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unamused-boss · 8 months

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California Dreaming pt2

disclaimer! Yo, so I moved recently. That is why I have been slow with somethings. So part 2 to California Dreaming. Hope you enjoy!

Billy Hargrove x reader

Summary: Max and Billy could only agree on one thing in common…. and that was you. You were their neighbor when the lived in California and Billy had the biggest crush on you. Plus it helped that you babysat, more like hangout with, Max. You were his California dream. Now all he can do I reminisce about you.

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Billy was spending his day ay 3:50 like he always has ever since coming to Indiana. Driving 70 on a 45, with Max in shot-gun waiting to get home. It has been over a month an Billy still can't stand being here. He hasn't even changed his license plate yet cause he can't swallow the idea of having an Indiana plate instead of California.

He misses it all. He already knows he can't get you off his mind. He still remembers every detail of the hand full of dates you guys went on. Billy had a code, a never the same girl twice code unless he's just looking for some fun. You were more than fun, you were everything to him. He can't just let you go so easily. He gave you the address of his new house in hopes of writing to you, but he's been to chicken shit to write anything. Not only is his hand writing not the best, he wouldn't know what to say to you. Max had written to you for a bit, but he doesn't keep up with what she does.

"Do you think about Y/N at all?" Max suddenly quipped. Breaking Billy from his thoughts, he glanced to Max for a minute.

"Why are you asking." He sighed. Trying to focus on the road instead of the conversation.

"I just think you're missing them a lot, I am." Max said, looking down to her lap. She's trying not to upset Billy but she just misses you to much not to. She told the party about you but that conversation didn't last long.

"Yeah." It was now Billy's turn to break Max from her thoughts. "I miss Y/N more than anything." Billy didn't look to Max when he said it. Continuing look forward toward the road in hopes of something new.

"What do you miss?" Max asked.

"What?" Billy is now confused.

"What do you miss about them?!" Max said a bit louder. "You and I both know we'd go back to see Y/N if we could." Max had a point. She knows Billy has been to the travel agency to get flights to California but he doesn't have enough money yet. The only reason she knows is because that's were Dustin's mom works. He told her he saw Billy come in asking about flights to California. Specifically Santa Monica, were your house is and where their old house is. Billy was stunned, actually he did not know what to say.

"I miss when Y/N and I would go to the mall together..." Max remembers the days you would take her to the mall. Billy would usually be busy with something. While Neil would drag her mom off somewhere. Max's mom never really kept her promises to Max. So you stepped in for her. Max remembers when you took her to buy her walkman and first cassette tape.

You and Max walked out of the store giggling. You had just bought Max her first cassette. Kate Bush. Max was eleven and you were sixteen. Having been babysitting Max since she moved next door and taking her to skate parks, you thought it was time to take her to the mall. You used the money you had saved for this exact moment. With a bag in each hand you turn to Max.

"So MadMax, What do you think?" You ask her, grinning down to her.

"This is the coolest!" Max exclaimed looking at the cassette in her hands. She thought you were the coolest person ever.

"How about we get something from the food court? Billy said he would come to get us in half an hour." You said. That's when Max stopped in her tracks.

A with a disgusted look on her face she says, "What, really Billy?! I don't see what you see in him?"

"What?" You responded, with a light shade of blush on your cheeks and ears.

"You are Best Friends with Billy, I don't get it." Max said rather aggressively, "Why be friends with him, he's a buttface!"

"How about you get the table and I explain when I get us some food." You said, handing the bags over to Max to get a burger at the mall Burger King... Once you got your two burgers and fries you sat with Max.

"So what's got you so bent out of shape with me and Billy?"

"He's just so mean! Like all the time and you are his only friend." Max said taking a bite into her burger.

"I'm not his only friend, his got a lot of friends I've seen them at school."

"You're the only friend he likes." Max knew about Billy's crush on you. With the many downs of having connected air vents, the one plus was that she could hear Billy confess his feelings to imaginary you at least once a week.

"Listen Max, I know you don't care but Billy has been through some nasty stuff before you came into his life." You said.

"Then why does he have to be mean to me about it then."

"He's just... complicated.... feelings are complicated. And those feelings have nothing to do with you." You somewhat explained.

"Then what is it?"

"I really shouldn't open this can of worms with you, but what the hell.." You sighed. "Billy- Billy lost his mom when he was a little younger than you." You saying that got Max's attention, she didn't know anything about Billy's mom. Other than Nail yelling about her some nights. "Billy is the sweetest guy I know, when I was getting picked on in elementary school Billy scared off my bullies." Max was looking to you with such intent. Her and Billy have never really bonded, they had their moments but those moments are barley talked about.

"And Just to tell you, Billy was a small kid till middle school." You laughed, Max did too. "But ever since he did that we have been best friends since... and I know if he did that for me, I can do it for him." Hearing this Max understood the relationship a bit more now. It wasn't some weird convince for both of you. You both helped each other in many ways. "Plus don't tell Billy but his ears turn red when he gets embarrassed." Now Max shouted with laughter at that.

"Really!" Max exclaimed.

"For real." You said matter a factly. Flipping your wrist over to see the time, your watch read 1:30. You start gathering your stuff, "Come on kid, Billy will be here any minute to pick us up." An with that the moment was over. Max was now back in the blue Camaro in Hawkins, not the Santa Monica mall.

"I miss hearing Y/N laugh." Billy said, somewhat quietly. It was out of character for him. Max's head snaps to him.

"Really?" Max said.

"Yes shit-bird." Billy stated. "I miss everything about them. Y/N was the only thing I had... now they're across the country."

"So you're sad?" Max questioned.

"For fuck sake Max, YES!" Now Max see's it. The sensitive Billy you had talked about. The one that took you to the eight grade formal the middle school had, he even took you to freshmen homecoming. Only saying it was as friends though Billy was to scared to actually ask you. Billy remembers the last date you guys went on before he moved. He took you out to a remote field, one with an ocean view. Like in movies. Billy dressed in his best pants in his opinion, the ones that make his ass look good. You looked breath taking, dress how you wanted. Billy always looked to you with stars in his eyes, cause you were his universe. You guys were sitting on the head of his Camaro taking in the night sky.

"Billy." You breathed out, "Will you miss me?"

Billy's head snapped to you. "What makes you think I won't?" It seemed like at out of pocket question. He will miss you more than anything in California.

"I know, stupid question..." You said. "It's just- It hit me that I won't see you Monday at school. I won't see you at lunch. I won't see you till, I don't know when I'll see you again." Tears were starting to well up in your eyes. They started spilling out down your cheeks. You couldn't stop. Billy brought his hand up to the apple of your cheek an stroked your tears away.

"I will miss you." Billy said to you, tilting your head up to meet his eyes. "The feelings I have for you will not go away, even in Indiana."

"You know you can date other girls right?" You laughed. "I don't want to hold you back from having fun." Tears were still streaming down your face. Billy looked to you with sad eyes. He doesn't want another girl, especially some cow in Indiana.

"I don't want to." Billy said. "I want you."

"I know Billy, I want you to but... I'll try to come see you." You suggested. "Maybe for spring break or over the summer."

"I don't want to wait."

"Neither do I, but... us moving forward from this will help." You said.

"You shitting me!" Billy exclaimed. "I want no one but you, Y/N. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will do whatever it is you want or what I have to do to be happy with you. I will do anything for you." You don't think you've ever seen Billy more serious in his life. And that's after thinking he could do a handstand on a tower of kegs. You want to be selfish, keep him and Max with you. But the universe has other ideas.

