#sorry duffers but you did this to yourself

[frozenfrogz]

IM SO MAD! The Duffer Brothers are now being reduced to the Suffer Brothers until i forgive them. I was very disappointed today. Exept all the Byler fanart today was cute 😊

[wheelercore]

Understanding the scene of Ted putting the tie on Mike (Mike commenting on how it's too tight and it's choking him and Ted saying that's how it's supposed to be) in a very Mike-Ted parallels way. AND IT WAS ON FRONT OF A MIRROR TOO. Shrimp colors everywhere.

[madelynraemunson]

mini series

GO BACK | NEXT LEVEL 🔒 | theme song: new divide - linkin park

player zero: level one

ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴍᴇᴛᴀQᴜᴇꜱᴛ ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱᴇꜱ ʏᴏᴜ — ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀ ꜰᴀɴ — ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇꜱᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠɪʀᴛᴜᴀʟ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ (ᴠʀ) ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀꜱ ᴠᴇɢᴀꜱ ꜱᴘʜᴇʀᴇ, ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ ꜰɪɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟ ꜱʜᴏᴡ.

I remember black skies, the lightning all around me.

disclaimers: 18+, psychological thriller, blood, violence, sexual themes, swearing, reader interacts with the st characters, eddie falls for reader who goes by “zero/000, player zero”, reader’s gender identity isn’t specified but does have a vagina, unintentional plot divergence, upside down exists, vecna/001/henry exists, everything is basically canon until reader shows up… 😳, joseph quinn cameo at the end | pairing: eddie munson x reader x joseph quinn

a/n: enjoy everyone! i’m sorry this took so long to come out but i am committed to only releasing my best work to you guys 🩶 i hope you all enjoy level 001!!

[WC: 2.0k words]

“Player Zero…do you copy?”

🎮

By the grace of your headset, you begin to scan the dark, almost void-like, aperture that’s hijacked your surroundings.

“Copy,” you report back to James.

“Excellent.”

Everything around you is black, a noisy puddle sits at your feet. The room is crisp from the AC, and the props smell like rubber tires. And soon, with a push of a button, you will come face to face with the Mind Flayer, saving everyone from this ill-fated town once and for all.

You can’t believe this. What thousands will pay to do, you get to experience for free, having been one of the few selected to try out the new Stranger Things: Virtual Reality Game at the Las Vegas Sphere. (Not to mention, you're the biggest Stranger Things fan in your hometown and quite possibly the biggest Joseph Quinn fan in the state of Nevada).

Eddie's death left you completely shattered. He just fit in so well with the older members of the party that you were almost certain the Duffers would keep him around. But to your despair, alongside many others, they did what they do best and killed off another fan favorite.

But there was something beautiful that came out of Eddie's death. Because of Stranger Things 4, Joseph Quinn has been getting booked for acting gigs left and right, getting asked to come to fan conventions, and you were able to find a community on Tumblr who shared the same love for him and Eddie Munson, and with that notion alone, means the silly metalhead lives on through you guys.

Your dream is to meet Joe one day. You’ve been frantically saving up for the day you get to hug him and thank him for everything he’s done for you and others. Whenever that may be. Until then, all you could do is support his work and contribute to all of his supporting franchises. Much like this one.

“I can’t wait to tell all my mutuals all about this game,” you think to yourself.

James permits you to walk around in order to adapt to your environment. You’re already planning what to tell your friends based on your observations so far. But since pictures aren't allowed, your phone remains in your back pocket for the time being.

“Alright Player Zero,” your guide further instructs you. “You’re going to walk through the gate. And from there the game will begin.”

“And what if I need to pee?”

The comment earns you a chuckle from James. “That’s fine. You’ll just have to take your headset off and call out to me.”

James asks you if you have any other questions. You couldn’t help yourself.

“Will I interact with any characters? Like Eddie?”

“No Eddie unfortunately, it’s primarily the Mind Flayer,” James answers honestly. “Goal of the game is to fight the monster.”

“Understood,” you pout in disappointment.

“Hey but I’ll be surprised if you run into anyone though,” James laughs. “Tell ‘em I say hi if you do.”

Just then, a neon orange projection appears from the corner of your eyes, followed by some squelching noises that gnaw uncomfortably at your ears. And as you get closer to it, you can hear the shrieks of some very familiar, unearthly creatures.

“Walk through the gate now, Zero,” James instructs you.

You take a deep breath, a little scared at how vivid the graphics are but reassuring yourself that all of this is just a game.

“Walking,” you report.

Hobbling into the gate, the synthetic warmth massages your ankle as you squeeze your way on in. You land on the bottom tier, a floor below the floor you started on... one that you weren't aware existed until you continued to walk around.

“This isn’t so bad,” you mutter to yourself.

Just then, the noise around you cuts off and your headset broadcasts to black.

Tssssss.

Unsure whether or not this was part of the game, you continue to tread around the nothingness that is around you. Holding your arms out to keep your balance doesn’t seem to help, because the more you graze onto nothing, the more panicked you become.

This is odd. Where’s the Mind Flayer?

“James?!” you call out, your heart nearly beating out of your chest now.

Nothing.

Suddenly, obnoxious TV static overpowers your headspace. It’s accompanied by lightheadedness, the brightness of it all mercilessly stinging your eyes, and the high-pitched feedback noise that soon fills your ears is probably enough to make you go deaf for the day. Great, now you know why this is a trial run.

“James!” you hiss again quietly. “Anyone?!”

No response. You were never warned about this part. Was this even supposed to happen?

Absolutely frustrated now, you reach for your headset to get out of the game yourself. But to your surprise, you’re stunned to have gotten two palms full of your hair, and part of your face. There was no headset on your head. You’re walking in a void of nothingness, with no one around to help you.

“I need to pee…” is your final attempt to connect with somebody.

The ear-piercing, scratching sounds start up once again. This time grainier, louder. It continues for a while as you run around in a panic before halting to complete radio. silence.

“Wh-” you pant. “What’s happeni-”

JOLT!

“OH SHIT!”

You’re then met with an abrupt, devastating PUSH that sends you flying across the room and down — what you could only describe as — an endless black hole. Your hand clutches at your chest as an attempt to soothe yourself. You’re almost sure your heart stopped for a minute due to absolute shock.

SMACK!

In a millisecond, your body lands on a prickly patch that you soon make up to be loose straws of hay. Blending into the scenery now is that of a remote grass field, with the smell of fresh trees and newly cut blades of grass dancing around your nose.

You can’t think of any place in Las Vegas that would have a barren field like this. Nor can you think of a town nearby with this much of a Midwestern flare, this much empty — and grassy — land, and this much Kodak green undertone to its atmosphere. Unless…

It can’t possibly be. Are you in Hawkins?

You're standing around like an idiot trying to figure out how this could've possibly happened.

You knew this experience was 'all-immersive', but judging by the description, you were supposed to be taken to the Upside Down... and the backwoods by Reefer Rick's hideout was a long commute from. Was this Mind Fight going to be after-the-fact?

Trudging towards Reefer Rick’s now, you begin to think of other ways to get James' attention. But when you hear the faint voice of someone else coming from inside the abandoned lake house, suddenly getting out of the game becomes less of a priority.

“Eddie…” the familiar voice softly commands.

Eddie?

The voice you register belongs to no one other than Gaten Matarazzo, or Dustin Henderson in this sense. But that’s impossible, you think to yourself. James said that there were no characters in the game.

“We are on... your side...”

Oh, it’s this scene. Peaking through the door that was open a mere three inches, you're stunned to see the four dimensional manifestations of the characters you've grown to love right in front of your very eyes.

IMPOSSIBLE.

It's them. You almost stumble backwards when you see Sadie Sink and Maya Hawke alongside Gaten; and despite having their backs towards you, you know it is for sure them, and not some workers hired to play the part.

Your eyes travel to the corner of the room. Very much to your surprise, evident by the butterflies in your stomach, you're met with Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, and Joseph Quinn... the love of your life... in the flesh... your Eddie. Both characters are too focused on each other to even register your presence. If they are even able to see you at all.

You continue to be the fly on the wall while taking a few collected deep breaths. There's no way that they're in front of you right now. There's no way a whole SCENE from the show is panning out in front of you right now. Almost as if it's real time.

“I swear on my mother!” Gaten Dustin continues, trying to reason with Eddie so he can drop the knife and let go of Steve. He turns to the others for help.

“Right?! Guys?!”

“Yes, yes we swear,” the party clamors together in attempts to calm Eddie down.

“On Dustin’s mother,” Maya Robin attempts.

“Yeah, Dustin’s…Dustin’s mother…”

Keery’s voice is strained as he gulps in fear. Reasonably so, because there’s a knife pointed at his throat in this scene.

You clear yours at the doorway, causing everyone to deadpan to you in shock. So they can see you. And sure enough when this happens, that’s when your gaze lands on him. And his gaze lands on you.

It’s insane. It’s like you are looking Joseph Quinn in the eyes, but at the same time, it’s not him. It is literally — Eddie Munson. He's even more beautiful than you imagined.

“On Dustin’s mother?” you speak.

“Jesus, where did YOU spawn from?!” Gaten Dustin exclaims.

“Who’s that?” Sadie Max wonders.

“I…don’t know,” Maya Robin answers.

Immediately, Dustin runs to shield Eddie from your sight. But it’s already too late. And plus, Eddie’s eyes have already met yours. Studied yours.

“I’m…” you speak. “I’m here to help.”

You figured while James figures out what the actual fuck is wrong, that you’d interact with the characters. They’re right in front of you after all, and actually responding.

"I'm Zero..." you explain to them. "I'm not... I'm not from here, but I know a hell of a lot about this place. A lot more than you guys think."

“You know about what’s going on around here?” Robin inquires.

You nod. “And I know part of who is behind it all, and what we can do to stop him.”

"H...him?"

Eddie's timid stare pierces straight into you. It's enough for your knees to buckle, but you know you have to keep yourself collected otherwise the projections of these characters would probably freak out at you.

You hear a tiny thud sound against the wooden floor. Eddie has dropped the knife. Breathing a sigh of relief now, Steve sinks to the ground to gather himself. Meanwhile, a small circle gathers around you.

“There are… greater forces at bay,” you explain. “And it goes way beyond what you know about the demogorgons, the shadow monster, the Mind Flayer… There’s this... really powerful warlock…and a shadow that looms over him to do some really horrible things. And it’s not who you’d expect.”

“You know about those too?” Steve asks.

You nod. Eddie only seems more confused.

"A lot more than you know..." you warn him. "Trust."

"What else do you know about?" Dustin questions.

"I know about Eleven, and Will," you answer. "And how they're safer in California than here, but that doesn't necessarily exempt them from danger."

They all exchange looks with one another.

You can't help but look over at Eddie again.

"I know what happened to Chrissy," you say to him. He looks back up at you. "She's that nice girl from the middle school talent show, right?"

"I left her there," is all he says. He knows you understand what he meant by it. "I'm just a coward."

"You're not a coward, Eddie. Nothing you could've done could've prevented what happened at the trailer."

“Zero…” Dustin whispers to himself. Then he looks up at you with suspicion. Pointing an accusatory finger at you, he says, "How do we know you weren't sent by Hawkins Lab to spy on us?! You're a number after all."

"I'm not a number from the lab, trust me," you roll your eyes, slightly annoyed at Curly and his superstition. But it makes sense. "I don't even know Eleven, okay? Just think of me as... a guardian. From another universe. I think I was sent here to help you guys. I know how this shit ends, after all."

“How does it end?” Eddie asks you. “F-for us? For me?”

You turn to him in anguish.

“Not well, I’m afraid,” you respond honestly. “But if you guys are open to my help, I can get us out of this mess unscathed. Build up some leeway.”

You turn to Max who only seems to be backing further away from you. It's definitely in her character to do so, Maxine has always struggled to ask for help. But you know, deep down in those fearful blue eyes, she wants your help as much as she wants to run away from it.

"And we're gonna break you out of that curse," you say to her.

You're no expert on the laws of space-time, but it doesn't take a scientist to realize that you're in a different Hawkins reality. And knowing there are countless outcomes and experiences for existence, you can make this reality your own.

Which means, if you choose to stay in this 'game', and play the cards correctly, the Eddie standing directly in front of you has a second chance at life.

Now’s your chance to fix it. And experience an altered timeline. You don't know how this is possible, but it is. And after all, the Rule of Probability states, "the probability of an impossible event is Zero."

