Bunk12bear

Eddie gets the news on a clear blue day while looking out at the glittering expanse of Lake Michigan. He had only opened his phone to check the text Steve had sent him, something about when they were meeting up at that Mexican place for dinner with Robin and Chrissy, when he saw the news.

OZZY OSBORNE DEAD AT 76

His stomach drops, he clicks the button to turn off his screen, then clicks it on again as though, maybe, this will erase the cursed notification, but it doesn't. 

He’s suddenly thankful for the relative lack of paparazzi in Chicago as he starts to blink back tears. He unlocks his phone and googles  Ozzy Osbourne, hoping, praying that this was just some weird glitch.  Surely the icon, the legend, the man he had looked up to for basically his entire life, was still alive. No such luck, there, it was plain as day, the news stories, tributes, a Wikipedia article already updated with the verb was instead of is, and perhaps the most damning there in the Google summary “Died, Jordans, United States”  right next to “born December 3rd 1948, Marsron Green, United Kingdom”.

Ozzy Osbourne was dead, and something in Eddie shattered.

 Almost without thinking, he dials a number he had called so many times it's become automatic at this point. 

“Uncle Wayne, did you hear the news

 Still stubbornly refusing to buy “one of those damn cell phones,”  Uncle Wayne's voice crackles a bit through his ancient landline. 

“About Ozzy, damn shame, that orange bastard in the White House is still alive and Ozzy Osbourne is dead,  it ain't right”

Eddie laughs, shaky, watery ”you got that right, him and that warmongering turtle-faced motherfucker, I swear if James Hetfield dies before Trump or McConnell, we are living in the most fucked up timeline”

“You know I remember it, the first time I gave you a Sabbath cassette tape, the way your face lit up, it was the first time I felt secure that I was the right person to raise you after your dad went to jail,” Wayne replies, his voice soft and fond.

Eddie goes quiet for a moment. “Yeah, I remember that too, first time I felt at home since mom died.”

“Your mother was something special, wasn't she? Dam,n tragic that cancer got her before she could raise you” 

Eddie smiles weakly, yeah, it's a damn shame. You think she'll run into Ozzy in the afterlife? I hope so, I think they'd be friends, but that might be wishful thinking on my part.”

Wayne chuckles, "You've always been good at finding the silver lining in things, kid.” 

“Yeah I guess I have” Eddie replies “listen I got to go I have some stuff about the album to deal with and then Steve Robin Chrissy and I are going out for dinner and you know I can't miss that, I'd like to see you soon though how about I drive down to Hawkins over the weekend and we hang out and listen to my old Ozzy and Sabbath cassettes” 

“I'd like that, it'll be nice to see you and Steve, see you then, enjoy dinner. ” 

Thanks,Uncle Wayne. I'll see you this weekend, maybe Steve and I could  stop along the way and bring  your food from that fancy Italian place you refuse to admit that you like.”

“Don't push it, boy,” Wayne replies 

“Okay, fine, but we're treating you to a meal at the diner, and you don't have to object.” 

“Fine, fine, I'll see you then."

“See you then, Uncle Wayne”. 

By the end of that brief conversation he  had gotten several texts from other  musicians both metal and otherwise, 30 years into his moderate Fame and it was still surreal to him that he was at least friendly acquaintances with so many people he had grown up idolizing. 

He checks corroded coffins groups chat and predictably its completely blown up

Garrrr(garath): Ozzy just died

Garrrr(garath): like I knew he was suck amd it would happen soon, but it's still crazy to think about 

Garrrr(garath): *sick and 

Ricky Rick: I know,  I knew it was coming, but it still doesn't feel real 

Ricky Rick: Also, you're lucky that I’m so sad about Ozzy, otherwise I sure as shit wouldn't let you live that typo down

Garrrr(garath) Glad to see that grief has made you slightly less of an ass.

JEFF!:   ok, can you, babbies, why hasn't Eddie said anything 

Garrrr(garath): probably hasn't found out yet 

Ricky Rick: That or he's contacting his brood

JEFF!: Rick

Ricky Rick: Hey, you know I’m kidding I love his kids, but it will never not be funny to me that he ended up with FOUR

Garrrr(garath): I mean, I wasn't surprised, the hellfire club was basically a bunch of outcasts he gathered to nurture like a weird metalhead Mary Poppins

Ricky Rick: Mary Poppins doesn't collect  kids; she goes to their house to nanny them

Garrrr(garath): My point still stands 

JEFF!: Can we get back to the point we were talking about, Ozzy?