"Let's go home Billy." You said softly. With that Billy Hargrove drove the speed limit to your home not his. Billy's house wasn't a home your house was more of a home for him ever since his mom left. He parked his car in your driveway, knowing your parents park in the garage. You both go to your room upstairs, take your shoes off, and climb into your bed holding each other for the night. It was a way of comfort you guys had in private. No one knew that Billy was a cuddler. You both stayed like that till you fell asleep. An when you woke up the next morning Billy was already up an at his house moving boxes into a moving truck to go to Indiana. You saw all the commotion from your bedroom window. You go downstairs as fast as you can, grabbing a jacket to go over your date outfit from last night. You run out your front door, bare foot in your front lawn. You just stare at what was going on in front of you. It seemed that the last of the boxes were being moved into the truck to be taken away. Max was making her way out the front door for the last time to see you. She drops her skateboard on the ground and starts running to you.

"Maxine!" Niel yells. Billy is just staring from his car since he was driving separate from the rest.

Max tackled you into a hug. If she squeezed any tighter you would pop like a bubble. "I'm going to miss you Y/N." There were tears coming down from her eyes an staining your jacket.

"I'll miss you to Max." You kiss the top of her head. Giving her one quick squeeze till...

"Maxine, let go. We got to get to Indiana!" Neil shouted from his car. Honking the horn. Max left you, grabbed her board to get into the car. He turned to Billy and handed him an envelope.

"This is the address of the house when you get to Indiana, idiot." Neil stated, "Hopefully you'll get lost..." He whispered that last part but Billy still heard it. The wheels of Niels car screeched out of the driveway into the road driving away. With Max looking out at the back at you going further away. You turn back to Billy as he wakes up to you.

"This is our new address 4510, Cherry Lane SW, Hawkins Indiana." He seemed less that enthused to tell you the information. And in it appears Billy already had it written down for you to take.

"You should write Max, she'll miss you." Billy suggested. You look up to him. Having said nothing yet. "You're kinda creeping me out with the no talking thing babe?" Babe... something Billy started calling you when you guys went on your first date last week. No he won't call you babe ever again. You look up to Billy.

"I love you Billy Hargrove." With that all the weight Billy had felt leave his body as he leaned into kiss your lips. They were soft as expected. The kiss felt electric. Everything was there all at once. Every moment. Heartbreak. Laugh. Cry. All of it was there, you and billy were in the center of it all. In your pocket of dream.

"I love you too, Y/N." Billy says once the kiss breaks. No words were said after that. Billy held you close one more time then walked to his car. Getting in the front drivers seat. Starting the engine. Then Driving away, like Max, watching you through the revue mirror. As you slowly walk back up to your house. The car came to a complete stop on Hawkins, Cherry Lane. Billy is now back in Hawkins without you. Max got out of the car, slamming the door shut to make her way up to the house. Billy thought he should do the same then, hopefully not be bothered by anyone else in the house.

"Billy!" Neil shouted. Billy froze, he really didn't want another "talking to" from his dad this week. He slowly turns to Neil.

"Sir?" Billy said with caution. Neil came up to him slapping a envelope into his hand then walking away.

"You got mail." Billy sped to his room to open the letter as fast as he could: when Billy opened the letter he was met with your pretty and neat hand writing. He smiled bigger than ever in the past month in a half. His eyes fell onto the first sentence. It read.

Hello Billy I still love you...

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@capitanostella

221 notes · View notes

happy74827 · 2 months

Note

Hiii! I was wondering if you could just write a very fluffy Marty McFly imagine of him and the reader being two idiots in love! THANK YOU!!!

Stupid With Love

[Marty McFly x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: Who would've thought that a simple trip to the mall would change everything?

WC: 3,530

Category: Fluff

Oh my god a Marty request?!? I’m literally so in love. Thank you so much for requesting this!! Completely made my day 🥹🥹

『••✎••』

One of your favorite things about the weekend was just the pure, unfiltered, raw freedom it brought with it. You got to do things that you weren't usually allowed to do on a school day. Sleep in until noon, stay up all night long, and the best part of all, you had the weekend to spend with Marty Mcfly, your very best friend and the person you had the biggest crush on.

You could say your relationship with him was a bit complicated. The two of you had been best friends forever, but there were times when you thought there could possibly be something more between you, times when you wished there could be something more between the two of you.

He was always so sweet to you, and he seemed to like spending time with you. He'd come over to your house all the time to watch movies with you or to “study,” which was code for lying in bed listening to his new records while you played with his hair.

Sometimes, you could've sworn he was flirting with you, but then he'd do something that would make you think otherwise. One second, he'd be telling you about his day, and the next, he'd be talking to one of his female classmates, who you swore he wasn't interested in. It was confusing.

You were lying on the bench of a park, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the sounds of the birds. A peaceful Saturday afternoon, or so you thought.

Just as you closed your eyes, taking in the sweet serenity, your Walkman was snatched out of your hands, and your earphones were ripped out of your ears.

Your eyes snapped open, and you looked to your right to see none other than the boy you'd just been thinking about.

The smirk on his face told you that he was planning on giving you a hard time. Fortunately, he was nice enough to block the sun from your face, casting a shadow over you.

He looked even better today if that was possible. His hair was perfectly tousled, and his blue eyes were shining.

He was dressed comfortably, wearing a simple dark shirt and his signature denim jacket. His jeans were cuffed at the ankles, showing off his worn-out Converse.

You looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to hand you back your music player, but he didn't budge.

Instead, he rested his skateboard on the bench and hopped over the back of it, taking a seat beside you.

He placed your Walkman on his lap, holding it close to him. You were a little frustrated, but the smile on his face was making you soft.

“How’d I know you’d be listening to Kate Bush again?” he asked, his tone playful.

You narrowed your eyes at him, reaching over to snatch the device out of his grasp, but he was quicker than you, pulling it away from you and standing up. “I mean, what even is this? ‘Hello Earth’? Sounds pretty trippy.”

“Hey! Don’t talk about her like that; she is an angel and a very talented musician. Only an idiot would fail to recognize that, and I guess that makes you an idiot.”

Despite the clear annoyance in your tone, he just laughed at your attempt to insult him. It was almost like he found your irritation endearing.

His smile was infectious, and it was hard to be mad at him when he was smiling at you like that. You tried your hardest to remain annoyed, crossing your arms over your chest, but you couldn't hide the grin that was making its way onto your face.

You could tell that he noticed because his smile grew wider.

"What's wrong? Is it too hard to look at the sun?" he asked teasingly, tilting his head down slightly so that his hair fell into his face, casting a shadow over his features.

You scoffed, sitting up and resting your elbows on your knees. "I've looked at you enough for one lifetime."

"Oh, you wound me." he feigned a dramatic frown, bringing a hand up to clutch his chest.

You rolled your eyes at his antics, reaching out to grab your Walkman again, but once again, he was too fast.

"I swear to God, McFly. I'm going to kill you!" you threatened, glaring at him.

"Okay, okay, I'll give it back, but only if you let me buy you a slushie." he negotiated, holding the music player high above his head.

"A slushie?” You were a little suspicious. That was the last thing you'd expected him to say. He seemed a little too eager to give you back your Walkman, and the glimmer in his eyes told you that he had something else in mind.