“If you guys want to save everyone in Hawkins, including Eddie and Max, you guys have to do EXACTLY what I say do you understand?”

taglist: @winchester-angel, @arthurcerverogf, @damon-loves-pie, @breezybeesposts, @swiss-mrs,@leelei1980, @skulliecadaver-blog, @katethetank, @mexicanfolklore, @ali-r3n, @nailbatanddungeon, @hugdealer, @wtflindsay, @yourdailymemedelivery, @kellsck, @kthomps914, @daydream-believer19

cyberpunk dividers from: @k1ssyoursister @sillycircus-decoarchive

[robynrocksforbrains]

The Map and The Painting

Ohhhh boy if there's one thing about me it's that I'm gonna pick up on some poetic symbolism that honestly maybe wasn't even intended but I'm gonna talk about it to my heart's content anyway!!! Considering how the Duffers talk about the van scene though... And how long they spent filming it... Maybe it was intended. Who knows? I certainly don't!

The Map = Mike's relationship w/ El

The Painting = Mike's relationship w/ Will (obviously)

When the van scene opens, Mike is holding a map. He is looking at that map. This is the map they're using to get to the coordinates of NINA. This is the map they're using to find El.

Mike is holding this map while he vents his insecurities regarding his relationship with El. He looks and sounds dejected. He looks and sounds lost. He is holding a map, a navigation tool, and yet he is lost.

[I wish I had photos but I do not, so just go watch the scene for yourself if you wanna be reminded of just how much is going on in this poor boy's head.]

If this map is a representation of his relationship with El, that would mean this relationship makes him feel lost. Which isn't a stretch considering that is literally exactly what we see in their relationship time and time again. Mike loses himself in this relationship. He becomes someone we barely recognize in s3. And then in s4 we see that he doesn't know how to navigate his relationship with her. He's insecure, he feels inferior, he is completely in the dark about what her life is actually like. He's lost.

[This would not be the first time El is associated with a navigation tool. Specifically navigation tools that are broken/not serving their intended purpose. In s1 she tampers with the compass and leads Mike, Lucas, and Dustin on a wild goose chase. Her intentions were pure, she just wanted to keep them safe. But still, she's associated with a "broken" compass. She broke it. She's the reason they veer off the path to finding Will. (not hating on her for this, like I said, I know her intentions were pure, but that is what happened.) Of course, in the case of the map, the dysfunction is entirely symbolic, and likely not even an intended interpretation. I'm just a little insane.]

He's rambling and he looks lost, and he gives up. He cuts his ramblings off, apologizes, and calls his feelings stupid. Will lets him know that he doesn't have to be sorry. So he tries to continue, but he's at a loss for words. He doesn't know how to describe everything he's feeling. He doesn't even know where to begin.

"I don't know... I just... Uhhh..." // "You're scared of losing her"

Slowed to appreciate Finn Wolfhard's talent

Will says that, and Mike's demeanor completely shifts. He looks like he feels seen for the first time in a long time. We know he's been lost, but we also know he's been hiding. He hasn't wanted to be found. But Will just got pretty damn close to finding him, and Mike doesn't look scared. He looks relieved. He looks amazed that Will was even looking to find him in the first place.

Mike doesn't deny what Will says. He confirms it. He's vulnerable because Will makes him feel safe. So then Will gives him the painting.

This is when Mike sets aside the map in favor of holding the painting.

The map is formal, mature, grown up. Like how he feels he needs to be. He views his relationship with El as a necessary step to growing up. As a necessary step to leaving his childhood, and his childish feelings behind.

"We're not kids anymore. I mean, what did you think really? That we were never gonna get girlfriends? That we were just gonna sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?"

The painting - Will's painting - is reminiscent of the kind of map you'd see in a fantasy world. A scroll that holds the secrets of the universe. The key to defeating evil once and for all. The kind of map you'd find in a fantasy game. The kind of game you played with your best friends. Before everything got so scary. Before everything got so complicated. Before you grew to be afraid of who you are. Before you were forced to grow up. Before everything changed.

"Yeah. I guess I did. I really did."

Mike holds the painting with so much care. He unrolls it with so much care.

This isn't anything new from Mike. We know how much he loves Will's art. How much he respects it. We've seen this before.

(Something I love about the way this is filmed is that it feels reminiscent of scenes in fantasy movies where the protagonist has found some ancient map or scroll and is unrolling it. I really can't know for sure if this was intentional, but it's the feeling I get from it. I don't have a scene to compare it to because I cannot for the life of me think of one, but I know I've seen scenes like that before. And this feels like that)

Once he's looking at the painting itself, he lights up. He has this childlike wonder about him.

Something that we haven't seen from him in a while.

And it's no surprise that this painting is what lights that spark in him again. I mean just look at it. It's their childhood lovingly painted by his best friend. It's Mike and his three best friends, the people he's been through hell with, fighting a monster. Something they have real life experience doing. But in this painting it's not scary, because it's an echo of their adventures before the monsters were real. Before everything changed.

Will points to the shield. The shield has a heart on it. The shield also conveniently looks like an arrow that is conveniently pointing to Will the Wise. Our eyes naturally follow this, at least mine do. Like they're following a map. And if my eyes did that, then I'm pretty sure Mike's did too.

In the same way the literal map is leading Mike to El, the painting acts as a figurative map that leads Mike to Will.

Mike looks dejected and lost while holding the map. He talks about his insecurities and expresses that he feels inferior, and that he's not needed.

He lights up when holding the painting. Will uses the painting to tell him that he's wrong about himself. That he's a leader. That he is needed and he always will be. He looks as if maybe he's on his way to finding himself, and in the process, finding Will.

So when his last significant interaction with Will in s4 is him reaching into the light to grasp his shoulder and reaffirm that they're a team...

And when he ends the season with El walking away from him, and instead of following her, he chooses to stay by Will's side. Ready to face whatever comes next as a team. Ready to fight the monster. With his convenient little pocket arrow conveniently pointing to Will...

Well it's not really a surprise, is it? This is exactly the path that the figurative map that is the painting is leading Mike down. The path it is leading the audience down. We haven't gotten to the destination yet, but we have a pretty good idea of where we're going.

Mike however? I'm not too sure if he's fully aware of what he's stumbling toward.

[bugsbenefit]

It’s because some of us can’t stand fanon mike he’s not will or el at the end of the day it’s not our fault the duffers already messed up his character arc long ago. some of us aren’t really interested in mike like that and to be frank I hate how much trauma people are putting on him as if he isn’t a privileged middle class *maybe cis maybe not* kid with insecurities cause he can’t play hero anymore like he used to. Fanon mike is retaliation to whatever we got the last two season from the character and I get it, but why are we keep acting like he’s important to vecna or the plot like that he’s just els boyfriend and wills crush at this point.

You don’t agree with this most likely but idc I’m just here to let this out for those who sympathize with mike. He’s genuinely not a interesting character and if Will wasn’t in love with him I wouldn’t look his way.

Hello? Will solo stan that doesn't get the show in My asks? more likely than you think

i'm sorry but you clearly sent this knowing i wouldn't agree with you and you don't sound like you want a conversation so... why did you send this? was it just to tell me there's people that don't care about Mike? because shockingly, i know that already, the influx in open Mike hate was why everyone doubled down on his character being important and purposeful last week in the first place

i'm genuinely confused on how you're watching the show, though. i mean, at least you're admitting you're only in it for Will so i guess you're aware of your bias and shortcomings?

also lmao sorry but *maybe cis maybe not*?? are you trying to say being queer in the midwest 80s in a small town with a conservative environment wasn't that bad or damaging or worth elaborating on because he's "probably cis" and the family is middle class? hello? newsflash just in, the queers need to stop complaining about how scared they are of coming out and potential consequences of it, if you're cis you're basically getting cishet privileges anyway. i'm really not sure what you meant to say here, you okay? also, aren't All the characters cis??

the vendetta you have against "fanon Mike" is fascinating tbh. what exactly is "fanon Mike" to you, bc the ask suggests it's just Mike with any motivations and 3dimensional writing orrrr? also thank you for telling me that Mike El and Will are separate characters! i almost forgot! i really needed the reminder that these extremely different characters aren't actually the same person or re-skins. thanks for your service, you really showed the evil Mike-sympathizers today o7

but you know what, sure, i'll indulge this a bit, i like talking about the show after all, you don't have to read this ofc, i feel like we're both aware we won't find common ground here

saying that Mike isn't important to the plot is batshit crazy sorry not sorry. not even talking about s5, it's just plain wrong in general and i'm assuming you haven't seen the show in ages

even right from the beginning Mike is established as the first MC and then proceeds to be the main pov for the entirety of s1. in universe Mike is the parties dm unofficial leader and according to Will "heart of the party", out of universe Mike is the only character that has established relationships and evolving conflicts with every single party member and even most adults like Hopper and Joyce. i don't know how you're watching the show to take away that Mike is unimportant and a support character

ST is an ensemble show and Mike is one of the characters, alongside El, Joyce and Will that consistently fills an MC role. (while also being one of the only ones to outright get referred to as one of the mains by actors and writers) where you got the idea from that Mike is a useless character people are stupid to care about is beyond me

if you're genuinely going into s5 hoping for Mike to be as unimportant and off-your-screen as possible i feel like you're setting yourself up for the disappointment of the century. i feel stupid just listing the reasons for why Mike is clearly going to be an important player in s5 because of how obvious they are but oh well

Mike is the first protagonist ever introduced and the final season that wants to go "full circle" Has to finish his arc satisfyingly for it to work

Mike is Will's love interest, a character that's already confirmed to be more of a main on screen again, so focusing on both parties of the ship is necessary to get them together

also Mike is still in a relationship? if he's supposed to go from dating El to suddenly dating a guy that's also his childhood bff you need to elaborate on his feelings. otherwise Will's romance is also going to fall flat and i'm sure you don't want that anon

Mike is part of the people that only came back to town after everything in s4 went down already and part of the group that seems to be the main focus in s5 (see the hill shot)

also just regarding the hill shot, Mike is center stage here (and also between his two "love interests"), totally accidental i'm sure

also the only character Will told about Vecna being alive in s4 and already swore to kill him with Will, also totally not a s5 set up don't worry

and before i go on here, aside from the writers themselves mentioning Mike as a main in multiple interviews David talked about the s5 mains a few days ago and Obviously Mike is up there along with El, Will and Joyce, exactly the people you'd expect

i don't understand how people are trying so hard to claim that there's nothing interesting about Mike to get into, as if even just s4 itself doesn't go out of it's way to set up an excess of potential conflict for s5

obvious relationship drama with El left hanging after an "i love you" monologue which we didn't see a response to yet

feelings for his best friend while he's still dating his gf

the unresolved painting lie

also the sexuality issue that comes with being queer/gay, that's been going back to s1. also made more severe by the show going out of it's way to repeatedly hammer home that the Wheelers are conservative and don't have close relationships with their kids

"you're the heart", speech about leading the party and bringing everyone together. he can't just face into the bg after Will gave him that talk, there needs to be payoff

the whole hellfire thing that's set up with the members names and faces being broadcast as "satanists" and the potential reason for everything that's been going on ON TV, sure that won't have any consequences am i right?

the Vecna plot itself, s4 makes it a point to have Will tell Mike and only Mike about Vecna being alive and the two of them agree to kill him right before the season ends

and that's just the obvious set ups s4 leaves us with, not even touching on the fact that Mike's pov has been withheld for essentially 2 seasons. which is something you can do and ignore, but only if the characters don't have anything going on during that time. Mike meanwhile changes drastically in these two seasons and we never get to learn what actually happened, why he's suddenly so set on growing up and getting gfs in s3, why he's suddenly such an uninterested bf in s4, why he suddenly feels weird about kissing El in the s3 finale after already having made out with her. there's a lot happening and we only see the fall out of it, we don't get Mike's pov. you call it "bad writing" but that's a picture book writing 101 set up, if you don't see that i don't know what to tell you

but i feel like you said everything already, i'm just rambling because i like talking. we probably won't find any common ground here. you only tolerate Mike because you like Will and that's that. not everyone has to care about every aspect of a show, however, i don't get why you're going to other blogs to tell them about your personal preference and about how you don't like one of the MCs. this is an ensemble show, it's not the El-show, and it's not the Will-show either, both of these takes are equally wrong

i don't know what the ideal s5 would look like to you, but if it turned out Will was the only important thing and the only character we focused on it would be absolute ass and horrible writing

Lucas just lost Max and left him with a shit ton of trauma, also Erica's gone through so much too. Max is still lost in a coma. El is distraught over not being able to save Max and now not find her anymore. Dustin just lost Eddie right in front of him too. there's a military presence in Hawkins now, the hellfire club fallout still hasn't happened, and so on and on. (also things like the "Nancy love triangle" still need time to be resolved too)

there's a lot s5 has to focus on to be a good wrap up for all these arcs. and yes, handling Mike's arc well is also part of that, shockingly

also ending this with a: you know people are allowed to like and care about character even if you don't give a shit about that character, right? claiming a central character with a ton of conflict set up isn't interesting is well withing your right and i won't change your mind on that, i'm aware, but going after people for actually caring about the conflicts the show is setting up isn't the move either. not everyone is obligated to share your views, especially when they're this far out there. and i feel like you knew that going in here

[aloneinthehellfire]

Chapter 22: Part One: Madmax

Season One | Season Two | Season Three | Season Four

Word Count: 3094 words of heartbreak

Warnings: swearing, death, grief, guilt, memories

[A/N: my heart, my soul, my reason to exist are all broken why did i do this to myself. i wish a very unpleasant evening to the duffer brothers. they know what they did.]

