dimples.” 

Eddie: (teasing) “Observant as always.” 

Nina: “They’re cute.” 

Mike: “That’s my queue to leave.” [he walks off to find El, leaving Dustin on the couch by himself] 

Dustin: “Mike! Don’t leave me with them!” [looking at Nina and Eddie] “I’m gonna grab… something.” [he leaves the room]

Nina: “Now I’ve got you all to myself, yay.” 

Eddie: (amused) “You good?” 

Nina:  “Yeah. Happy.” 

Eddie: (smiling) “Good.” 

Nina: “You make me feel good. You make me happy.” 

Eddie: (beaming) “Good. You make me happy too.”  (concerned) “Are you sure you’re okay?” [he lightly strokes the dark bags under Nina’s eyes with his finger] “You look tired.” 

Nina: (dryly) “You sure know how to compliment a girl.” [before Eddie can interject, she responds] “I’m okay, just not sleeping well at the minute.” 

Eddie: “You can stay over whenever you want, y’know.” (joking) “I’ll even let you be the big spoon.” [Eddie grins proudly when Nina laughs] 

[Nina makes grabby hands at Eddie’s face to which he rolls his eyes, checking around the room to see if anyone is looking, before pressing a soft kiss on her lips.]

Nina: (whispered) “Thank you.” 

Friday / 5pm / Eddie’s trailer

Nina: [tugging at her hair, dropping her bag on the floor] “I’ve got biochem due on Monday and Lit due on Friday and ugh, three extra pages for my art assignment due the week after and-” 

Eddie: “Breathe.” 

Nina: [oblivious] “-And a history report due on the same day and a tonne of revising to do for Math, why does Math have to be so damn difficult.” 

Eddie: (amused) “Breathe.” 

Nina: [frustrated] “And then psychology, Jesus, psychology, Pavlov and his conditioning theories can kiss my a-” 

Eddie: (smirking) “Jesus, Nina, breathe.” [Eddie grabs Nina by the shoulders and sits her on the couch]

Nina: “I can’t breathe, I’ve got too much to do!” [Eddie rolls his eyes at Nina’s dramatic] 

Eddie: “C’mere, silly.” [He pulls her into his lap, she’s rigid at first but relaxes eventually] “You’re getting yourself worked up, you’ve got this, you know you do!” 

Nina: (whiny) “But I need to do well!” 

Eddie: (comfortingly) “And you will, you’re the smartest girl I know! You need to relax, you’re stressed.” 

Nina: (dryly) “What makes you think I’m stressed?”  

Eddie: “Your nose creases in the middle when you’re stressed, you look like a mildly annoyed bunny.” [Nina laughs and Eddie beams proudly]

Eddie: “You know what’s good for relaxing?” (whispered, smirk thick in his voice) “Orgasms.” 

Nina: (snorting) “You’re terrible.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “I know, but you love it.” [nuzzling into her ear] “You could teach me how to get you off…” 

Nina: (surprised) “Really?” 

Eddie: (shyly) “Yeah, I’d like to…” (hopeful) “Can I?” 

Nina: [wriggling in anticipation, stuttering] “Y- yes… Are you sure?”

Eddie: [lustful, head cloudy, fingers trembling with nerves] “Please.” [Eddie looks at Nina nervously, unsure where to place his hands] “I, er, can you-?”

Nina: “Eddie, come here.” [Nina stands up from her position cuddling him, much to Eddie’s disappointment] “How can I make this easier for you?” 

Eddie: [standing up too, eager, desperate but joking to ease his nerves, hiding in her neck and pressing a kiss on her shoulder, shy] “Well, I’m a visual learner.” 

[Nina laughs a loud laugh and he smiles into her skin, comforted. Nina pauses for a moment, thinking]

Nina: [aroused but shy] “Well… feel free to say no, but we could… I don’t know… I could get off and you could get off, and we could watch each other? That way we can watch what the other likes and-“ 

Eddie: [realising, excited] “You want to masturbate in front of me?” [Eddie trembles with want] “Fuck yeah, I’m down.” 

Nina: “You don’t think it’s weird or gross?” 

Eddie: (confused) “Why would I think that? I think it’s hot as fuck.” 

Nina: [shrugging] “Some people aren’t very liberal when it comes to self pleasure.” [smiling, heart racing] “Shall we go to the bedroom?” [Eddie nods enthusiastically, running to his bedroom, stripping of his belt and shoes as he does; making Nina laugh lightly] 

[Nina sits in front of Eddie on his bed. She clears her throat nervously suddenly, feeling shy under Eddie’s expectant gaze.]

Eddie: (awkwardly) “So… how do you want to do this?” 

Nina: (laughing awkwardly) “I’m not sure.” [looking at Eddie] “What do you think?” 

Eddie: “You could, erm…” [scratching his neck awkwardly, coughing, shy] “Lie back on the bed and I could watch?” 

Nina: “Sure…” [Nina leans back on the bed and beckons Eddie to join her] 

[After kissing softly for a few minutes the kiss becomes heated; hands grabbing at each other, tangling in each other's hair. 

Nina pulls Eddie’s shirt off over his head, kissing and biting his neck. His eyes flutter shut and brows furrow with restraint, chest falling and rising quickly with anticipation.

She pulls back to look deeply into his eyes as her hand slides down his torso and strokes him over the denim of his jeans. His lips part as his eyes flick between hers and her hand that strokes the outline of his hardening cock. 

Eddie bites back a moan as she teases along the hem of his jeans, slowly undoing the button and zipper. He excitedly kicks his jeans down and off onto the floor, breath ragged as Nina continues to stroke him over his boxers.]

Eddie: (breathless) “What are you doing?” 

Nina: “Watching you like this gets me wet.” [Eddie whimpers; Nina pulls his hard cock out of his boxers, wrapping her hand around him.] 

Eddie: (softly) “Oh, god.” (shyly) “Is… is he okay?” 

Nina: (confused) “He?” 

Eddie: (embarrassed) “My…. You know.” 

[Nina bites back a giggle, looking down at Eddie’s thick length in her hand. Her mouth waters at the sight, relishing at the precum leaking from his pink tip.] 

Nina: [practically purring, kissing his neck] “He’s wonderful.”

[Eddie’s arms ache while hovering over Nina, but he remains there, watching in a daze as she strokes him up and down. She rubs her thumb over his tip, softly paying attention to the pink leaking end of his cock. He buries his head in Nina’s neck as his thighs tense, overwhelmed by Nina’s touch. Nina lies underneath him, studying his reactions to her teasing touch: his parted red lips, flushed cheeks, wide glistening eyes and laboured breathing. Nina moved to take off her clothes.]

Eddie: “Wait!” [Eddie shuffles to the foot of Nina’s bed, back against the bed frame, Nina looks at him, confused] “Do it slow for me.” 

[Nina smiles shyly and sits upright in front of Eddie, slowly pulls her top off over her head. Eddie fights to stop himself from drooling at the sight of her full breasts in a black lace bra, unbuttoning her shorts to slide them down her legs. 

She leans forward into Eddie, both closing their eyes as they kiss softly again, and as she pulls back, Eddie finds her bra has been discarded somewhere on the floor. Eddie moans at the sight, reaching out to gently stroke her pierced nipples with his thumbs, cupping her breasts.

She lies back flat on the bed, legs spread apart for Eddie to see. He pulls her underwear down and off onto the floor, biting his lip at the sight of her naked in front of him.]

Eddie: “Fuck. This is so hot. You’re so beautiful.” [Nina blushes] 

[Nina goes to cross her legs but Eddie holds them open with his hands, taking the sight of her in. His mouth parted in awe, his fingers gently stroking her skin like he would the strings of his guitar.]

Nina: “You ready, baby?” 

[Eddie watches intently, wrapping his hand around his length but not moving it.]

Eddie: “Ready, princess.” 

He’d seen porn before, of course, but this felt different. Seeing Nina with her legs spread open and slick coating her felt more personal, more erotic. Knowing he caused Nina to be this turned on caused him to shiver. It awakened a desire in him that porn would never be able to compete with. His mouth watered at the sight of her. 

Eddie: (muttering to himself) “Fucking gorgeous.” 

[He slid his hand over her large breast, giving a soft squeeze, feeling himself getting harder at the sight before him. 

Nina puts on a show for Eddie, stroking her fingertips over her bare chest, along the curve of her stomach, over her hip bones, and down to her aching core. 

Eddie watches with hooded eyes, squeezing softly at his reddening tip, teasing himself. 

Nina sighs with pleasure as she slides two fingers through her wet folds, rubbing her fingers over her clit. Her eyes flutter closed, humming with content. Eddie moans softly at the wet sounds coming from Nina’s movements.]

Eddie: (amazed, aroused) “Wow, you’re soaked baby.” 

Nina: (smiling) “You turn me on, handsome.” 

[Eddie starts to slowly stroke himself up and down, watching Nina’s every move. When Nina opens her eyes her jaw drops slightly with arousal, loving the sight of Eddie pleasuring himself in front of her, over her.] 

Nina: (shy) “So, erm, this, here, is the clit. You need to be gentle, cause otherwise it can hurt.” [She shifts in the bed, making herself more comfortable, still rubbing slow circles on her clit] “Some people like it sucked, some people like it slapped or nibbled, but it’s always nice to rub it gently in circles. Soft licks with your tongue feels great too. Depending on how turned on I am, you can rub a little bit harder, faster, but I can guide you. ” 

[Eddie’s eyes go wide, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat, squeezing the head of his cock before giving a few shallow strokes focusing just on the end. He chews on his lip, watching as Nina’s chest rises and falls as she squirms from her own touch.

Nina watches intently, spurred on watching Eddie as he pants, tugging himself quicker now. Her mouth parts in awe as she watches Eddie’s head lull back, his hair sweeping across his shoulders, swallowing deeply with anticipation.]

Nina: (aroused) “So when it comes to fingering,” [Eddie’s eyes open as he studies Nina’s movements] “I usually use a toy as it gets to the spot I need, my hands are too small. But I don’t think you’ll have that problem…”  

Nina eyes Eddie’s long, thick fingers, craving them inside her. 

Eddie: [heavy lidded, licking his lips, horny, quickening his pace] “You have sex toys?” 

Nina: (flirty, teasing) “Oh honey, you don’t know the half of it.” 

[Eddie heats up at the thought, need twisting in his stomach. He imagines Nina lying in her bed late at night, crying as she came, legs shaking, mewling his name. His balls ache at the image.]

Eddie: (aroused, voice thick with want) “What do you think of when you get off, beautiful? Do you think of me?” 

Nina: (breathless) “Yes, Eddie, only you. I think of your hands - oh god your hands,” [she dips her fingers inside herself] “Your mouth, your cock deep inside me- oh god!” 

Eddie: “Jesus Christ.” [Eddie speeds up his hand movements, eyes glassy] “What else, tell me.” 

Nina: [moving her fingers faster, moaning] “I think of you pinning me down and making me cum over and over and over.” 

Eddie: [groaning, head back on the bed frame, flustered] “Fuck, Jesus, I want to so bad, you have no idea, baby.” 

Nina: [moaning louder now, back arching off the bed] “I think of you fucking me so loud and covering me in hickies so everyone knows I’m yours.” [legs beginning to shake] “Fuck, this is really is hot.” 

[Eddie pulls Nina down the bed by her thighs, draping her bent legs over his, so he has a better view of her. Nina whimpers as he uses one hand to play with her tits, the other quickly stroking over himself.]

Eddie: [biting his lip, restrained] “I’m not gonna last much longer baby, you’re killing me right now.” 

Nina: [writhing in front of him] “I’m nearly there baby, wait for me.” [She goes between quick circles on her clit and dipping her fingers inside herself, her head pushing into the pillow behind her] “Oh, fuck! Feels good, honey.” 

[Eddie edges himself towards his climax, picking up the pace and pinching his balls between his fingers as Nina moans and her legs shake over him. He slows down and grasps tightly at his heavy red leaking end to stop himself from coming too soon.]

Nina: (panting, restless) “Oh god Eddie! I’m nearly there, oh god!” 

[Eddie picks up the pace once again, almost edging himself, body tingling with want, desperate for release.]

Eddie: “Say my name when you cum baby, please.” [grabbing his balls, mind racing, babbling] “Fuck this is so hot, you’re so hot, oh my god I’m so lucky- fuck!” [his thighs tremble and balls grow taught] “Baby please, I’m so close, I want to cum so bad!”

Nina: (euphoric, glowing) “Fuck, Eddie! Fuck, fuck, fuck! Oh I’m coming baby, oh I’m coming! Eddie!” [her legs clamp shut as her thighs tremble, her hips thrusting up and down, humping her fingers inside her, moaning loudly] “Fuck! Oh my god!” 

Eddie: “Shit, shit, shit! Oh god!” [looking at Nina who is lying writhing in bed, legs shaking, coming down from her orgasm; Eddie still chasing his own, desperate] “Can I cum on your tits? Please?” 

[Nina spreads her legs and pulls Eddie towards him; him kneeling between her parted thighs. She wraps her wet hand around his length, making Eddie’s eyes go wide, firmly stroking him towards his climax.]

Nina: [breathless, pupils dilated, aroused] “Cum on me, baby.”  

[Eddie throws his head back with a loud groan, cum soaking Nina’s hand, her hip bones, stomach and tits. His thighs shake and he flops back on the bed, exhausted.] 

Eddie: (panting) “Shit, that was amazing.” [looking at Nina, lovestruck] “You’re amazing.” [Nina smirks as she picks up some of Eddie’s cum on her fingers and sucks them into her mouth, Eddie’s eyes widen with arousal] “You’re the devil woman.” [Nina giggles] 

Nina: “Satisfied, Munson?” 

Eddie: “You’ve blown my mind.” [grinning at her, looking at her cum soaked naked body] “Jesus, I don’t think I’ve ever cum so much in my life.” [lustfully, determined, eyes glossy] “Show me how to do it, I want to do it.” 

Nina: (breathless) “You want to try?” 

Eddie: (voice thick) “Please baby.” [looking deeply into her eyes] “You think you can cum again for me?” 

[Nina nods feebly as Eddie moves once again between Nina’s spread legs. He wipes two fingers through her wet pussy like Nina did before gently pushing his thumb inside her. 

She shivers at the feeling as he pulls his thumb out and rubs circles on her clit like she did before.]

Eddie: (aroused) “Like this?” 

Nina: (breathless) “Yeah.” 

[Using his other hand he slowly pumps two fingers in and out of her, waiting for further instruction. Nina lies on the bed, chest heaving, watching Eddie who looks irresistible with glowing skin and wild hair.]

Nina: (sighing contently) “Just like that, baby.” 

Eddie: (lustfully) “Does that feel good?”

Nina: (growing desperate) “Yeah, that feels good. Curl your fingers inwards just a little bit.” 

Eddie: [eyes glued on Nina] “Like this?” 

[Eddie smiles proudly, eagerly as Nina’s hips raise from the bed, her head pushing back into the pillows as she moans.]

Nina: “Yeah, just like that honey!” 

[Eddie pumps his fingers in and out of her slowly, using his other hand to gently rub  her clit, wanting to take his time. He relishes in the way she squirms underneath him.] 

Eddie: (lustfully) “Play with your tits for me, baby.” 

[Eddie bites his lip as she plays with her tits and her thighs tremble, loving how she responds to his touch whilst being covered in his cum.]

Eddie: “God you’re so beautiful, I’ve dreamed of seeing you like this- so perfect for me. You’re so wet for me. Been dying to taste you, Christ I wanna taste you.” 

[Eddie confidently dips his head down and licks a bold stripe up her core, tongue lapping over her clit. Nina whines, hands threading through his hair and knees buckling, as he picks up the pace with his fingers.]

Eddie: [determined, eyes glossy] “This okay?” 

Nina: (loud, unashamed) “God Eddie, yes just like that!” 

[Eddie groans against her as she tugs his hair harshly, he pins her down and licks determinedly over her clit, rubbing that sweet spot inside her that had tears forming in her eyes.]

Nina: [voice and legs shaking] “Eddie, Eddie baby, I’m so close, oh my god! Oh please! Oh fuck! Oh, I’m gonna come, Oh I’m coming!” 

[Nina throws her head back in pleasure, her mouth forming an ‘O’ as she climaxes again, her legs shaking violently as she chants a chorus of “yes”, “fuck”, and Eddie’s name. She claws at his shoulders and tugs at his hair making him groan with lust.

They flop down beside each other on the bed, panting hard.]

Nina: (hazy, laughing lightly) “You’re a fast learner.” 

Eddie: (relieved) “I had a great teacher.” 

[Nina laughs in response. Eddie rests his head on hers, smiling wildly.

Eddie gets up to grab a towel to clean them both off then returns to her side, cuddling into her chest.]

Eddie: “You feel less stressed now?” 

Nina: (smiling) “Oh, definitely. Though I suppose we should revise for exams and shit now since we gave up early this afternoon.”

Eddie: (whining) “Oh, come on!” (Dramatically) “You can’t make me cum like that and then expect me to do work!” 

Nina: (laughing) “Positive reinforcement baby.” [Winking] “You’d know if you studied psychology.” 

[Eddie whines when Nina tries to move him off her. She smiles and cuddles back into him, kissing each other softly in their post-orgasm haze.] 

Nina: (unsure) “Eddie… there’s something I kinda wanted to talk to you about.” 

Eddie: (filled with dread) “Oh god, don’t tell me I did it wrong…” 

Nina: “No, no! That was perfect. It’s, just, uh…” 

Eddie: “Yeah?” 

Nina: (smiling softly) “Nevermind.” [cuddling back into Eddie] “Just wanna lay here with you for a while.” 

Sunday / 9:30 PM / Nina’s house 

[Nina is sitting on her bed, blow drying her hair. She hears a tap at the window, looks at the window in confusion, but when she finds nothing, continues to dry her hair. 

A second knock is heard against the window. She sets the hair dryer down and looks out the window.] 

Eddie: “Ppst!” 

Nina: (confused) “Hello?” 

Eddie: “Ppst?” 

Nina: “Eddie? Is that you?” 

Eddie: [from behind a bush in the garden, muffled] “Am I really that predictable?” 

Nina: (snorting) “Yes.” [Eddie reveals himself from behind the bush, grinning] “What are you doing here? It’s late.” 

Eddie: “I’m bored. Thought I’d take a leaf out of your book and climb your window.” 

Nina: “Oh I see how it is, come on over whenever you feel like, let Nina the rodeo clown entertain you?” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “Pretty much, yeah.” 

Nina: [rolling her eyes] “Come on up.” 

[Eddie climbs up the lattice and through Nina’s window] 

Eddie: (charming) “Hi.” 

Nina: (softly) “Hey stranger.” 

[Eddie pulls Nina into a tight hug. He nuzzles himself into the side of her neck, inhaling her freshly washed hair] 

Eddie: (muffled) “Just wanted to see you. I won’t stay long.” 

Nina: “You okay?” 

Eddie: “Yeah, I just want your company. The trailer gets a bit lonely when you’re by yourself a lot.” 

Nina: (smiling) “Stay as long as you want. We have to be quiet though, I think Mr and Mrs Buckley are asleep.” 

Eddie: (teasing)  “At nine thirty? What a wild life they’re living.” 

Nina: [nudging him playfully] “Just ‘cause you’re nocturnal doesn’t mean the rest of Hawkins is.” 

Eddie: [leaping on Nina’s bed, snuggling under her duvet, she rolls her eyes] “Maybe I wouldn’t be nocturnal if I had a bed like this, Jesus it’s comfy.” [Eddie shuffles over something hard] “What’s this?” [he pulls out Nina’s journal] 

Nina: [snatching it off Eddie] “Nothing!” [he looks at her with raised eyebrows, teasing] “Fine, it’s my journal.” [she looks down at the nearly full journal, embarrassed] “Miss Kelly is making me do it.” [scratching the paper with her nail, nervous] “Kinda like a written therapy thing, I don’t know, it’s kinda stupid.” 

Eddie: “It’s not stupid.” (Cheeky) “Am I in it?” 

Nina: [blushing, trying to hide her smile] “Maybe.” 

Eddie: [eyes glittering, winking] “All good things I hope.” 

Nina: (proudly) “Always.” (nervous) “There’s actually something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.” 

Eddie: “Shoot.” 

Nina: (timidly) “About why I left Cali.” 

Eddie: (cautiously) “Okay…” 

Nina: “I know I told you I ran away, but I didn’t tell you why. See, the thing is…” [she looks at the journal, pages bursting at the seam, and runs her fingers over the pages. She looks up at Eddie and swallows her fear] “The thing is, I left because of my Mom. She, er, she’s an alcoholic you see-“ [she begins tearing up and looks down at the journal. Eddie’s eyebrows furrow with concern] “And, well, long story short she got violent one night.” [struggling, a bubble in her throat, Eddie’s face begins to crumble] “When the neighbours heard and rang the police, I packed my bags while she was in jail for the night and drove all the way here.” [letting out a deep breath] “There, I finally said it.” 