He nodded enthusiastically, the excitement obvious in his voice. "Ah, you’re right. Milkshakes are much better. How about a milkshake?"

"Marty... what are you up to?"

"Nothing! I'm just being a good friend. Letting you enjoy a delicious cold treat.”

“And holding my Walkman hostage is considered a friendly gesture now, is it? I see how it is."

"Aw, come on, please?" he whined, pouting his lips and making puppy dog eyes at you.

You sighed. Damn it, how were you supposed to say no to him when he was looking at you like that? "Okay, fine."

"Great! Let's go." He grabbed your wrist and pulled you off of the bench, not letting go of your hand as he grabbed his skateboard and started walking.

You didn't say anything; you didn't pull away from him; you just followed him as he led you to the mall, rambling on about the new music that he had bought the other day. A part of it sounds like a hit to the music you were listening to earlier, but you chose to ignore it for the sake of peace.

As soon as the two of you reached the entrance, he let go of your hand. The sudden lack of warmth caused a pang of disappointment to shoot through you, but you brushed it off.

You'd held hands before. It was nothing out of the ordinary. He didn't like you like that. If he did, he wouldn't have done it so casually. He wouldn't have let go.

He pushed the glass door open for you, smiling politely. "After you."

You raised a brow at him. "Such a gentleman. What's with the chivalry, McFly?"

He shrugged, scratching the back of his neck. "What? I can't treat my girl, right?"

"Oh, so I'm your girl now?" you asked, your heart thumping in your chest.

He paused for a second, looking slightly panicked.

"W-well, yeah, I mean- y-you know, as friends- you're like my best friend, so yeah..." he trailed off awkwardly.

"Right."

That was definitely a lie, but you didn't press him on it, afraid that you might make things even more awkward.

The two of you walked in silence, the only sound being the chatter around you. It was a little uncomfortable, the tension thick.

Finally, he broke the silence. "So, uh, where do you want to get the milkshakes from?"

You shrugged. "I don't know. We could go to the food court. There's a really nice burger place there, and they have milkshakes."

"Alright, sounds good."

What sounded good was the fact that the food court was on the opposite side of the mall, which meant a lot of walking. And therefore, a lot of distractions.

You weren't really interested in shopping, but Marty certainly was.

You couldn't count how many times he'd stop at a store and say, "Hey, that's a cool shirt” or "Hey, look at that poster. Isn't it amazing?"

Every time he did, he'd turn to you, waiting for your reaction. He'd look at you with such an eager expression, and his eyes would shine so bright. He looked like an excited child on Christmas morning, and it was adorable.

However, out of all the things he mentioned and pointed out, only one had caught your attention.

It was a vintage music box. It was a beautiful thing, a deep red color, with intricate designs carved into the wood. It was a work of art.

You could tell that he noticed.

"Do you like it?" he asked, leaning forward to get a closer look.

"It's gorgeous," you admitted, smiling as you examined the carvings before lifting the lid of the music box. The familiar sound of 'Edelweiss' began to play, filling the room.

Out of all the songs in the world, this was one of your favorites.

Marty seemed to share your sentiment. His lips were curved into a soft smile as he watched you.

He had an almost wistful look in his eyes, but it disappeared the second he noticed you watching him.

"What?”

"Nothing. Just, uh, just thinking."

"About?"

He smiled, and it wasn’t one of his usual smiles. It was warm, soft, and full of tenderness. You were stunned. You had never seen him look at you like that. "Just how good those milkshakes are gonna be."

You couldn't help the blush that rose to your cheeks.

"Right. Milkshakes," you said, shutting the music box. Your heart stung a little at the sound of the song ending, and seeing that price tag did not help. So, with a sigh of resignation, you turned around, walking away from the beautiful artifact.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"We're here for milkshakes, remember?” Your voice was flat, and the words sounded hollow. “Let’s go."

"Are you sure?"

You nodded, and without a word, he followed after you.

He was quiet for the rest of the walk, but he kept sneaking glances at you.

As soon as you reached the food court, the smell of food invaded your nostrils. Your mouth began to water, and the sound of your stomach growling broke the silence.

"You hungry?"

"Starving."

"Good, 'cause I'm buying."

"Marty—”

"Don't argue with me," he said, holding up a hand and shaking his head.

You opened your mouth to protest, but the look on his face told you it was pointless, so you gave up and allowed him to lead you to the burger place.

The food was delicious.

You'd eaten there many times, but it never failed to amaze you. The taste was heavenly, and the way it melted in your mouth was indescribable. Not to mention the damn milkshakes. They were incredible.

Marty's choice of food was not as fancy as yours.

He'd chosen the most basic burger with no toppings. It wasn't surprising. You'd learned over the years that he was a man with simple tastes. Even his milkshake was as basic as can be.

Vanilla. His reasoning behind it? “True classics never go out of style. Simple and delicious, what more could you ask for?"

You couldn't really argue with him on that.

The two of you sat there, talking about nothing and everything, joking and laughing. The time seemed to fly by.

You didn't realize how much time had passed until you found yourself alone by the fountain in the center of the mall. Marty had just gone off to the bathroom, leaving you to wait for him.

You took a sip of your leftover milkshake, letting out a soft sigh of contentment. Honestly, this had been one of the best dates you'd ever been on.

The thought made you pause. Had this been a date?

It definitely hadn't felt like one, but then again, this was Marty. When has anything been normal with him?

Maybe it had been a date. Maybe it was just his weird way of asking you out.

As if on cue, he walked back over to you.

"Hey, are you ready to go?" he asked, taking a seat beside you and resting his arms on the edge of the fountain. He looked at you expectantly, waiting for a response.

That’s when you noticed it: a small piece of grey material sticking out of the pocket of his jacket. That definitely wasn’t there before.

"What's that?" you asked, pointing to it.

He looked down, noticing what you were talking about. "Oh, that? It's nothing."

"Oh, really? Cause it looks like something.”

"You must be seeing things."

"Marty,” you deadpanned, shooting him a look. He ignored you, though, instantly getting distracted by a flashy poster hanging on the wall across from you.

He was staring at the poster, his jaw hanging open. He looked like a kid on Christmas morning, and you were the present under the tree.

You cleared your throat, trying to get his attention.

"Marty. What's that thing in your pocket? What did you do?"

He tore his gaze away from the poster, turning his head to look at you. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Guilt? Fear? Nerves?

Whatever it was, it wasn't a good sign.

"Jeez, you really gotta kill the mood, huh? Can't a guy be happy with trash in his pocket?"

"Trash? You stuffed… trash in your pocket?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Why?"

"Cause it’s your trash." And with that, he pulled the small piece out of his pocket, which happened to be a grey plastic bag, and held it out to you.

Within a minute, you went through all the stages of grief, denial being the first.

"What the hell?" you asked, staring at the bag incredulously.

He grinned, holding the bag open and waving it in front of your face.

You took a second to examine it. Small, but not overwhelmingly so. A pretty shade of red, with silver and gold designs etched into the sides.

Your eyes widened in realization. By the ever-growing smirk on his face, he could tell that you'd figured it out.

"You did— I can't believe you did that!"

"It's nothing, really," he said, feigning indifference.

"Nothing? How did you even afford this? I looked at the price tag earlier, and I almost passed out. This thing's expensive!"

"It wasn't that bad. I mean, yeah, it costs a fortune, but what's the point of saving up if you can't spend the money on something cool every once in a while? I wanted to buy it for you, and I did."