Part One: Madmax

The ground starts to violently shake once again. But this time, you know it’s the last.

Grabbing onto anything for stabilisation, you all try and wait it out, eyes squeezed shut, hearts beating erratically. Robin was clinging onto the banister, muttering some kind of prayer under her breath. Behind you, Nancy was propped up against a wall, face scrunched in concentration to keep herself steady. Steve had his arm around your waist, a reminiscent on the tunnels you both caught yourselves in two years ago, while your arm had wrapped around him, hand on his shoulder.

It feels like forever until it stops, the faint hum of vibration somehow still rattling your bones as you all straighten. Steve gently unwinds himself from you, ensuring you were okay with the flicker of his eyes, just as Robin lets out a big breath.

“What the hell was that?” Robin asks shakily. You never registered her words. You barely registered her voice.

Your eyes had never left the grandfather clock, your vision blackening with every quickened inhale of oxygen you could possibly force into your lungs. The hands attached to your wrists couldn’t stop trembling. You stare down at them. Why couldn’t you feel your hands?

The legs you stood on weren’t stable, swaying you as you shook in anxiety. And there was this pounding somewhere, filling your ears with this loud insistent rhythmic beat.

It didn’t feel like you were in your body anymore.

Max is dead.

Your whole world was caving in as you watched yourself break down, soul flickering in and out.

Max is dead.

Max is dead.

Max is-

You faintly comprehended someone rushing over to you, calling your name.

Your breathing stops, body dropping to the floor.

“Let me guess, you’re a girl so you can’t skate?”

She hummed her response, dangling her feet off the edge and staring at her untied shoes as they swung. You walked over to her, kneeling down and starting to tie her laces.

“Boys can be assholes.” You agreed, smiling at her, “But only because they feel threatened if a girl is better at a sport than they are. It’s a stupid system but they always think they’re better than us. And you, Max, are way better than them and you’re only 9. They’re totally jealous of you.”

“Really?” She finally started to smile, fiddling with her hair, “One of them said I was mad for even trying.”

You laughed, shaking your head and tying the final bow. “That’s because you are mad, Max.”

“Stop.” She giggled, playfully kicking you away.

“They gave you a label. Because they wanted to hurt you.” You shrugged, grabbing your skateboard and fitting a cap onto your head, “So… own that.”

“Own it?” She questioned, tilting her head with curiosity.

“Own being ‘Mad’. You’re… Madmax.”

She gave a satisfied nod, smiling at the alias. When you shook your skateboard in the air, she leapt up with glee, picking up her own and practically sprinting through the bedroom door.

“I’m sorry.”

“What?” You looked back at your sister, her teary eyes closed.

“It’s my fault. I should have told you to stay with me instead of going to that stupid party.” She sobbed, remembering your last conversation you had before the incident.

“Hey, look at me.” You cupped her chin, bringing her doe eyes to meet yours. “None, and I mean none, of this is your fault. Don’t you ever think that. It was all me. Just me.”

She just continued to cry, your words barely making an affect.

“I might be leaving, but I’d never leave you. You understand? I’ll find a way. When I’m old enough, I’ll come back for you.”

“Promise?” She choked down her sobs, holding your hands.

“I promise.” You said, a tear forming a path down your left cheek. “You are so, so strong. And smart. Smarter than me. Smarter than mom and dad. Smarter than anyone I know. No matter what happens, you can do this on your own. Promise me you won’t ever give up. Promise me.”

“I promise.” She whispered.

There was a loud knock at the door. Your sister looked at you. She leant in and whispered three words. But not the ones you’d expect.

Reluctantly, you let go of the only person in this world that you ever truly loved, and walked to the door. Your mother avoided you in every possible way, not even bringing herself to look at you. You resisted the urge to look back at the house that was never your home. You took each step forward with your heart slowly aching. This was just the beginning.

You were escorted to Hawkins, away from the city that hated you. All that replayed were the three words your sister had whispered.

“Give. Them. Hell.”

“My parents, they sent me to Hawkins. I was in a lot of trouble and they didn’t want me around anymore. No one did, I guess. Other than Max. She- I never wanted to leave her. I had this plan, when I graduate, to go see her again. I’ve been saving up ever since I got here, enough for two bus tickets out of California, away… away from that damn house.” You admit, gaze drawn on a splintered piece of wood so you could focus on your words.

“This isn’t what I was expecting.” She shares with a sigh, “Moving here.”

“Well, Hawkins is full of surprises. Nightmares, but surprises.”

“Yeah…” She nods before suddenly pointing to you. “But I meant you.”

You look to her in surprise, a smile appearing under your mask.

“I’m really happy that you’re here.” Max says, moving towards you and you catch her in a hug.

“I’ve missed you, Madmax.”

If you had been told a year ago that you would have the chance to reconnect with your sister, you wouldn’t have believed it. You had done the work, saving up money to buy tickets to California, to take her away from the people known as your family. But deep down, you had a constant fear that you’d never get to see her again. You never expected to have her come to you. At least the universe did something right.

You make your way back to Max, chuckling as you watch her furiously taking down the bun your mother had insisted on.

“Help me.” She deadpanned when she saw you stood there and you nodded, still smiling.

You swiftly plait part of her hair, bringing it back so the hair was out of here face. She frowned.

“What?” You ask as she points to the hair you currently clipped back. “Oh, I thought you’d want Lucas to see your face when you dance together.”

Her face twisted and you laughed again.

“Ew. No. No, that’s not-” Max keeps shaking her head, “No.”

“You sound so sure.” You smirk, resting your head on her shoulder and looked at her through the mirror. “It’s okay to like someone, Max. Even if it’s someone you’d never expect.”

“Like you and Steve?” She raises her brow and you laugh at the comment. Usually you’d react in disgust. You didn’t know why that wasn’t the case this time.

“He’s my best friend.” You shrug.

“Right.” Max nods, pursing her lips. “Now look who’s in denial.”

“Okay, Madmax. Do you want any makeup?” You change the subject, pointing to the makeup bag at the sink.

“Uh…” She looks up at you, expecting a mocking look. But, instead, you smile, patiently waiting her answer. “Maybe? Won’t that be too… girly?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” You say, reaching for the bag to pull out the mascara. “You can still skate when wearing makeup. I don’t think you have to define yourself to one thing. Like, you can be both girly and a tomboy. I guess it just depends on how you feel at the end of the day.”

She hums in response, opening her eyes and you lightly brush some mascara on her.

“Okay, look.” You turn her to the mirror and she flutters her eyes.

“Cool.” She shrugs, a soft smile on her lips. “I’m glad you’re back. I know I keep saying that but… I kept your promise.”

You instantly smile, remembering the last words you spoke to eachother before you left. “Really?”

“I never gave up.” She looks at you with her blue eyes, holding your hand.

You grip her hand tighter. “I gave them hell.”

“You said you were working late today!” Max complained, hands on her hips as she followed you to your car.

“Then why were you shouting at poor Freddy?” You question, slipping into the car and blaring the AC for all it was worth.

“I wanted to see if I could bail you out of it.” Max shrugged, rooting through your glove box and trying on various sunglasses.

“That’s sweet and- hey, those aren’t yours.” You snatched away the shades and shoved them back into the box, snapping it shut. “I thought I gave you money to buy your own?”

“The stupid boys want to go the mall again today.” She rolled her eyes, slumping in her seat as you started the car.

“So? Make them pay for stuff if they’re so obsessed with that place.” You suggest, driving away from the pool and toward the infamous mall.

You drove in comfortable silence before you realised.

“Okay, why are you in my car?” You frown and Max laughs, causing a smirk to appear on your face from the sound.

“I was wondering when you’d notice.” She shook her head, glancing at the stereo. “Can we play some music?”

“Sure.” You sigh, trying to ignore the fact that she avoided your question. “A free ride to Starcourt it is.”

The car started blaring Journey’s Separate Ways and she groaned.

“Do you ever listen to anything else?” She said but she sat back, bopping her head along to the beat.

“You’re leaving again, aren’t you?”

“I got into college.” You nod, fiddling with the piece of paper in your hands. “I wasn’t going to go but… Jack and…”

“And Billy.” She says, understanding as she looks up at you with blue eyes. “I get it.”

“I don’t wanna leave you here.” You say, tears falling. “I just got you back and I hate knowing that I’m just leaving you alone after everything that happened.”

“I’ll be okay.” She sniffles, finally pulling you into a hug. “We’ll be okay.”

When you pull apart, you hand her the paper, watching as she unfolds it to reveal a number and an address.

“It’s the number for my new place. And an address. I figured if calling was going to be tricky, we could always write eachother letters.” You admit and she smiles, nodding.

“I’d love that.” She sobs, “I love you.”

“I love you too, Madmax.” You laugh, wiping away the tears, “I need to get going if I want to make it in time but… tell everyone I love them?”

Max nods, pocketing the paper. “I will.”

You both walk to your car, hugging eachother for the last time before you slid into your car, starting the engine.

“Don’t give up.” She suddenly says before you can drive away. You look confused and she laughs. “I don’t know. It’s what you told me in California and I figured you needed to hear it.”

You smile to yourself before looking back up at her. “As long as you give them hell.”

She grins as you finally pull away, moving back onto the road and watching as your sister waved you goodbye.

I miss you. A lot. I know we’ve done this before and at least this time I can talk with you but sometimes I wish you and I could just hang out together. The party are kind of acting like you’re on holiday. Like any day now you’ll burst through the door with souvenirs. But Nancy keeps telling them that’s not the case. They don’t listen. Of course they don’t.

I know why you left. You did it for us, even if the others can’t see that.

I’m doing okay. You’ve said in your letters that you worry about me but I’m completely fine. You should live a life away from Hawkins. You deserve that. You don’t need to come back.

I love and miss you,

Madmax.

“Max comes first.” You say with determination, “I’ve been dealing with Vecna for four years now, if he wanted me dead... I’d be dead.”

“You don’t know that for sure.” Nancy frowns, “What if you’re just stronger than him? Lucas told me what happened at the graveyard, Y/n. You-”

“I need people to focus on Max.” You insist with teary eyes, “I can’t lose Max. I can’t.”

A sore gasp left your lips and you crashed to the ground, barely able to move.

Everyone was rushing around you all at once, Separate Ways still blaring into your mind. Max’s face appeared in front of you, her own ears bare.

“Y/n?” She cried, pulling you into a hug and sobbing into your shoulder.

Once you regained the feeling in your limbs, your arms wrap around and cling to her, all the other voices drowning out.

Before she stepped off the bus, you stand from your seat, sharing a look before she rushes over to give you a hug.

“Give them hell.” You both whisper with teary eyes, quiet enough for only you two to hear.

Max is dead.

And it was your fault.

“Y/n! Hey, look at me. Breathe!”

You managed to focus your eyes on the boy in front of you, his hands clasped your face as he searched your eyes for a response.

“She…” You sob, unable to speak the words, choking on the thick air of grief around you.

Steve knows he can’t help you. He can’t tell you it’s okay. Because it wasn’t. None of it was. Instead, he pulls you in, gently placing kisses on the side of you head, rocking you back and forth in a constant motion to lull you away from the trap of your mind.

Just like he did when Jack died.

Robin and Nancy crouch beside you, too, sharing in your sorrow and resting their heads on your shoulders.

Everyone was mourning, the smoke pouring through the beating heart of the gate only adding to your misery. The tears wouldn’t stop pouring out.

When you had left California, you had unwillingly left behind the only person that never failed you. You had hated your parents. Sam far too selfish and criminally minded to spend any time with you, the only bonding experience fuelled by an illegal job that required you to act as bait or, more often than not, a getaway driver. Susan was a mother until she just stopped caring, falling in love with whatever lay at the bottom of a bottle and ignoring your existence however long she could, almost as if willing away the only reminder she had that you would never be her true child. In fact, it wasn’t until Max was born that either of them started to put an effort in.