[Eddie sits, blinking for a few moments, fiddling with the corner of Nina’s blanket.] 

Nina: (nervously) “Say something, Eddie.” 

Eddie: [proud, smiling gently] “Baby steps.” 

Nina: (softly) “Baby steps.” 

Eddie: (cautiously) “Is this like floor time or can I ask questions?” 

Nina: “You can ask questions.” 

Eddie: “Did you get hurt?” 

Nina: [fiddling with the journal, quiet] “She pushed me down the stairs.” 

[Eddie clenches his fingers into a fist which he hides behind his back, his bottom lip pouting, a bubble in his throat. He clears it before speaking] 

Eddie: “Has she hurt you before?” 

Nina: [looking at Eddie briefly before looking back at the journal] “Yes.” [tucking her hair behind her ear, showing the scar on her neck] “This is the worst it got.” 

Eddie: [taken aback] “What happened? You don’t have to tell me if-“ 

Nina: [pushing herself, making light of the dark topic, laughing lightly] “She threw a glass at me, it smashed against the wall and kinda ricocheted into my neck. Good aim, huh?” 

Eddie thinks back to the bbq at Steve’s house; the picture of Nina - no more than fourteen years old- smiling in the hospital bed, with no hair and stitches curving from her neck to behind her ear. 

Eddie: “Nina… I’m so sorry.” 

Nina: [picking off her nail polish, embarrassed] “That’s why this is my second time doing final year. Last year-” [Nina takes in a big breath, her speech coming out rushed] “Well, things got bad and I had to take some time out of school and-” [anxious] “Basically I dropped out, I got a job to try and save money to move out, and then I started school again in September and-” [She looks at Eddie’s face, eyes sullen with sadness and feels ill with guilt] “Then everything happened a few months ago and that’s how I ended up here…” (worried) “Is it too much? Do you want to leave? I-“ 

[Eddie immediately grabs Nina and pulls her into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her and smothering her in his chest] 

Eddie: [mumbled into her hair] “I’m not going anywhere.” 

[Nina hums happily, nuzzling herself into Eddie’s shirt] 

Nina: “Thank you, Eddie, for being so cool about everything.” 

Eddie: (softly) “Thank you for trusting me.” [he presses a kiss on her forehead] 

Nina: (hopeful) “Do you want to stay here tonight? If you don’t want to be home alone?” 

Eddie: “You think the Buckley’s will mind?” 

Nina: (grinning) “They don’t have to know.” 

[Eventually Nina falls asleep in Eddie’s arms. He lies away, mind racing, holding onto Nina tightly, protectively.] 

Eddie: [stroking Nina’s skin, whispering] “I will do everything I can to protect you.” 

Tuesday / Eddie’s trailer / 5pm 

Eddie: “One more time.” 

Nina: “No, Eddie.” 

Eddie: “Come on! Just one more try! I promise I’ll get it in this time.” 

Nina: “No! Last time you got me in the eye!” 

Eddie: “I’ll aim better this time, I promise!” 

Nina: “No! Your room is covered in peanuts! Besides, you’re supposed to be studying.” 

Eddie: (whiny) “But I’m bored!” [persistent] “You do it to me then?” 

Nina: (laughing) “No! Not since you choked and I had to give you the Heinrich.” 

Eddie: [blushing] “Yeah, that was my bad.” [huffing, dramatically spreading over the bed] “I can’t study any more, my brain hurts.” 

Nina: [chewing her pen, writing down notes] “Your brain always hurts.” 

Eddie: “Rude.” 

Nina: [closing her physics book, looking at Eddie] “Want me to test you?” 

Eddie: (cocky) “I’ve done physics three years in a row babe, I’ve got it down.” 

Nina: (cheeky) “If only you were as good at English.” 

Eddie: [flinging peanuts at her] “Also rude. Are you on your period or something?” 

Nina: [gobsmacked] “Eddie!” 

Eddie: “Has the crimson curse been bestowed upon you?” [Nina swats at him, red faced, this eggs Eddie on] “Is it shark week in the Sloan household?” [Her jaw drops, she grabs the pillow to hit Eddie, he laughs loudly, dodging her] “Is it slasher week at the video store?” 

Nina: [wrestling with Eddie] “Oh my god, Eddie! You’re such a dick! Shut up!” 

Eddie: [struggling against Nina, laughing hysterically] “Is it your strawberry week?” 

Nina: [Eddie’s forearms in her hands, he’s pinned to the bed, she looks at him confused] “Strawberry week?” 

Eddie: [grinning] “It’s Japanese.” 

Nina: [laughing] “I hate you so much.” 

Eddie: (cheeky) “Nah, you love me.” 

Nina: [even more embarrassed, letting go of Eddie] “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” [she sits back on the bed] 

Eddie: [throwing peanuts in the air, finally getting in his mouth] “Nina, I did it!” [pouting] “Awh, you weren’t even looking!” 

Nina: [reading a past physics paper, focused] “Well done Eddie, good boy.” 

Eddie: [smirking] “Calling me a ‘good boy’? Are you trying to turn me on?” 

Nina: (flustered, exasperated) “You are impossible today, have you had extra sugar or something?” 

Eddie: [grinning, visibly fidgeting] “Dustin gave me sour worms at lunch.” 

Nina: “Lucky me.” 

Eddie: “Hey, Nina!” [she ignores him] “Nina!” 

Nina: [can’t hide her laughter, can’t resist him] “What?” 

Eddie: [twinkly eyed, dimples showing] “Wanna make out instead of studying?” 

Nina: [hiding her grin in her work] “Our exam is next week. We can make out once I’ve quizzed you.” 

Eddie: (sarcastically) “If in future I can get a copy of our make out schedule so I can prepare a bit better.” [Nina giggles] “Bring some gum so my breath doesn’t smell like peanuts.” 

Nina: [amused, throwing him some gum] “Have at it, Munson.” 

[Eddie’s eye’s light up, now properly paying attention, excited] 

Eddie: [pestering] “What do I get if I pass the test?” 

Nina: (dryly) “World peace, good things for the rainforest.” 

Eddie: (groaning) “You’re no fun.” [Nina looks up at him, one eyebrow raised] 

Nina: (coy) “Want to make it fun?” [Eddie looks at her confused, she pats the space between her legs] “Come sit here.” 

[Eddie cautiously shuffles over the bed, sitting cross legged in front of Nina.] 

Nina: “No baby, like this.” [she takes his shoulders and shuffles him around until his back is pressed against her chest, her legs parallel to his longer ones] “Just like that.” 

Eddie: “Wh-what are we doing?” 

Nina: [softly in his ear] “For every question you get right, you get a reward.” [lips ghosting his neck] “Is that okay?” 

Eddie: [heart racing, excitement bubbling in his stomach] “It better not be you feeding me peanuts.” [Nina giggles behind him and he smiles] 

Nina: “Better than peanuts, honey.” [she places a light kiss on Eddie’s neck, he fails to hide his shudder] “So…” [she flicks to the paper, opening the first page, Eddie shifts nervously] “A Newton is equal to what?” 

Eddie: “A kilogram-meter per second squared.” 

Nina: (surprised) “Well done, that’s right.” [she kisses his neck again, soft and slow, he gulps] “A machine performed right joules of work in two seconds. How much power is delivered by the machine?” 

Eddie: (confidently) “Four Watts.” [Eddie can feel Nina smile against the skin of his neck, he gets goosebumps] 

Nina: “That is correct.” [Nina kisses him twice down his neck; once behind his ear, nibbling it as she moves lower to the curve of his neck] “Good job. If the resultant force acting on a body of constant mass is zero, the body’s momentum is…?” 

Eddie: [biting his lip, distracted by Nina’s hand rubbing up and down his arm and back] “Erm… Can you repeat the question please?” 

Nina: (smug) “Of course.” [her nails begin to lightly scratch down Eddie’s back, he visibly shudders this time] “If the resultant force acting on a body of constant mass is zero, the body’s momentum is?” 

Eddie: (stuttering) “C-Constant.” 

Nina: (smiling) “Excellent.” (whispered in his ear) “Take your shirt off, handsome.” 

[Eddie eagerly leans forward and pulls his top off over his head then leans back into Nina’s comforting embrace] 

Nina: [in between kisses, she can feel Eddie’s racing pulse under her lips] “What important conclusion was drawn from Davisson and Germer’s experiment using scattered electrons?” 

Eddie: [breathing laboured, eyes watching Nina’s hands as her nails tease down his torso, so close to his belt] “I- Um, I-“ 

Nina: “Need a hint, baby?” 

Eddie: (breathy) “Please.” 

Nina: “The electrons formed a strong diffraction pattern.” 

Eddie: (eagerly) “The electrons acted like waves.” 

Nina: “Knew you had it in you.” [she sucks lightly into the crook of Eddie’s neck, leaving a red mark, Eddie moans softly and drops his head back onto Nina’s shoulder] “A quarter of a wavelength is equal to how many degrees of phase?” [Nina’s fingertip teases along the edge of Eddie’s boxers poking out from his jeans, his stomach tenses and he feels himself harden] 

Eddie: “Nina, please…” 

Nina: (smirking) “Do you need me to repeat the question?” 

Eddie: (desperate) “I need you to touch me.” 

Nina: (aroused but unrelenting) “I am touching you, baby.” 

Eddie: “I-“ [struggling to form words, mind racing] “Fuck, I… 90, it’s 90 degrees.” 

[Nina slides her hand under Eddie’s jeans and squeezes his hard length over his boxers, she feels him twitch in her hand] 

Eddie: (groaning) “Jesus, Nina…” 

Nina: [rubbing back and forth, Eddie tries not to buck up into her hand] “A bit of a harder question now.” [Eddie’s eyes close with restraint and frustration, he bites his lip hard] “In Bohr’s theory of the atom, what force is responsible for electrons in their orbit?” 

Eddie: “I- erm- what?” [gulping, looking down at Nina’s hand rubbing over his hardening cock, precum now staining his boxers, he groans] “Please, please… Can you, um, repeat the question?” 

Nina: “Sure.” [she kisses his neck softly still, he becomes more restless] “What force is responsible for electrons in their orbit according to Bohr’s theory of the atom?” 

Eddie: “I… it’s… Wait, I know this…” [panting, hips moving gently against Nina’s hand, he groans in frustration] “It’s the force of… the force of…” 

Nina: (teasing, soft) “The force of?” 

Eddie: [eyes screwed shut] “The force of attraction between the proton and… and…” 

Nina: “And the electron.” [Eddie lets out a sigh of relief] “Good job, baby.” [Eddie whimpers] 

Eddie: [rushed, desperate] “Please baby, touch me, I need-“ 

Nina: “Keep getting the answers right and I will, Eddie.” [He groans, stomach tensing, head flung back into the crook of Nina’s neck] “Multiple choice now. The wave nature in light is demonstrated by which of the following? Is it A,” [Nina unbuckles his belt] “The photoelectric effect? B,” [Nina unbuttons his jeans] “Colour?” [Eddie whines] “C, the speed of light?” [she unzips his jeans] “Or D?” [She grabs his hard pulsing cock under his boxers through the gap in his jeans] “Diffraction?” 

Eddie: [chest and neck reddening] “Jesus fucking Christ!” 

Nina: (cheeky) “Not the right answer Eddie, want another go?” 

Eddie: [drooling, watching Nina’s thumb rub up and down his length as she holds him] “I, erm, C, it’s C, oh fuck Nina I can’t concentrate when you do that, it’s C!” [he lifts his hips to chase her hand] 

Nina: “That’s wrong, sorry baby.” [Nina uses her hands to push Eddie’s hips back down onto the bed to still them] “We’ve just answered a question on it, think, honey.” 

Eddie: (rushed) “No, No! Don’t stop, I’m begging you, please don’t stop! [thinking hard] “D! It’s D!” 

Nina: “Good boy.” [Eddie melts into Nina] “Describe to me how a one way mirror works.” [whispered in his ear] “And lift your hips up, honey.” 

[Eddie immediately lifts his hips and Nina pulls down his jeans and boxers, exposing himself to Nina. His breath comes out in shudders and pants as she wraps her hand around him fully now.] 

Eddie: [watching how his cock leaks in her hand] “A one way mirror… a one way mirror… it, um, fuck, it works by light, or some shit.” [he wraps his hand around hers around his cock, desperate for her to move her hand] “Please Nina, I don’t know, I don’t know the answer! Please touch me, I’m so hard it hurts.” 

[Nina begins to move her hand up and down his length, Eddie releases her hand with a content sigh, body relaxing under her touch] 

Nina: (softly) “A one way mirror works by reflecting light differently depending on the light intensity of either side of the mirror. If there's no light on the other side of the mirror, there’ll be no reflection.” [kissing his neck] “Think you can remember that, baby?” 

Eddie: (moaning) “I’ll never forget it.” 

Nina: “Just a few more questions and then we’re done.” [Eddie breathes a sigh of relief] “What type of glass is the lense of a magnifying glass?” 

Eddie: “Convex.” 

Nina: (smiling) “Great!” [She moves her hand gently up and down his length, her thumb rubbing circles on the underside of his tip, causing him to moan louder] “State Coulomb’s law.” 

Eddie: [through gritted teeth, nearly in tears] “You really think I can do that right now?” 

Nina: [Letting go of Eddie’s cock] “Unless you want me to stop…?” 

Eddie: “No, no, please don’t stop!” [she holds him and begins her movements again] “It’s, I er, the electrostatic force between two point charges,” [Nina’s hand rubs over his slit, gathering the precum. She rubs his reddening head in the palm of her hand in circles, Eddie goes cross eyed]  “Oh god Nina, fu-“ [he buries his head in her neck, panting desperately] “The point charges are directly proportional to the product of their charges and… and…” [Nina speeds up her movements up and down his length, Eddie’s thighs twitch] “Oh my, fuck, Jesus Christ I-“ [through gritted teeth] “And are inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them, fuck!” 

Nina: (cooing) “I’m so proud of you baby.” 

Eddie: “Please, no more questions Nina, I can’t, I’m so close already, I-“ 

Nina: “Just one more then you can cum.” 

Eddie: [shaking, nearly at breaking point, one arm wrapping behind him to thread his fingers through Nina’s hair to keep her kissing his neck] “Nina, please!” 

Nina: (softly) “Just one more, you can do it baby.” 

Eddie: [softly to himself] “Fuck, fuck!” 

Nina: “We’ll do an easy one, since you’ve been so good.” [Eddie moans, his arm is gripping Nina’s tight as she jerks Eddie’s throbbing cock] “Define resistance in an electric circuit.” 

Eddie: (rushed) “Resistance is the opposition to the flow of an electric circuit in a conductor. It’s measured in Oh! Shit Nina I’m- ohms! It’s measured in Ohms!” 

Nina: “Eleven out of Eleven, great job honey. come here.” 

[Nina leans back on the pillows on the bed and takes Eddie with her, Eddie still encased between her legs. His body is sweaty and red, and he twists and jerks against Nina’s movements, unable to sit still as she edges him towards release.] 

Eddie: (desperate) “Kiss me, please, kiss me.” 

[Nina immediately turns herself to kiss Eddie, he moans into the kiss as her pace on his cock speeds up. His eyebrows furrow with pleasure as she bites his lip, he contorts his body around to hold Nina: face as they kiss; he clings to her desperately, melting into her. 

As they part; Eddie’s sweaty forehead and fringe is pressed against Nina’s as they look deeply into each other's eyes; Eddie’s wide pupils staring into Nina’s loving gaze. She softly pecks at his lips as he lets out a string of puffs and moans, unable to keep quiet or still.] 

Eddie: “Nina, fuck, baby, I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum, please let me- Oh fuck!” 

[Before he can stop himself, he flings his head back and moans loudly as his body tenses and he orgasms hard in Nina’s hand, his cum coating Nina’s hand and the majority of his chest. 

Nina kisses softly and gently down Eddie’s neck and shoulder as he breathes through the remainder of his orgasm. Eddie goes quiet, eyes closed, almost blacking out from the intensity from his climax.] 

Nina: (softly) “You okay, handsome?” 

Eddie: [breathless, panting, exhausted] “I love studying with you.” [he smiles as Nina giggles] 

Next chapter: Chapter Thirteen - Do you wish that you loved me?

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Eleven - Lay all your love on me

Content warnings: Awkward first date (cute though!), brief mentions of trauma, Eddie flashback (okay, a lot of trauma for Eddie, oops!), goofy idiots in love, lots of sexual tension, smut! dirty talk kinda, thigh riding, hand kink / oral fixation kinda? thumb sucking lol. Praise kink, use of "good girl" , possession kink, public sexual activities / voyeurism, untouched m!orgasm (cause I'm a simp for simp Eddie), brief mention of vomiting.

"Don't go wasting your emotion, lay all your love on me,

Don't go sharing your devotion, lay all your love on me."

Lay your love on me - Abba

Saturday / Forest Hills Trailer Park / 12:30pm

[Eddie sways into his bedroom, towel hung low on his hips, humming along to the music playing on his stereo. He closes the door with his hip, dancing along to the music as he runs another towel through his drying hair.] 

Eddie: “Mmm-Mmm-Mhm, Oh yeah, mmm, pow!” [He dramatically throws his towels to the floor, dancing sassily around his room naked] “Mmm-hmm-Mhm, yeah!” 

[Eddie yanks open his drawers and pulls on a pair of underwear and jeans. Continuing to hum to himself he haphazardly opens another draw, looking at his shirts. 

His Hellfire shirt is shoved in the back of the drawer, unworn but clean since Nina had stayed over. He looks at it, contemplating, deep in thought. He looks at his recent favourite Black Sabbath shirt and goes to pick it up. His fingers still, as he looks back at the Hellfire shirt.]

Eddie: [quietly, to himself] “Hellfire or Sabbath, Hellfire or Sabbath, Hellfire or Sabbath. Damn it, just pick one!” 

[Eddie picks up the Hellfire shirt] 

Eddie: [smiling softly] “Hello, old friend.” 

[He pulls the shirt over his head, sprays deodorant and cologne, and pulls on his socks and shoes. Looking at the time, his eyes widen, and he runs out of his room to the kitchen, grabbing his keys on the way.] 

Wayne: [calling out from the living room] “Go get her, son!”  Eddie: “Thanks Wayne!” [bending down to tie his shoes] “Any words of advice?”  Wayne: “Just be yourself!”  Eddie: [smirking] “Garbage advice, Wayne!” [running out the door] “Don’t wait up!” 

[Eddie jumps in his van and speeds to Nina and Robin’s house.] 

Robin: [perfecting Nina’s hair] “And what are we going to do?”  Nina: [nervous] “Be myself. Not panic.”  Robin: “Good, and what are we not going to do?”  Nina: [rhetorical, uneasy]  “Be a messy, disastrous basket case?”  Robin: [wincing, sarcastic] “Needs work but it’ll do.” [smacking Nina on the ass as she walks out the front door] “Go get ‘em tiger!” 

[Nina rolls her eyes and closes the front door. As she turns around, she sees Eddie on the front door step, hand extended ready to knock on the door.] 

Nina: (shy) “Hi, Eddie.”  Eddie: (warmly) “Hey, gorgeous.” [looking at her up and down, smiling] “You look beautiful.”  Nina: [nervously] “Thanks, you too- I mean, you look h-handsome, you look good.” [she closes her eyes, embarrassed] “Fuck.” [smiling] “Sorry, I’m a little nervous.”  Eddie: (teasingly) “It’s okay, I know I look beautiful.” [Nina blushes, Eddie relishes in it] “Ready to go?”  Nina: [patting her backpack full of snacks, cheeky] “Ready when you are, beautiful.” 

[Eddie and Nina sing along to a mixtape Eddie made - the one he promised Nina he would make- for an hour while driving to a small village outside of Hawkins. Eddie lies down the picnic blanket he bought especially for the occasion, offering Nina his hand with a courtesy to sit down. They sit under a tree, unpacking their food.] 