"Marty..." You didn't know what to say. How could you express just how grateful and touched you were? “This is… This is way better than my gift.”

"Hey, we don't have to worry about that now. The important thing is that we both got each other—” It seemed as though his mind caught up with him because the second the words left his mouth, his eyes widened in panic.

"Wait, what?" He turned his head to face you, his eyes wide. "Did you just say that you got me a gift? You stole my idea?!”

You shrugged, trying to act casual. You failed. "What? I didn't say anything."

"You said you got me a gift! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was saving it for later when it was appropriate."

"And is this not appropriate?" His tone was teasing, and a small smile was starting to form on his face.

"It wasn't. And I still can't believe that you did that. The music box was way too much. I should've gotten you something better. Something more deserving."

"Well, you didn't. So, where is it? Come on, don't keep me waiting. Let's see what you got."

"Fine." You took a deep breath and reached into your jacket pocket, pulling out a small square-shaped item wrapped in brown paper.

"Wow, classy."

"Shut up."

He took it from you, unwrapping the paper and examining the contents. His expression went from excitement to shock to… confusion.

"Uh, thanks?" He held up the gift, which happened to be a Walkman… but not just any Walkman. It was your Walkman.

"Yeah, you're welcome. I saw how jealous you were, so I thought I'd give it to you."

He snorted. "Jealous? You do realize I have one of these, right?"

"But not this one."

"So?"

"So, this one is special. What do you think I was doing at the park, sitting all alone in the middle of nowhere, listening to music?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I was listening to this." You pulled the headphones out of your pockets and placed them over his ears. "This is a mix tape. All of your favorite songs. I spent weeks compiling them."

His expression changed again, his face softening. "How did you—"

"I have my ways. And, yes, I did throw in Kate Bush. I know you hate it, but… I like her."

"Of course you do."

You smiled softly.

"I know it's not the greatest, but—”

"Not the greatest? Are you kidding? This is amazing. I could literally kiss you right now— I mean… not literally... but, yeah, you know what I mean. This is great. Thank you."

You nodded, your heart fluttering.

"You're welcome. And thank you for the music box. I could kiss you too— not literally, I mean, well, you know what I mean."

"Right."

The two of you were silent for a few seconds, neither one of you saying anything. The air was heavy with tension, but it wasn't the bad kind. It was the good kind, the kind that made your heart race and your palms sweat.

The kind that made you want to kiss him.

He was looking at you, and the look on his face made your heart melt. It was soft, tender, full of affection and love. His eyes were shining brightly, and they were filled with wonder, admiration, and excitement.

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, he let out a nervous laugh.

"The more I think about it… maybe it would be better just to kiss you, y'know?"

"Oh, yeah, I agree."

He laughed, his gaze drifting to your lips. His pupils were dilated, and his breathing was shallow. Oh… Oh.

"You’re actually… wow, okay."

That made him pause, his brows furrowing.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just… nothing."

He stared at you, confused. "No, come on, what is it?"

"I thought you weren’t… well, I mean, you don't look the type."

"Type?"

"Y'know, the romantic type. You just never struck me as the sort of guy who'd do stuff like this. And don't take that the wrong way because it's a compliment. It's just… I totally thought you were kidding.”

“What? Kissing you?”

You nodded.

His face fell, and he let out a humorless laugh.

"You really think I'd joke about that?"

"I don't know. We're friends. You've never shown any interest in me. Hell, you're always making fun of me for being so romantic and shit. Ironic, since you bought me the most romantic thing ever."

"Well, yeah, but that's because… I mean, why wouldn’t I be interested in you? You're beautiful, funny, smart… I can overlook the bad taste in music."

“Well, I can overlook your obsession with Pepsi. But just a little bit. Coke is way better, and you know it."

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine, whatever. But I am interested. I just didn't know if you were interested, and I didn't want to ruin anything, y'know? But then you made me that mixtape… and you know what they say about gifting music, right? It's, uh, it's very symbolic.”

"Right.” You nodded, smiling along with his rambling.

"I mean, who makes someone a mix tape anymore? Especially if they hate half the songs on it? That's pretty serious."

God, you were so gone for this boy.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"And what exactly do you think I'm saying?"

"That you have feelings for me."

"I mean, I have very… very strong feelings for certain aspects of you. If you get my drift." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Your subtlety is astounding."

"Oh, yeah, you know how it is. But, uh, yeah. I guess I'm saying… that I like you. A lot. And not in an 'I-think-you're-really-cool-and-we-should-hang-out' kinda way. In an 'I-wanna-kiss-you-and-hold-your-hand' way."

"Wow."

"What?"

"Just, wow. That's probably the cheesiest thing you've ever said. And the sweetest."

"Hey, if it works, it works.” He smiled again, and you felt a warmth spread throughout your body. “So, what'd ya say? Want those future milkshakes to be a little more official?"

"Only if you agree to one thing."

He leaned closer, his lips brushing against your ear. "And, what's that?"

"Kate Bush stays on the mix tape."

"You drive a hard bargain." His breath tickled your neck, sending a shiver down your spine. "But, I think I’ll be able to make the sacrifice."

"Yeah?”

"Yeah."

And with that, he closed the distance between you. His lips were soft and warm, and you felt butterflies erupt in your stomach.

His hands cupped your face gently, and he pressed his forehead against yours. The two of you stayed like that for a while, your breaths mixing together just like the songs on the mixtape.

And, as you stood there, surrounded by the smell of food, the sound of laughter, and the feeling of Marty's hands in your hair, you couldn't help but think…

Marty McFly, you’re one hell of a romantic.

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hbyrde36 · 1 month

Text

Times Like These (The Anniversary Edition)

CH 1 CH 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch5 Ch6

Chapter 7: Running in Circles

WC: 6637 | AO3 link

The moment Eddie landed back in his body he fell to his knees and sobbed.

He wanted to lay down and die all over again.

Anything to escape the agony of losing. Losing in general, losing Steve. Never mind that the loop had managed to reset itself, meaning there was a brand new Steve only a few miles away who was just fine. Who Eddie had another chance to save.

But he wasn’t ready to think about that just yet.

Not that he had any time for mourning. Time was both his greatest asset and his mortal enemy in this moment because he so desperately needed it all to fucking stop, if only for a little while.

But, as the saying goes, time waits for no man. Chrissy was standing there, right in front of him, and the countdown to her demise had begun the second he landed back at the beginning of this godforsaken nightmare.

He gave himself one minute to feel it. Sixty seconds of wallowing in heartbreak—of saying goodbye to a past that only he would ever remember, before shoving it all down and getting to work.

He mumbled vague apologies to a very confused and concerned Chrissy when he finally picked himself back up, and then simply walked away, striding quickly to his room to take up his acoustic guitar and play for her again.

It worked, even if he had some trouble putting his whole heart into it this time, and he was grateful that it did. He didn’t know what he would have done if it hadn’t.

He held her close after she fell—still tried to put her back together again even though it felt impossible when he was missing so many of his own parts, but he didn’t give her long. He didn’t give either of them long enough to truly recover from their respective ordeals before dragging her to her feet.

“Stay here a second?” He said, not waiting for a reply before returning to his room.

Frantically he dumped the contents of his backpack on the ground and filled it with clothes, his walkman, and his trusty black lunchbox. He had a feeling he might need it to get through the next few days.

Back in the living room he grabbed his keys, took Chrissy's hand, and led her outside.