You began to resent the idea of a sibling. Every morning, afternoon, and night, you would only ever hear about ‘Maxine’. Susan would drone on about all the fun they would have when she was older, the idea that she ‘finally’ would get to dress up her daughter. You were never one for pretty dresses; occasionally, sure, but casual days left you in messy jeans and whatever clean shirt you could find. Sam was more paternal than ever when he held her, and you wondered if he ever did the same when you were a baby.

Yet, despite the hatred you were feeling towards this sister that never did anything wrong, you couldn’t resist wanting to spend time with her. When she was old enough to walk, you would sit with her on top of a skateboard Lillian had gifted you for your birthday, and held her close as you slowly descend down the small decline that was the paved stone of your driveway. When she was starting to talk coherently, she would beg you for ‘skatey’, prompting you to drop whatever you were doing just to fetch your board and take her outside. You remembered Susan hated it, but the look on your sister’s face when she was refused to play with you must have changed her mind.

Soon enough, Maxine became Max. Madmax. She began imitating you, begging to be dressed like you were, even go out when you did. Of course, you felt a little suffocated from the constant attention all the time, but you loved her too much to ever leave her behind. Maybe it was because you needed that attention after the neglect from your parents. You needed to feel that love, to show that love, unconditionally.

When you left, the image of her crying eyes was all it took to send you into a spiral. The amount of times you had attempted to break out of the police escort car had deemed you a flight-risk, hence the demand for the chief when you finally made it to Hawkins. You couldn’t help guilting yourself into thinking she thought you abandoned her.

Then you finally got her back, and you swore you’d never lose her again. From the battles, to the adoption, to the deaths…

Max was the only thing you ever kept living for.

It took you a while to finally have control of yourself again, the first assurance being your hands reaching out to your friends. You couldn’t stay here forever.

“We need to get out of here.” You sniffle after an amount of time, mumbles of comfort spurting from their mouths.

Steve brushes the hair out of your eyes, searching for confirmation. A small nod was enough for him to let go. They all help you up, Nancy and Robin immediately grabbing your hands as Steve leads you all out of the house, axe at the ready.

You tried to keep your sanity, focus on the present. Once you got out of the Upside Down, you’d find Lucas and Erica. And Max.

As you all solemnly walk down the path from the house and through the forest, no words were spoken. The air was thick with grief and regret, heads lowered.

What you didn’t know, was what would be waiting for you at the end of the path.

Chapter 22: Part Two: King Of The Freaks ->

taglist: @gnnnne / @beepisbeep / @paintballkid711 / @eddiesbirdie / @livasaurasrex / @darktimelegends / @jackierose902109 / @mvrylee / @chervbs / @eternallyvenus / @nervouscatsuit / @f1nn-wolfhard / @hereiamhereigo / @ladybug0095 / @fangirling-4-ever / @astrolockley / @mothmanatemycat / @sheisjoeschateau / @champagnejoker / @umidktbh / @fallinginlovewithqueue / @ilovetaylorswift132006 / @live-the-fangirl-life / @sadbitchfangirl / @cherrymedicine13 / @engenelxver / @sagaonpandora /

[bylertruther]

Do you think Will could have blocked some memories of what happened during his time in the UD, like El did with what really happened in the lab? And how likely do you think it is that the duffers could bring that to the story?

confident yes + highly likely to both. this is going to be a long response, because the evidence in its favor is abundant.

the details of what happened to will in the upside down were never plot relevant before and we know that canonically everyone treated will like he was gonna break, like he was a baby, and like he couldn't handle things on his own (his exact words). given that, i doubt they were asking him about what happened even if they were curious. they only learned about what it was like to be possessed because that information was necessary in both season two and three.

now, in season four, we and the characters learn many things:

henry was a child when he first became a predator, started "reaching into others, into their minds, into their memories", "became an explorer", conceived his plan to "restore balance to a broken world", and grew the hive mind.

when henry first lands in the upside down, it does not resemble upside down hawkins at all. it's its own golden world with seemingly peaceful life forms.

henry is the one that shaped the particles, that has used its power, and that has been behind everything we've seen so far. ("it was you. always you." + the demodogs only attacking when invaded by dark particles.)

the teens learned that the upside down is stuck in time on the day that will went missing.

there are light particles which "feel good" and allow you to communicate with the other side.

will confirms that he is still psychically connected to henry directly.

season four focuses on truths, lies, and their consequences. we see that the only way to move forward, become stronger, or be saved is by uncovering and accepting your truth. not only that, but we get a hefty amount of unreliable narrating. there are some things that this season tells you and others that you have to work to discover yourself, just as the characters have. there are also some very fascinating lines about this and examples:

"I’m sorry, Eleven. You’ll have to find your own way out. Leave your train station. Stop waiting. Focus. Listen. Remember."

not to make everything about will byers, but considering the fact that the duffers didn't shoot down the idea that everything is related to will byers...

consider this: henry keeps coming back year after year, because they're all relying on eleven to fix it, but she can't. she isn't the cure, no matter how many people keep trying to force this on her. in fact, will's the one that we're shown standing in front of a "the cure" poster. this is further implied by dustin rolling an eleven against vecna and losing. the day is saved by a pair of siblings & will tells her in that same episode "it's gonna be okay, it's not that bad. we'll fix it together, okay?"

will needs to find his own way out of this neverending story. he needs to think back to what happened in that shed and directly after. he needs to remember the lights, the phone, and the stereo. he needs to recall how he managed to survive staying in that house when the demogorgon knew he was there and would appear seconds after right where he was, and why it never went after him but went after joyce instead. he needs to recall who took him and what he saw at the library. there's so much that only will knows. he just needs to remember.

"There are good people, brave friends, who have helped you fight your battle in the past. But they alone can’t win this war, not without you. I know it’s not fair to ask more of you, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think this was the only way, if I didn’t think you were the only one who might have a shot to hit this thing so hard it can’t get back up."

dr. owens is known to be an unreliable source (in my eyes). he didn't trust will at first in season two, he wasn't there for season three, and then he gets it 100% wrong in season four.

eleven hit henry and he got right back up.

they didn't win the war, even with her help.

the group has helped eleven in the past, yes, but, barring season three, everyone has banded together to help save will's life twice.

eleven "started this war" by creating henry, but she's always been removed from it. will was the one fighting to survive in season one & will was the one that got possessed in season two. she helps, but the war was only centered on her in season three because henry switched objectives and sought her power instead.

like... he's literally talking about will lol. he doesn't mean to lie, but this is a lie that has consequences. hawkins falls, max goes missing, and henry has won. will is the only one that can tell them how this story begins, who is still connected to him, and who needs to join the fight for once. will is the only one that knew how to defeat henry in season two and he's the only one that'll be able to tell them how to defeat him in season five.

(also, it's interesting how eleven's decision to "conform" by "doing what she's told" (as owens says) ends up "killing the kids" aka max. not her fault, though—max's fate was inevitable.)

"But there are others who don’t believe in you, who think you are the cause. I believe they’re wrong. I believe you’re the cure." [Cuts to Jonathan saying, "The reservation’s under 'Byers.'" as the camera then moves over him, Mike, and lands on Will who then looks up.]

will is someone everyone feels they have to protect; he's the damsel, never the hero. he's also the beginning of this story—he's the first and last bearer of his curse, the one he came back for and has not let go of still. he's the one related to "the cure". the scene literally cuts to him before going back to owens and eleven, so i'm filing that as "proof" that owens is incorrect. she isn't "their only hope".

Owens: “We should’ve just told her the truth.” Brenner: “And risk everything? She’ll find out soon enough.”

this one's funny. it explains why we and the characters don't know why henry and will are still linked, and what happened in the upside down. it would compromise everything.

"The truth is, you're regressing, Eleven. You're going backwards. [..] I know you're frightened. You're terribly frightened by what you've seen. But it's this very fear that's now holding you back. If you want Nina to succeed, you cannot hide from the truth, no matter how frightening it may be."

this one applies to many characters. will seems to have made progress in lenora, but he regresses by lying to mike and hiding from his truth. he veils his confession, pushes mike in eleven's direction, and dooms them all for it. addressing his trauma and being honest about his feelings isn't going to be easy, but he needs to do that to help them win this war.

i feel like there are more lines from this season, but this post is already long enough lol.

in addition to canon s4 evidence, it already is established that will doesn't want to revisit those experiences and whatever memories he has of them unless absolutely necessary.

in season three, when recounting having sensed the mind flayer's return at various times, will says: "I didn't think it was anything at first. I mean, I think I just didn't want to believe it."

also, did everyone forget how henry already blocked will's memories once? that was a key point of his possession, the reason for the shed scene, and joyce's biggest worry ("What happens when he can't remember anything? When there's nothing else there? What happens when my boy is gone?")

that, along with everything presented in season four, tells me that will is the missing piece. all of them fought alongside eleven and it wasn't enough. dustin said they needed will and he was right. henry is said multiple times to be a mind explorer that toys with people's memories. the duffers have ALREADY done this twice now. "every ending has a beginning." the teens figured things out, but not all of it and it contradicts what will experienced in the upside down. will is henry's perfect character foil. he's the last curse left. the show begins with the vanishing of will byers, but we don't actually know what happened to him. it literally all points in this direction.

season four was all about lies, whether intentional or not, and season five will be based on the truth finally coming out.

[chirpsythismorning]

Y’all will be your own undoing the fact none of you have not even the slightest bit of doubt is rather worrying. what happens if neither is endgame and let’s say Mike is killed off? You can’t say that won’t happen either because you don’t know the same way you can’t say byler is endgame because you don’t know hell even milevens can’t say they’re ship is endgame because they don’t know. Ego is ruining both sides and neither side is correct and shouldn’t proclaim to be.

I'm sorry anon, but I'm not all bylers. While there are a great deal of bylers like myself who have less doubts these days, there are plenty that have mostly doubts. PLENTY. Arguably the vast majority. And for good reason, ie. history.

To be completely honest anon, I don't think you're worried about bylers and their lack of doubts. I think their lack of doubt scares you bc it's caused you to go from confident to having doubts yourself. Why else would you be here on anon all condescending otherwise?

Personally, I'm not even here bc I want to believe byler's endgame. And no offense to those that have went through it, because the whole point of queer-baiting is to basically mock queer fans and lead them on with no intention of following through, but I have never been queer-baited before.

I did however, like many milkvans, go into Stranger Things loving Mike and El under the assumption they were peak romance. I literally skipped all of s2 during my first rewatch to get to their reunion! But genuinely, do we think the show is supposed to be watched that way?? Hell no.

If you're having to skip all of s2, most of s3, most of s4 in rewatches, bc Mike and El are separated, fighting, or broken up, what does that tell you?

If you're having resentments for characters like Max and Lucas and Will and Hopper bc the story has made points to have those characters interfere with your confidence in Mike and El romantically, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you're probably watching the show wrong. To be clear, if you have resentment for ANY of the main characters, you are missing something!!!

And that was my problem back then when I subscribed to these assumptions, because I WANTED to believe Mike and El were the pinnacle of romance, despite the signs incoming that went against it. And what that meant is I had to hold resentments for all the characters, including Mike and El themselves and even the Duffer Brothers for ruining what I WANTED to believe.

After s3, me, my friends, family and quite honestly anyone I spoke to about the show, said that it went downhill since the previous two seasons. And I do think a big part of the reason why, is because of the Mike and El conflict conflating everything. It felt regressive. And s4 repeating that exact storyline????

It took me a while to even consider byler as an idea. It's not like I latch onto every non-canon mlm ship and just ship for nothing (very few bylers do this, no matter how much anti's need to convince themselves this is the case as an excuse to be homophobic).

I am a hopeless romantic. Doesn't matter if it's queer or straight, I only ship stuff that I feel confident is endgame bc why would I put myself through scenes of something that doesn't feel right to me, merely bc I want to believe it and despite everything pointing against it??

Full serious, IF I was confident in milkvan endgame as a possibility, I would probably just convince myself to like them and provide evidence supporting it, bc I would honestly rather be right? Who tf wants to be wrong?

The problem was it didn't matter if I was initially convinced Mike and El were the pinnacle of romance (I was a child okay, give me a break...). Once I let go of that assumption because of all the doubts I had of them piling up, and took off my heteronormative goggles, I went woah... Holy shit. This show is actually fucking epic. Doubts gone. And the rest is history.