Nina: (sweetly) “Ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly?”  Eddie: “Peanut butter and jelly please.”  Nina: [handing him a sandwich, looking around curiously] “So, how do you know about this place?”  Eddie: [looking around, smiling] “My mom used to take me here when I was little.” [pointing at the park] “She used to push me on the swings there.” [pointing at the river] “And we used to feed the ducks there. And a secret third thing which will be revealed later.”  Nina: (teasing) "Ooh that’s ominous, I’ll refrain from asking questions since it’ll ruin the mystery.”  Eddie: (teasing her back) “Hey, you’re learning!” [Nina rolls her eyes and swats him playfully]  Nina: [smiling to herself, eating her sandwich] “I can just imagine little Eddie running around playing in the park. I bet you were a little terror.”  Eddie: (cheeky) “I’ll have you know I was a darling little angel as a child.”  Nina: (scoffing, cheeky) “What changed then?”  Eddie: [mock offence] “Hey! I’m still a darling little angel.”  Nina: (teasing) “Says the Satanist cult leader of Hawkins.”  Eddie: (laughing) “You got me on that one!”  ---------------------------------------------------

Nina: [lying back on the blanket, pointing up at the sky] “That cloud looks like a bat.”  Eddie: [smug, amused] “I think it looks like a cloud.”  Nina: [sarcastic, light-hearted] “You know, when you graduate you should seriously consider a career in comedy, you’re so funny Eddie.”  Eddie: [cheeky] “Or a cloud designer.”  Nina: [rolling her eyes but can’t help but smile] “You’re impossible.”  Eddie: [pointing up] “That one looks like a dolphin.”  Nina: “Where?” [she shuffles closer to Eddie, resting her head on his shoulder, his stomach flips] “Oh yeah, it does!” 

[Eddie squeaks with happiness as Nina lies down on him, he tries to cover it with a cough] 

Nina: (confused) “What was that noise?”  Eddie: [trying to play it off, embarrassed] “What noise? I didn’t hear any noise.”  Nina: (grinning) “You made a weird squeaking sound.”  Eddie: [dismissive, voice squeaky with nerves] “No I didn’t.”  Nina: “You’re doing it now!” [loving how embarrassed Eddie is] “What’s up with you?”  Eddie: [flushed, nervous] “You just lay your head on me, I thought it was cute.” [Nina grins harder] “And my body betrayed me and decided to embarrass me ‘cause… yeah…”  Nina: (teasingly) “Cute.” [she rests her head on Eddie’s shoulder again, smiling] “Should I expect squeaking sounds every time I touch you?”  Eddie: (cheeky) “Depends on how you’re touching me.”  Nina: [swatting him playfully] “Perv.” 

[Eddie blushes and presses a gentle kiss on the top of her head, inhaling her coconut shampoo and smiles to himself. Nina smiles as she feels the kiss on her head.] 

Nina: [Nina notices Eddie’s Hellfire shirt] “Hey, that’s my shirt!” [Eddie looks at her, confused] “That’s my sleepover shirt.”  Eddie: “Oh, yeah, uh, I made it a few years back.” (blushing) “I don’t wear it very often anymore.”  Nina: (flirty) “You should, it looks good on you.” [curious] “I’ve seen the rest of Hellfire wear that shirt but I’ve never seen you wear one. It suits you.”  Eddie: (flirty) “Really? Cause I think it looks much better on you.” [whispering in her ear] “Especially when it’s the only thing you wear.” [a shiver runs down Nina’s spine]  Nina: “Again, perv.”  Eddie: (cheeky) “Can’t help it, I’ve got a gorgeous girl lying on me who is feeding me sandwiches and cookies, I’m happy.”  Nina: (curious) “Why don’t you wear it anymore?”  Eddie: “Well…” 

Flashback - January / the trailer park / 8pm 

Wayne: “Right I’m off to work, I’ll see you in the- Eddie, you okay?” 

[Eddie is lying in bed, covers pulled high over his shoulders, glumly watching the snow outside.] 

Eddie: (flatly) “I’m fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”  Wayne: (concerned) “Not feeling well?”  Eddie: [tearing up] “I-“ [he clears his throat of his tears, stubborn] “I’m fine. Just tired.”  Wayne: [after pause, trying to uplift him] “You’ve got band practice tonight, right?”  Eddie: (quietly) “I’m not going.”  Wayne: “I see.”  [struggling] “Why don’t you give Dustin a ring? I know he’d love to help you with your new campaign.”  Eddie: “I scrapped the campaign.”  Wayne: (defeated) “Is there anything I can do?”  Eddie: [with a fake smile] “It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” (Gently) “I’ll see you in the morning.”  Wayne: [torn] “You know where I am if you need me.” [Wayne exits the trailer] 

[Eddie sighs, watching the snow fall. It reminds him of the ash falling from the sky in the upside down.] 

Eddie: [sighing sadly, tearing up again] “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you, Chrissy.” 

[Eddie’s tears turn to anger. He looks around his room, enraged at the metal band posters, the D&D figurines, the clutter and chaos. He wants to tear his room to shreds. 

He begins heaving with anger. His trembling hands push everything off his desk onto the floor, he crumples up his bedding and tosses it across the room, he empties his clothes from his drawers onto the floor. 

The Hellfire shirt takes his eye. He snatches it and storms outside, picking up a bottle of whisky from the kitchen counter. 

He wrenches open the trailer door, slamming it behind him. The cold snow nips at his skin, aching the scars on his torso. This only fuels him more. 

He pours the whisky into the metal trash can and flicks a lit match into the bin. Flames woosh into the air, thick smoke melting the falling snow. He looks deeply into the flames, his anger mirrored in the violence of the flames. 

He looks at the Hellfire shirt scrunched in his fist.] 

Eddie: [bitterly] “It’s all your fucking fault. You’ve ruined my life.” [he holds the shirt over the flames, not enough for the shirt to burn] “It’s never going to fucking end.” 

[His lip begins to tremble again. His skin erupts into goosebumps, he becomes aware he is outside in winter in just pyjama trousers and a vest, no shoes on the cold snow.] 

Eddie: [hyperventilating] “I’m so sorry Chrissy.” [he begins to sob] “I’m so fucking sorry.” [he brings the shirt away from the flames and holds it to his face, using it to muffle his sobs and wipe his tears] 

End of flashback - 

Eddie: (uneasy) “After the accident last summer, nothing felt right, everything was too tight and suffocating and- well, it didn’t feel like me anymore. I started to dress more normal for a while.”  Nina: “Eddie Munson, normal? I don’t think you’ve been normal a day in your life.” [Eddie smiles a small smile, shaking his head laughing] “It’s understandable to lose yourself for a while after something traumatic, it happens to all of us.” [she smiles at him reassuringly] “I’m glad you’re wearing it again.”  Eddie: (softly) “Me too.”  Nina:  [realising] “Wait, you’re sharing with me.”  Eddie: “Um, yeah. Is that not okay? I thought it was normal to share this kinda stuff with someone you’re dating.”  Nina: “It is! I- I want to share with you too. If that’s okay?”  Eddie: (proud, soft) “Yeah?”  Nina: “I ran away from home. Kind of. I er-“ [picking her nails anxiously, Eddie takes her hand] “I had to leave, for reasons I won’t get into now, so I packed my bags and left in the middle of the night.”  Eddie: (softly) “I’m sorry.”  Nina: “Don’t say sorry, you’ve done nothing wrong.” [pulling at her hair] “I just had to get out of there, I couldn’t take it anymore.” [sighing] “I’m a coward.”  Eddie: [smiling sadly] “I know a thing or two about running and being a coward.” [he rubs his thumb over Nina’s hand he’s holding comfortingly, which is laid across his chest] “I doubt you were being a coward, you were probably scared.” [looking at the water nearby] “It’s okay to be scared. I’m scared too.”  Nina: (sniffling) “Wow, this got deep very quick.” [smiling sadly] “You know what we need?”  Eddie: [thumb rubbing her shoulder with his free hand] “What’s that?”  Nina: [turning to face him, grinning] “Ice cream.”  ---------------------------------------------------- Nina: “Stop stealing my ice cream, shithead!”  Eddie: [grinning, ice cream over his mouth, talking with his mouth full] “I was just testing it for poison.” [Nina rolls her eyes but can’t help but smile. Eddie extends his ice cream to her face, grinning devilishly] “Here, have some of mine?” [Nina innocently goes to lick the ice cream, Eddie pushes it so it goes on her nose] “Oops!”  Nina: [surprised] “Oh, you little shit!” [Eddie takes off running, cackling, while Nina wipes her nose] “I’m gonna get you, Munson!” 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nina: [swinging Eddie’s hand back and forth with hers] “So, what now Batman?”  Eddie: [grinning] “Now to the fun part!” 

[They walk along the riverside to a small wooden stall. The stall has a big sign saying “boat rides” on it. Small rowing boats are stacked upon each other, and the giant pond in front of them is filled with laughter and chatter amongst the fellow rowers. ] 

Eddie: “Tadah!”  Nina: [excitedly] “We’re going on a boat?!”  Eddie: [happy at Nina’s reaction] “We are indeed.”  Nina: “Awesome!”  Eddie: [holding his hand out to help Nina on the boat] “Bow or Stern?”  Nina: “Either is fine by me!” 

[Nina sits on the seat at the end of the little boat, Eddie sits in the middle holding the two oars] 

Eddie: [cheeky] “Where to, m’lady?”  Nina: [glowing with happiness] “Wherever the water takes us, kind sir.”  Eddie: [amused, begins rowing] “I think the saying is ‘wherever the wind takes us.’”  Nina: [smirking] “Don’t be a smartass.” 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eddie: [matter of fact] “You could not be more wrong.”  Nina: “What? Chucky is so much better than the Evil Dead!”  Eddie: [offended, cocky] “Chucky is a little asshole doll. Lock him in a cupboard and your problem is solved. A possessed woman with a chainsaw? Can’t lock her in a cupboard, can you?”  Nina: [equally as smug] “Don’t read from the book of the dead and there wouldn't be a possessed woman with a chainsaw, problem solved.”  Eddie: [scoffing] “Where’s the fun in that?”  Nina: [tutting, teasing] “I bet in a horror movie you’d be the dumb blonde who dies first.” 

[Eddie pushes up the sleeves on his shirt; Nina’s eyes linger on Eddie’s toned forearms] 

Eddie: [cocky] “I’ll have you know, I’d be the brave charismatic leader that saves your dumb blonde ass.”  Nina: [scoffing, cheeky] “Not if the thing I need saving from is spiders or deep water.”  Eddie: “I knew I shouldn’t have told you that, it was a big fucking spider in my defence!” [Nina giggles at him, he smiles] Nina: “Hang on, why did you bring me on a boat, on a lake, when you’re scared of water?”  Eddie: (shy) “I know you like water and I thought, well, I need to get over the fear sometime.” [looking away, embarrassed] “Just killing two birds with one stone or whatever.”  Nina: [grinning] “I think that’s really sweet of you, Eddie.” [he blushes] “And brave. I’m having a lovely first date.” 

[Eddie stops rowing and looks at Nina, mouth parted, eyes glassy.] 

Eddie: (small) “You think I’m brave?”  Nina: (oblivious) “I do.”  Eddie: [whispered] “Thank you.” [he looks around at the sky, confused] “When did it start raining?” 

[Nina looks around confused, holding her hands up to feel water drip onto her fingers. She looks ahead, behind Eddie, to see the large water fountain ahead] 

Nina: [rushed] “Oh my god, Eddie, the fountain!”  Eddie: [oblivious] “The what?”  Nina: [panicked] “The fountain, the fountain!” 

[The small boat begins to float towards the large water fountain in the centre of the pond. Eddie looks back at the fountain, then looks back at Nina with wide eyes] 

Eddie: “Oh fucking hell!” [he scrambles to grab the oars to manoeuvre them away from the spraying fountain. They both begin to get soaked from the water, both of them squealing and shivering under the heavy spray] 

Eddie: “Jesus H. Christ!”  Nina: [squealing] “Fuck me, that’s cold!” [loudly] “Eddie, the oars!” 

[the oars begin to drift off the boat and into the water. Nina lunges one way to grab an oar, Eddie the other. The boat rocks under the quick shift in weight.] 

Eddie: "Shit!” [Eddie lunges too far and falls into the water.]  Nina: [worried] “Eddie!” [rushing to his side to reach him] “Are you okay?” 

[Eddie emerges from the water gasping, he takes Nina’s hand and throws himself back onto the boat] 

Eddie: “Jesus, that is cold!” 

Nina: “Are you okay?” [both of them look at each other, completely drenched] 

Eddie: [sheepish] “Never better, babe.” 

---------------------------------------------------

[Nina and Eddie row over to the wooden hut, their time in the boat over, both of them completely soaked. The usher working at the stall raises his eyebrows at them and they smile sheepishly. They leave the boat, giggling into each other, and walk up the bridge back towards Eddie’s van.] 

Nina: [giggling, raking her fingers through her hair as they walk] “So, did that help conquer your fear of deep water then?”  Eddie: [walking oddly, stiff in wet denim] “There’s no deep water left to be scared of, I think I’ve swallowed half of it.” [Nina bursts into laughter, eyes struggling not to leer at the way Eddie’s clothes cling to his toned body.]  Nina: [coy] “Y’know, Eddie…”  Eddie: [oblivious, ringing out his shirt] “Hmm?”  Nina: [whispering in his ear, cheeky] “You’re the first guy who's ever gotten me this wet on a first date before.” 

[Eddie’s eyes go wide and his face immediately goes red. Nina cackles at his reaction and takes off running] 

Nina: “Race you to the car, Eddie!” 

Eddie: [fondly watching Nina skip away, heart beating fast, grinning, talking softly to himself] “Jesus Christ.” 

[Nina is sitting in the passenger seat as Eddie opens the door and gets in. He puts on the heater to warm up the car and dry off their clothes.] 

Nina: “You want the last donut?”  Eddie: “Sure.” 

[Nina leans over the centre console and offers the donut in front of Eddie’s mouth. He takes a bite of the donut, eyes locked on Nina. 

Strawberry jam from the donut lingers on the corner of Eddie’s mouth. Nina wipes it with her thumb and offers it to Eddie, he sucks it off her thumb. Nina’s eyes go wide, transfixed on Eddie’s lips and the suckling of her thumb. Her heart beats faster and she finds herself biting her lip. Eddie watches Nina’s reaction, turned on] 

Nina: [clearing her throat] “We should probably head back and get out of these wet clothes, huh?”  Eddie: [eyes scanning Nina, trying not to linger on her wet body] “Y- yeah we should.”

[Eddie begins to drive. The tension in the air is thick.] 

Nina: (shyly) “Thank you for a great date, Eddie. Even if we are drenched.” [blushing] “I kinda don’t want it to end.”  Eddie: [matter of fact] “It’s not over yet.”  Nina: [hopeful] “It’s not?”  Eddie: [grinning] “Chucky vs Evil Dead at my place.” 

[Nina hums contently. She presses the radio on and “Lay all your love on me” by ABBA plays loudly in the van] 

Nina: “I love this song!”  Eddie: “This song sucks!”  Nina: [exclaiming] “You’re tapping along on the steering wheel!”  Eddie: [embarrassed] “Am not.”  Nina: [enthralled] “You so are!”  Eddie: [stubborn] “I am not.”  Nina: [cheeky] “Hey Eddie?” [Eddie turns to look at her, she begins to sing at him loudly] “Don’t go wasting your emotion!” [Eddie rolls his eyes but smiles] “Lay all your love on me!” [the sentence trails off towards the end, her voice becoming softer. Eddie looks over at her, eyes twinkling with hope]  Nina: “Eddie?”  Eddie: “Yeah?”  Nina: “Pull over.”  Eddie: [worried] “Are you okay? Do you feel sick?”  Nina: [softly] “Just pull over.” 

[Eddie pulls the van to a stop at the side of the road. The road is empty] 

Eddie: [hopeful] “Everything okay?” Nina: “Kiss me.” 

[Eddie’s heart beats faster and he gulps, palms sweaty] 

Eddie: “H-here?”  Nina: “Right here.” 

[Eddie looks at Nina’s eyes searching for doubt. When he finds none, he confidently reaches across the van to kiss Nina; his large hands cupping either side of her face. It takes Nina’s breath away.

Nina shuffles closer, her hands combing through his wet hair. Eddie hums with content as Nina slips her tongue into his mouth, pulling her even closer] 

Eddie: “C’mere.” [Eddie pats his lap. Nina leans over the console, and with help from Eddie, straddles his lap. Before their lips can touch again, Nina pulls back]  Nina: “Wait!” [Eddie looks at her, pouting and confused. She reaches down the side of the seat and slightly reclines Eddie’s chair] “Much better.” [Nina giggles and Eddie looks at her with love in his eyes] 

[Eddie holds Nina firmly by the neck and pulls her down to him, reuniting their lips. As their tongues lick at each other, Eddie uses his large palm to pull Nina closer to him, their wet bodies pressed together, Nina’s weight on him] 

Eddie: [mumbling between kisses] “You really wanna do this here?”  Nina: “Don’t want to wait any longer.” [Eddie moans at her words] “Need you now.” [Eddie melts, moaning again] “Please, Eddie.”  Eddie: [riled up, checking the windows for passers by] “Doesn’t bother you we’re in public?”  Nina: (shyly) “I find it kinda hot, actually.”  Eddie: [resting his head back on the headrest, eyes closed, turned on] “Fuuck.” [Nina’s eyes light up at Eddie’s thick neck, how his Adam’s apple bobs with anticipation, she can’t help but lean down and kiss and nibble at it.]  Nina: [whispered in his ear] “Is it okay that I find it hot?”  Eddie: (hungrily, in bliss with Nina kissing his neck) “I find it hot that you find it hot.” [he brings her face back to his, kissing her heatedly] “Been wanting you all day.” [his hands go under her dress, stroking both thighs, both hips, her ass, her sides of her stomach] “This dress has been driving me crazy.” [he grabs harsh handfuls of her ass] “Take it off.”

[Nina leans back and pulls the dress off over her head. Eddie leans back to take in the sight, hands stroking the goosebumps on her skin.] 

Nina: (embarrassed) “Um…” [she pulls her underwear down her legs too] “They’re wet too…”  Eddie: (grinning, cheeky) “Only if I’m doing my job right.”  Nina: [red with blushing] “You’re on a roll today, perv.” [smirking] “Your turn, Munson.” 

[Eddie eagerly pulls down his trousers, Eddie and Nina having to manoeuvre carefully in the seat to remove his jeans, both of them giggling when they get stuck. With Eddie’s jeans at the footwell of the car, Nina paws at Eddie’s shirt, which he pulls off over his head.

Nina’s lingers trace Eddie’s tattoos and he shivers, wriggling underneath Nina. Nina’s body is once again pressed on top of Eddie’s, her naked cunt against the fabric of his boxers.] 

Eddie: “Oh god.” [Eddie bites his lip, enthralled by the sight of her bare pussy ghosting over his hard cock. His hands linger on her hips, his thumbs rubbing circles on her pelvis, his mouth watering. He softly mutters to himself.} “I can’t believe this is happening.”

[He looks up at Nina with eyes filled with want and adoration and feels his heart race, body igniting with heat and gulps with anticipation. Nina feels the twitch of Eddie’s erection against her core. She lets out a little whimper at the feeling, her clit throbbing.] 

Eddie: [breathless] “Keep making noises like that and I’ll cum right here right now.” [his jaw clenches with restraint]  Nina: (teasing) “Hot.” [she grinds up and down over him once, he begins to pant]  Eddie: [restrained] “‘M serious Nina, wanna make it last this time.” [stroking her sides, eyes closed, gulping] “Want it to be good for you.”  Nina: [spurred on] “You’ve been thinking a lot about the other night?” Eddie: (half joking) “You kidding me? I’ve been hard ever since.” [tucking her hair behind her ear, looking at her lovingly] “Can’t stop thinking about it, about you.”  Nina: [pulling back, Eddie whines]  “Eddie… I’ve got to ask.” [Eddie’s face drops in fear] “Is it me you want or is it just sex? Just so I know where I stand ‘ca-”  Eddie: [interrupting] “You. Definitely you.” [gulping, brave, looking deeply into her eyes] “Wanted you since I set eyes on you.” [brushing the hair out of her face] “Knew I wanted to make you mine.”  Nina: [with wide eyes, voice soft] “I like it when you say things like that.”  Eddie: (curious) “Yeah?”  Nina: “Yeah.” [kissing his neck, whispering in his ear, he shudders] “It gets me hot.” 

[Eddie rests his head on the headrest, eyebrows furrowed and eyes screwed shut, biting his lip with restraint as Nina kisses down the side of his neck, sucking on the column of his throat. Nina begins to grind on Eddie’s lap, causing a low groan to slip through Eddie’s lips] 

Nina: (softly, aroused) “Say it again for me.”  Eddie: [breathless as Nina kisses him] “I’m yours and you’re mine.” [Eddie’s hand weaves into the hair at the back of her neck as she gently bites his ear] “Jesus, Nina.”  Nina: [pulling back with flushed cheeks and rosy lips] “This okay, baby?” 