The goal was to grab Max and get the hell out of Dodge before Jason showed up looking for Chrissy, or a fight. He didn’t want to see that motherfucker ever again if he could help it, and he certainly could live without another broken nose.

He flew up the front steps of Max’s trailer and began pounding on the door.

“Max!” He shouted, continuously banging his fist. “Code red, Max. Open up. We gotta go right now!”

The door flung open suddenly, revealing a very annoyed and very wide-eyed redhead.

“What the hell, dude?! Did Dustin put you up to this?”

“No Red, he didn’t, and there’s literally no time for me to explain, so–” Eddie shrugged one shoulder and pushed past her without waiting for an invitation, heading right back to her room while pulling Chrissy along behind him.

“What are you doing?!” Max yelled, trailing behind.

It wasn’t like Eddie didn’t know he was acting, maybe, a bit erratic—but he was frustrated at once again being the only one who knew there was trouble brewing, and frankly he just didn’t have the mental strength to ease anyone into it. Any patience he had left died in the last loop.

“Pack a bag.” He told her as he perused her tape collection, picking out the right Pat Benatar tape. He checked for the other but it didn't seem to be on the shelf. It was probably already in her player.

“You’ll need your walkman, and your Kate Bush tape too. You might want to grab some clothes while you’re at it, we may not be back for a while.”

“Wait… what?”

He finally looked at her, really looked at her, and realized that under the show of annoyance, she was scared. He was freaking her out.

He sighed, running his hands roughly through his hair. “You saw the lights flickering earlier, right? Over at my place?”

She bit her lip, nodding reluctantly. “Is that what this is all about?”

“Yes,” he said, as softly as he could manage, picking up her school bag from the floor and handing it to her. “And I'm sorry, but we need to go now.”

“Where are we going?”

“Steve’s.” Eddie swallowed thickly. “Grab your walkie, we’ll call him from the road”

Max continued to eye him suspiciously but she didn’t argue. Sometime later he’d have to wonder why the girl went along with him so easily, but for now he was just grateful she didn't put up more of a fight.

Chrissy was quiet throughout the whole thing, and seemed a lot more shell-shocked than last time. Which was fair, considering he was acting like an insane person, had given her zero time to recover from her attack, and had explained exactly nothing. He just… he needed to get out of here. He needed to see Steve. Then maybe he could settle down long enough to tell her and everyone else what was going on.

On the bright side, at least he wouldn't be showing up on Steve’s doorstep battered and bloody.

“Pass that radio up here, will ya?” Eddie asked once they were on the road, reaching back to where Max sat. She handed it over without a word.

He cleared his throat, holding the button down as he spoke into the device, steering with one hand. “Code red, I repeat, code red. Anyone who can hear me right now needs to meet up at Steve’s house as soon as possible. And, uh, Harrington, sorry to interrupt date night but you need to ditch the lucky girl and pick up Robin and Dustin on your way home.”

It all came out a little more manic and bitter than he’d meant it to, but it couldn’t be helped. It was all he could do to keep it together long enough to get to Loch Nora safely.

“Who the hell is this? Over.” Dustin said

“Hey, Henderson.”

“Wait… Eddie?”

“Yeah, man, It’s me. Listen,” Eddie paused, tapping the radio against his cheek. “I know you probably have like a million questions right now and I swear I will answer every one of them, but please just—hold off for a bit.”

“Is this some kind of joke?” Another voice asked.

Eddie sucked in a breath, eyes stinging as Steve came over the line. He knew the other boy would be listening, he should have expected it—had expected it, but somehow it still caught him off guard.

“I wish it was, pretty boy, I really wish it was. There was a little problem down at the trailer park. Max is with me, and a–friend. I’ll explain when we get to your place.”

After a moment of dead air, Dustin spoke again. “Steve?”

“It’s fine, Henderson,” Steve replied quickly, sounding irritated, if resigned. “I’ll be there to get you as soon as I can.”

“Should I call the others?” Dustin asked.

“Yes.” Eddie cut in.

“Why not.” Steve scoffed. “Party at Steve’s! It’s not like I had plans on a Friday night or anything.”

It didn’t occur to Eddie until he turned the radio off and handed it back to Max that not once did Dustin complain about the lack of ‘walkie etiquette’. That maybe should have been his first sign that things weren’t exactly going well.

As soon as they pulled up to Steve’s, Max burst out of the rear doors of the van, all but running into the house before Eddie even had the chance to put it in park. Chrissy didn’t move or react. In fact, she’d done nothing but stare out the passenger window for the entire ride over.

“Hey, Chris?” He said gently, turning in his seat to face her. “I know this whole night has been crazy and you don’t know me very well, but for what it’s worth I really can explain what’s happening… if you can trust me enough to come inside?”

She remained still and quiet for long enough that he was concerned she’d become catatonic, but eventually she tilted her head to look at him and gave a shallow nod. He jumped out, rounding the front of the van to open the passenger door for her. She faltered, stepping out on unsteady legs and he offered her a hand, which she took instantly, and held onto for dear life.

Eddie hesitated at the front door, his instincts telling him to just walk inside, but he wasn’t sure Steve, who barely knew him now—again, would appreciate that.

Holding his breath, he rang the bell.

Intellectually, Eddie had known that the loop resetting meant Steve was alive, and he’d already heard his voice, but to actually see Steve physically standing there in one piece filled him with a sense of relief that made his knees weak.

For a moment he forgot himself, stepping forward fully intent on wrapping the other boy up in his arms. He itched to press his face into Steve’s neck again, breathe him in deep and think about better days, but he caught himself at the last second and held back, instead giving Steve a friendly pat on the shoulder with his free hand while using the momentum of the near-hug to push past him and into the house, tugging Chrissy along with him.

“Sure, come right in.” Steve sniped.

Eddie didn’t look, but he knew that tone well enough to be sure Steve was rolling his eyes at their backs.

He guided Chrissy to the living room and sat her down on the couch, while Steve blew past them, disappearing into the kitchen where Robin must have been. He could hear them whispering about him, though not quietly enough, because he heard it clear as day when Robin hissed, “oh my god, and he’s got Chrissy Cunningham with him?”

He stopped listening after that, in favor of paying attention to the girl in front of him. He hadn’t taken very good care of her this time around, and he needed to fix that as soon as possible.

“Can I get you some water or anything?” Eddie asked, crouching down in front of her, smoothing the hair out of her eyes.

“Yes, water, thank you,” she said, managing a weak smile.

“You got it, I'll be right back.” He patted her knee and marched straight into the other room, where Robin and Steve fell abruptly silent at his entrance.

He ignored them, not really knowing how to act just yet—but did know, without a shadow of a doubt, that if he looked at Steve for too long right now he might lose his shit. Which would be less than helpful at this stage. He went to the cabinet where the glasses were, moving through the space like he was familiar with it—because he was—and crossed to the fridge, filling the cup he retrieved with the pitcher of water he knew Steve kept in there.

“What—you—how?” Steve sputtered, narrowing his eyes. “Have you been here before?”

“No questions until everyone is here.” Eddie said over his shoulder, already walking away.

Dustin and Max had appeared in the living room while he was gone, and they watched curiously as he handed the glass over to Chrissy and sat down.

He leaned forward, dropping his head into his hands as he took a few deep breaths, remembering the way Steve had coached him through his panic attack on this same night, as he tried to settle his thoughts.