So, what happens if neither is endgame and Mike's killed off? I guess I would be confused, especially because the Duffer's specifically mentioned not being able to kill off Mike in a podcast last year. They gave their reasoning as to why, being that they take deaths on their show very seriously, needing 1+ seasons for them to show the characters mourning the loss. And so ending the show on that exact note, would be kind of a spoiler since they brought it up specifically? Therefore kind of redundant?

I guess, sue me for thinking the Duffers care about the show and put a lot of meaning into it. All of my analysis and theories are based on that assumption. No one's going to change how I think about that, so trust me, not worth getting worked up over it, anon.

If your evidence is all based on the assumption that the Duffers are not that good of writers, that almost everything on the show is coincidental and there's no deeper meaning beyond surface level, why are you even watching it in the first place? You do you I guess, but I just don't know why you wouldn't want to watch something that is more worth your time?

People being confident in their theories wont hurt you. If it bothers you so much, maybe find a way to be confident with your theories after looking at all the evidence from both sides. All sides. Any sides. If you still come up completely indifferent, then don't work yourself up by going on anon and making it other peoples' problem.

If it turns out everything meant nothing, and I was wrong about everything or most of what I interpreted, I will be okay! Because the show went from being about what I wanted to believe, to just what I genuinely believed.

Would I be disappointed? Sure. But lets hope I'm right bc in my scenario the show is epic and everything means something... not sure why anyone would root for the alt...

[latenightsimping]

And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God

Summary: The afterlife means many different things, for many different people. Religions, faiths and beliefs all wonder what happens when you pass on. For Eddie, it’s finally going home.

Pairing: Eddie Munson

Word count: 2,080

Warnings: V ANGSTY NEAR CRIED WHEN I WROTE THIS YOU’VE BEEN WARNED, angst to fluff, heavy themes of death, heavy themes of pain and sadness, has a bittersweet ending to it, mentions of bad fathers, themes of bullying, themes of depression, themes of bereavement. just a real bad time all ‘round but it’s good at the same time? idk read at your own risk okay

AN: Had a breakdown, started working on it, bon appetite. I’m fully on the camp of ‘Eddie’s still alive and the Duffer Brothers are being very fucking mean arseholes by making us wait for two years’ but I like to think what Eddie’s version of Heaven is. And I think it would be this. Because for me, it would be seeing my Dad again. Aight I’m gonna start crying again. Anyway, enjoy. Love y’all, make sure to give yourselves aftercare if you need it. Also, before I leave, the inspo for this bit of writing is Placebo’s ‘cover of Running Up that Hill because it makes me sob. 

Eddie always figured that dying would hurt. And he was right.

He could remember sharp teeth tearing into flesh, the sickening sounds of ripping and chewing barely audible over the sound of his screams. It was as if he had been dipped in hellfire; bathed in the flames and forced to stay conscious for it all.

He remembered the tenderness that fuelled Dustin’s careful movements as he was pulled into the young boy’s lap. Looking up and thinking Thank God. Thank God I’m not going to die alone. The small part of him that was still aflame felt guilt. Here he was, after seeing so many horrors, now having to watch someone die in his arms. Dustin was too young for all this. A child in a veteran’s uniform, battle scars where medals should have adorned him. He wanted to say so much to him. Tell him he was proud, and that he was so sorry for bowing out so soon, and there wouldn’t be an encore. But all he could manage to force from his lungs, choking on his own blood, were the most important things that he could think of through the haze.

“I didn't run away this time, right?”

I’m sorry that it had to end this way. But I would do it again, if it meant you were safe. Please, just tell me I did the right thing this time. Tell me that I didn’t die in vain. That Chrissy didn’t die in vain. Please tell me that I did the right thing for once in my life, please.

“You're gonna have to look after those little sheep for me, okay?”

From the moment I first saw you in that Weird Al shirt, I knew I had to protect you from the worst this world had to offer. You were so scared, and I knew that feeling well. I didn’t want you bringing home bloody noses and crying yourself to sleep from the cruel words running through your mind on a loop, just like I did. But you’re going to have to do the same for others, okay? I know you can do it, Dustin. You’re so strong, and so kind. I just hope I helped you, that I did a good job protecting you.

“I think it’s my year, Henderson. I think it’s finally my year.”

For once in my life, I’m not a burnout that sells pot to make ends meet and can’t graduate. I saved people. I’m nothing like my old man, who would have turned tail the second shit went sideways. I did the right thing, for once in my fucking life. I can rest, knowing that. It’ll be okay.

“I love you, man.”

I love you. Thank you for staying with me, so I wasn’t alone in the last moments. That’s all anyone asks for, right? To not leave this world without someone watching over them? Soon, the pain’s gonna stop. After all, to die would be an awfully big adventure, wouldn’t it? I love you, man.

I love you.

The last words on his lips stained with cruor was a declaration of the warmth, care and adoration for one of his best friends. Before he was pulled into the blackness, a numbness, nothingness, seeping into his very soul that couldn’t be explained with the human language. Something that could only be experienced during the last moments of someone’s life. The smoke that rises from the candle of the soul when it’s snuffed out. The black sands of time, the last few grains meeting the bottom of the hourglass. His last words weren’t a complaint, or a curse, or a cry of anguish.

It was love.

It was love, as pure as the bright light that surrounded him, bathing him in a peaceful warmth. It was as if he had blinked, but more instant than that. It was as if he was always in this room. It took him a few seconds to recognise it.

He recognised the pale yellow walls first. He remembered his Mother singing along to Here Comes the Sun as she painted them, covering up the disgusting beige that was underneath it. Dressed in old overalls spattered with paint and a rag as a bandanna to keep her wild brown curls out of her face. Could remember being six years old, watching with curiosity from the covered up couch, and thinking she was the prettiest woman this side of the Wabash river. The way that she looked back and smiled at him, the corners of her eyes crinkling and her giggle sounding like silver bells.

She had dome everything to make this place a home, no matter how little money they had. She’d scrimped and saved for paint, and had traipsed around countless yard sales and flea markets for good furniture. Sure, the couch was a little lumpy, and the coffee table had a deep gouge running down the middle. But that didn’t matter when the home was filled with such earnest warmth and comfort. His old man had left by this time; had walked out in the middle of the night and never came home. And at so young an age, he knew he was truly relieved to see the back of him. Just him and his Mom, in this run down home that still had cracks, but was more than enough.

So what was he doing back here?

Looking down at himself, he could see he was wearing his favourite shirt, one that he had lost long ago. The faded Anthrax shirt that Wayne had bought him for Christmas, now without the tears of being flung around the Hawkins High parking lot during a brawl. Now, it was as pristine and soft as he had remembered. His most comfortable ripped jeans and sneakers, and his prized possessions of the leather jacket and battle vest fitting like a second skin. No blood, no bite wounds, no pain. He felt the best that he had ever felt. He even smelt of his favourite cologne.

The sounds of humming made his head snap towards the source; the kitchen. He knew the humming well. The melodies that had stopped the day she died, and no song had never sounded the same since. He thought he would feel fear, or confusion. But all he could feel was content. Like this was the place he was meant to be all this time, and the living world was only temporary. The confidence of that knowledge fuelled him to take the steps towards the archway, rounding the corner to be met with the figure he wanted to see so badly.

Wayne had always said that Eddie took after his Mom. And that was true. Who could deny the matching halo of curls, and the deep umber eyes? He had his father’s nose, but that was it. Everything else was purely her. And here she was. Harmonising her favourite song as she chopped up vegetables, the pale pink apron that he’d clung to so often as a child still tied around her waist. He took in her profile; the slight upturned nose and slightly parted glossy lips. His heart fluttered like a trapped bird in his ribcage, lips breaking into a grin.

“Mama?”

She turned her head to him, a slight look of confusion on her face for only a second before it became one of joy. The same little crinkle around her eyes that he remembered so vividly as she put down the knife and opened her arms, an offering for an embrace. “Hey baby,” she whispered, voice so soft and gentle that he could cry.

It was near automatic, closing the gap between them and throwing his arms around her. He was taller than her now, no longer having to wrap his arms around her thighs. Now, he practically towered over her, and he could bury his face into the crown of her head. She still smelled the same. Like lavender and roses, a scent that had long faded from his lungs now filling them. He held her so tightly that he was surprised he didn’t crush her, but he couldn’t stop. What if she was going to go again, leave him all on his own like she did ass those years ago? But if she had any complaints, she wasn’t voicing them. Tears welled in his eyes, and he squeezed them shut to stop them from falling. “Mama, I… I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too sweetheart,” she mumbled into his chest, slightly pulling away to look up at him. Her eyes flickered over all his features, a grin spreading across her face as her hands came up to cup his jaw. He leaned into it, savouring the warmth of her palms. “God, I- look at you,” she chuckled, the pad of her thumb coming up to carefully caress the skin just under his eye. “You’ve got so big, huh? Still the same handsome face, though.”

He couldn’t stop the chuckle that bubbled from his chest, too scared to even blink in case she was going to vanish. “It’s been twelve years, Mom. And I missed you. Every single day.”

“I missed you too baby,” she whispered. “But… You’re here so much earlier than I thought. What happened?”

He shook his head, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself. She was still there. This was all real, and she wasn’t a figment of his imagination. He thought reality was the last life, but this… All his senses seemed to work so much better. He could smell the comforting scent of his Mother, could smell his favourite meal – one that he hadn’t had in thirteen years – being cooked on the stove that only she could work just right. He could feel her soft hands on his face, the sensation grounding him. Could see her beautiful features that mirrored his own, looking up at him like he hung the moon. That past life all felt like a horrible nightmare, one that he was just waking up from. One that he didn’t want to tell her about just yet.

He shook his head slowly, a shy smile flitting across his lips as he rubbed his fingers over the small of her back, enjoying the feeling of her soft cotton dress against his skin. “I’ll tell you later.” Later, he figured, could mean any time in the future. And he had the feeling that he would be here for a joyful eternity. “Is this Heaven?”

“I think so,” she nodded, her hand coming up to brush errant hairs away from his face. “And my Heaven just got better, now you’re here with me.”

His chest tightened, and he couldn’t stop the heaving sob as he hugged her again, holding her so close as if he was trying to pull her into himself. Burying his face into her neck, inhaling her perfume as if he would never smell it again for the second time around. It wasn’t sadness, though, that fuelled his cries. It was happiness. Pure, unfiltered joy, that he finally had what he always wanted. What he wished for every single night, especially when the day had been hard.

He had his Mama back.

“Ssh, none of that,” she cooed, a gentle chide as she rubbed his back soothingly. “I’m here, baby. I’m here for you, okay? I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

“Pinky swear?” he mumbled, causing the woman to softly laugh. To the two of them, a pinky swear had been stronger than any laws. It meant that the one promising would move mountains, just to make it happen. He hadn’t made a pinky swear for so long. Not ever since it didn’t feel the same, when her delicate little finger encircled his.

“Pinky swear,” she echoed, pressing a kiss to his temple.

If this was Heaven, this was the perfect final act. He had the only person that he truly wanted more than anything in this world, back in the home where he knew love without a price tag. No more bruises and broken bones, or cruel words with such abundance that he could drown in them. No more knowing cold, or hunger, or hardship. No more loss and anguish, no more mourning.

He knew it, deep in his gut. Now he was here, all that negativity would be washed away. It was all worth it, to finally be here.

It was finally worth it to be home.

[stranger-rants]

My problem with comparing billy to other abused or oppressed characters on the show is that billy isn't even an abuse survivor. Because his abuse never even ended. He was still being abused by Neil, and then he got possessed and died at the hands of his second abuser. So it is not even 'but he had a chance at changing' because he never was given a chance. Another thing is him being called 'the human villain of the show' when in fact he wasn't even a villain in S3 when he got called that by the duffers. In S3, he is literally violated and is forced to commit things he doesn't want to. he was possessed. That wasn't even Billy. That was someone else doing those things. So how the hell is Billy the villain in that situation? It is like calling Will a villain in S2. But we know he wasn't a villain in S2 because we know he was also possessed. Like. It doesn't take a genius to realize that Billy, like Will, wasn't a villain too. Like I'm sorry we literally had another character experiencing the same thing in the previous season (S2) and you'd think people realize Billy's actions in S3 don't reflect his own actions bc the things Will did also didn't reflect Will's actions in S2. And that is not even a 'cycle of abuse' storyline when Billy was never given a chance to break that cycle, and he literally dies at the hands of his second abuser. And this abuser in S4 calls him weak when he's about to kill Max, Billy's sister.

I understand this point, but I’ve explained this before - I consciously use the term abuse survivor because surviving abuse is an active process not just an end goal or something that you call yourself after the abuse is over. Even though he died, he was still an abuse survivor.