[Eddie’s eyes flick between Nina’s eyes and lips, and he answers her question by crashing his lips on hers desperately. He holds her tightly by the back of her neck, his free hand wrapping around her back to pull her flush against him.

Eddie’s cock aches desperately as its slapped against his stomach, Nina’s core only inches away from him, occasionally brushing against him, her thighs straddling Eddie’s hips.  Nina hums contently into the kiss, holding his face in her hands as they kiss passionately, Nina’s hips still rocking against Eddie’s.] 

[The windows of the van begin to fill with condensation, the music on the radio playing softly in the background.] 

Eddie: [mumbled into her neck between kisses] “I can’t believe I have you all to myself, I’m so fuckin’ lucky.” [whiny, desperate] “I’m so hard it hurts, babe, can’t contain myself around you.”[Nina moans and grinds harder] “Nina, I- I…”  Nina: “Tell me, Eddie.” Eddie: [kissing Nina’s jaw] “You have no idea how badly I need you.” 

[Nina pulls back, surprised, stopping her movements. Eddie looks at her with cheeks flushed and lips parted, disappointed by the lack of kisses and friction] 

Nina: “Need a hand?” [Eddie looks at her with raised eyebrows and a cheeky smile, Nina blushes, embarrassed] “I mean- I didn’t- not like that, I-“ [Eddie laughs at her pink cheeks] “Well, maybe like that…if you want?” 

[Eddie’s lips part with excitement, arousal evident in his eyes. He kisses her again and Nina takes that as her cue to lean back, palming Eddie over his boxers, squeezing him through the thin fabric. Nina’s heart races at the feel of the thick outline of Eddie’s hard covered cock, and finds herself clenching with anticipation. Eddie groans into the kiss, his grip now tight on Nina’s hips] 

Eddie: “Wait! I-“  Nina: [pulling back, worried] “Are we going too fast? I’m sorry-“  Eddie: [quickly] “No, no! I, er,” [flustered] “I want you to get off instead. Please.”  Nina: (confused) “But… you…”  Eddie: “I know, but I got off last time and I want to see it, I need to see it, please.”  Nina: (teasing) “So polite, we don’t have to take it in turns, y’know.”  Eddie: [grinning] “I know.” [determined] “But I wanna see you get off, I wanna make you feel good.” [holding her by the back of her neck again, looking at her with pleading desperate eyes] “Show me what it’s like, baby, please?”  Nina: (softly) “Y- yeah, okay.”  Eddie: “Like how we did the other night?”  Nina: [smiling softly, fond] “However you want, handsome.” [she has an idea] “Wait, one sec.” [she leans back to rearrange herself and accidentally leans on the car horn, it beeps loudly, she jumps with fright] “Shit!” 

[Eddie looks at her with adoration and amusement before bursting into laughter as Nina clutches her chest with fright.] 

Nina: “Fuckin’ horn scared the shit out of me!”

 [Eddie laughs harder and she scowls at him then she begins to laugh too, and the pair lean into each other in their laughter.

When the laughter subsides they rest their foreheads together, giggling softly, and then lightly kiss each other. 

After kissing for a few minutes, Nina moves again, her thighs now straddling Eddie’s thick right thigh.] 

Nina: “Is this okay?”  Eddie: [aroused] “Ye-yeah, it’s good.” [Eddie can feel the warmth of Nina’s cunt on his bare leg, it makes his cock twitch, he gulps. He strokes Nina’s thighs, horny, eager] “You can get off like this?”  Nina: (smoothly) “With you underneath me, like this? Definitely.” [Nina giggles as Eddie’s moans softly at her words. Eddie’s hands return to her hips, eager to begin]  Eddie: “Smooth.”  [smirking] “Ride away then, cowgirl.”  Nina: (cheeky) “And you call me the smooth one.” [she wraps her arms around Eddie’s neck, pulling their bodies closer, kissing each other firmly.]  Eddie: [mesmerised, running his thumb between her cleavage and down her sternum] “You’re the smooth one here,” [to himself] “So soft.” [he brings his thumb to Nina’s lips, rubbing it across her parted lips] “So beautiful.” 

[Nina takes Eddie’s hand cautiously in hers and pulls his thumb towards her mouth; slipping it past her lips and sucks on it gently as she begins to move back and forth on Eddie’s thigh] 

Eddie: [groaning] “Oh, fuck.”  [can’t take his eyes of her, practically panting] “You’re gonna kill me.”  

[Nina giggles as she removes thumb, kissing down the side of his hand, releasing it and begins kissing Eddie’s neck, her breasts pressed against his chest.

Eddie’s eyes close in bliss. I’ve died and gone to heaven, he thinks. Nina’s sits on his thigh and rocks herself back and forth as she kisses Eddie’s neck; feeling his racing pulse under her lips.] 

Nina: [panting, clutching at Eddie’s neck] “Feels good, Eddie.” [a harder grind down pushes Nina’s underwear against her throbbing clit, causing her to softly whine] “Really good.”  Eddie: [mumbled into her hair and shoulder, inhaling her deeply, guiding her hips] “Keep going, baby.”  Nina: [her head hangs back, hair trailing down her back as she moans, squirming against Eddie’s thigh] “Oh god.” [her hands roam across his shoulders and chest; she bites her lip] “You’ve got such a nice body, honey.” [rubbing his chest, eyes filled with lust as her hand trails down his torso]  Eddie: [in awe, flushed, achingly hard] “You think so?”  Nina: [dreamily, breathless] “I know so.” [her hand goes to his face, stroking his cheek, staring deeply into his eyes] “So handsome.” [chewing her lip, eyes closing, Eddie’s relishes in her expression] “Like having you under me.” [Eddie moans and grips her hips tighter, pushing and pulling her against his thigh, her chest heaves with her exertion.] 

[Nina’s hand reaches to the roof of Eddie’s van, searching for something to dig her nails into, pleasure coursing through her. Eddie kisses and bites at her neck and her soft moans become louder and more frequent, her grinding harder.] 

Eddie: [mesmerised, hands on Nina’s hips to guide her movements] “You’re so wet Nina, can feel it on my leg. You like riding my thigh, princess?”   Nina: “I do, Eddie, fuck!”  Eddie: “So perfect, such a good girl.”  Nina: [with wide eyes, aroused, moaning] “Say that again, Eddie.”  Eddie: [darkly, half lidded, panting] “You like me calling you a good girl?” [Nina whimpers in response, pressing herself down harder on Eddie’s thigh]  Nina: [pleading] “Please, baby.”  Eddie: [relishing seeing Nina’s reactions, confident, in awe] “Come on Nina, cum on my thigh like the good girl you are.”  Nina: [resting her head on Eddie’s shoulder, desperate] “Jesus, Eddie!” 

[Eddie’s head lulls on the headrest, eyes closed, breathing deeply as he tries to contain himself when Nina pants and whimpers in his ear; her breath tingling his damp skin. He wraps his arms around Nina’s back, pulling her tight to him to stabilise her, biting and kissing her neck as she grinds on him, determined to push Nina over the edge.] 

Nina: [moaning] “Jesus, Eddie, fuck!”  [she holds onto the car grab handle tightly, using it to stabilise herself as she grinds down harder on Eddie’s thigh] “I’m so close, oh god.” 

[He jumps to action and pulls Nina away from him to her surprise, yanking down the bra she wore to expose her breasts, confidently taking one in his hand and the other in his mouth. As Nina leans back in surprise, her hand catches the volume dial on the radio; the volume goes from quiet to loud, ‘I was made for loving you’ by KISS plays loudly in the car. Nina lets out a loud moan at Eddie sucking on her chest and her movements become harder and deeper, that tingly feeling in her insides becoming stronger] 

Nina: “Eddie, ‘m close, oh my god I wanna cum so bad, please baby, oh god!”  Eddie: [mumbles into her breasts, he gently bites and pulls at her nipple, her eyes roll back] “Love hearing you beg for me, sweetheart.”  Nina: [at breaking point] “Eddie!”  Eddie: [licking, kissing, biting her chest and neck, panting, wild, untamed, gripping her ass hard to force her movements when she begins to tire] “Say my name when you cum for me, lemme hear it, wanna hear it so badly.”  Nina: [head flung back, desperate, so close] “Fuck, Eddie!”  Eddie: [determined, heart racing] “That’s it baby, c’mon, say it.”  Nina: [gripping the hand rail tightly with one hand, the other clawing at Eddie, her thighs begin to shake] “Eddie, I’m coming, I’m coming, oh god!”  Eddie: [looking up at her as he kisses her chest, in awe] “Good girl, baby.” 

[That tips Nina over the edge] 

Nina: “Oh fuck, Eddie!” [her trembling thighs clamp down hard over Eddie’s, her body shaking with her orgasm, Eddie watches lustfully, in delight, trained on her every move. Her body blossoms as she orgasms, her shoulders pushed back, her chest pushed out towards Eddie, her head flung back in pleasure.] 

Eddie: [softly groaning] “Fuck.” [he relishes in watching Nina tremble above him, his own orgasm catching him by surprise as his stomach tenses, thighs twitch and balls heave as he cums in his boxers, his throbbing cock aching and twitching in his boxers] “Oh fuck, Jesus.” 

Nina: (dazed) “Did you just…” 

Eddie: [breathless] “Yeah, I did.” 

---------------------------------------------------

[Eddie is finishing up in the bathroom. He spits out toothpaste into the sink, humming along to “I was made for loving you” by KISS, stuck replaying on his head since the van. He can hear Nina laughing in the living room. 

His eyebrows furrow with confusion as he hears Nina talking, along with another voice. He walks out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist.] 

Wayne: “…And then he fell face first into the puddle of mud! It took his mother hours to get the mud out of his hair!” [looking up to see Eddie] “Oh hey, Eddie!”  Nina: [shyly, blushing at Eddie in just a towel, despite seeing him semi-naked before] “Hey, Eddie.”  Eddie: [surprised] “W-What are you doing here, Wayne?”  Wayne: [grinning, knowing] “I got an early finish at the plant. We just ordered Chinese. Our regular place was closed so we had to order from somewhere else.” Eddie: [suspicious at Wayne] “You got me the usual?”  Wayne: “Chow Mein with extra fried rice and-“  Wayne and Nina at the same time: “Duck pancakes.”  Nina: (smiling softly) “We know.” 

[Eddie looks at them fondly, heart warmed.] 

Eddie: “I’ll be right back.” 

[Eddie gets changed into his pyjamas, smiling to himself as he hears laughter from Wayne and Nina in the living room. He joins them shortly after, plonking himself on the couch beside Nina, pulling her into him, her legs bent over his long legs.] 

Wayne: “What are we watching then, kids?”  Nina: “Evil Dead, then Chucky!”  Wayne: [tutting, shaking his head] “The tripe you kids watch nowadays, sheesh.”  ----------------------------------------------------

Wayne: [with a mouth full of noodles, pointing at the television with his chopsticks, frowning] “Surely if they didn’t read from the scary book, none of this would have happened.”  Nina: [vindicated, excited] “Thank you!” 

[Eddie rolls his eyes but can’t hide the smile on his face] 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nina: [knocking on the door, worried] “Eddie? You okay in there?” [Eddie groans behind the door] “Can I come in?” [Eddie thumps the door closed, before vomiting again in the toilet] “I’ve brought you some pain killers and water.” 

[She hears shuffling on the floor and the door opens ajar.] 

Nina: [concerned] “How’re you feeling?”  Eddie: [pale, sweaty, clinging to the toilet bowl] “I don’t think dodgy Chinese and lake water mix.” 

[Nina stifles a giggle and sets down the glass beside him, handing him the pain killers] 

Nina: (teasing) “Pretty sure you’re just chickenshit scared of the Evil Dead, that’s all.” 

[Eddie laughs then groans, holding his stomach] 

Eddie: “Don’t make me laugh, it hurts.” [embarrassed, can’t look Nina in the eye] “You don’t have to stay, it’s okay.”  Nina: (softly) “Who else is going to hold your hair back?” [pushing the glass of water near him] “Drink.” [he gulps at the water greedily] “Sip, honey, sip. You’ll hurt your stomach more.” [he begins to sip slowly, putting the glass down and gasping for air] “Better?”  Eddie: “A bit.” [he watches as Nina runs a cloth under cold water and sits beside him. He looks at her with doe eyes, feeling ashamed. He looks down, embarrassed, speaking self deprecatingly] “Was our first date everything you expected then?”  Nina: [snorting] “It was the best.” [She wipes the cold cloth over Eddie’s face and rests it on his forehead, he sighs happily] “One of the most eventful first dates I’ve had.” [Eddie snorts bitterly, looking down] “I had a lot of fun though.”  Eddie: (unsure, hopeful) “Yeah?”  Nina: (fondly) “Yeah.” [wiping his brow, pushing his fringe back, Eddie avoids her eyes] “You know how to show a girl a good time.”  Eddie: [chuckling softly, eyes fluttering] “I do try.”  Nina: (softer still) “You don’t even have to try.” [Eddie looks up, eyes glistening hopefully] “I had a great time, Eddie. Lake water, dodgy Chinese and all.” [she presses a kiss on his forehead, he smiles peacefully] “Ready for bed?” 

[Eddie begins to move off the floor but groans] 

Eddie: “Not yet, the floor is nice and cold and my stomach still hurts.”  Nina: [patting her lap] “Come here then.” 

[Eddie lies down with his head in her lap, body curled into the foetus position on the floor. Nina gently presses the cold cloth against him as he sighs with content.] 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wayne: “Night kids.” [he walks past the bathroom to find the light still on.] “Kids?”  [Pushing the door open a crack, he sees Eddie asleep on the floor, head on Nina’s lap, Nina asleep against the cold tile wall of the bathroom. Wayne shakes his head, amused, talking to himself] “Well, Eddie, I approve.” [he turns off the bathroom light] “Goodnight.” 

A/N: So sorry this chapter took so long to come out! I'm genuinely sick of the sight of it now, it took so long to write and so long to edit! Hopefully chapter 12 will be easier!

Thank you for reading! Reblogs, likes and comments are appreciated :)

Comment to be added to taglist :)

Next Chapter : Chapter Twelve - Jaws

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin’ - Eddie Munson

Chapter Ten -I Just Want You

Chapter summary: Nina has doubts and Eddie soothes them. Angst and fluff.

Content warnings: kinda heavy chapter, big mental health warning! Nina feels damaged / unlovable, Nina finds it hard to accept Eddie's love (this will be a continued theme), Nina has bad (past) coping strategies: reckless behaviour, dr*g use (c*caine), excessive alcohol drinking, implied sexually promiscuous behaviour. (if any of what you read sounds like yourself, you're not alone, please seek help if you need it. I'm always here to talk to if needed!) mentions of child abuse and neglect, mentions of parental alcoholism, Nina had bad unsupportive friends, Eddie being a lovesick puppy, quite fluffy despite heavy material, cute ending, mentions of Eddie's scars.

"There are no incurable ills

There are no unkillable thrills

One thing and you know it's true

I don't ask much, I just want you."

I Just Want You - Ozzy Osbourne

Friday / Forest Hills trailer park / 8:32PM

Wayne is sitting on the couch eating dinner and watching TV. His eyebrows raise upon hearing Eddie’s loud music and screeching tires of his van, signalling he is home from work.

[Eddie enters through the trailer door]

Eddie: “Hey Wayne.” [he walks over to the fridge and pulls out a drink, opening the can and taking a drink]

Wayne: [not looking away from the television] “Somebody called and left a message for you.” [Eddie raises his eyebrows, Wayne continues teasingly, smug] “A girl named Nina.”

Eddie: (shocked) “She did?” [playing it cool] “What did she say?”

Wayne: “She said she’s pregnant.” [Eddie spits out his drink, choking, soda coming out of his nose. Wayne laughs at Eddie, finishing off his dinner] “Just kidding, relax kid. She asked for you to meet at your spot at 9 tonight.”

Eddie: [red in the face, dumbfounded] “Th- thanks Wayne.”

Wayne: [looking at Eddie now] “So who’s the girl? Is she your girlfriend?”

Eddie: [avoiding eye contact] “She’s called Nina.”

Wayne: “I got that part.”

Eddie: [trying to be nonchalant] “She’s new in town. Friends with Robin.”

Wayne: “Ahh, I see. Do you like her?”

Eddie: (blushing) “She’s cool.” [Wayne smirks at him] “She’s been helping me with English, we’ve hung out a few times.” [Wayne raises his eyebrows, pressing the matter] “Okay, fine, I like her, let’s not make a big deal out of it.”

Wayne: “I knew you’d seemed happier lately! This is great, Eddie!” [He gets up from the couch, tray in hand, and pats Eddie on the back] “Good on you, son.”

Eddie: [happy] “Thanks, Wayne.”

Wayne: [proud] “You seem like your old self again, Eddie.” [honest] “Thought I’d lost you for a while there, kid.”

Eddie: [quietly] “Yeah, me too.” [smiling to himself] “She makes me happy.” [timid] “I’m even on my way to graduating this year.”

Wayne: [patting his back] “This is great.” [hugging him] “I’m so proud of you, son.”

Eddie: [appreciative, patting him on the back] “Thanks Wayne.” [sheepish] “And thank you for putting up with my moping around these past few months. I’m getting better, I promise.”

Wayne: “I’m glad to hear it.” [walking to his room, grinning, clapping his hands together] “My boy’s got himself a girlfriend, hot damn!”

Eddie: [calling after him] “She’s not my girlfriend!”

Wayne: “Just don’t forget to wear protection! I’m not ready to be a Grandpop just yet!”

Eddie: [blushing red, heart fluttering] “Shut it Wayne!” [to himself, stunned] “Damn it.”

[Eddie looks at the kitchen clock, reading 8:40pm. His eyes widen and he runs to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

He looks at his appearance in the mirror, letting out a shaky breath.]

Eddie: “Come on Eddie, you’ve got this.” [he splashes cold water on his face, patting it dry and looking at his reflection nervously] “Just be cool man, just be cool.” [He takes another deep breath, shaking his arms and stretching his neck and shoulders] “You can do this.”

[He sprays cologne on his neck and flattens his hair before turning off the bathroom light and leaving the trailer. He jogs to his van and swings the door open. He turns on the engine and the stereo blares ‘Hungry Eyes’ by Eric Carmen. Eddie looks at the radio confused, hitting it a few times to change the channel, but the song doesn’t change.

He begins to drive quickly out of the trailer park, the mud on the ground skidding on his tires.

Eddie anxiously taps his fingers on his steering wheel along to the music, humming to calm his nerves.

He looks between the radio and the road, the lyrics to the song causing butterflies in his stomach.]

‘I've been meaning to tell you

I've got this feelin' that won't subside,’

[Eddie lets out a nervous breath, feeling his heart race in his chest]

‘I look at you and I fantasise

You're mine tonight,’

[Eddie pulls up on the side of the road by the field. He sees Nina in the distance, sitting holding her knees in the field, looking out at the sunset.]

‘Now I've got you in my sights

With these hungry eyes.

One look at you and I can't disguise,

I've got hungry eyes,

I feel the magic between you and I.’

[Eddie turns off the radio and the engine. He looks at his reflection one more time.]

Eddie: (confidently) “You’ve got this. Just be cool.”

[Eddie strides over to Nina. She pulls off her headphones as Eddie approaches, smiling warmly at him.]

Nina: (fondly) “Hey, handsome.”

Eddie: (warmly) “Hey, you.” [he takes a seat beside her on the grass] “Everything okay?”

Nina: “All good. Just wanted to see you.” [shyly, pulling at the grass] “I wanted to talk to you about some stuff.”

Eddie: (unsure) “Oh?”

Nina: [cant meet his eyes, nervous] “We need to talk.” [Eddie’s face drops]

Eddie: [panicking] “Did I do something wrong? Am I coming on too strong? Is it about the other night? Oh god, did I do the thing wrong? Fuck, I-“

Nina: “Eddie, breathe, you’ve done nothing wrong, the other night was great, it’s a me thing.”

Eddie: “Oh, right.” [realising] “Oh. Is this a whole ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing?’”

Nina: “No, it’s not that either. I,” [struggling] “Fuck, I don’t know how to say this.”

Eddie: [joking to ease his nerves, wiggling his eyebrows] “Is this your way of telling me you’ve got an STI and now I’ve got one too? Do I need to get tested?”

Nina: “And you tell me off for making a joke out of everything.” [eyebrows raised, mock offence] “One, no I don’t have an STI, two, I’m offended you said that, terrible bantering skills Munson, you’re in the doghouse.” [Eddie pouts] “And three, looks like we’ll be revising biology too if you think you can get an STI doing what we did.” [Eddie looks at her bashfully, amused, can’t look her in the eye, giddy as he remembers the other night. Nina chews her thumb anxiously] “There’s just some stuff you should know before we, y’know, go any further.”