“You know what? No. This has gone far enough!” Steve bellowed, rushing into the room. “You gotta give me something, man or I’m gonna… I don’t know. Call the police or something?”

Eddie dropped his hands but kept his eyes trained on the floor. Seeing first Steve’s socked feet come into view on the carpet in front of him, then Robin’s converse sneakers right behind.

“Steve!”

“Don’t give me that shit, Dustin. You see how he’s acting. He's clearly high on something. Or maybe drunk? Taking one of your D&D sessions a little too seriously? What?”

Eddie looked up just in time to see Steve pull his signature move. His hands flew to his hips, and the accompanying glare was as fiery as ever, even though his hair flopped into his eyes when he tilted his head.

It almost made Eddie smile.

“How the hell should I know?!” Dustin shouted.

“Well he’s your new best friend, isn’t he?!”

Oh, right.

Eddie had forgotten this part.

Up until their week-from-hell bonding session, or in the case of the last few loops, up until he learned the truth of what Eddie was going through, Steve had been jealous of his budding friendship with the kids—well—Dustin, in particular. Granted Eddie had been jealous too, but those days were far in the past for him.

“Steve, that’s not–” Dustin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why would you assume he’s on drugs anyway?”

“I hate to break it to you kid, but your new buddy here is the town–”

“Oh my god, Harrington!” Eddie quickly cut him off. Not that he really cared if the kid found out about his little side business, he’d be learning about it momentarily anyway, but he’d had enough. “I'm not high! And I’m not drunk either. I’m stuck in a fucking time loop.”

“Bullshit.” Dustin snorted.

Eddie’s heart sank. Dustin always believed him. Had he really screwed things up so badly that even that had changed?

Steve crossed his arms over his chest. “You can’t expect us to buy that.”

Eddie had to turn away from the hard look in Steve’s eyes. He’d understood it before, the first few times around when it had taken a bit of time, and a lot of explanation, for the other boy to trust him, but now it just… hurt.

He felt so alone.

“Dustin, you told me something, in the first loop. You said if I told you this thing, you’d believe me.”

Steve tapped his foot impatiently on the carpet. “Okay, let’s hear it then.”

“Don’t be an asshole, Harrington.” Eddie snapped, getting up from his spot on the couch to approach Dustin. “It’s his secret, if he wants to tell you someday, he will."

He bent down and whispered quietly into the kid’s ear, “You're adopted. Your mom told you a year ago and no one else knows, not even Steve.”

Dustin’s eyes went impossibly wide as he blinked up at Eddie in utter shock for a second, then his face spread into a wide grin. “Holy shit, he’s telling the truth! This is amazing! But what–”

The smile dropped suddenly off his face as the implications started to sink in. “On the walkie earlier you said code red, but I didn’t think—does that mean this is…”

“Upside Down related?” Eddie finished for him. “Yeah, I'm afraid so.”

Steve watched the two of them with a deeply furrowed brow, no longer looking quite so bothered and skeptical, now he just seemed worried. Eddie softened, letting his own problems take a back seat for a minute. This was Steve, who—whatever he thought of Eddie right now—he cared about so fucking much.

"I’m sorry, Steve.” Eddie said, and never had he meant those two words more. “I know what you’ve all been through over the past few years, and I’m sure this is the last thing you want to hear right now, but it’s the truth. You have no idea how much I wish it wasn’t.”

Erica arrived a short time later on her bike, and Eddie used the distraction to escape to the downstairs bathroom and splash some cold water on his face.

He’d only been near Steve again for less than an hour and he was already going out of his mind, how was he supposed to make it through an entire week?

“Hey, man, are you okay?” A voice called from the other side.

It was Steve, because of course it was.

A part of Eddie longed to let him in, to steal a moment with the boy he was almost sure he was in love with, but it wouldn't be the same.

Steve didn’t remember the many nights they spent comforting each other and sharing their most intimate secrets. He didn’t know how they’d cooked for each other, and swapped stories, and kept each other sane in the midst of the world crumbling down around them.

He could have let him in anyway, and maybe tried to start over, build them back up into a version of what they were, but Eddie didn’t think he could survive getting that close, going that deep, only to have it ripped away all over again.

Nancy's voice filtered in from down the hall, and assuming she’d brought Mike along that meant everyone was there and accounted for. It was time.

Plastering a fake smile on his face, Eddie took one more deep breath for good luck and opened the door.

“I’m good, Harrington. Let's get this over with.”

He tried to walk past but Steve stopped him with a hand on his elbow. “Eddie, wait.”

Eddie stiffened, heart pounding. Déjà fucking vu, of the most painful kind.

“I’m sorry for giving you a hard time before.” Steve let him go, rubbing nervously at the back of his neck. “If Dustin believes you, then so do I. Honestly, after everything I’ve seen… it’s not even that much of a stretch.”

“Thanks,” Eddie said, looking anywhere but at Steve’s face.

In the process of avoidance, the closed door to Steve’s father’s office caught Eddie’s eye and it gave him an idea. He remembered Steve taking a phone call in there once before, and recalled that it didn’t look like an ordinary household model.

“The phone in your dad’s office,” Eddie began, hooking a thumb in the room’s direction. “Any chance it has a speaker?”

“Yeah, why?”

Pushing his inner turmoil aside for the time being, Eddie filled Steve in on how the Byers and El needed to be brought into this too, and how much more efficient it would be if they could be on the phone listening as he explained what was going on.

Steve gaped a little, still not used to Eddie knowing so much about all these things that had been secret for so long, but ultimately he was on board, and took on the task of telling the others to cram themselves into the small office room.

“What the hell is he doing here? And where’s my brother?" Erica asked Steve, spotting Eddie as they all piled in. "He didn’t come home after the game, I figured he’d be here.”

“He’s… ” Steve started to say but trailed off, looking to Eddie for an answer. “Where is Lucas?”

“Partying with the basketball team.”

“Why are we talking in here again?” Nancy asked of no one in particular.

Robin shushed her, Mike laughed, and Eddie stayed out of it. He dialed the number Steve had given him for the Byers house in California and switched on the speakerphone, praying someone would pick up.

Joyce answered on the second ring.

“Hello?”

When Eddie hesitated, realizing that the woman wouldn't know who he was, Steve jumped right in.

“Hey Joyce, it’s Steve. Uh, Harrington.”

“Oh, Steve. Honey, is everything okay?”

“I’m sorry to call out of nowhere like this, um, listen, I’ve got the usual group together at my house and uh, no. I guess everything's not okay? We have a friend here, his name is Eddie, and he has something to tell us. Can you get the kids and Jonathan to listen in too?”

It was proof of just how much these people had been through together that she simply said, “Ok, sure.”

After explaining, briefly, the whole him-time-looping thing in general, Eddie began by going over the original timeline in detail, starting with Chrissy’s death and ending with his own. He brushed over the next two loops, claiming they weren’t important. Which was true, he hadn’t changed anything or learned anything new, so nothing could be gained by forcing himself to recount them.

Finally, he moved on to the last loop. He told them everything, apart from the private moments he and Steve had shared, and managed to keep it as clinical as possible until he reached the point in the story where the group had separated at Benny’s—falling silent as he replayed in his mind the moment he and Steve had said goodbye.

Steve’s grip on his hip, the way his soft lips had felt pressed against Eddie’s own, the terror that had coursed through him when the clock chimed one, two, three, four times.

“Shut it!” Steve shouted, drawing Eddie out of his reverie.