If Billy is a villain, he’s a poor one. He’s not a great character because he’s a great villain who I love to hate. He’s a great character because he’s human. So, they were only successful in one aspect of the ‘human villain’ role they gave him.

[stranger-chichka]

Jason is talking with Nancy in War Zone, mentioning Mike. Two of Nancy's phrases caught my attention - "scary times" and "let go" as well as Jason's questions.

Nancy: "Scary times." Jason: "Now, your brother, he, uh...is he here with you, by chance? I only ask because he's in Hellfire, right? What about his friends?"

And here are some parallels [well, the chain of parallels] I've managed to recall (I'm sure there are even more of them but these are kinda on the nose).

Dustin in s4: “The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.”

Mike in s4: "They're nobodies! And you're a superhero!"

Jonathan in s2: "I would rather be best friends with zombie boy than with boring nobody."

Will in s4: "Sometimes, I think it's just scary to open up like that. To say how you really feel. Especially, to people you care about the most. Because what if they don't like the truth?"

Mike in s2: "Do you remember the first day that we met? It was the first day of the kindergarten. I knew nobody. I had no friends and…I just felt so alone and so scared, but…I saw you on the swings and you were alone, too. You were just swinging by yourself. And I just walked up to you and…I asked. I asked if you wanted to be my friend. And you said yes. You said yes. It was the best thing I've ever done.”

Mike & Will in s4: "- We're friends! We're friends! - But we used to be best friends!"

Mike in s4: "Hey, also, about the last few days...Listen, the truth is the last year has been weird. And, I mean, Max, and Lucas, and Dustin, they're great. They're great. It's just, it's Hawkins, it's not the same without you. And I feel like maybe...I was worrying too much about El and...I don't know, maybe I feel like I lost you or something. Does it make sense? I have no idea what's gonna happen next, but... Whatever it is, I think we should work together [= crazy together]. I think it would be easier if we're a team. Friends. Best friends."

Mike in s4: “And...I love you. El, do you hear me? I love you. I'm sorry I don't say more. It's not because I'm scared of you. I'm not. I never felt that way. Never. But I'm scared that one day you realise you don't need me anymore. And I thought if I said how I felt it would've somehow made that day...hurt more. But the truth is, El, I don't know how to live without you...And...I can't lose you, okay? Do you hear me? I can't lose you."

This part of the monologue is Mike's response to Will's speech in the van, because: "Losing you -- it just hurts -- it hurts too much. So yeah -- El needs you, Mike. And she always will." She always will. She always Will. She. Will. She = Will. He piggybacks his feelings toward Will on El.

In the end, Nancy says "Let go" to Jason two times like possessed Will did in s2, I'm not sure what the Duffers wanted us to tell by this parallel.

"A friend" is written in the newspaper near tied up Will in the shed

[elliewilliamscoded]

I can’t physically describe how much I relate to eleven. It’s quite concerning, because I didn’t grow up in a lab. But if we’re talking about trauma, we’re on the same level.

I can’t describe how much she means to me, if I could personally thank the duffers & Millie for creating her I would in a heartbeat.

My wish for anyone who relates to eleven, is to surround yourself with people who see you as a superhero no matter what. If all you did was get out of bed, you did great. I wish I could give you all a hug.

Im also so sorry if you do relate to her, how bad must our childhoods have been to relate to a child physically brought up in a lab. Obviously not the same, but the same consequences. I hope you all find peace, and people you can trust. Who don’t want anything from you, but yourself.

[andvys]

Hey Andy!

It’s been so long since I’ve been in your inbox that I don’t even remember what my little pseudonym was 😂 I took a long hiatus and I’m super stoked to catch up on your stories.

Three things I’d like to know:

1) what song do you listen to when you’re sad to make yourself feel better?

2) do you have any theories for season 5?

3) are there any other fandoms you’d like to start writing for?

I’m sorry if you’ve answered any of these before! Have a great day 🧡

- 🍒🌸 (maybe that was it? 🫠)

hiiii!!!! i’m glad you’re back! 🥰 how are you?

1. honestly when i’m sad, i always make my sadness even worse by listening to more sad songs 😭 and usually i pick out the saddest taylor swift songs (rn its so long, london, how did it end?, loml) (but also strangers by ethel cain, i can’t stop listening to that song)

2. i got too many theories on how Eddie might come back 🫠 (the kas thing, the michael myers mask, jason saying he’s a vessel for satan, master of puppets, the pink floyd poster the duffer brothers posted from s5 set are all just pointing out to his return (i’m not delulu i swear), it’s all foreshadowing).

and also, this is not a theory but i’m so scared for steve😭 his death is so predictable at this point… i’m gonna die watching it

3. not really! i love stranger things too much, and eddie and steve are the only ones i want to write for!!!

[maniac-maniac-maniac]

tag game: stranger things edition

yet again, thank you @where-is-francis for tagging me!

Ride or die ship (your otp): steddie and ronance are at a very beautiful tie

Most annoying ship: stancy, i'm sorry but nothing good will come of them being together.

Second favourite ship: buckingham and lumax

Favourite platonic relationship: stobin obviously, but also elington, madwise and (unfortunately there is no ship name i know of) dustin and erica. i feel very strongly about this in particular.

Underrated ship: argylen

Overrated ship: i am sorry to say but mileven is so overrated to me. really eleven should be able to find herself and really express whoever that is, not be pretty much soft launched into craving male validation.

One thing i would change in canon: less dead people, especially probably eddie. i would have liked to see billy have a more well rounded character arc as well.

Something canon did right: not making all the queer characters the same. they have depth that goes beyond just being the diversity character. same for lucas, although i wish they did more with him.

A thing i'm proud of creating for the fandom PLEASE BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF I WANT TO SEE/READ YOUR ART: i am not nearly as cool as a lot of people in this space but i did make "drive you home" which seems to be a hit for the size of my blog (small)

A character who is perfect to me (wouldn't change a thing): joyce

The character i relate to the most and why: eddie. everyone who knows me knows that me and eddie are the same person, not even different font, just different delivery. do i let this go to my head? absolutely, i am a loser and having people tell me i have bitches essentially is so so ego boosting. i am also like, a grown man who has a kids spiderman wallet, was a cult leader in 7th grade and once downed half a bottle of rumchatta (which contains milk) knowing i am lactose intolerant so like, how could i not be the disaster man????

Character(-s) i hate the most and why: i hate characters, yes, but first and foremost i hate the fucking duffer brothers. /hj

Something i've learned from the fandom: don't ineract with people who say "fiction is fiction" to excuse their fave's problematic behavior bc chances are they are a bigot. also lucas haters are always fucking boring.

Three tags i seek out on ao3: i do not often go on ao3, but when i do i am looking for steve harrington content p much every time. i love him so much that i could eat him.

A song i strongly associate with my otp/favourite character: no matter what i always half ironically say it is teenage dream by katy perry

No pressure tagging: @witchthewriter (i am very sorry for the multiple tags)

[indouloureux]

liquid smooth

eddie munson x reader

summary: eddie's nightmares corrode his nights for the past two weeks. with guilt overwhelming his healing wounds, you let your boyfriend talk to you as a cathartic release.

word count: 2,317

warnings: MAJOR STRANGER THINGS VOLUME TWO SPOILERS. mentions of violence, maybe ptsd, blood and depictions of gore. angst, quick and shitty writing like the duffer brothers, maybe fluff at the end.

a/n: a fix it fic. the one where IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. anyway, hope you all enjoy. mcu!peter coming next (this is me trying)

MASTERLIST

(FOLLOW @bloodstheink TO GET NOTIFIED WHEN I POST)

The space beside you is oddly cold.

You expect it to be warm, full of flesh and comforting arms wrapped around you, his blood flowing through his tatted arms. But it’s not – instead your hand caresses the crumpled part of the blanket you share.

 Cold sheets render you awake. You sit up, rubbing the sleep of your eyes and blindly reach for the lamp. Immediately does the warm glow of the bulb illuminate Eddie’s room in a dim glisten, adding an orange dusk to his scattered black and white posters of metal bands you only know half of.

With feet covered by borrowed socks, you leave his bed, wrapping your arms around yourself. And as the sleep withers away into a void, you realize that Eddie is not here – not beside you. Not in the room, and not in the bathroom where you just checked.

“Eddie?” you call, quietly, amidst the silent trailer, afraid of waking up the neighbors and whoever it is that still hunt him down. You notice a lone mug sitting on the side of his table, partly filled with cold coffee. You take it into your hand and gently place it in the sink before you emerge to the small living room.

You see disarranged pillows, no longer in the place where you placed them last night before going to bed. There’s a new cigarette in the ashtray, and with the moonlight slipping through the thin blinds, you see faint smoke emerging. “Eddie?” you call again.

The lack of response presses play to a nervous song that thumps on your heart. Its lyrics circle around your filled head – where could he be? What happened to him? Did he just suddenly leave without telling me? The song an anthem to your worries that have risen these past weeks. Mostly for him, anyway.

That’s when you hear soft humming of a tune outside the trailer from the back. You whip your head to the slippers beside the door and slip it on, ever so softly opening the door and exit the small house and tramp your way behind to see him.

Eddie’s sitting on an old crate of beer, unamplified electric guitar lays on his lap, caressed by his bandaged fingers. Although it’s been a two weeks, you miss seeing the rings on his hand. You cross your arms, and walk towards your awakened boyfriend.

When he sees your socks he stops, looking up at you with a small smile. “Hey, babe,” he murmurs. His voice is accompanied by the air that crumples the fallen leaves of the forest behind, followed by a soft grunt coming from you when you sit on the ground in front of him. “Did I wake you up?”

“No,” you shake your head, resting your chin on his thigh that’s covered by his pajamas, but beneath it is another wrap of gauze. “I just woke up by accident.”

“Did I worry you?”

You wonder if he can hear your heartbeat from inside, or if he felt the decelerating pulse on your wrist when he grabs a hold of it to thumb on your skin. “No,” you say again. “I – I didn’t mean to worry. I know you hate it when I worry.”

“It’s alright,” the croak in his voice is tired, yet here he is, early in the morning with the sign of missing sleep underneath his eyes. “It’s my fault. I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for,” you kiss his left knuckle, the one exposed and covered with healing cuts. “It…woke you up again, didn’t it? The nightmare?”

Eddie’s eyes are glossed, the stained glass of his windows form a composition of trauma. He nods, looking away from you. Out of shame, embarrassment, you don’t know.

“Is it the same one?”

He sighs, resting the guitar flat on his lap. “Yeah,” he swallows, accommodated by a laugh that’s so Eddie it hurts, because you know he laughs every time to mask the pain. “Always been. Same one every fucking night, yet I can’t get it out of my head.”

“You said it stopped,” your words are anything but a scold, but you can’t hide the upset that comes with. “Baby, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” he sniffs, tears on the edge of his eyes that he blinks away. Eddie looks at your joint hands – wounded mingled with the unwounded. “I don’t…want to be a burden to you.”

“Baby, I’m always going to worry,” you sit up, on your knees, and cup his face in your hands. His bangs almost poke his eyes now, and you let your thumbs brush it in the middle to see his wide eyes – pretty, but damaged. “And you’re not a burden.”

“I keep you up late,” Eddie whispers. “I know you wait for me to fall asleep. And I pretend that I do so you’d fall asleep. You shouldn’t be losing sleep because of me.”

You don’t know what punches you: guilt? Sadness? “It’s not because of you, Eds. It’s because of me,” you hope your words reassure me. “It’s my choice.”

He stays silent for a bit, like he’s thinking of his next words to get away with this conversation. Eddie kisses your palm, smiles when you smile as your thumb comes across the crinkles of his eyes. “Yeah,” Eddie licks his lips. “Let’s go back to bed. I’m coming with.”

Then he kisses you, because he knows you’d say something to protest against his offer. Eddie’s lips are chapped, though it still reminds you of him. His bandaged hand comes up to place itself behind your head to bring you deeper.

But you push away because you know what he’s doing, and you don’t want it to happen. “Eddie,” you murmur against his twitching lips. “Eds, you promised we’d talk about it if it keeps on happening.”

“I know, sweetheart, I know,” he kisses you. Again, not out of want but as a beg for you to forget. “And we can talk about it tomorrow.”

“Eddie, no,” you push him away gently, removing his hand from the back of your head. “I don’t care what time it is. I – I don’t care if I’m losing sleep because you’re losing it too. I told you I’d be here no matter what, and we’re going to talk about it right now.”

His sigh is defeated. “Okay. I’m sorry,” Eddie rubs his forehead with yours.

“Now tell me what happened. Please?”