Eddie: [laughing nervously] “You’re kinda freaking me out now.”

Nina: “I haven’t been totally honest with you, Eddie, but I, I don’t know how to be honest with you just yet, if that makes sense?”

Eddie: “Yea- No, not it doesn’t.” [Nina snorts laughing and he smiles] “Walk me through it.”

Nina: (struggling) “I, I don’t know how to do this.” [gripping the grass hard] “Okay, don’t look at me when I say this ‘cause it’s super embarrassing.” [Eddie raises his eyebrows, amused, and begrudgingly turns his back to her. When he’s facing away she nervously clears her throat and continues] “Okay, um, I really like you. And I-“ [Eddie tries to stifle his giggles] “Are you laughing right now?!” [Eddie bursts into laughter, cheeks hurting from smiling] “Are you seriously laughing at me? Eddie!”

Eddie: [trying to stop his laughter, turning back around] “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh.” [Eddie bursts into laughter again]

Nina: [gobsmacked, playfully hitting Eddie] “Eddie! What’s so funny?”

Eddie: “I don’t see what the problem is. I think it’s great that you like me. It’s a relief actually, ‘cause I-”

Nina: [running her hands through her hair, tugging at the roots] “It’s not great, Eddie! I’m gonna fuck your life up!” [Eddie frowns, looking at her confused, she sighs] “I’ve got too much baggage. You should be with someone, I don’t know, uncomplicated. I’ll drag your life down.”

Eddie: (amused) “Let me get this straight. You, Nina, think that I, Eddie, the one out of the two of us with an acquitted murder charge and history of being Hawkin’s devil worshipper and resident bad boy, should be with someone uncomplicated?” [Nina smiles and looks down, blushing] “I’m pretty confident I can handle complicated.”

Nina: “Can I be honest?”

Eddie: “Always.”

Nina: “I’m worried I’m going to hurt you.”

Eddie: [unsure] “Are you planning on hurting me?”

Nina: [frustrated] “‘No! Yes- I! Fuck, No of course I don’t want to hurt you, I never want to hurt you.” (sighing) “I’m just shit at this! And I’m terrified to want you in case I hurt you with all my baggage and bullshit-” [looking at Eddie, softening] “You’re so sweet Eddie and I don’t want you to-”

Eddie: [bravely] “Okay, shut up now.” [Nina looks at him, offended at being interrupted] “You’re doing your ‘rambling, talking out of your ass, nervous, overthinking, dark and twisty thing.” [Nina looks at him, surprised] “You like me.” [Nina blushes, looking at him warmly] “You actually like me.”

Nina: (softly, fond) “I do. I thought I made that obvious the other night.”

Eddie: (bravely) “And I like you. Like, a lot.” [Nina grins, palms sweating] “Okay, here it goes.” [he takes a deep breath and takes her hand] “I’ve liked you ever since I met you. And yeah, that scares the shit out of me too.” (honest) “I’m scared as hell to do this but I’m thinking, something or someone who makes me this happy is worth being a little scared over, right?” [Nina squeezes his hand] “We can just take it one day at a time, work it out together.” (nervously) “Right?”

Nina: (soft) “Right.”

Eddie: “Before I met you I felt like I was living the same day on repeat for months, years even. But now, I’m-“ (taking a deep breath, brave) “I’m excited to get up in the morning. I’m excited to see you, and to see what the day brings. I feel like the old me again- even better, I feel like the old me but a lot less cynical.” [Nina giggles and Eddie looks at her fondly] “All I know is you make my days better. I want to be with you.”

Nina: “Sure you don’t want to know what you’re getting yourself in for?” [laughing lightly, hiding her shame] “I had the whole ‘sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ thing going on for a while. It’s not pretty.”

Eddie: “Do you want to talk about it?”

Nina: [unsure] “I….”

Flashback - Last Summer / Joe’s Bar, California / Friday night

[Tommy, Ryan, Dylan, Ali and Nina are at Joe's Bar.

Tommy, Dylan and Ryan are sitting in a booth with the last of their drinks, talking loudly over the heavy music. Ali and Nina are dancing by the bar and talking to the bartender. Ali is forcing shots down Nina’s throat.]

Tommy: [looking at Nina stumbling at the bar] “Maybe it’s time we head home guys.”

Ryan: “Oh come on man, it’s barely past twelve! Don't be such a bore!”

Dylan: [sensing Tommy’s mood, looking at the bar, grimacing] “Maybe Tommy is right, it’s getting late.” [looking at Nina] “Nina’s wasted again.”

Ryan: [snorting] “It’s funny, she’s hammered.” [looking around at Dylan and Tommy’s unimpressed faces] “Oh come on guys! The night is young and so are we!” [grinning] “Besides, the way that bartender is eyeing Nina and Ali up, we could get a round of free drinks in.”

Dylan: [disgusted] “Nice Ryan, real nice.” [serious] “Are we not going to talk about the elephant in the room?”

Ryan: (oblivious) “Huh?”

[Tommy shakes his head behind Ryan’s back, as if to say “don’t go there”, Dylan misses the cue.]

Dylan: “She’s black and blue again, someone’s gotta do something. We can’t go on pretending this is okay.”

Ryan: “She’s gonna end up flaming out at this rate. First she drops out of school, then she gets fired from her job, and now this?” [muttering to himself] “She’s gonna end up joining the 27 club nine years early.”

Tommy: [watching Nina and Ali protectively] “Where is she going?”

[Nina takes the hand of the bartender and walks to the bar toilets, Ali is watching in hysterics, egging her on.]

Ryan: “I’m guessing either getting blow or blowing the bartender. I’m gonna go with the first, but either way there’s definitely a lot of blowing going on.”

Dylan: [smacking Ryan’s head hard, he winces] “Don’t be such a pig.” [looking at Tommy, concerned] “Why do you care what Nina does? You’re not together anymore, right?”

Ryan: [rudely] “Yeah, why did that happen again?”

Tommy: [dismissive] “Just ‘cause we’re not together anymore doesn’t mean I’m heartless.” [Annoyed] “I still care about her, we’re still friends.”

Ryan: “But why did you guys split up? Whenever we ask Nina she just shuts down about it.”

Dylan: [to Ryan] “Yeah, ‘cause you have the sensitivity of a cactus, you prick. You asked her in front of everyone! No wonder she didn’t want to say.”

Tommy: [guilty] “Can we just drop it, please?” [Nina exits the bathroom giggling, and heads outside for a smoke. Tommy slams his drink down, standing up, moody] “We’re going home.”

[Tommy heads outside after Nina. Nina is standing, barely, leaning on the brick wall, failing to light a cigarette]

Tommy: [gently] “Here.” [he lights her cigarette for her]

Nina: [smiling drunkenly] “Thanks.” [she rests her head on the wall and takes a deep inhale. Her ankle slips and she almost falls, but straightens. Tommy rushes to keep her upright] “I got it, I got it.” [she looks up at the sky, breathing deeply]

Tommy: “Look at me.” [Nina doesn’t look him in the eye, and smokes her cig] “Look at me, Nina.” [she stubbornly refuses, he grabs her face by the chin and looks in her eyes. Her eyes are dilated, irises barely visible.] “What have you taken?”

Nina: [avoidant] “Nothing.”

Tommy: [scoffing] “You’ve always been a shit liar.”

Nina: (small) “Coke.”

Tommy: “Seriously, Nina? From a random dude? What did you pay for that, huh?”

Nina: [defensive] “None of your damn business. I’m having fun, back off.”

Tommy: [sighing] “Jesus Christ, Nina.” [sitting on the bench] “You need to take care of yourself, you’re gonna end up hurting yourself. People are asking questions about your bruises.”

Nina: [to herself, tearing up] “I’m already hurt.”

Tommy: [frustrated] “And you think doing coke and fucking strangers in the bar bathroom is going to fix it?”

Nina: [laughing bitterly] “Probably not but it certainly won’t hurt.”

Tommy: “This isn’t you. What happened to the old Nina?”

Nina: [anger rising] “But this is what you wanted, isn’t it Tommy? The ‘fun’ girlfriend, the ‘you should stop moping around’ girlfriend, the ‘you should smile more’ girlfriend, well here I am Tommy!” [through gritted teeth and a forced smile, eyes foggy] “I’m having fun and I am smiling and I am ‘making the best out of a bad situation’ as you so lovingly put it, so you and my wonderful alcoholic mother and everyone else in this fucking town can all fuck off!”

Tommy: [softening, guilty] “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

Nina: [laughing sadistically] “You know, if I had a dollar for every time someone said “I’m sorry” and “I didn’t mean it” to me, maybe then I’d have enough money to get the fuck out of here and away from all this bullshit!”

[Nina slumps to the floor, overwhelmed with emotions, and bursts into tears. Dylan, Ryan and Ali have joined them outside the bar. Ryan tries to hide his laughter at Nina’s inconsolable state and Ali sniggers. Dylan gives them a dirty look and walks to Nina’s side.]

Dylan: [softly] “Come on, let’s go.”

Nina: [broken] “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Dylan: “You can stay at mine again for a while, if you’d like?”

Nina: “I’m sorry, Dyl.”

[Dylan holds her hand and they walk away from the group. Tommy stands defeated, devastated. Ryan and Ali head back into the bar, oblivious. Dylan flips the group off as they walk down the path]

Dylan: “That’s what friends are for, Nina.”

[They walk in silence for a while down the street to Dylan’s flat.]

Nina: [sniffling, hopeful] “Did I tell you Lawrence High has accepted me to come back for my final year in September? I’ll finally be able to graduate.”

Dylan: “That’s great, Nina.”

Flashback over-

Nina: “I… I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about that yet. Baby steps.”

[Nina smiles as Eddie takes her hand and kisses the back of it]

Eddie: “You’ll tell me about it when you’re ready.” [Nina’s heart flutters.]

Nina: (joking) “You seem awfully certain about me despite not knowing my past, I could be an axe murderer or anything.”

Eddie: (fondly) “I have faith in you.” [Nina melts] “Besides, there’s only room for one murderer in this relationship.” [Nina giggles at his joke]

Nina: (Amused) “We really could be Hawkins’ Bonnie and Clyde.”

Eddie: [fist bumping her, grinning] “A real dream team.”

Nina: (happy, flirty) “Careful now, you might make me fall in love with you.”

Eddie: [grinning, so happy] “That’s the goal.”

[Nina leans over and aims to press a kiss on Eddie’s cheek. Eddie turns his head at the last minute, the two looking fondly at each other, -so in love- , before they kiss.

Eddie’s hand makes its way to cup Nina’s face, weaving through her hair, rubbing her cheek softly with his thumb. Nina sighs happily into the kiss. They pull away gently, smiling at eachother, foreheads resting on each others. ]

Eddie: “I can’t believe I’m kissing you.”

Nina: (softly, eyes fluttering) “Me too.”

Eddie: “Come on, I want to take you somewhere.”

Nina: “Really? It’s late? Where?”

Eddie: “Just trust me, you’ll like it.”

[Eddie stands up and reaches his hand out for Nina. She smiles and takes it, and they walk back to Eddie’s van. Eddie drives them to Lover’s Lake; both Eddie and Nina singing along to the music playing on the stereo - “I Just Want You by Ozzy Osbourne”. When they arrive, Eddie hops out the van first and runs around to Nina’s passenger side, opening the door for her with a bow. She blushes and takes his hand, and they walk hand in hand to the lake through the forest.]

Nina: (teasing) “So, is this our first date, Munson?”

Eddie: “Could be, if you want it to be.” [shy] “I kinda had something else planned.”

Nina: [excitedly, Eddie melts] “Really? What are we doing?”

Eddie: “It’s a surprise.” (Cooly) “Can go tomorrow, if you’re free.”

Nina: [smirking] “I’ll clear my schedule.” (Giddy) “Do I need to bring anything?”

Eddie: (coy) “Some sandwiches and snacks would be good.”

Nina: [excited] “We’re going on a picnic?”

Eddie: (grinning, fond) “Maybe.”

Nina: (softly) “That’s my dream date.”

Eddie: (shy) “I know, I asked Robin for some advice.”

Nina: “That is so sweet, I love it.” [he blushes as she kisses his hand] “Thank you Eddie.”

Eddie: “I’ll pick you up at 12 tomorrow.”

Nina: [looking around, excited] “So, where are we going now? Another secret spot?”

Eddie: (teasing) “God, so impatient.”

Nina: (pouting) “I wanna know!”

Eddie: [holding back a branch for Nina to navigate through the woods] “We’re nearly there, patience princess.”

Nina: [blushing hard from the nickname, submitting to Eddie’s will] “Fine, but only ‘cause you called me princess.” [Eddie winks at her]

[They finally come to the beach clearing, Nina gasps at the scene, smiling brightly, looking out at the twinkling water in the calm moonlight. The fireflies around them reflect on the water, mirroring the stars in the clear sky. It is peacefully quiet with the exception of the low hum of insects.]

Nina: “Wow.”

Eddie: “You like it?”

Nina: [taken aback] “It’s beautiful.”

Eddie: [cheesy] “Beautiful spot for a beautiful girl.”

Nina: [rolling her eyes] “So cheesy.”

Eddie: “Want to sit on the dock?”

Nina: “Sure.”

[They walk down the sand to the dock, sitting cross legged by the edge.]

Nina: “You’re not going to push me in, right?”

Eddie: [cheeky] “Yup, I planned this whole thing to get revenge for you pulling me in Steve’s pool.”

Nina: “Shut up.” (teasing) “I bet you bring all your girls, sorry, victims here.”

Eddie: (smiling) “Nope. Only you.”

Nina: (smiling too) “How sweet, I’m charmed. Consider me wooed.”

Eddie: (smug) “That was the plan.” [looking over the water] “Thought being by the water might calm you down. I know it’s not the beach but… We could come here when we get scared, y’know?” [Nina hums in agreement, Eddie looks out at the water, thoughtful] “This place brings back a lot of memories for me.” [Nina looks at him with concern, sensing Eddie’s shift in mood]

Nina: “I like it. It’s nice. Peaceful.” [lying back on the jetty, looking at the sky] “We don’t have to stay here if it’s hard for you.”

Eddie: “It’s okay.” [Eddie leans back on the jetty too, looking at Nina] “You’ve given it a new meaning now.”

Nina: (confused) “I have?”

Eddie: (cheeky) “Sure. It’s now your chillout spot, for when you need to escape the dark and twisties.” [looking at the water, shy] “This can be our safe place.”

Nina: (teasing) “You really are Eddie the Wise.” [taking his hand, resting her head on his shoulder] “Sounds like a plan, batman.” [thoughtful] “I think I ran past here once. Might have been when you kindly picked me up and I stormed off like a baby.”

Eddie: “It’s okay.”

Nina: “It’s not okay. You were being kind and I was a bitch. I’m sorry. I was just… having a bad day.”

Eddie: “Everyone has bad days. You’re allowed to lash out every once in a while.”

Nina: (frowning) “Not at you I’m not.”

Eddie: (smiling) “Rather it be me than anyone else. I can take it.”

Nina: [determined, frustrated] “But you shouldn’t have to take it.”

Eddie: [brushing the hair out of her eyes] “When are you going to get it into your head that I’m gonna be there for you regardless?” [Nina is taken aback] “I really like you Nina. You can slam as many doors in my face as you want, I’m always gonna come back.” [Nina’s lip quivers] “Not getting rid of me that easily. You’ve kinda got me whipped, if you didn’t realise.”

Nina: (uneasy) “This baggage I’ve got… It’s a lot. Like, people have left before because of it.”

Eddie: (cheeky) “Good thing I’ve got arms then.” [Nina giggles, Eddie carries on] “Have you seen these guns?” [Nina laughs now, snorting, Eddie looks at her fondly] “I can handle the baggage.”

Nina: (still cautious, her doubt unrelenting) “You’ll tell me if it gets too much?”

Eddie: “I’m a big boy, I’ll survive.”

Nina: [holding out her pinky to Eddie, smiling] “Pinky promise me?”

Eddie: [goofy smile] “Pinky promise.” [Nina leans over and presses a gentle kiss on Eddie’s lips.]

Nina: “Want to go in? The water looks nice.”

Eddie: (embarrassed) “I- I’m scared of deep water.” [rambling] “I was fine in Steve’s pool cause I could see the bottom, y’know, but lakes and stuff… freak me out a bit. Especially here.”

Nina: (reassuringly) “That’s okay, no judgement from me. We could put our feet in, if you’d like?”

Eddie: “Sure.”

[They pull off their shoes and dip their feet in the cool water. Nina looks out at the water happily, paddling her feet through the water, sighing contently. Eddie watches her fondly, and smiles when her hand rests on top of his. He takes a deep breath, feeling brave.]

Eddie: “I got my scars here.”

Nina: “You did?”

Eddie: “Mmhmm. Well, sort of.” [looking at Nina] “You’ll think I’m crazy.”

Nina: [smiling] “I’m good with crazy.”

Eddie: [smiling down at her, content] “I’m starting to think your crazy matches my crazy.”

A/N: Tumblr finally let me post this chapter!! Yay!!

Next chapter: Chapter 11 - Lay all your love on me

[hellfirehottie]

HI EVERYONE! 

Tumblr is being an ass and won’t let me upload Chapter Ten of California Dreamin’, so for those wanting to read, its here on AO3, along with all previous chapters! Hopefully I’ll work out how to post it on here too soon! 

Chapters: 10/50 Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Eddie Munson/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Robin Buckley's Mother, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Maxine "Max" Mayfield's Parents, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Hellfire Club (Stranger Things), Gareth (Stranger Things), Jeff (Stranger Things), The Party (Stranger Things), Argyle (Stranger Things), Vecna (Stranger Things), Vickie (Stranger Things), Corroded Coffin (Stranger Things), Unnamed Freak (Stranger Things), Scoops Troop (Stranger Things) Additional Tags: Strangers to Lovers, Stranger Things 4, Post-Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Hawkins (Stranger Things), Inspired by Stranger Things (TV 2016), Post-Vecna (Stranger Things), The Upside Down (Stranger Things), Friends to Lovers, Eddie Munson Lives, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Protective Eddie Munson, Virgin Eddie Munson, Loss of Virginity, Soft Eddie Munson, Good Friend Robin Buckley, Eventual Smut, Smut, Fluff and Smut, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Eddie Munson Smut, Idiots in Love, Original Female Character(s) - Freeform, Love at First Sight, Romantic Soulmates, Soulmates, Mental Health Issues, Depression, References to Depression, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Past Child Abuse, Meet-Cute, First Meetings, Falling In Love, Love, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Mutual Pining, Pining, Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Romantic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Eddie Munson is a Gentleman, Eddie Munson is Whipped, Eddie Munson is Bad at Feelings, Eddie Munson is Bad at Flirting Summary:

Nina: “Why do you love me, Eddie?”

Eddie: “You were like coming up for fresh air.” [playing with his rings nervously] “Life kinda blurred into one long day. And then I met you.” [looking at her lovingly] “And you brought me back to life. I felt like the old me again.”

Nina: “Do you think we’ll get through this?”

Eddie: “We have to.” [smiling at her] “I haven’t finished loving you yet.”

Eddie’s life didn’t change much after he returned from the upside down. People still hated him, blamed him, and he retreated to a shell of his former self. Life passed him by, blurring into the same everyday routine. Until Nina, Robin’s ‘sort-of’ cousin arrives in Hawkins.

Fleeing from her past in California, Nina’s world is turned upside down (no pun intended) as she falls head over heels for the freak of Hawkins.

Can these two lost souls find peace with each other, or will the demons of their past come back for them?

[hellfirehottie]

i dont think anything compares to the joy of getting asks on tumblr or getting comments on ao3

its like, wow. human communication thru the internet. except it feels personal. but yknow, in a nice way, not in an invasive way

its like, you CLICKED on MY account and read thru MY posts and cared enough to leave me a personal message. smth so cute abt that

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Nine - I think we're alone now

Content warnings: 18+, Smut! (dry humping, clothed handjob if you squint), swearing (Eddie has a dirty mouth), Eddie is a desperate simp and awkward virgin, Eddie totally has a undiscovered hair pulling kink, possession kink if you squint, lots of reassurance and consent, lots of fluff, Nina has nipple piercings, cheesy ending! I think that's everything! Let me know if I've missed anything! Enjoy!

‘‘I think we’re alone now, 

There doesn’t seem to be anyone around, 

I think we’re alone now, 

The beating of our hearts is the only sound.’

I Think We’re Alone Now - Tiffany 

Wednesday / 1:30AM / Eddie’s living room. 

The thunder and lightning has stopped  but it is still raining heavily, raindrops bouncing hard off the roof of the trailer. Nina and Eddie are both cuddled on the couch together. The atmosphere is quiet but comfortable. 