While he’d been zoned out, Dustin, Mike, and Erica had been shouting over each other, badgering him to go on.

“Give the guy a break will ya? He’s been through enough without having to deal with…” Steve broke off with a frustrated sigh, waving a hand. “All of you. Just give him a second.”

Steve Harrington to the rescue as always, Eddie thought with a pang in his chest.

He started again, determined to finish the story and be done with it.

“Obviously we weren’t successful, otherwise I wouldn’t be back here. I can’t tell you exactly what went wrong. I don’t even know if El managed to piggyback into Steve’s mind, but either it didn’t work or Vecna was too strong because…” He trailed off, struggling to swallow past the lump forming in his throat.

He couldn't say it. He just couldn’t.

Thankfully, they were all smart enough to follow the context clues, and he didn’t have to.

“Why didn’t I pull Steve out with the music thing?” Dustin asked, a slight quiver to his voice.

And absolutely not was he letting this kid feel like it was his fault for even a fraction of a second.

“Jason fucking Carver.” Eddie said quickly, and with gusto. “He and Andy saw Steve’s car or something. They showed up at the Creel house, threatened you all with a gun and somehow broke the walkman in the process.”

“Oh god, I’m so sorry.” Chrissy blurted out. It was the first time she’d spoken since they left the trailer hours ago. “I should have broken up with him a long time ago, I knew he was a jerk, but–” She broke off sobbing.

Shit.

Eddie was too far away to reach out to her himself but Robin was there, throwing an arm around her, and Chrissy tucked herself into her side.

“None of this is your fault, Chris,” Eddie said, holding her gaze in hopes that would help it sink in—to make sure she knew he meant it. “I know you don’t remember, but trust me you helped us so much. You were there for me–at the end. I will never forget that.”

She nodded, but still dissolved into a new wave of tears against Robin’s shoulder.

While everyone else was looking at her, Eddie felt Steve’s gaze on him like a physical weight, impossible to ignore. “You said the loop resets when you die, right?”

Before he could stop himself Eddie locked eyes with the other boy, and suddenly it was like they were the only two people in the room.

“What happened to you last time?”

On top of everything else, Steve had just learned about his own mysterious death at the hands of a psychic monster, but here he was—not concerned with that, but with Eddie, and what his fate had been.

He tried to deflect, dropping his gaze to the desk as he spoke. “That reminds me, I should really hide my van when we’re done here so no one thinks you’re associated with me if something goes wrong.”

“Eddie, what happened to you last time?” Steve asked again, insistent.

With a heavy sigh, Eddie grudgingly answered. “After they took off from the Creel house, Jason and Andy showed up at Benny’s. I guess they saw the cars and got curious, or maybe they came to check the place out again after Patrick died. I don’t know, I didn’t exactly get to ask any questions. He, um… he shot me. Point blank in the chest.”

By the end he had the room’s full and silent attention again, save for a muffled sniffle over the phone’s speaker, and a warm palm landed on his shoulder. He didn’t even have to raise his head back up to know it was Steve, who’d moved to stand beside him at some point during his latest speech.

He’d know the feel of those hands anywhere.

“Okay, hear me out,” Dustin blurted wearing his patented, I’ve got a brilliant idea, face. “What if we call Owens now and get El together with him sooner. It sounds like she didn’t get the chance to fully regain her powers before they were ambushed, and I’m guessing her battery got drained in the escape with the whole helicopter thing, so she was definitely working at a disadvantage.”

It was a brilliant idea, Eddie had to give it to him. He didn’t realize they had a line to this other doctor guy.

“Yes, I think you are right.” Eleven agreed. “Eddie, you said… Papa was there? In the Nevada place?”

Fuck.

“Yeah, he was there. Somehow he’s alive, I know you thought he wasn’t. I’m sorry. Jonathan said he helped you though, and that it had been your choice to stay.”

“It’s okay, I understand.”

There wasn’t much else to be said for now, and they needed to hang up so Joyce could make her phone calls, but there was one more order of business to deal with first.

“Uh, Mrs. Byers, are you still on the line?” Eddie asked, eyes flicking back to Steve before quickly looking away again.

“Call me Joyce, honey, and yes I’m here.”

“I need to talk to you alone for a minute, if that’s okay. Steve too.”

“Oh. Give me a second to make sure the kids hang up.”

Clearing the office out was a fight, Eddie had expected nothing less, and though they had to be as curious about what was going on as anyone else, Robin and Nancy stepped in and managed to convince the others to leave.

He was sure they’d demand answers at some point, but he’d worry about that later.

“Are you alone?” Eddie asked.

“Yeah.” Joyce said.

“You might want to sit down for this.” He said to Steve, indicating one of the newly empty chairs in the room. Steve grabbed the nearest one, pulling it close so they were sitting side-by-side.

“Okay, there’s no easy way to say this… Hopper might be alive. Joyce got a package from Russia with a ransom note. Some guy named Murray is flying in tomorrow to help her figure it out.”

Joyce gasped, the noise echoing in surround sound for Eddie as Steve did the same beside him.

“It’s real then?” She asked.

“I think so. You’re going to call the number tomorrow and the person who answers will tell you to fly to Alaska with some money. I don’t know any more than that. You called us once after you arrived, right before you went to meet with someone but we didn’t hear from you again. You said Hopper was being held in a Russian prison, and the guy who sent the ransom note was going to break him out.”

Steve went white as a sheet at the second mention of Russian involvement, and though he’d been thinking it would be smarter—easier, to keep some separation between them in this loop, Eddie couldn’t fight his instinct to reach out. He covered Steve’s hand that was resting on the surface of the desk with his own.

“I guess there’s nothing for me to do but follow the trail again.” Joyce said.

“But what if something happened, er, happens to you?” Steve asked.

“It’s Hopper." She said, as if that was an answer in itself. "I’m going to hang up so I can call the number Owens gave me. I’ll let you know what he says—and boys? Please don’t tell anyone else about this. Not until we know for sure.”

“Okay,” Steve mumbled, at the same time Eddie said, “of course.”

“Are you alright?” Eddie asked once they’d ended the call.

Steve was still staring lost in thought down at the phone, but at Eddie’s words he shook himself out of it. “Yeah, sorry. Just–”

“The Russians,” Eddie supplied, bobbing his head. “I know. I’m sorry, but I thought you deserved to know, and Joyce told you last time, so–”

“And then I told you?”

Eddie cleared his throat, abruptly taking his hand back as he leapt from his chair, heading for the door. “We should go, uh, check on the kids—make sure they’re not wrecking the place or anything.”

They wound up moving Eddie’s van into the garage. There was plenty of space, and it was such an obvious solution that he had to kick himself for not having thought to park it in there last time—for not having thought to hide it at all.

He’d just sort-of assumed that if Chrissy didn’t die, and he didn’t become a suspect in her murder, the whole Jason thing would go away.

He knew better now.

Though, maybe this round he’d get a break since they’d skipped the run-in at the trailer park.

Dustin and Mike took charge of making the looped recordings for the party members who needed them, and were just moving on to the b-side of Max’s custom ‘Running Up That Hill’ tape, when Lucas burst through the front door. He froze in the entrance to the living room, looking from one friend’s face to another, and, much like the last time, did a double take when he spotted Eddie and Chrissy.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but Jason has lost his mind. He thinks Eddie did something to Chrissy and now he, Andy, and a few of the other guys are out looking for him.”