Garrrr(garath): right, yeah 

Garrrr(garath): I can't believe he's gone

JEFF!: god, you remember when we met him

Garrrr(garath): yeah, Eddie was so nervous he couldn't eat anything at the event and nearly puked

Ricky Rick: That was YOU, Eddie just sorta sat there vibrating in excitement 

EddieTheBannished: excuse me, I’ll have you know that Edward Munson, 12 level Bard and prince of the realms of hellfire and coffi, is far more dignified than that, you must be misremembering it, sir Rick.

Ricky Rick: Eddie!

JEFF!: hey Eddie 

Garrrr(garath): took you long enough 

EddieTheBannished: Ohh fuck off, Gar, I was talking to Uncle Wayne. 

It's only when Mads’ corroded coffins social media manager pops in to the group chat briefly to discuss what they're going to post to the bands official pages that it clicks that he's gonna have to make a statement on his own his mind spins they discuss it, how do you even eulogize somebody like Ozzy Osbourne, how do you possibly capture his legacy in a way that fits in a social media post. How would he even begin to explain the impact Ozzy had had on his life, both when he was an outcast teenager being labeled the freak of Hawkins High, and then later when the band found success as a wild and chaotic but friendly and supportive figure at events. 

Once they get to a decent conclusion and his mind has gotten to a bit of a calmer place he shoots Steve a quick text thanking him once again for suggesting that they digitize some of their old photos and put them into the cloud as clicks through them selecting the perfect ones, a photo of Ozzy on stage from back when Eddie was still just a struggling fan trying to make it big with his own band, a picture of himself at 14 wearing a Black Sabbath shirt and a style that said I want to be a metalhead but I haven't quite figured it out yet and most importantly a picture of him and Ozzy from the very first awards show that corroded coffin attended in which  20 something at a is trying his best to look like he's not freaking out on the inside. 

With the pictures selected, he opens his notes app and stares at it for a bit before beginning to write. 

“Just got the news and honestly I'm still in shock,  Black Sabbath and Ozzy especially were one of my biggest lifelines when I was still a weird loud undiagnosed audiADHD kid who people whispered about because I had a criminal father and a dead mother..  Ozzy Osbourne has always been a patron saint for the outcasts and freaks, and I was no exception. The. later, when CC first found success, he became one of the friendliest, most supportive figures in my life, even if we never became good friends. Thank you, Ozzy, for everything,  for helping invent the genre that saved my life, for teaching lonely freaks that it was okay to be ourselves, for always being so warm under all of that chaos, rest in peace, the Prince of Darkness, may your memory be a blessing, you will be dearly missed.”

He quickly sends a screenshot to Mads, a requirement after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day day Twitter incident of 2018, and his relief is quickly met with a thumbs up so he takes a deep breath posts get to all of his major social medias and immediately retreats into the work he had been planning to do before he got the news but he finds that he just can't do it, he exits the app and sends a quick text to the group chat. 

EddieTheBannished: couldn't focus on my work, and I still have a few hours till I have to head to dinner with Chrissy, Robin, and Steve, how about we meet up in the studio and play a quick tribute to Ozzy, nothing big, just but casual video of us playing one of the songs.

Garrrr(garath): anything to get out of doing the work 

Garrrr(garath): just kidding, come of course, I vote war pigs 

Ricky Rick: Oh, of course you would go for the most basic bitch choice, I, however, am more sophisticated than that and vote Mama, I'm coming home 

Garrrr(garath)Ohoh I know you didn't just call War Pigs basic. 

Mads(social media manager/real life Éowyn): Each of you pick a song and give me a statement about why you chose it, then record them tomorrow, and I'll turn it into something great, the fans will love it, believe me 

EddieTheBannished: And this is why you're worth every penny we pay you, Mads. 

JEFF: Seriously, you're a lifesaver, Mads

Garrrr(garath): Oh, that's great, I'm still going with War Pigs, I know exactly what I'm going to say 

Ricky Rick: got to agree with these idiots, you really are a genius Mads 

Eddie opens his notes app and then suddenly struck by the impossibility of the task he's just been assigned, sure this wasn't technically him declaring a favorite one of Ozzy’s songs and things have been helped a bit by Mama I'm coming home and war pigs already being claimed but choosing just one song to feature felt a bit like was suddenly facing an entire army of owlbears all alone and all his attacks are at a disadvantage.

