Part Two
Gareth Emerson had no clue what the hell Eddie was thinking.
There was “adopting lost sheep” as he called it, and “being the nest baby birds needed before they fly” for some of the other poor, mid-year transfers, and all of Hellfire was used to both these adoptees.
People showed up, always looking a little hesitant, always a little careful, and all of them were welcomed until they found their place in Hawkin’s High.
This though? This was neither of those things.
No, what Eddie had done was taken a wolf, or a--fucking tiger, that had gotten hurt fighting other fucking tigers, and decided to keep it as a pet.
Even if said pet was looking very pathetic, with a face full of bruises that apparently, Billy Hargrove caused.
That did not make sitting across from the fallen King and current senior, Steve Harrington, any easier.
Judging by the rest of Hellfire’s constant uneasy glances and uncomfortable, awkward joking, no one else was comfortable with it either.
Except of course, for Eddie.
“Dude can we like, talk for a minute?” Gareth asked, motioning at Jeff and Grant to distract Harrington. Not that it was hard, the jock was too busy staring at his pathetic packed lunch to notice much.
(The guy brought soup to school and was drinking it cold. What the fuck.)
“Ga~ary.” Eddie sing-songed, but it was in warning.
A warning very much ignored, as Gareth stood, and moved to tug Eddie up with him.
“Now, Eddie.” He said, his own tone a manic, if suppressed version of his own warning.
Gareth was not known for keeping his temper, but he also wasn’t keen on getting his ass kicked this early in the day if Harrington took offense.
And considering they had all finally caught a look at Hargrove, and the way he fucking stopped and turned on his heel the second he saw Harrington, there was no doubt in Gareth’s mind that Harrington could kick his ass.
Even in his current, beaten to shit state.
Eddie huffed a dramatic breath, making sure at least some of his hair moved with it, but stood nonetheless.
“I’ll return shortly, friends!” He called jovially, before letting himself be dragged backwards several feet.
Just fair enough away where they could still see the table, but not be heard.
Particularly not by any invading jocks.
“What were you thinking!?” Gareth started, hands crossed over his chest tightly. “You didn’t even talk to us first!”
“Garebear, look at him.” Eddie said, placing both hands on his friend's face, turning it to look at Steve’s hunched form.
“Those big, sad, puppy-dog eyes.” Eddie continued, leaning in to whisper in Gareth’s ear. “The pathetic way he slouches.”
Eddie leaned even closer, lips tickling Gareth’s ear and making the latter swat at him.
He dropped his hands to Gareth’s shoulders, shaking him lightly.
“His giant empty house we can use for Hellfire meetings.”
“Is that seriously why you dragged him over here?” Gareth demanded, a little louder than he’d meant too, if Eddie’s abruptly tight grip was anything to go by.
“Of course not.” Eddie scoffed. “Rumor has it the guy throws money around for his friends and if we play our cards right, we can be the receiving end of that gravy train.”
Eddie grinned theatrically while he said it, staring into Gareth’s eyes like his smile alone would convince him to play along.
It was the fakest thing Gareth had ever seen on his best friends face.
“Don’t bullshit me man.” He said quietly, eyes narrowed. “What’s the actual reason you decided to go against your own doctrine and adopt Steve Harrington, of all people?”
Eddie’s eyes flicked to Harrington and back. “There’s no other--”
“Eddie.” Gareth snapped, a flash of his temper breaking through. “You’re my best friend. Don’t fucking lie to me like that.”
“Has anyone told you you’ve been using the word ‘fuck’ a lot, Gare?” Eddie muttered, but it was more subdued, the playful mask falling from his face.
As a matter of fact, Ms. Click had called him out on it that very morning, but Gareth knew better than to admit that and derail this conversation.
“Edwin Dale Munson.” Gareth growled, enjoying the way Eddie flinched from his full, government name.
“Sssh!” Eddie dropped his hands from Gareth’s shoulder to wave them in his face. “Fine, fine, look. Rumor has it he got cheated on, blew up his friendship with Hateful Hagan and Cocky Carol, and then took a beating from Hargrove. All in the same like, week.”
Eddie tugged at his hair, the movement harsh.
“I found him walking home in the dark the other day. Said something was wrong with his car, but Gareth.” Eddie paused, gnawing on his lower lip, before he stopped close once again, voice barely above a whisper.
“I had to coax him in my car and when he got in he kept flinching.”
“Flinching.” Gareth repeated.
“Like I was gonna hit him or something.” Eddie explained. “Worse Harrington’s house was dark when I got home. I mentioned to Wayne it didn’t look like anybody lived there and he said he was surprised anyone did. He thought the Harrington’s moved.”
“Okay.” Gareth said, not quiet following this part of the conversation.
“He thought they moved because some coworker of his wife worked for them as a house keeper or some shit. Said they bought a place in Chicago. She helped them pack.”
Another look, but this time Gareth had picked up on what was happening.
The flinching.
Not going with his parents.
Staying in Hawkins, when Harrington had a chance to get the hell out.
It didn’t paint a pretty picture.
“Shit.” Gareth said finally.
Eddie nodded. “Exactly.”
Together, they turned to stare at Harrington, who had hunched further into himself now that Eddie was gone from the table.
“If he turns on us I’m blaming you.” Gareth grumbled finally, and tried not to let the smile that broke out on Eddie’s face effect him.
“Glad to hear you’re on board, Garebear.” Eddie said, patting his shoulder hard.
“You’re a fucking teddy bear, you know that right?” Gareth continued as they turned to walk back to the table.
“Shut your mouth.” Eddie fired back.
“I don't think I will. In fact, Harrington!” Gareth spoke the jock’s name loudly, making the dude jerk and spill some of his soup.
Bruised eyes looked up at him and Gareth fired a smug right into Harrington’s face. “Wouldn’t you agree that Eddie here is a giant teddy bear?”
“Don’t answer that.” Eddie cut in, as Harrington blinked slowly, a puzzled look overtaking his face. “Gareth here has a big imagination.”
“Let the man give his own opinions. I’m sure he has some!”
Steve looked between them.
“I think I’ll plead the fifth.” He decided on.
“Smart man.” Jeff muttered, causing the rest of the table to snicker.
For the first time since he sat down, Gareth witnessed a small smile appear on Harrington’s face.
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