“Oh, come on!” Eddie yelled, throwing his hands up. “He didn’t even see me this time!”

So much for getting a break from that asshole jock and his evangelical bullshit.

“O… kay," Lucas said, blinking at Eddie for a beat before continuing. “Someone saw her leave the school with you after the game and—” He trailed off, finally noticing the music playing and the tape recording set-up. “What’s going on?”

Steve and Erica stepped in to explain, taking him through to the kitchen to talk. He wasn’t sure it was for his benefit but Eddie was thankful anyway, he didn’t want to hear it again anymore than he wanted to re-tell it.

Not long after Lucas showed up, Nancy and Mike left to make their excuses at home for canceling Mike’s trip.

Everyone else was staying over, and Steve had already made them all call home so no parents would panic. Even Eddie left a message on his home answering machine for Wayne since he was at work. He’d have much rather heard his uncle’s voice again, but it was undoubtedly easier to lie to a recording than it was to the man himself.

Then it was time for bed.

Again, Robin offered to share the guest room with Chrissy, while Max and Erica called Steve’s parents room—and as the boys gathered up the spare pillows and blankets they'd be using in the living room, Steve gave Eddie—a look.

He knew where this was headed, and honestly he’d never been so conflicted. Of course he wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with Steve after the terrible day he’d had, but that wasn’t where they were with each other anymore. And, in the interest of keeping some distance between them, to save himself future heartbreak even if it meant feeling a little pain right now, sharing a bed had to be where Eddie drew the line.

“I’ll stay down here with the boys.” Eddie said, before Steve could even make the offer. “They can share the big couch, I'll take the other one.”

“Oh.” Steve said, almost sounding disappointed. “Do you want something to sleep in at least?”

Eddie gulped, wondering what the odds were that Steve would give him the swim team top again if he said yes. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Actually, I packed a bag this time, so I’m all set.”

After a visit to the garage to grab his bag from the van, Eddie changed into his own version of pajamas—an old ratty pair of faded black sweatpants and a cropped Iron Maiden t-shirt, so worn that the band’s logo was all but illegible. Lastly he took one of the pre-rolled joints from his stash and slipped out onto the patio through the kitchen’s sliding glass doors.

He sat cross-legged on his usual lounge chair, facing the pool and the woods beyond as he lit up. He took a long drag, and as he blew out a plume of smoke heard the sliding glass door open and close again behind him. He didn’t bother to hide what he was doing, though he probably should have. It could have been anyone coming out to look for him, Dustin or Mike maybe, but somehow he knew it wasn’t.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Steve said when he got close enough that Eddie could almost feel the heat coming off of his body. He shuffled his feet, hovering next to the chair. “I saw you out here through my window and I just… I wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”

Eddie finally looked up, unprepared for the way seeing Steve in his usual blue flannel pajama bottoms and white shirt would make him feel like he was drowning. Coupled with the tousled hair and soft look in Steve’s eyes, it was almost more than he could handle.

So he focused on something else.

The headphones Steve wore loosely around his neck were quiet, the wheels of the tape unmoving inside the player that was hooked to the elastic band of his pants.

“You should really be using those.” Eddie said, sliding over on the chair and patting the empty spot next to him in invitation. “Or at least have it playing even if they’re off your ears.”

As Steve sat down Eddie took another long hit, halfheartedly offering the joint up when he was done. He didn’t know if Steve still smoked or not, knew he used to when he ran with Tommy and Carol but it wasn’t something they’d gotten to talking about before.

Steve accepted it, taking a drag like a pro and Eddie supposed that answered that question. He grinned despite himself.

“After all the shit you gave me earlier?” Eddie said, knocking their shoulders together.

Steve ducked his head. “I meant like mushrooms or something, I don't know. Weed doesn’t count.”

He passed the joint back and started fiddling with his walkman, popping the tape out, flipping it over, and hitting play.

“I didn’t even realize it had stopped.” Steve said absently, accepting the joint when Eddie passed it over again, their fingers brushing lightly. “You know I was thinking about that. What happens when we’re sleeping and the tape runs down?”

“I don’t know what Max or Chrissy did, but anytime I woke up I’d flip your tape over and restart it.” Eddie answered without thinking, catching what he gave away far too late to backtrack, blaming the weed for loosening his tongue.

Steve stilled, staring at him incredulously.

“You—did you stay with me last time? In my room, I mean?”

Eddie busied himself picking at a loose thread on his pants. He didn’t know what to say.

“Is that why you’re so uncomfortable with me? Did I do something wrong, or?” Steve asked when the silence had grown too heavy to manage.

“No, Steve.” Eddie shook his head. “God, why is it that you always think you’re the problem?”

“I’m… sorry?”

“No, Stevie. I’m sorry.” Eddie sighed, taking the offered joint back again. It was almost done, and he took one last hit from it before leaning down to stub it out on the concrete.

“Yes, I stayed with you before. We all sorta paired up to keep an eye on each other, and I guess you could say we got… close, over that time, but–”

“Oh! So, we were friends, but now I don’t remember and you’re not sure how to act around me. Is that it?” Steve guessed, and it was criminally adorable how proud of himself he was for figuring it out.

Almost figuring it out, that is, but he didn’t know that.

Eddie smiled, huffing a laugh. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s it exactly.”

The almost-admission served to break some of the ice between them. Steve relaxed a little, and Eddie found himself following suit.

They sat under the stars talking off and on for over an hour, and with each glance up at the sky Eddie was reminded of Steve’s childhood dream. He smiled, picturing a tiny baby Stevie standing in this very same backyard—looking up at the moon and daring to imagine himself going there one day.

He almost brought it up, more than once.

They chatted about nothing important or in particular—the kids, mostly, how they were adjusting to high school and things like that. Eddie told him what he knew, and in return Steve told him about middle school dances, and sneaking their shared brood into movies at the mall.

As much as it pained him to sit there, knowing that their every interaction meant much more to him than it did to Steve, he still found himself happy just to be in his presence.

Maybe that could be enough.

He could still be Steve’s friend, as long as he kept him at arm's length for now, and if they somehow managed to make it out alive—maybe then he could try to reclaim some of what was lost.

Eventually their slowing words turned into yawns, and Steve suggested they should go back inside and get some sleep. “Maybe we should stick together again.” He whispered, as they made their way through the darkened kitchen.

Eddie hesitated, he needed to maintain the boundary for his own sake, but he hadn’t considered Steve might be scared to be alone. “You’ve got your music now, just keep the tape going and you’ll be alright, I promise.”

“It’s not me I'm worried about.”

Oh.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Steve. In all this time, Vecna’s never come for me.”

Even more so than the first time they said goodnight, Steve looked like he wanted to argue, but ultimately he let it go. “If you’re sure.”

He couldn’t do this again. He would not allow himself to fall further when the future was so uncertain—when he still didn’t truly know, would never know, what their one shared kiss had really meant.

“I’m sure. Good night, Steve.”

“Good night.”

Eddie watched him climb the stairs, not walking away until Steve turned the corner and was out of sight.

It was better this way, he reminded himself, and he’d keep on reminding himself as many times as he had to—needing no more motivation to keep some separation than to recall Dustin’s trembling voice saying, he’s gone.

That was the sound Eddie carried with him as he curled up on the small couch, turned to face the back of it, and silently cried himself to sleep.

Chapter 8

Special thanks to @penny00dreadful for being the best beta, friend and cheerleader.

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