Eddie has been deferring the elucidation behind his wounds. You weren’t with him the day the night they went to attack – your role had been assigned to watch Max, Lucas, and Erica since they needed the guidance from someone older, given that the rest went to the upside down. And since then, everything went to shit;

You remember seeing Dustin and Steve carry Eddie’s unconscious body right before the “earthquake” happened. He looked like he’d just survived a bloody carnage, body doused in blood of his own, wounds open and throbbing, pulse weakening each second he lacked aid. No one but Dustin knew what happened, albeit you’ve never gotten the chance to ask him due to his ceaseless cries of fear.

He woke up the next day, and nights right after involved startling cries and quiet whimpers of help in his sleep, with you beside him to hush him back to dreamless sleep. You know he’s felt nothing but guilt when he sees your lethargic eyes in the middle of the night, stunned by his wet screams.

“I…I cut the rope back to the trailer,” he begins. “And…I left Dustin and I ran away to distract them. The bats. And…All I did was ran. That was my plan anyway, to run away and take them as far as I could. And then this stupid voice in my head – my voice – told me to just stop running and…face them. Because all my life I’d been running, because I’m nothing but a coward. I’m – I’m no hero. And I’ve got nothing else to do but run until I realized that my friends are out there who need my help.

“So I faced them. And, and I yelled at them and fought back. And then one of them caught me and I-” Eddie lets out a shuddered whimper, fingers rubbing his eyes. “They tore into my flesh and it hurt. And I let them, because I hoped it would help. It worked, though, and I thought I was going to die until Dustin came and tried hauling me back. Then Harrington saw me and just, since then I’ve felt so-… stupid trying to die for a town that hates me.”

He’s saying all this with tears in his eyes. What once was wide and full of undaunted mischief replaced by the horrors of the world that scarred his life like a knife to a flesh. “I feel so fucking stupid for trying to be a hero when I’m not.”

“You are,” you reposition yourself in front of him. “Eddie, you saved people who hate the living shit out of you. You – you saved Dustin, you saved us. You saved me,” somehow, the laugh that leaves you makes your boyfriend smile. “I’m going to agree and say what you did was unbelievably stupid, but your stupidity saved us all.”

You kiss him, again, more as an act of reverence. “You’ve always been a hero. And you’re so, so brave, Eddie. I mean, facing those bats? I don’t think your name should be Eddie the Banished anymore.”

“Yeah?” Eddie smiles at you, tears staining his lips. “What should it be, then?”

“Eddie the Slayer,” you propose. “But instead of like, Dragon Slayer, it’d be Demobat Slayer. I bet you looked so fucking heroic standing up to those monsters.”

“I didn’t kill any of them, baby. They almost killed me.”

“Nobody’s gonna know,” you tease.

“They’re gonna know,”

“No, they’re not. Unless those dipshits start talking about the Upside Down without sounding like crazies, nobody’s gonna know.”

Eddie wipes his tears with the back of his hand, sniffing loudly. “Yeah, but if I would have done something better, Max would be okay right now.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s none of ours, really,” Eddie places the guitar on the ground and comes to sit on the ground with you, but takes your hips into his hands and sits you on his lap with his chin on your shoulder. “It’s that stupid Vecna’s fault. Fucking menace.”

He laughs. You run a hand beneath his shirt, fingertips feeling his adagio healing wounds. “Fucking menace, indeed. Tore my fucking trailer down. But here I am, still living in a trailer that’s two minutes away from mine.”

“Yeah, but we share this one now, though,” you kiss his forehead, relaxed at the loss of grime and dried blood. “You’re a hero, Eddie Munson. Hawkins may not see it, but I do. And so does Dustin.”

“Dustin,” he chuckles. “Bravest little shit I’ve ever met. Second to you, I mean,” Eddie kisses your neck. “And honestly, I don’t even care if people still see me as a freak or whatever. As long as you still see me as who I am, that’s all that matters.”

“Well, you still have to care. You’re still wanted, y’know,” you massage his scalp. “We’ve got a trial next week.”

“Fair point,” Eddie taps his fingers on your thigh, cheek pressing on your bicep. “How’re the little sheep doing?” he looks up at you. “Sinclair? Especially what happened with Max.”

“His parents made me watch him the other day when you were with Dustin,” you rest your head on his, looking on the dark ground. “He’s been reading books to her. And I took Erica back to their home and hung out because God knows how she feels after getting attacked by one of Carver’s acolytes.”

“Wait what?”

“I didn’t tell you?” he shakes his head, worry creased on his forehead. “They found us. Lucas got beat up pretty bad but Jason lost. Max – I was there. I watched it happen while I was trying to fix her player but, somehow like a fucking miracle she survived. Barely,”

“But he shot you,” his cold palm rests on the spot just beneath your sleep shorts – a gauze covers the hole from the bullet Jason put through your thigh. Eddie traces the tapes that secure the bandaid. “I didn’t even get the chance to ask you what happened-”

“Hey,” you take his face into your hands. Eddie looks like he’s about to cry, unneeded guilt overwhelming his bruised chest. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you, okay? And – and I want you to know that I don’t care if you didn’t ask me because-…I just want you to be okay.”

“But we’re going to talk about it, right?” he gathers your hair into one shoulder. Eddie’s liberating eyes know any lie you let out would be injudicious, and so you know you won’t be able to sugarcoat anything that happened to you when he was away, therefore you worry you won’t be able to ease his remorse when you tell him what happens.

You decide that the best you can ameliorate him is levity. “Yeah. I’ll tell you.”

Eddie smiles. He leans in to kiss you – a saudade satisfied in a galore of communicated emotions from a disaster. His warm lips inebriate you, pushes your worries away into the gate that surrounds Hawkins. Vecna’s got your souls corroded, but with shared trauma prosed into a promise of healing together, you don’t mind a damaged soul that’s tethered to his.

“You’re a hero, Eddie Munson,” you repeat, finger running along his healing jawline. “And if everyone doesn’t see that, remember that I do.”

“I’m gonna keep you forever,” Eddie offers you a cathartic smile; a smile so pretty and so Eddie.

“Just don’t do anything stupid again.”

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[mycurrent-hyperfixation]

There’s No Shame In Running: Eddie Munson x Reader (Fix-It Fic) Part I

Summary: Eddie Munson thought that maybe it was okay he was bleeding out in another dimension. That maybe he was meant to die this way after he had finally stood his ground; after he hadn't run away. But then there you were standing above him and he altogether realised that the thought of never seeing your face again completely and utterly terrified him.

Part II

Masterlist

Word Count: 4k

Pairings: Eddie Munson x Reader, Eddie Munson x Powered!Reader

Tags: fluff, angst

A/N: Do trailers have bathtubs? Probably not but let us suspend reality for a moment within this fic. I couldn’t stand what the Duffer brothers did to Eddie so I simply rewrote it. Thanks so much for your continued support, it honestly means the world to me! I’m thinking of doing a part 2 for this so let me know if you would want to read it. Lmk if I missed anyone in the taglist as well!

The plan seemed to go to shit quicker than it usually did.  

It felt as if Eddie had been by your side only moments before, holding your hand to help you into the bathtub even though you were perfectly capable of doing it yourself. He had tried to keep the water warm for you, but after what had felt like hours of stirring the salt in until it finally dissolved, any warmth the water had once possessed was long since gone so that goosebumps instantly lined your skin upon your submersion.

“Sorry,” Eddie said gently, feeling the water briefly. He hadn’t let go of your hand even when you were situated, his calloused skin brushing comfortingly against your own. “I’ll put some more hot water in-”

You placed one hand onto his shoulder as he tried to reach over you to turn the tap on. His eyes turned to meet yours.

“It’s okay,” you said softly. “I can’t get too comfortable.”

A soft smile upturned the corners of Eddie’s lips as he leaned back, crouched beside the bathtub. With his gaze fixated upon yours, he leaned his head down so that it was resting on the lid of the tub. You felt like reaching out and brushing his hair back away from his face, and where once there was a time where you would have refrained from doing so, you indulged in the want. There could be no hesitation in the showing of affection when the end of the world was nearing.  

Eddie closed his eyes at the feeling of your fingers running through his hair, his breathing coming out almost as a sigh as he leaned into your touch. When he reopened his eyes, your breath hitched slightly in your throat at the sight of him, his eyes so big and wide and beautiful as they seemingly stared right through you.

“Come back to me,” you whispered, knowing that your voice would crack if you were to speak any louder.  

“Of course, princess,” Eddie whispered back, lifting his head so that his gaze was level with yours. Your right hand was still entwined within his left, your fingers half submerged in the water. With his other hand, Eddie brought his fingers so that they grazed against the skin of your jaw. You leaned into his touch subconsciously.  

“If anything happens in there,” Eddie said softly, bringing his hand higher to tap gently at your temple. You smiled. “Promise me you’ll run.”

“There’s no shame in running,” you quoted.

A wide smile spread across Eddie’s lips as he remembered his first encounter with you. The Dungeons and Dragons game when they had been down a player. The finale in an epic month-long campaign. And there you had been, a begrudging participant at best who had been thoroughly confused for the majority of the game and yet had still managed to throw the winning roll.  

“And yet you didn’t,” Eddie said. “You never do.”

Hesitantly, Eddie lifted your hand that was grasped within his upwards to his lips. He kissed the skin on the back of your hand gently, the touch so faint that you almost didn’t feel it. The act shocked you, your eyes widening as your breathing quickened. You could feel the heat creep up your neck and invade your cheeks, and whilst you wanted to turn away in slight embarrassment you seemed incapable of tearing your gaze away from Eddie’s.  

The air was thick between you; something electric and palpable that made it oddly hard to breathe. You leaned forward, your free arm coming to rest on the lid of the bathtub, the murky water moving around you. Your face was inches from Eddie’s now and you could hear as his breath hitched in his throat at your sudden closeness. But he did not pull away.  

His gaze flicked down towards your lips, lingering there before they returned to look back at you.  

“I’m scared,” you whispered.

“Me too,” he breathed back.

And then your lips were on his, but whether it was because you had closed the distance or Eddie had you couldn’t quite tell. The kiss was soft, tentative, slow. It was hesitant and faint and barely there at all. It was beautiful.

Timidly, Eddie let go of your hand and instead brought his hand up to rest upon your neck, pulling you impossibly closer to him whilst his thumb faintly traced along the curve of your jaw. You brought your own hands up to rest upon Eddie’s neck, one inching upwards until it was tangled within his hair. Your chest was pressed up against the bathtub, some water spilling over the side as you moved to try and get closer to him.

The two of took your time, wanting to savour every last inch of each other. Eddie’s touches were tentative, cautious even and yet so clearly filled with a desperation for more. Your lips continued to seek each other out as you became intoxicated by his touch. Eddie could feel his lungs burning and yet he could not seem to pull away for you. For just a moment he thought that if you were to continue to kiss him like this forever, he would be quite happy to die from suffocation if it meant he could continue to feel the touch of your lips against his.

When the two of you pulled away, breathless and panting into the silence of the bathroom, Eddie pulled you back towards him and gently touched his forehead to yours. You closed your eyes, the smell of him completely engulfing you as your arms continued to rest lazily around his neck. And even though the water around you had grown colder, you felt completely warm against Eddie’s touch.

When you reopened your eyes you found Eddie already looking at you, his gaze soft, his lips upturned in a wide smile.

“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” Eddie whispered.

But then before you could respond, the door to the bathroom was opening causing you and Eddie to quickly pull away from each other. Goosebumps returned to your skin.

“Guys, I think we shoul-” Steve began. “Oh…sorry.”

“No, you’re fine,” you responded. “Is it time?”

Steve nodded, his gaze still flicking between you and Eddie. Eddie turned to look back at you.

“I’ll be out in a sec,” he said. Steve nodded and closed the door softly behind him.

“Can you…?” you began, pointing to the bandana that laid at Eddie’s side. It was his, a similar design to the one he had tied around his head.

“Y-yeah, of course,” Eddie said, quickly picking up the bandana as you swivelled in the tub. You tucked your hair over one shoulder to get it out of the way for him, exposing the skin of your neck. Gently, the touch of his fingers so faint it was barely there at all, Eddie brought the bandana to sit around your eyes, tying it at the back. When he was done, you could feel his hands linger upon the skin of your neck, his face inching downwards so that you could feel his breath. With a fleeting touch, Eddie placed a kiss to the curve of your neck. You shivered.

Turning around, you lifted the bandana so that you could see. Eddie was still there sitting beside the tub, his gaze just as spellbinding as it always was. Hesitantly, you leaned forwards and connected your lips briefly to Eddie’s once more. The touch was fleeting and when you pulled away you noticed that Eddie kept his eyes closed for a second longer. When he reopened them, he couldn’t quite wipe the smile from his face.