Throughout the film Eddie has slumped further and further into Nina’s side on the sofa, testing the water of what she felt comfortable, and by the end of the film Eddie is lying with his head on Nina’s ribs, Nina’s hands comfortingly stroking his hair. He practically purrs under her touch, sighing contently. His hand has slipped up under her shirt, his shirt, stroking the warm soft skin on her stomach absentmindedly. The movie credits played quietly on the television and Eddie tilts his head up to look at Nina, finding her head on the side of the pillow, lips parted, eyes closed, softly asleep. 

Eddie carefully unwinds himself from Nina to which she whines tiredly, missing his warmth. He slips his arms under her legs and back and attempts to carry her to his bed. 

Eddie lies Nina down under the covers as she hums peacefully in her sleep. As Eddie goes to slip away, Nina catches his arm.

Nina: (sleepily) “Stay with me, Eddie, please.” 

Eddie didn’t have to be told twice. 

Nina slides along the bed, making room for Eddie, as he lies awkwardly on the edge of the bed. His breath hitches when Nina curls into his side, her head resting on his chest. 

Eddie lies there stiffly. Nina snuggles further up under his arm. Easing up slightly, Eddie rubs the skin of her back soothingly where her shirt has ridden up.

Eddie breathed deeply, trying not to panic. His heart was racing, his cock semi hard.

Nina: [opening her eyes, sleepy, worried placing the back of her hand on his forehead.] “You okay? You feel warm.”  Eddie: (mumbling, embarrassed) “‘M fine.”

Heat crawls up Eddie’s neck. 

Nina: “Are you sure? You feel hot.”  Eddie: “Yeah I’m good.” [he shuffles around] “Just getting comfy.”  Nina: [rising up to look at him, concerned] “Is it too hot with me here? I’ll go on the couch.” Eddie: (shyly) “No! No, I’m good, I promise. I’ve just, erm, never had a girl in my bed before. It’s different. ”   Nina: “Oh.”  Eddie: [embarrassed, flushed] “Yeah.”  Nina: “Are you sure you want me here? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”  Eddie: [content, drowsy] “I definitely want you here.”  Nina: [half joking, praying he doesn’t reject her] “Well… do you want me to take your spooning virginity?”

Yeah, and the other kind. Eddie thought. 

Eddie: (hopeful) “Sure, I mean, if you’d like to…” Nina: “Roll over then.”  Eddie: (amused) “Wait, what? I’m the little spoon?”  Nina: “Well, duh.” (Shy) “I mean, unless you want to spoon me?”  Eddie: “If that’s okay.”  Nina: (happy) “Of course that’s okay.” 

Nina rolls over on her side, lifting her head up, Eddie turns on his side too, putting his arm under Nina’s head. She adjusts the pillow on top of his arm so his arm wouldn’t go dead in the night. She snuggled backwards into Eddie, who still lay stiffly in bed.

Nina: (reassuringly) “Eddie, breathe, it’s okay. You can cuddle into me.”  Eddie: (confessing) “I find it hard to breathe around you.” 

Nina smiles to herself. She leans back and grabs his other arm, taking his hand and puts it up her shirt on her stomach. She knew from before that he liked that.

He did like that. He liked that a lot. 

His cock felt uncomfortably hard in his pyjama bottoms, the warmth and closeness of Nina’s body igniting a heat within him. He kept his lower body a few inches away from her, he would die from embarrassment if she felt it against her lower back.

Nina: “You can come closer, you know.” 

Come closer, Nina thought. I want you to hold me. 

Eddie: [embarrassed, uncomfortable in his boxers] “I- I can’t.” 

A few moments pass before Nina clicks on to what’s happened. 

Nina: [smiling, giddy, a little amused] “Eddie, are you hard?” 

Eddie felt his face go scarlet with embarrassment, How did she know? His breathing quickened with nerves.

Nina: (reassuringly) “Eddie, it’s okay, it happens with most guys.” 

Eddie’s embarrassment turns to jealousy.

Eddie: (half joking, jealous) “Have you spooned many other guys?” Nina: “A few.”  Eddie: (very jealous) “Oh.”  Nina: “Are you sure you’re okay?”  Eddie: (honest) “Yeah I’m fine. Just, y’know, embarrassed. It’s embarrassing for me, being so… inexperienced…and nervous. You make me nervous.”  Nina: (heart warmed) “You have nothing to be embarrassed or nervous about. It’s just me.”  Eddie: (quietly, to himself) “Exactly, it’s you.” [trying to ease the tension by joking] “I just… this is all so new to me. I’ve never had a girl in my bed before, I’ve never kissed a girl in the men’s toilets before… you’re like the third kiss I’ve ever had.” Nina: (sincere) “Eddie… I’m honoured to be your first spoon.” [Snuggling back into him] “Now come here and cuddle me.” 

Eddie eases up and curling his legs behind Nina’s. He knew she could feel his hard length pressing against her ass, but she didn’t seem to mind.

He rests his head on her shoulder, breathing in her scent, the tension from his shoulders and stomach easing away. He presses a small shy kiss on her shoulder and tries to sleep off nerves and perverted thoughts.

4:06AM / Eddie’s bed. 

Nina is awake in bed fondly watching Eddie sleep. She smiles as Eddie’s soft snores blow his fringe into his eyes. She brushes the hair out of his eyes gently and looks at the small cut through his eyebrow, her eyebrows furrowing with worry.

Nobody has ever protected me like that before. 

Eddie begins to stir awake and smiles, opening one eye, peaking at Nina and making her blush. 

Busted, she thought.

Eddie: [voice heavy with sleep, groaning, rubbing his eye] “Have you been watching me sleep?” Nina: [lying, rushed] “I was worried about your eye!” [Honest, quiet] “Plus, you look so peaceful when you sleep.” [Embarrassed, then joking] “And you know, you were quiet for once and I felt the need to savour that rare moment.” Eddie: [smirking at her joke, gently shoving Nina] “Oh shut up.” 

He accidentally pushed her away with his shove, so corrects his mistake by pulling her back into him. She smiles contently. A peaceful silence falls over the room.

Nina: (small) “I can’t believe you did that for me tonight. Thank you.” 

Another silence fills the room, the atmosphere electric.

Eddie: [softly, dazed, brushing the hair out of her face, fondly] “Are you kidding? I’ll always protect you.” (hushed, hopeful) “Nina?”  Nina: (shyly) “Yeah?”  Eddie: “Can I kiss you again?”  Nina: “Please.” 

Nina smiles and leans forward slowly, eyes flicking from his to his soft lips, looking for any sign of doubt. She finds none.

Eddie’s adam’s apple bobs as he gulps in anticipation but he moves forward too, cupping her jaw and bringing her closer to him. Their lips meet softly and Eddie sighs contently into the kiss.

I really could get used to this, he thought. 

He weaves his fingers into her hair as she moves around the bed to a more comfortable position, their bodies now even closer together.

Eddie: [reluctantly pulling away to catch his breath, panting] “Can…Um, can I touch you?”  Nina: (smiling) “I’m all yours, darling.” 

Eddie’s cock twitches in response to Nina’s words and he kisses her more passionately this time. Their tongues softly lapped at each other and Nina drapes her leg over Eddie’s hip. 

Eddie’s large hand roams over her leg, thigh and hip, his hand travelled up over her ass, giving a firm squeeze. Nina softly moaned into the kiss, taking his bottom lip in hers and gently biting it, causing a groan to spill from Eddie’s lips. Eddie’s heart thumped loudly in his chest, he was sure Nina could feel it against her. The kiss heats up and Eddie has to pull away to catch his breath. He looks deeply into Nina’s eyes with a look of pure adoration and lust. 

Nina: “Is this okay?” 

Eddie responds by fiercely kissing her, pulling at her draped leg to press their bodies closer together, the other hand holding the back of her neck to deepen the kiss; Nina hums with content. Nina’s hand tangles in Eddie’s hair and tugs gently, the kiss is interrupted by Eddie’s soft moan. 

Eddie’s hand slides up Nina’s shirt, softly cupping her breast. His dreams are coming to life, he thinks excitedly. He can’t help but smile, heart fluttering. 

A shiver of want crawls up his spine as he holds her tightly to him. He rubs a calloused thumb over her nipple, shocked to find a piercing through it.

Nina: (curious) “Do you like them?”  Eddie: (aroused, lips parted with awe) “That’s really fucking hot… Can I see them?” 

Nina pushes Eddie on his back and crawls over him, straddling him.

Nina: (breathless with anticipation) “Take my top off Eddie.” 

Eddie wastes no time in pulling off her shirt. Both of them giggle as the shirt gets stuck around Nina’s neck, then the shirt is discarded on the floor. Eddie finds himself ogling at the sight before him. Her damp hair tumbles down her sides and partially covers her breasts. Her face and body glows from the warmth of the dawn sun leaking through the crooked blinds of his bedroom. Her cheeks are flushed with excitement. 

Eddie: [clearing his throat, stunned] “Wow.”  (in awe) “You look so beautiful like this.” [Grabbing her hips] “Is this okay?” Nina: “More than okay, Eddie.” 

Eddie’s hands stroke along her sides, thumb stroking the band of the boxers she wore. One hand slid up her soft skin of her stomach to grasp at her breast once again, thumb running over the peaked pierced nipple.

Nina leans down and kisses him slowly, moving from his face to his neck. She leaves open mouthed kisses along his throat and finds the spot that caused Eddie to moan. His hands left their place on her breasts to slide along her thighs, this time underneath the underwear he had given her, grasping both ass cheeks hard in his hands and grinding her down on him, moaning loud at the friction.

Eddie: [pulling back, embarrassed, feeling exposed, red in the face, moaning.] “Fuck, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I couldn’t stop myself.” [hiding his face in his elbow, frustrated] “Fuck, I sound like such a virgin.” Nina: [laughing lightly, moving Eddie’s arm from covering his face] “Eddie, stop, it was hot.” [leaning down, kissing him softly on his lips. As they part he looks at her in awe, eyes glassy and lips plump from kissing] “Relax, it’s okay, do it again.” 

Eddie’s hand cups the back of Nina’s neck to bring her back down to him, kissing heatedly. Nina gently grinds over Eddie, causing him to grip tightly onto her hips until his knuckles are white.  

She continues kissing down his neck, sucking a dark love bite on his collar bone. Eddie whined and bucked his hips up into her, slowly using his grip on her thighs to grind her over his hard crotch. 

Nina: [whispered between kisses] “Do you want to take your bottoms off?”

Eddie felt self conscious but pulled his pyjama bottoms down, leaving him in just boxers. 

Eddie: [nervous but aroused] “I… I haven’t done anything like this before. I mean… I don’t know-“  Nina: “Sshh, it’s okay. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do-” Eddie: (interrupting) “Oh I want to-“ Nina: (smirking) “Not tonight baby. Tonight, we’ll just do this. Go slow.”   

Eddie continues pulling at Nina’s hips, kissing each other passionately. Their hands explore each other's skin, tangling in each other’s hair: the room filled with soft moans and panting. 

Eddie pulls away first and kisses down Nina’s skin, adding a love bite on her neck to match his. She responded with a loud moan, grinding her hips down hard to match Eddie’s eager thrusts. Eddie whimpers a quiet “Oh god” at the friction caused by their grinding. 

Eddie tries to restrain himself when noticing the wet patch on the boxers Nina wore. He rubs his thumb over the wet patch, causing Nina to tremble.

Eddie: (aroused, eager) “Is this for me?” 

Nina whimpers and nods, grinding down harder over Eddie. Eddie rubs the wet patch with one thumb and plays with her nipple with the other hand. 

Nina: (moaning) “Eddie… that feels good.”  Eddie: (curious, testing) “Yeah?”  Nina: (aroused but being cautious not to pressure Eddie) “Don’t stop, please?” 

Eddie litters her chest in love bites, finally taking her breast in his mouth and sucking lightly on her nipple, loving pleasuring Nina. She flung her head back in bliss, grinding hard and rough now.

Nina: (moaning) “Oh fuck, Eddie…”  Eddie: (eyes wide, aroused) “Oh Jesus Christ, say my name again darling.”  Nina: [chanting, mesmerised by Eddie underneath her] “Eddie, oh my god, Eddie.”  Eddie: [forehead creased with pleasure, eyes screwed shut, moaning] “I’ve wanted you so bad, you have no idea what you do to me sweetheart.” [looking between her blissed out face and her core grinding over his hard leaking cock] “Fantasised of having you like this.” [biting his lip, eyes squeezed closed tightly, desperate] “Nina.. fuck- ‘M close already.”  Nina: “Feels so good, honey.” 

He wanted her like this with  him, always. This moment would be burned into his brain forever. He never wanted this to end. Heat crawled up Eddie’s neck, tinting his skin pink. His chest is glimmering with sweat as he breathes deeply, trying to stop himself from finishing early. 

Eddie: (curiously, burst of confidence) “Could- Could I go on top?”  Nina: (taken aback, eyes wide) “Yeah- sure.” 

Eddie gently flips Nina onto her back at the foot of his bed, hands either side of her head. She looks up at him, lips parted, watching as he desperately ruts into her. She wraps her arms around his neck, bringing him down closer to him, and he responds by wrapping her legs around his waist. 

His pace increases, now more determined as he watches Nina’s body wriggle underneath him, her legs spreading to give him more access. His head buried in the crook of her neck, he gently bites down to quieten his frequent moans. 

Nina: [tugging Eddie’s hair to pull his head back, Eddie groans loudly] “Want to watch you as you cum for me, Eddie.” [Nina reaches down between the two of them and puts her hand palm facing up between them; Eddie rocking his hard length into her palm, the thin fabric of his boxers soaked with precum.] “Is this okay? Does this feel good?”  Eddie: (shocked, dazed, shaking) “Fuck, Nina!” [he looks at his leaking cock rocking in Nina’s small hand and then up at Nina, eyes wide and lips parted, desperate)  “God, yes it feels good, Jesus baby I’m gonna cum I’m close, I’m so fucking close! Oh fuck, please!”  Nina: (breathless) “Come on baby, give it to me.”  Eddie: (desperate, feral) “Tell me you’re mine again Nina, please, tell me.” [Nina looks at him with wide eyes, Eddie’s grinding becoming determined and possessive, clearly at his breaking point as he looks between his cock in her palm and her face, his arms trembling to keep himself up] “You’re my girl Nina, say it, tell me you’re mine, I need to hear it.”  Nina: [breathless, cupping him tighter, rubbing her hand in time with his thrusts] “I’m your girl, Eddie.”  Eddie: [spurred on by Nina’s words, shaking, humping her hand roughly] “Again, please, you’re my girl Nina, tell me I’m your man, please baby, please.”  Nina: “I’m yours Eddie, I’m your girl, I’m all yours- fuck Eddie, you look so good like this, cum on me, cum on what’s yours.” 

Eddie’s pace became brutal, Nina dragging her nails down his back and kissing his neck, making Eddie howl loudly, rutting into her like a man possessed.

Eddie: [incoherent, babbling] “Fuck, fuck, holy shit I can’t believe this is happening, shit princess you’re making me cum, I’m coming, fuck, fuck!”  Nina: [eyes wide, dreamy] “Cum for me baby.” 

Eddie can’t hold back any longer: his whole body shakes as he comes, spoiling his boxers, leaking out and splattering Nina’s hip bones. He lets out a deep groan, his body slumping on top of Nina’s, exhausted. Nina lies underneath him, content, and smiles as Eddie comes too and showers her neck in appreciative kisses. 

Nina breathes deeply and strokes Eddie’s hair, calming down his harsh breathing. He pulls back, eyes blown, cheeks red, the redness trailing down his neck and tinting his chest.

Eddie: (panting, slumped) “Oh my god, that was amazing, thank you thank you thank you.”  Nina: (smiling, content) “Anytime, handsome.”  Eddie: (joking breathless) “Don’t say that, I might run out of clean underwear.” (Serious) “Did you come?”  Nina: “No, but that’s okay, I don’t need to. Seeing you like that got me off mentally.”

Eddie felt incredibly embarrassed, looking at Nina’s semi-naked body stained with a mess of his own making, embarrassed that he didn’t satisfy Nina. His mind still hazy post orgasm, he took a mental picture of Nina lying below him like this, his beautiful girl. 

Eddie: (whining, embarrassed) “I wanted to make you cum.”  Nina: (smiling, content) “Another day handsome, we have all the time in the world.” Eddie: [not happy with himself but too tired to argue] “Promise?”  Nina: “Promise.” 

Eddie peels off his stained boxers and replaces them with the discarded bottoms. They both shuffle back to the head of the bed, Eddie clinging to Nina’s body desperately, not wanting to let her go. They drifted back off to sleep again. 

6:30AM

Eddie lies awake with Nina in his arms, smiling happily at himself. He looks at the clock, reading 6:30AM, then looks down at Nina who is curled under his arm, sleeping peacefully. 

He closes his eyes and sighs contently, still smiling. He runs his hands up and down over the soft skin of Nina’s thigh that is draped over him, nuzzling his head into the pillow underneath him. 

Nina murmurs softly in her sleep, snuggling further into Eddie’s chest. His smile grows, pulling her in tighter. 

Nina: (sleepy) “Mmm, good morning handsome.” 

If this is a dream, I’m not ready to wake up yet, Eddie thinks. 

Eddie: (softly) “Morning sweetheart.”  Nina: “How’s your head?”  Eddie: “A bit sore this morning but it’s okay. Yours?”  Nina: (smirking at her innuendo) “Never had any complaints.” [Nina giggles as Eddie flushes, she can feel his heart beating faster in his chest underneath her] “I’m okay darling, bit tired but okay.”  Eddie: “You can sleep a bit longer if you want, we don’t have to leave just yet.”  Nina: (groaning) “Ugh, I forgot about school today.” [nuzzling into Eddie, lips on his neck, Eddie gulps] “Can’t we just stay in bed all day?”  Eddie: (teasingly) “Wow, Nina the Nerd wants to pull a sickie? I’m starting to think I’m a bad influence on you.”  Nina: (laughing) “Nina the Nerd? Is that my new nickname?”  Eddie: [grinning] “One of many.”  Nina: [turning to look at Eddie, blushing] “Of many? Do tell.”  Eddie: [blushing under Nina’s gaze] “Hell no, I’m not embarrassing myself like that.”  Nina: [now sitting upright in bed, topless] “Oh come on, now you have to tell me!”  Eddie: [smiling, eyes avoiding her bare chest] “Nope, not gonna do it.”  Nina: [pouting] “Please! That’s not fair!” [giving him puppy dog eyes] “Please baby.”  Eddie: [covering his face with the pillow, blushing red] “Nope, not the puppy dog eyes, you won’t corrupt me, I will not break!”  Nina: [laughing, giddy, trying to move the pillow from Eddie’s face] “Please Eddie, please! You can’t tease me like that!”  Eddie: [pulling the pillow back] “Tease you? I’m not teasing you! You’re the one with your tits out.”  Nina: “Ha! Got you to look at me!” [Eddie rolls his eyes, grinning] “Come on, tell me, circle of trust.”  Eddie: [dramatically] “Fineee!” [shy] “When I first met you - at the record store - I kinda nicknamed you Fleetwood Mac girl to Dustin.”  Nina: [smirking] “Cute.” [curiously] “You talked to Dustin about me?”  Eddie: [fiddling with the pillow, embarrassed] “Yeah. I thought you were cool, I dunno…”  Nina: [lying down on her tummy, resting on her elbows to look at Eddie] “That’s sweet. Really sweet.” [playing with Eddie’s hair] “I was hoping to see you again when I bumped into you that day.”  Eddie: [giddy] “Really?”  Nina: “Yeah. You caught my eye.” [Eddie can’t contain his smile, Nina strokes his hair lovingly] “You were different, I could tell. Little did I know that you were friends with Robin and everyone. Small world, huh?”  Eddie: [breathless] “Yeah, small world.” 

Nina smiles at Eddie, leaning forward to press a delicate kiss on his lips. Eddie’s breath hitches, he still feels like he’s dreaming. He cups her cheek and brings her closer to him, heart beating fast, her bare chest pressed against his. 

Eddie’s alarm clock goes off: 6:45am. 

Eddie: [groaning, annoyed at being interrupted, throwing the clock across the room] “Fuck off!”  Nina: [giggling] “Eddie! Don’t abuse the alarm clock!”  Eddie: [mumbled between kisses] “Can’t help it, would much rather be doing this than getting up.”  Nina: (teasingly) “Guess I’m the bad influence now, aren’t I?”  Eddie: [smirking] “Oh, the worst.” 

Nina smirks and pulls him in for another kiss, deeper this time, Eddie hands returning to her thighs. 

Eddie: [dazed] “You’re so soft.” [Nina giggles between kisses] “It feels nice.” 

Nina moves from her position beside Eddie to straddle his waist, Eddie’s breath goes shallow. 

Nina: [coy] “There, you can have both thighs now.”  Eddie: (aroused by the sight of her topless, straddling him) “You’re a tease.”  Nina: “You don’t know the half of it, Mister.”  Eddie: (hopeful) “Will I get to know?”  Nina: “If you’re lucky.” 

Eddie groans and pulls Nina down to him, hands then returning to stroke her thighs. His fingers tangle in her hair, tugging lightly from restraint, causing a soft moan to part from Nina’s lips. Eddie’s heart races, mind desperate Nina to moan again. His spare hand slides under her boxers, his boxers, squeezing the flesh of her ass. 

Nina: [breathless] “Didn’t get enough last night, did you?”  Eddie: [mumbled, hands sliding up her chest, stroking the underside of her breast] “Don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.” 

Nina smiles, pressing another kiss on his lips before moving off Eddie who whines. 

Nina: “Come on, we’ve got school.”  Eddie: [groaning] “Awh come on, I thought we were pulling a sickie?”  Nina: [teasingly] “Exams won’t pass themselves, Munson.”  Eddie: “Wow, you really are a tease.”  Nina: “Gotta leave you wanting more!” 

Eddie grabs Nina before she can fully leave the bed, throwing her down on the bed as she squeals laughing. 

Eddie: [mumbled between kissing her neck, sultry] “Five more minutes.” 

Nina laughs and gives in, letting Eddie kiss her neck. Eddie kisses over the love bite he left just hours earlier, Nina’s breath catching in her throat as he does. 

Eddie: [worried] “Is it sore?”  Nina: “It’s nice.”  Eddie: (aroused) “Yeah?”  Nina: [breathless] “Yeah.” [Eddie kisses over it again, Nina’s hands tangling in his curls as she moans]  Eddie: “You sure we have to go to school?”  Nina: [laughing] “Yes, you menace! Stop distracting me! Come on!” [she pulls Eddie back by his hair and he bites his lip, aroused, not wanting to move at all]  Eddie: [muttering bitterly, sulking, moving to get dressed] “Graduating better be worth it.”  Nina: [singsong voice] “All the making out and dry humping you can handle once you graduate!”  Eddie: “If that won’t get me to graduate, I don’t know what will.” [thoughtful, pulling on his jeans] “Did you really mean what you said last night?”  Nina: [Confused, pulling on her dress, nonchalant] “Which part? We said lots of things.”  Eddie: (Small, nervous) “The part about, y’know, being mine?” (now rambling) “Cause if that was just sexy talk, I get it, I did kind of spring it on you, I won’t be offended.” (now joking to lighten the mood) “Heartbroken, but not offended.” Nina: [stopping her actions, now facing Eddie] “I meant it, Eddie. I’m yours if you want me.”  Eddie: (scalding) “You make it sound like you’re offering me a slice of pizza.”  Nina: [mumbled, half-joking, half self-deprecating] “Pizza would be a better investment.”  Eddie: (joking) “Hmm, I am a fan of pizza.” [Nina throws a pillow at him which he dodges, he grabs Nina and pulls her back on the bed, Nina tumbles backwards squealing. Eddie whispers in her ear] “But I’d much rather have you. Much tastier.”  Nina: (blushing) “Shut it, perv.”  Eddie: [embarrassed] “I’m sorry if I came too quickly last night, it’s just you’re really hot and I-“  Nina: [smiling] “Eddie, it’s perfectly normal for your first time, it was sexy even.”  Eddie: (confused) “It was?”  Nina: [throwing her arms over his shoulders] “Hell yeah. I like knowing I have that kind of reaction over you, it’s a big turn on.”  Eddie: [dazed, aroused again] “In what way?”  Nina: “It’s just so unfiltered and raw.” [smirking, laughing] “It’s just sexy that it's just for my eyes to see, I don’t know, it’s hot.”  Eddie: (grinning, love struck, determined) “Go on a date with me.”  Nina: (taken aback) “Really?” Eddie: [less confident now] “Yeah. I mean- if you want to. No studying, no babysitting, no getting punched by drunk guys, just you and me.”  Nina: (in thought) “Just you and me.” (Now excited) “Okay Munson, I’m down. Name your time and place.”  Eddie: “I’ll sort that out, you just focus on looking pretty for your man.” [Nina goes to interrupt with a self-deprecating joke but Eddie is faster] “Which won’t be hard as you’re already the most beautiful girl in Hawkins. The entire US actually. Wait no- Pamela Anderso-”  Nina: [play fighting with Eddie, Eddie laughs as he restrains Nina’s wrists from playfully slapping him] “Quit while you’re ahead, dickhead.”  Eddie: [arms up, defensive] “I jest, I jest.” [brushing Nina’s hair from her face, Nina straddling his lap] “The most beautiful girl in the world.”  Nina: [blushing hard now] “And apparently I’m dating the cheesiest guy in the world.”  Eddie: (smirking) “Can’t help it, you bring it out of me. You bring lots of things out of me, actually.”  Nina: [mock gobsmacked, amused] “I’m dating a pervert.”  Eddie: [large cheeky smile] “Eh, you wouldn’t have it any other way.”  Nina: [smiling widely, squishing his cheeks together with one hand, planting a firm kiss on his lips] “I really wouldn’t.” 

Next chapter: Chapter Ten - I Just Want you

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Eight - How do I get you alone?

Content warnings (spoilers, duh!): dirty 18+ thoughts (Eddie is a dirty minded boy), acts of violence (bar fight between Eddie and bargoer), mentions of blood, alcohol consumption, Nina takes care of Eddie, First Kiss!!! protective!eddie

‘Till now I always got by on my own, 

I never really cared until I met you. 

And now it chills me to the bone, 

How do I get you alone?’ 

Alone - Heart 

Tuesday / 9pm on the dot / The Hideout bar

Eddie: [eyes fixed on the door, knee bouncing impatiently on the stool he sat on, chewing on the skin on his thumb] “Come on Nina, come on Nina, come on.”  Bar Manager: “You’re on in five, guys.” Eddie: [disappointed, sighing, sad smile on his face] “Damn it.” 

Unbeknownst to Eddie, Nina is already inside, entering through the smoking area back door. She is sitting at the back of the bar in a booth, drink in hand.

Nina watches Eddie intently, hoping to get his attention, watching as Eddie fumbles with his guitar and pic, tuning his guitar for the first song of their set.

Eddie’s heart sank to his stomach when the owner of the bar said it was time to start their set and Nina hadn’t walked through the doors.

I should have invited her myself, idiot, He thought. Didn’t even have the balls to ask her, Dustin had to, no wonder she didn’t show up. 

Eddie sinks back a drink, puts on a smile, and begins to play his set with Corroded Coffin. The bright lights of the makeshift stage blind him from seeing anyone in the audience. 

They play their set and the lights dim to the usual standard. Eddie glances around the room and notices Nina at the back of the bar, smiling widely at Eddie, clapping once the set was finished. 

His stomach churns with excitement but he smiles brightly at Nina.He fumbles nervously over the amp wire, eager to get off stage and into Nina’s company.

Nina: (giddy) “Hey, rockstar.” Eddie: [equally as giddy, smiling widely, blushing] “Hey, Nina.” 

Eddie loved saying her name, he loved the way it flowed so effortlessly off his tongue, how he moaned it in his dirty dreams at night and whispered it in the shower, hard cock in his hand. He wondered what she would sound like moaning his name. 

Eddie blinks his dirty thoughts away back to the present moment.

She actually came, he thought.

Nina: (casually) “Great set tonight, I liked it. You were amazing, you all were. Want to go for a smoke?”  Eddie: (smiling, happy) “Sure, I’ll meet you out there.” 

Eddie watches as Nina walks away. He finishes packing his stuff away and meets her outside on a bench outside the bar. They are sitting opposite each other, under the warm outdoor light.

Nina rolls them both a cigarette with her long black manicured nails, talking about the songs on Corroded Coffin’s setlist excitedly. Eddie tries to avert his gaze as she licks along the rolling paper to seal the cigarette but finds himself zoning out as he focuses on her lips and tongue. Nina’s conversation of the setlist is distant background noise as his mind races with dirty thoughts. 

The sight of her tongue slowly licking the paper causes his stomach to flip and trousers to tighten, imagining the impossibly dirty things she could do with her tongue. 

Eddie and Nina sit opposite each other on the bench, content in each other’s company. Eddie finds himself looking at Nina fondly, taking in her beauty. He admires how her eye makeup was darker tonight, making her eyes brighter and more sultry. He tries not to ogle at her breasts in the short red summer dress she wore or her thighs in her fishnet tights. He looks at her leather jacket and can’t help but think, Maybe one day she can wear my leather jacket. 

He sighs contently to himself as she rambles on. Man, I could look at you forever, he thinks.

Nina: [shyly, almost confessional, flicking her cigarette stub out.] “So I was surprised Dustin asked me here tonight. I won’t lie, I was kinda waiting for you to invite me. I saw your posters around town.”  Eddie: (sheepishly) “You see- I wanted to- but I… bottled it.” [He scratched his neck awkwardly, leaning his head on his shoulder.]

Nina smiled at how shy Eddie looked, he looked so sweet. She sat and thought how she’d never met a man like Eddie before, so outgoing, unapologetically loud and weird around other people, and yet sometimes so tender and timid around her. It gave her butterflies.

Eddie: (blushing) “Plus I thought you were into Steve and I dunno-“  Nina: [laughing, somewhat embarrassed, wondering how Eddie had misread her advances] “Steve? Ha! He’s not my type.”  Eddie: [curiously, nervous] “Handsome, charming and good hair isn’t your type?”  Nina: [laughing more, sly smile, teasing] “Sounds like handsome, charming and good hair is more your type, actually.” Eddie: [smiling, joking] “Oh, fuck off.”

Eddie laughed, smiling the widest smile he smiled all night. He loved it when she teased him. 

Nina: [confidently but in a lowered voice, but fiddling with her lighter, eyes never leaving Eddies] “Handsome, charming and good hair is my type actually, I just happen to have eyes on someone else…” 

Eddie’s eyes glittered hopefully, palms sweaty. His mouth parts to speak but he is interrupted by Gareth, Jeff and Daniel (Unnamed Freak) barging through the back door, drinks in hand, joining their table and intimate conversation.

Eddie stretches his fingers, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans nervously. Eddie feels a small pang of  jealousy, he doesn’t want to share Nina’s attention. Conversation flows between Nina and Eddie’s band mates after introducing them to each other; they debate albums and laugh the night away. Eddie watches adoringly, his heart warmed. This night felt perfect to him, his friends getting on so well with his girl, drinks flowing and lots of laughter.

Nina: “I’ll go grab us another drink, what do you want Eddie?” 

After a back and forth over who was paying - Eddie wanted to be a gentleman and pay for the drinks but Nina insisted, Nina walks back inside to get drinks from the bar.

Eddie watches her hips sway as she walks away, the fishnet tights doing horrendous damage below his belt. His eyes turn away from her thighs and ass as Gareth, Jeff and Daniel jeer at him for staring.

Ten minutes pass and Nina hasn’t returned. Eddie stands up to see where she is, feeling lost without her. His band mates say there must be a queue at the bar and to sit back down. He ignores them and leaves the table. 

Eddie: [standing up, quietly] “I’ll be right back.” 

Eddie makes his way into the bar, seeing Nina at the bar, looking uncomfortable. A greasy looking drunk man is hovering around her, caging her into the corner of the bar. 

Random man: (drunkenly) “C’mon gorgeous, lemme buy you a drink, just one drink.”  Nina: (politely, frightened) “It’s okay honestly, thank you though, I’m seeing someone and he’s waiting for me, I really need to go back outside-”  Random man: (pushy, loud) “Come on, don’t be a bore, just one drink.” [gesturing to the unimpressed bartender] “Hey, barman! Another drink for the beautiful lady.” [he puts his arm around her, she freezes] Nina: (quiet) “I’m not interested, but thank you.” [removing his arm from around her] “I need to go now.”  Eddie: (concerned) “Everything okay, Nina?”  Nina: [tight lipped, eyes pleading for help] “Yeah I’m fine, just getting our drinks.” Random man: [threatened, puffing his chest out] “She occupied dude, go find your own girl.” Eddie: (dismissive) “Look man, she said she’s not interested, back off.” [he stands protectively in front of Nina, back to the man, facing Nina, muttering quietly to himself] “Asshole.” [quietly, head tilting down to reach Nina’s eyes, arm around her waist, hand on her hip]“You okay?”

The man stands up from his barstool, unbeknownst to Eddie, grabbing Eddie by the shoulder to turn him around, using his other hand to punch Eddie across the eye.

Eddie falls backwards onto the bar, staggering a bit, as Nina flinches in shock. The bar goes silent for a moment before erupting in chaos; people running to pull Eddie and the drunk man apart. The bartender calls for the bouncer to grab the drunkard as Eddie shakes his head and orientates himself, striding over to the drunk man and punching him hard in the face, blood spilling from his nose. Bartenders, other occupants of the bar and bouncers pull the two men apart, but Eddie is surprisingly strong when angry and manages to push them off and land a few more blows, straddling over the drunk man and pounding his fist into his face. Nina grabbed ahold of Eddie’s bicep, trying to bring him away from the man. 

Hearing the chaos inside, Eddie’s fellow band mates burst through the back door and manage to restrain Eddie and bring him back to Nina’s side. Nina shakes as she holds tightly onto Eddie’s arm. 

Naturally, the bartender and owner takes Eddie’s side, being a regular in the pub and good friends. 

As the chaos dies down, Nina drags Eddie to the men’s toilet. She sits him on the toilet seat in the cramped toilet stall, grabbing a handful of tissues and wetting them in the small sink, mopping up the blood trickling from Eddie’s eyebrow. His face is still red from anger, veins protruding on his neck, his bloodied fists clenching and unclenching with adrenaline. His breathing is harsh and heavy, his eyes wide with fury. 

Nina: [upset, worried] “Oh my god, Eddie, are you okay? I’m so sorry, are you alright? Does it hurt? Jesus this is all my fault, I-” [Eddie winces, clearly in shock still, as she pats the cut splitting through his eyebrow, her face contorts with worry] “Eddie, talk to me, are you okay?” 

Eddie’s eyes soften when he looks at her, his blown pupils calming when he sees Nina’s grey tearful ones.

Eddie: (panicked, concerned) “Why are you crying? Are you hurt?” [He checks her face and arms for any injuries.]  Nina: [smiling, half laughing] “You just got punched in the face and you’re asking if I’m okay?” Eddie: (quietly) “Oh.”

Nina gently presses the wet towel on his eyebrow, cleaning up the trickling blood.

They stand in silence for a while in the tiny men’s bathroom until Eddie had calmed down. 

Nina: [quietly, sincere. brushing the hair out of Eddie’s face] “That was a really brave thing you did for me there. Thank you.” Eddie: [still unclenching and clenching his fist] “It’s okay. I’m sorry men are such asses.” (Concerned) “Are you okay though?” Nina: [smiling at his concern, overwhelmed with emotion] “I’m fine baby, are you?” 

Baby, she called me baby. Maybe I have a concussion, he thought. 

Eddie: [putting on a brave face] “I’m fine. Head hurts a bit though.”  Nina: (teasingly) “At least it wasn’t your nose. Though it would be karma for nearly breaking my nose with a mop.” 

Eddie smiles at Nina’s joke, smiling at the memory of their first meeting.

Eddie: (smiling, bashful) “Hey, I’m being your knight in shining armour here, no time for teasing.” Nina: [teasing] “Knight in shining leather, more like.” [realising her joke] “You’re right, I’m sorry. Thank you.” Eddie: [smiling, trying to lighten the mood] “Is it bad? Or does it make me look badass and dangerously handsome?” 

They both realise quickly how small the men’s bathroom is, Eddie sat on the toilet while Nina stood in front of him by the sink. His eyeline was direct with Nina’s cleavage, something that made him feel dizzier than he already was. 

Nina: “Well, the bleeding is still bleeding a bit and  you’re gonna get a hell of a bruise. Maybe we should go to the hospital to make sure you haven’t damaged your eye or got a concussion.” [Patting the blood] “And for the record, I always think you’re badass and dangerously handsome.” 

Eddie’s cheeks turn pink. He leans forward from his position on the toilet, dragging Nina drunkenly over to him, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, snaking them underneath her jacket, head resting on her chest, sighing peacefully in her arms. 

Nina jolted at first, shocked by Eddie’s sudden display of affection but soon softens into the hug, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, one hand in his hair, scratching his scalp soothingly. She smiles brightly and chuckles softly, kissing the top of his head. 

Eddie: [mumbling into Nina’s dress] “I’m sorry men are dicks.” 

She smelt like cigarettes and vanilla, it was intoxicating. Forget weed, he could get high off her. 

Nina: “It’s okay, it happens sometimes. I’m sorry I got you punched.”  Eddie: [sincere, almost drunk on her attention] “Don’t apologise. I’d get punched a million times if it meant protecting you.”  Nina: (teasingly) “Okay, you’ve definitely got a concussion.” Eddie: [looking up at Nina fondly] “Good thing I’ve got a lovely lady to take care of me.” 

Nina looks at Eddie and smiles. She thought he looked so sweet and handsome, even with his busted eye. She holds his face in her hands, running her thumb gently over his cheek. Her eyes flicker from staring deeply into his eyes to his parted lips, Eddie’s eyes turning wide in realisation that they were about to kiss. He licked his lips nervously, looking at her lips too. They looked soft, it’s finally happening, we’re going to kiss.

She leans down slowly, testing the waters, before gently pressing her lips on his. Her eyes closes but Eddie’s stay open, body ridged in shock. After a few moments Eddie closes his eyes, relaxing into the kiss. He confidently stands up and puts one hand in her hair, one hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him. She smiles into the kiss which makes him smile. After a few moments, they both pull apart smiling and laughing, blushing pink with glee. 

Eddie: [whispering on Nina’s lips] “I really didn’t think our first kiss was going to be in the men’s room at a dive bar.” Nina: (amused) “So you’ve thought about kissing me, huh?”

Eddie grins and blushes even more.

Nina: [taking her hand in his] “Come on, lemme take you home.”

11:45PM / Eddie’s trailer. 

Eddie and Nina run out of the back seat of Gareth’s car, leather jackets over their heads, caught in a springtime rainstorm.

Wayne was working the night shift and Nina insisted on staying with Eddie until it was time for him to sleep, in case he had a concussion, since he refused to go to hospital to get it checked. 

Eddie: [fumbling with the keys, body drenched, frustrated] “Son of a bitch! Fucking open!” 

The trailer door swings open, and Eddie and Nina enter. They shake themselves off like wet dogs, looking at each other, drenched, and burst out laughing at the unexpected summer storm.

Eddie: [mumbling, averting his gaze from Nina’s soaked dress and moist skin, shy] “I’ll, erm, find you some clothes to wear.” 

The alcohol and adrenaline fuel his perverted thoughts as he imagined that’s how her skin would look while she lay underneath him, skin glowing with sweat as he lay between thighs for hours on end.

Nina: [self conscious, bedraggled] “Thanks.”

Eddie walks to his room and opens his drawers: sniffing at his shirts for the cleanest smelling shirt. He grabs his Hellfire shirt and a pair of boxers, suddenly aware he only had only one pair of clean pyjama trousers.

Should he wear them or should she? He certainly didn’t want Nina to feel uncomfortable or exposed, but CERTAINLY didn’t want to expose himself in front of Nina only wearing boxers. Though, the thought of seeing Nina in one of his raggedy band shirts and boxers excited him much more than he wanted to admit. 

He grabs a clean towel and walks through to find Nina standing in the living room in a puddle of water, glancing around the small trailer.

Eddie: (shy) “It’s not much but it’s home.” Nina: (politely) “I think it’s lovely. It’s homey. And very you.” 

Nina laughed at the last part, eyeing the pizza boxes, beer bottles on the counter and weed tin hidden down the side of the couch.

Eddie: “Thanks.” [a quiet pause.] “Here’s a towel and some spare clothes, I’ll put your clothes in the dryer for you.”  Nina: “I can do that, I’m supposed to be looking after you, remember?” 

Eddie smiled, heart thumping in his chest, warmed by her caring nature. 

Eddie: “Bathroom is down the hall on your left.” 

Nina waddles down the hall in her damp clothes, pulling the bathroom door too. Eddie strips from his clothes in his room, changing into some clean dry ones and checking his reflection in the mirror.

Sitting on the end of his bed patiently, he noticed the luminescent glow from the bathroom, light flowing through the crack in the door. He sees the shadow of Nina’s silhouette as she strips out of her wet clothes: dropping the damp items of clothing outside of the door to be washed. 