“On Saturday when this is all over,” Eddie said, your face still inches from his so that his words came out as barely more than a whisper. “I’m going to pick you up at 7 o’clock and I’m going to take you out to dinner.”

“Is this your way of asking me on a date?” you questioned with a smirk.

“Oh, I’m not asking,” Eddie said back, his tone serious yet his smile still fixed upon his lips. “I’m not running away anymore. I like you Y/N. I’ve liked you for a long time and I’ll shout it from the rooftops right now because I refuse to waste another minute where I’m not by your side.”

Although it was physically improbable, you swore that in that moment your heart skipped a beat. And because you did not know what to say, you simply leaned forwards once more and engulfed Eddie within your arms. You burrowed your face into the crook of his neck as his arms came up to wrap around you, a small chuckle leaving his lips. When you pulled away it was unwillingly.

“I’m going to hold you to that, Munson.”

Eddie smiled softly at you.

Your hand reached out and grabbed a hold of his once more as your leaned back in the tub, the salt causing your feet to rise as you brought them out from under you. Eddie continued to hold your hand as you fixed the bandana back in place over your eyes. You gave his hand one last squeeze before letting go, instantly missing the warmth of him by your side. You could hear him shuffling about, and then you could feel the soft press of his lips against your forehead before his footsteps retreated to the door.

“Eddie?”

He stopped, turning around to look at you as he stood in the doorway.

“Come back to me and I’ll let you kiss me like that again.”

A wide smile engulfed his features.

“Yes m’am.”

You couldn’t help the small laugh that bubbled up in your throat.

The door clicked shut.

You took in a deep breath.

And then there was nothing.

---

“If you touch her again, I will kill you,” you said.

You flung Vecna across the room, using all of your strength so that he slammed right into the stands, wooden splinters flying everywhere. You could tell instantly that he wasn’t dead, was barely even scratched, the sheer power that exuded from his presence causing the hairs on the back of your neck to stand up. But for just a moment you allowed your defences to slip as you turned to face Max.

“Oh thank god,” Max said as she saw you, quickly closing the distance between you until she was engulfed within your arms.  

“I told you I’d come,” you said, looking down at Max with a reassuring smile.

You hugged Max tightly to your chest, feeling how badly her frame was shaking. When you reopened your eyes and looked up, a gasp left your lips that had Max frantically turning around.  

“El?” you said, mouth slightly agape in shock.

She smiled at you and Max before rushing over and joining the hug.

“Are you real?” Max asked, breathless. “D-did I make you?”

“I think she’s doing what I’m doing,” you responded.

“I piggybacked from a pizza dough freezer.”

Max furrowed her brows.

“Eddie!”

You whipped your head towards Dustin’s familiar voice but nothing but the decaying setting of the Snow Ball sat around you. Something dropped in the pit of your stomach, something that terrified you.  

“Eddie what are you doing?! NO!” Dustin’s voice came again.

“Something’s wrong,” you whispered. Max and Eleven instantly went silent as they turned their attention to you. “Something’s wrong on the outside,” you clarified. “With Dustin and Eddie.”

You looked down at Max, a knowing smile upturning the corners of her lips.

“Go,” she said.

“No, but-”

“Go,” she said, more firmly this time. “I’ll be alright. I have El.” Max linked her arm within the other girls’.

“Y/N,” you could feel Dustin’s hand grip onto your shoulder. “Y/N help, it’s Eddie!”

“I’ll be right back, I promise,” you said, bending down to engulf Max briefly.  

You gasped deeply as you flung your body upwards, the water disturbed around you so that some of it spilled out of the tub and onto the floor. Hastily, you brought your hands up to tear off the bandana only to be faced with Dustin staring straight at you. You had never seen him so terrified before, and the sight made you more frightened then you had ever been.  

“What is it?” you asked frantically. “Where’s Eddie?”

“T-the bats,” Dustin said, his voice breaking. “There were so many of them and the defences were holding so well but then we didn’t think of the vents and they started coming in and there were too many of them and we couldn’t fight them off and-”

“Dustin,” you interjected his ramblings, trying to keep your voice calm as you clutched onto to his shoulders to ground him. “Where’s Eddie?”

Tears began to well in Dustin’s eyes.

“He wanted to buy more time. H-he cut the rope and-”

You didn’t wait to hear the rest of Dustin’s story. Instead you leapt from the tub, water flying everywhere, as you ran from the bathroom and entered the main living area. Half of the rope lied upon the floor and the sight of it nearly had you crying out in frustration. You turned to look at Dustin who had followed close on your heels. Tears were now freely cascading down his cheeks and the sight of it broke your heart.

“I’m going to get him, Dustin,” you said, reaching out one hand to wipe away his tears. “But you need to help me get up there.”

Dustin nodded, instantly bending down onto one knee without a word. You placed one foot precariously onto his leg, looking down at him one last time before you placed any weight onto him. When his eyes connected with yours, you offered him a reassuring smile before pushing off the floor. You heard Dustin grunt underneath you as he bore your weight, but he did not complain. Swiftly, you placed your other foot onto his shoulder and pushed off, your hands just managing to grip the edges of the portal.

With all your might you pulled yourself upwards, your arms shaking from the struggle. Your ascent was slow, your arms burning from the effort, but then Dustin’s hands came to grasp the bottom of your feet, pushing upwards so that in the end you practically flew through the portal. Your eyes went wide as the other side of the trailer floor came rushing towards you as you barely managed to spin yourself around just enough so that you landed on your feet. You couldn’t help but cry out in pain as the shock from the fall reverberated up your legs, your left ankle stinging particularly badly. You did not allow yourself to dwell on the pain.

For just a moment you glanced up towards Dustin, the sight of him upside-down above you still dizzying. You wasted no time as you headed out in a sprint.

“Wait, how am I supposed to get up?!” Dustin yelled after you.

“You’re not!” you called back as you flung the trailer door open.

The sight of the Upside-Down never failed to send a shiver down your spine, yet you did not hesitate as you leapt from the trailer and began running. You briefly registered for just a moment that you had failed to adorn any shoes, but then the thought was dispelled from your mind at the sight of a thick cloud of bats swarming before you. Your pace stayed constant, the sound of blood pumping in your ears the only thing you could hear. Periodically, as you ran you tried to force the bats away from whatever they were swarming, unable to get a grasp on them due to the distance that still stood between you. Faintly, you registered the pain in your ankle growing.

It was only when you turned down an adjacent street that you saw him; trash can lid wielded as a shield, his makeshift spear gripped tightly in his hand.

“Eddie!” you screamed, upkeeping your murderous pace as your lungs continued to burn.

Eddie didn’t hear you. Instead he continued to face the onslaught of bats, taunting them as he did so. In any other situation you might have laughed, but in that moment you could barely keep your legs from collapsing beneath you.

It was as if time slowed when it happened. All it took was one bat, one missed swing of his shield, and a tentacle was wrapped his neck. You watched on as he fell to the ground, more tentacles instantly grabbing his limbs as Eddie fought back futilely.

A scream left your lips, so guttural and feral that you could feel it ripping at your vocal cords. You continued to run, continued to try and get the bats off of him, but you were still too far away to make much of a difference. When the first bat bit into him a strangled sob left your lips. When the second one followed you felt your heart break slightly.

When you finally got closer—close enough to see the pained look on Eddie’s face and the blood coating his torso—it was like a fire was ignited in your veins. All you could see was Eddie writhing on the floor. All you could hear were his screams echoing around you growing louder and louder until you found yourself wanting to cover your ears with your hands.

When you finally reached him it was as if something primal was released from you. It coursed through your body, building inside of you until it eventually reached your extremities. You screamed as the power shot out from you, so concentrated and so forceful that you could physically see it propel forth from your body. When it made contact with each bat, it was as if something consumed them from within as they shrivelled mid-air before falling to the ground. As they rained down around you, you immediately dropped to the floor from exhaustion.

As you panted—your veins still on fire, your head pounding and your ankle throbbing—your focus was purely on Eddie who still lied motionless on the ground before you. Slowly, you pulled your way towards him, each movement of each muscle instantly igniting a pain within you. But you did not stop, reaching out one hand until you entwined your fingers with Eddie’s, finally hauling yourself up into a kneeling position as you looked down at him.

A sob escaped your throat at the sight of him, tears falling freely down your cheeks.

“Hey there,” Eddie croaked, blood staining the side of his mouth. You couldn’t quite bring yourself to answer as you surveyed his wounds, trying against all hope to get yourself under control. “Come here often?”

Your laugh was somewhere between a snort and a sob.

“Stop making me laugh,” you said. “I need to stop your bleeding.”

In one swift motion you lifted your shirt off, the fabric still wet from the bathtub. You immediately started ripping the fabric into longer pieces before you knelt over Eddie and tried your best to tie it around the deeper bites. Adorned in merely a sports bra, you thought for just a moment that you should have felt embarrassed, yet you could not quite bring yourself to care.

“At least take me on a date first.”

You didn’t respond, too focused on trying to elicit as little pain from Eddie as possible. But you smiled at the joke and that was the only thing that Eddie needed to see in that moment. It was as if with you being there his pain was a little better, his mind a little clearer. With you there, Eddie began to hope that maybe he could get out of this hell after all; that maybe he deserved to get out.

His wounds were bad, several gaping holes having been chewed through his abdomen with large bruises already beginning to form around his neck and his limbs. And whilst the amount of blood he was losing wasn’t ideal, you couldn’t help but think how much worse it could have gotten if you had arrived any later.

Eddie couldn’t help but wince as you tightened the bandages, his wounds stinging so painfully that tears began to roll down his cheeks.

“Sorry,” you began. “I’m so sorry.”

But you did not stop until every wound was covered, the blood already having seeped through the fabric. When you were done you finally allowed yourself to look up at Eddie. His eyes were already fixated upon you, his coughing having subsided slightly. You shifted so that you were closer to his head before gently lifting him and placing him in your lap. You ran your hands through his hair, tears continuing to fall from your cheeks.

“Bad, huh?” Eddie questioned.

“I did not leave Max to see you die, Eddie,” you said, your tone serious but your touch soft. “You’re getting out of this place whether you like it or not.”

“Yes, m’am,” Eddie said, his lips upturning into a smile.

“We have to get you to a hospital. I feel pretty weak but I think I can lift you-” you said, outstretching your arms in preparation.

“J-just give me a second,” Eddie coughed out before you had the chance to levitate him.

You lowered your hands, bringing them back to run through Eddie’s hair. He closed his eyes, his breathing becoming more even. When he looked back up at you, tears were welling behind his eyes.

“I didn’t run away this time, right?” he choked out.

You swallowed the sob that threatened to spill from your lips, forcing yourself to nod your head instead.

“You didn’t run,” you said, your voice slightly cracking. “But I have to say, Eddie. I think if there’s any time you should run it’s definitely when you’re being chased by a hoard of murderous bats.”

Eddie let out a laugh that was quickly followed by a series of violent coughs. His smile still lingered on his features.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

He continued to look up at you, his stare so unwavering that it nearly had you sobbing once more. Slowly, Eddie lifted one hand to rub against your cheek, the pad of his calloused thumb running along the length of your jaw. You leaned into the touch, revelling in the warmth that was still there.

“You’re so beautiful,” Eddie breathed. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you that.”

“You’re not so bad yourself, Munson. But I prefer guys with their blood still inside of them.”

Eddie laughed once more and you could tell that each one was bringing him pain. So instead you removed your hands from his hair and brought them to cup his cheeks. Slowly, so that you could hear Eddie’s breath hitching in his throat, you bent down and connected your lips to his. The kiss was slow, lazy even as the both of you revelled in the other’s touch. He tasted partly of blood and partly of tears that were still trickling down your cheeks, yet you did not care. For he was so close and so warm and so very much alive that you thought for just a moment that you would never be able to tear yourself away from him.

When you pulled away, Eddie whined in protest.

“Let’s get you out of here. We still have a date to get to on Saturday and I’ve just left a little girl with a wrinkly monster.”

“What’s your favourite flower?” Eddie questioned as he looked up at you, his gaze unwavering with his lips slightly upturned into a smile. “You know, for our date.”

“How about you surprise me.”

His eyes slowly began to glaze over as if he couldn’t quite bring anything into focus. Slowly, his eyes began to flutter closed.

“And what’s your verdict on scars?”

“Oh I think they’re super hot.”

“That’s good.”

A wide grin encompassed Eddie’s face just as he passed out.

“Eddie!” came a strangled sob from behind you.

You turned your head around to see Dustin limping towards you.

---

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