Stop looking, perv, he thought. He gulps and pulls his eyes away from the door.

Eddie waits a few moments until the shower starts running before picking up Nina’s clothes and putting them in the dryer. He feels slightly giddy that Nina was naked in his home. 

Eddie’s eyes flicks around the living room. He hurriedly tidied the mess, putting pizza boxes in the bin, turning on a lamp instead of the ceiling light. 

He sits on the couch, fiddling with his fingers nervously, fluffing pillows and slipping his dirty magazines under the couch. He lets out a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding, trying to compose himself. He leans back on the couch, trying out various positions, trying to figure out what would be most comfortable for them both. He puts the TV on, the signal fuzzy due to the storm outside, thunder booming above and lightning illuminating the land outside.

Cutaway - Eddie’s bathroom

Nina looks at her appearance in the mirror. Her hair falls dripping around her face, eye makeup smudged heavily under her eyes. 

She turns on the shower to warm and peels off her damp clothes, slipping them outside the door to be washed, careful not to expose herself to Eddie through the slit of the door. 

She was suddenly aware she was naked in Eddie’s trailer. She held the clothes Eddie had given her to her nose, breathing in deeply. Smiling, she hopped into the shower. 

She rolled her eyes, smiling, as she noticed Eddie’s two in one shampoo and bodywash.  As she washes herself clean, allowing her cold limbs to warm in the shower, she replays the events of the evening in her mind. 

Nina climbs out of the shower, drying herself off and fixes her panda eyes. She puts on the boxers and shirt Eddie gave her. Letting out a nervous breath, she leaves the bathroom. 

Nina: [walking out of the bathroom, combing her fingers through her hair] “I don’t get how your hair is so nice when you use two in one shampoo, I swear that shit is just drain cleaner.”

Eddie’s eyes widens as she enters the room, his initial nerves now turning into fondness, smiling at her in his clothes. Oh I could get used to this, he thought. 

Nina: [rambling, feeling nervous with Eddie’s eyes on her] “I’m buying you some proper shampoo the next time we go shopping. You’re going to be the poster model for Herbal Essences.” [Eddie smiled fondly, still voiceless.] 

Nina sits beside Eddie on the couch, lifting her legs over Eddie’s lap, getting comfortable. Eddie mindlessly put his hands on her legs, stroking her soft skin as she talked. 

She continued her rambling nervously about men’s shampoo and the ridiculousness of their scents, when Eddie suddenly exits the room. Nina stopped talking, puzzled, then smiles when Eddie returns to the room, socks in hand. She continues her ranting as he slips the socks over her cold feet, listening intently. 

Nina: [talking away her nerves] “I mean, what kind of scent is cool steel anyways?” [She smiled as he slipped the socks on her feet] “Thank you. You should have seen my makeup there, I looked like Alice Cooper.” [Eddie giggles. Nina brushes the hair out of Eddie’s face, concerned, speaking softly] “How do you feel?” 

Even with the cut through his eyebrow, purple slowly tracking around his eye, his eyes still look wonderful, Nina thought. 

Eddie: [tired, but content] “I feel okay, my body is tired but my mind isn’t. You?”  Nina: (concerned) “Stay awake a few more hours so I know you’re not concussed and then I’ll go home and let you sleep.”  Eddie: [bluntly, more forceful than intended] “You’re not going home tonight.” [Eddie blushes when Nina looks at him confused] “I mean, I’m not letting you walk home alone in this weather. You’ll drown and it’s late and not safe. You can stay in my bed and I’ll sleep on the couch, I can drive you home in the morning before school.”  Nina: (blushing) “Are you sure? I don’t want to like, invade your space, or whatever.” Eddie: [shyly, running his large hands up and down Nina’s soft legs] “I like having you here, it’s nice.”

A crack of thunder and lightning illuminated the outside of the trailer, the walls rumbling with its force. 

Nina leaned closer to Eddie, heart thumping with shock.

Eddie: (teasing) “Can’t have you walking home in the storm when you look like you’re about to crap your pants. Not like thunder?”  Nina: (lying) “I do, just gave me a fright that’s all…” [she grabs a pillow to hide behind.]  “Of course you would like thunder and lightning.”   Eddie: [smirking] “Well obviously, it’s the most metal of all weather!”

Another large rumble had Nina grabbing onto Eddie’s bicep, fingers pressing in tightly. Eddie laughs at Nina’s expense.

Nina: “Shut up and put a movie on.” 

Next chapter: Chapter Nine - I think we're alone now

[hellfirehottie]

California Dreamin' - Eddie Munson

Chapter Seven - Songbird

Content warnings: smut right at the beginning (or illusion of smut), big mental health warning (panic attacks, depression, anxiety), Nina is bad at expressing emotions / dealing with issues, angst, hurt / comfort, happy ending. use of inaccurate song for the 80's but it fits with the storyline.

"For you, there'll be no more crying, For you, the sun will be shining, Because I feel that when I'm with you It's alright, I know it's right."

Songbird - Fleetwood Mac

Monday / 11:45 / Steve’s house

Eddie mumbles in his sleep, nuzzling into Nina’s shirt. Slowly waking up, he smiles to himself as he inhales her vanilla scent, mixed with chlorine and sunscreen. The arm wrapped around Nina’s waist tightens around her, his hand sliding up under her shirt to caress her sun kissed skin. Nina begins to stir awake, humming contently. 

Nina: (softly) “Morning baby.” 

Eddie lifts his head tiredly, looking up at Nina smiling down at him. 

Eddie: “Hi.”  Nina: [stroking his hair] “You sleep okay?”  Eddie: “Mm, best I’ve slept in months.” [stroking her side] “You?”  Nina: (content) “Me too.” (cheeky) “You having fun there?”  Eddie: [tracing her skin with his fingertips] “Mm, you feel soft.”  Nina: [eyes fluttering shut] “It feels nice.”  Eddie: (hopeful) “Yeah?”  Nina: (softly) “Yeah.”  Eddie: [sliding his hand further up her shirt, thumb stroking the underside of her breast] “Does this feel nice too?”  Nina: (sighing contently) “Yeah.” [opening her eyes, pupils wide] “Keep going.” 

Eddie confidently slides his hand to cup her breast, rubbing his thumb across her nipple. Nina hums with satisfaction. Nina’s shirt rides up with Eddie’s movements, and he uses the opportunity to gently kiss across her stomach and ribs. Her breathing goes shallow as her fingers weave into his hair. 

Eddie: [kissing up her chest] “Does this feel good?”  Nina: “Very good.” 

Eddie lifts her shirt up so it's bunched under her neck. His kisses travel between the valley of her breasts, his hand going back to cupping and groping Nina’s breast. Her head tilts back on the couch pillow as she gives out soft puffs of air. 

Eddie: “You’re so beautiful, Nina.” [he takes her breast in his hand and rolls his tongue over her nipple, relishing how it perks up for him] “My perfect girl.”  Nina: [moaning softly] “Oh, Eddie.”  Eddie: “Yes, princess?” [looking up at her, breast still in his mouth, loving Nina’s reaction] “You like that?” 

Nina: “Eddie…” [grabbing his hand, guiding it down under the band of her shorts, eyes wide with lust] “Touch me.” [Eddie’s hand strokes her skin above her shorts, his fingers beginning to dip into her shorts] “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie…”  Jonathan: “Eddie, Eddie wake up man, it’s almost 12.” 

Eddie startles awake, blinking wide, lurching from the couch. He looks around, confused, disorientated by his dream. Nina is no longer lying underneath him, and his painfully hard erection is a sore reminder that he woke up alone. 

Eddie: [wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth] “Huh?”  Jonathan: “Everyone is heading home now.”  Eddie: “Where is Nina?” [embarrassed, recovering] “And everyone, I mean, where is everyone?”  Jonathan: “Steve is in the shower getting ready for work, the kids have already left somewhere, Nancy is waiting in the car and Robin left about an hour ago to get ready for work. Nina left early.”  Eddie: “Oh.” 

Eddie spends the drive home worrying. The heavy summer storm brewing outside mirrors Eddie’s sullen mood. Have I upset Nina? Did I make her uncomfortable? Did she feel me get hard? Embarrassment twists in his gut. Have I blown this before it’s even begun? Eddie wells up as he drives, angrily wiping away his tears.

As he drives, the rain lashes down on his windscreen. He pulls over to the side of the road and rests his head sadly on his steering wheel. 

When he raises his head from the steering wheel, he looks confused at a figure sat at the side of the road. 

Eddie: (concerned) “Nina?” 

Earlier that morning…  

Nina wakes up happy. Yawning softly, she looks down at Eddie cuddled into her side and smiles. She pulls the blanket further over Eddie’s shoulder, tucking him in. She looks at the clock on the wall, 7:30 AM, and back at Eddie. 

She allows herself to lie there for half an hour: gently stroking Eddie’s hair, tracing patterns on his shoulder and stroking his back. She smiles contently at his soft breathing and mumbles in his sleep. She tries to manoeuvre herself off the couch and out from under Eddie, but Eddie clings tighter to her, nuzzling into her side. 

Nina grins as Eddie sighs contently. She brushes his hair again, looking at him fondly. 

Nina can’t help but admire how peaceful Eddie looks. She imagines waking up every morning like this, with kisses and lazy morning cuddles, breakfast and a warm shower together. 

Her mind begins to cloud with doubt. Flashbacks of smashed plates, broken bottles, pulled hair and purple bruises take over her daydreams. 

Her smile drops. She suddenly feels suffocated. Her breathing quickens and she gulps nervously. She tries a second time to slide out from underneath him, Eddie grumbles but lets go of Nina. 

She slides out and stands up, stretching her stiff limbs. She turns, sitting on the coffee table, looking at Eddie sleep peacefully. She smiles a sad smile, tucking him in again. 

She rummages through her bag for the journal she had the night before. The picture of her as a child in a hospital bed is peeking from the top corner. Her bottom lip quivers but she refuses to cry.

She writes quickly in her diary. 

I’m terrified to want you. 

She begins to tear up and swallows her tears. 

She pulls a piece of paper from the journal and writes on it, leaving it by Robin’s side. “I’m going out for the day, see you at home after work. X” 

She sits for a while, trying to think of what to write to Eddie. After scribbling and crumpling up multiple notes, she gives up and closes her journal, shoving it in her bag. She crouches down to Eddie’s level, pressing a kiss on his forehead, grabs her things and leaves through the front door. 

That morning Nina paced around her bedroom. Chewing on her thumb, she looked at the journal lying open on her bed. “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac played through the room. Her chest began to heave as tears well in her eyes. Her vision blurred and the walls started to spin. She slid down the wall, fingers gripping the carpet tightly. Breathe, breathe, breathe, she tells herself. 

She sat on the floor shaking until her breathing became steady. Looking outside, she decided to get changed and go for a run, to let off some steam. 

12 Noon / the forest / Hawkins 

Nina is now running through the woods, headphones on her ears, panting with effort. The music in her ears is blasting, blocking out any of her surroundings, quieting her mind. Dodging stray branches and rocks with effort, Nina’s pace picks up as the thumping of the music increases. As the song shifts to the next track, Nina slows down to catch her breath. 

When I’m away from you, I’m happier than ever, 

Wish I could explain it better, 

I wish it wasn’t true. 

Tears form in Nina’s eyes. She takes a gulp of her water and starts to run again. 

Give me a day or two to think of something clever,

To write myself a letter to tell me what to do. 

The tears are flowing freely from Nina’s eyes as she picks up the pace. 

I knew when I asked you to be cool about what I was telling you,

You’d do the opposite of what you said you’d do,

And I’d end up more afraid. 

Don’t say it isn’t fair, you clearly weren’t aware that you made me miserable. 

Nina begins to cry heavily, eyes blurring as she runs wildly through the forest. 

I don’t relate to you, I don’t relate to you, no,

‘Cause I’d never treat me this shitty, 

You made me hate this city. 

Nina is running so fast she can’t stop, branches whipping her skin as she sprints through the trees, tears sliding down her face. 

Never told anyone anything bad, 

‘Cause that shit’s embarrassing, you were my everything,

Now all that you did was make me fucking sad. 

Nina falls to her knees at the clearing of the woods near the main road, sobbing. 

I could talk about every time that you showed up on time, 

But I’d have an empty line ‘cause you never did. 

Soil and wet leaves stick to Nina’s knees, light trickles of blood from scratches from stray twigs tickling her forearms and thighs. Nina’s body wracked with sobs as she tries and fails to catch her breath, her breathing uncontrollable and panicked. Nina pulls off the headphones angrily, furiously wiping her tears. 

Nina: [wiping her nose and eyes with her sleeve, muttering to herself angrily] “Damn woman is frigging haunting me.” [tugging her hair with frustration] “God damn it!” 

She takes a deep breath and sighs, trying to calm herself. She looks up at the sky as it starts to rain and Nina laughs a sad laugh. 

Fuck it, she thinks. She slides a cigarette from her pocket and lights it, not caring that she is getting drenched. She sits on the wet ground, her head held in one hand, the other hand twiddling the grass around her fingers, taking drags from her cigarette. 

Eddie appears by the side of the road in his van, rolling the window down in response to seeing Nina soaking wet, smoking in the rain. 

Eddie: (concerned) “You okay there, stranger?”  Nina: [shrugging in a comical pessimistic way, heart hurting] “Do I not look okay?”  Eddie: (amused) “You look wet.”  Nina: (self-deprecating) “A little bit, yeah.”  Eddie: (concerned again) “You need a ride?”  Nina: “Please.” 

Nina hops into Eddie’s van, taking the last few drags of her cigarette before dumping it out the window.

Eddie: (teasing) “Smoking and running at the same time? This some new sort of Californian work-out I don’t know about?”  Nina: (smirking) “Oh yeah, it’s all the rage back home.”  Eddie: (worried) “You’re bleeding.”  Nina: “It’s okay.” Eddie: “No, seriously, you’re covered in cuts.”  Nina: “Yeah I was running pretty hard back there.” Eddie: [joking to hide his worry] “What were you running from? Wolves?”  Nina: (Sad smile) “Something like that, yeah.” 

A silence falls over them both.

Eddie: (quietly) “You left early.”  Nina: [looking out the window, guilty] “I had a thing.”  Eddie: (stung) “Oh.” (worried) “I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”  Nina: [immediately] “No! No! Not at all.” (softening) “I was going to leave a note, I had a thing.” [hardening, secretive] “I had a thing.”  Eddie: “Are you okay?”  Nina: [clearly not okay, tears mixing with the damp of the rain] “I’m fine. Thank you.”  Eddie: “Are you sure?”  Nina: (looking at Eddie sadly) “Why, do I not look okay?” [Nina’s eyes are red and puffy, her clothes soaked through, leaves, dirt and blood coating her legs]  Eddie: “You don’t have to make a joke out of everything, you know? You can talk to me...”  Nina: “Should change your name to Eddie the Wise rather than Eddie the Banished.” [Realising she made another joke, defensive] “I don’t make a joke out of everything.”  Eddie: “You kinda do.”  Nina: (stubborn) “No I don’t.”  Eddie: (wary) “It’s okay, I do too. I’m just saying, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”  Nina: [defensive, retreating] “You don’t even know me.”  Eddie: [hurt] “I know you well enough.”  Nina: [hurting, feeling trapped] “You know nothing. Thanks for the offer but I’m perfectly fine by myself.”  Eddie: “Oh.”  Nina: “Just drop me off here, I’ll walk.” [she takes off her seatbelt and opens the door before Eddie can fully slow the van down, wanting a quick exit.]  Eddie: “Nina, wait…” [Nina slams the door behind her and runs off up the road.] “Nice one, Eddie.” 

6pm 

Nina walked along the side of the road, kicking the rocks under her feet.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought. 

She replayed the look of hurt on Eddie’s face when she slammed the door and left in her mind. Guilt twists in her stomach. 

Nina absentmindedly found herself walking to the field she sat in with Eddie previously. She sat down in the field, resting her elbows on her knees, her head in her hands. She sits there for hours. 

I don’t want to go home. 

I don’t know where to go.

I don’t have anywhere to go. 

Her lip quivers again, she sighs angrily at her overwhelming emotions. 

What is wrong with me today? Why am I feeling like this? 

She makes a flower chain with daisies she pulled from the ground. 

I want Eddie, she finally admits to herself. The realisation makes her eyes widen and heart race. 

Should she go and find him? She thinks. What if he doesn’t like me anymore? What if he thinks I’m a bad person? What if he thinks I’m a baby, a fuck up, too complicated for him? 

She falters again. She is torn between doubt and hope.

He’s better off without me, she thinks.

I don’t want to lose him over something as stupid as this. 

She stands up, brushing her shorts off. 

I’m going to make it up with Eddie. 

She heads out of the field, looking at the signposts on the side of the road. Forest Hills, 2 miles. Daisy chain in hand, she walks in that direction. 

Nina searches for Eddie’s van in the trailer park, which wasn’t there. She wanders around for a while, hoping she could find some sort of clue to which house was his. 

Neighbour: “Can I help you, darling?”  Nina: “Oh I’m looking for Eddie, is he around?”  Neighbour: [shaking their head] “Sorry, he’s not home. I can pass on a message?”  Nina: [having an idea] “Could I maybe borrow a piece of paper, please?” 

10pm / Forest Hills Trailer park 

Eddie returns home from work. He’s had a terrible day, feeling glum and frustrated about how Nina had left him. 

He slams his car door, making his way up the steps to the front door. He looks confused at the note he finds on the door frame, a daisy chain attached. 

Sorry I was a bitch, can we talk? call me? ************* 

Nina x 

Eddie smiles, running the daisy chain through his hand. He giddily walks inside the house, daisy chain in hand, dialling the number. 

He sits on the couch, waiting patiently for the phone to pick up. 

Nina: (quietly) “Eddie, is that you?”  Eddie: (softly) “Hey, stranger.”  Nina: “Hey. You got my note.”  Eddie: “I did.”  Nina: “I was worried you wouldn’t call.”  Eddie: “I’ll always call.”  Nina: [rushed, upset] “I’m so sorry for how I acted. I was a baby, and so rude, and I’m so sorry-”  Eddie: “Nina, it’s okay, calm down-“  Nina: “No it’s not okay, you didn’t deserve the way I treated you, I’m sorry!”  Eddie: “I shouldn’t have said what I said, I shouldn’t have pushed you-“ Nina: “You didn’t! You were nothing but kind. I fucked up, I’m sorry-“  Eddie: “It’s okay, it’s okay.”  Nina: (frustrated) “It’s not okay!”  Eddie: “Then I forgive you. Better?”  Nina: “I-“ Eddie: “I forgive you.”  Nina: [after a pause, quiet] “I won’t do it again. I’m just having a bad day. Sometimes I get…”  Eddie: (amused) “Dark and twisty?”  Nina: “How do you know about that?”  Eddie: “Robin told me.”  Nina: [deadpanned, cursing Robin] “Great, just great.”  Eddie: “It’s okay, we all get a little dark and twisty sometimes.”  Nina: (uneasy),“You do?”  Eddie: “Sure. It’s okay.” [another silence falls over] “Do you want to talk about it?”  Nina: “I was just… I listened to a sad song. It got me overthinking and I guess what you said touched a nerve.”  Eddie: (guilty) “I’m sorry.”  Nina: (softly) “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about.”  Eddie: “You know you can talk to me about.. stuff, if you want.”  Nina: [with a small smile] “I know. I’m trying.” 

Another quiet pause passes. They both want to continue the conversation but don’t know how. Eddie plays with the daisy chain mindlessly, Nina curls the cord of the phone around her finger. 

Eddie: “I like the daisy chain.”  Nina: “I don’t know what I did that.”  Eddie: “It’s cute.”  Nina: “It’s stupid.”  Eddie: “It’s not stupid, I like it.” 

Eddie can hear Nina smile down the phone. 

Nina: “So, what were you up to tonight?” 

The conversation flows for nearly an hour. They laugh and share stories, getting to know each other better. 

Nina: (shy) “So, Dustin invited me to the hideout tomorrow night.”  Eddie: (awkward) “He said, yeah, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”  Nina: “I want to! If you want me to?”  Eddie: (smiling) “I’d like you to.”  Nina: (shy) “Okay. I better go… I’ll see you tomorrow? 9pm, right?”  Eddie: “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”  Nina: (smiling) “Goodnight Eddie. Sleep well.” 

Nina smiles as she hangs up the phone, breathing a sigh of relief. Eddie reluctantly puts the phone back on the receiver, his mind reeling over their long conversation on the phone, giddy. He puts the daisy chain on his bedside table, and falls asleep happily. 

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Next chapter: Chapter Eight - How do I get you alone?