He packs his small,l Beach setup away and heads to the El. He owns a car, a high-end sleep black thing that one would expect a rockstar to own, but even after all these years he still hasn't gotten used to driving in a city and besides the train gives him time to write and read. 

He ponders the question until he sits down in the train and is so absorbed in it but he almost doesn't notice the two teens staring at him, they're both all to even if the girl seems to lean more goth than metal so the steering is probably more of a oh my God that's Eddie Munson unless why is that weird middle-aged man still dressed like a metalhead. He looks up and smiles. 

The pair exchange look and whisper before walking over

“Hello, sir,” the girl says, “I'm Ruth, and this is my brother Michael, and we are huge fans of yours. I wish we could have met you on a different day, though we just heard about Ozzy.” Her brother nods solemnly behind her 

“Yeah, I know, terrible news, awful,” Eddie replies, not even trying to keep the grief from his voice, “whole bands reeling honestly.”

“I know me too”, Ruth says. “It feels weird asking for an autograph given well you know, but could you please still if that wouldn't be too much?” 

Eddie smiles. He loves this, he loves his fans, he loves being an inspiration to people like Ozzy had been to him. “I'll tell you what, I'll give you guys those autographs, but also do you one better, you can't tell anyone, just you, but the band's going to release a quick little tribute video, how about I give you guys a little shout out at the end

Michael's eyes go wide, and he begins to nod rapidly. 

“Thank you, this day was ruined by finding out about Ozzy, but this has made it so much better, you're the best, sir.”

Eddie laughs, "Call me Eddie, sir makes me feel old.” 

“Yes, of course, sir…Eddie” Ruth says, “Oh, and our last name is Rosenthal.”She pulls out a notebook and grabs the book Michael hands her, an old but incredibly well-kept copy of The Hobbit. 

“Excellent taste in books, Michael,” Eddie says, “are you guys Jewish?” 

They both nod 

“I'm always glad to meet another Jewish metalhead,” he says, signing both items and handing them back.

We didn't even think that there was anyone like us until we heard you talking about it,” Ruth replies softly 

If Eddie had been on the verge of tears before, right now it's an almost  Herculean task not to start sobbing right here in this uncomfortable plastic seat.

“Hey, there are more of us than you think there are. Both of you just keep doing you, I promise you'll meet others.”

Ruth’s face lights up as she clutches the signed notebook to her chest. “Thank you again, Eddie.” 

“Hey, you're welcome, I was nice meeting you guys.” 

The siblings stared at each other and giggled nan bit before thanking him again and sitting back down in their seats. 

It isn't until halfway through dinner that Eddie figures out what song he wants to go for. 

“Mr Crowley,” he blurts out. 

Whatever conversation Steve Robin and Chrissy had been having stops immediately as they look at him 

“Oh, un, sorry, the band wanted to do a tribute to Ozzy, you know, and Mads suggested that we each choose a song to perform, then write something about it, and she'll put together a tribute video, I just figured out that I should choose Mr Crowley.”

Robin laughs out loud. 

“Come, on now, it's not that funny,y” Eddie says 

Robin's laughter dies down. “Well, you're lucky that I love you and that you're grieving Dingus number two, or else I would have left even harder about the fact that you've been so absorbed and thinking about Ozzy Osbourne songs that you temporarily forgot that you were in a restaurant.”

“I think it's sweet,” Chrissy says, squatting her wife's hand. “Besides, it's an excellent choice, and I can't wait to see the tribute when Mads posts it.”

“That's the one with the crazy guitar solo, right?” Steve asks

“The one with the crazy guitar solo could describe like half of Ozzy's songs,” Eddie replies, “but yes, that's the one I'm talking about.” 

“Oh, cool, I like that one. Besides, you know how much I like it when you show off on the guitar.” Steve leans in close, his voice taking on a flirtatious tone 

“Oh gross,” Robin wrinkles her nose dramatically. ‘My burrito did nothing to deserve to be subjected to your weird flirting dingus.”

“Fine,  fine princess Robin, we'll obey your every command,” Steve jokes, but then kisses Eddie quickly while Robin dramatically covers her eyes.

“Ugg you two are the worst” she shoots back

Chrissy clears her throat.. “Anyway, I saw the tribute you posted, Eddie, it's very sweet, the fans are loving it by the way, one woman said that it reminded her of why she fell in love with metal in the first place”

Eddie bites his lip and blinks back tears. “I'm glad to hear that, 

Steve grabs his hand and squeezes lightly “hey, if it's too much right now we can just focus on enjoying ourselves” 

 Eddie relaxes and squeezes Steve's hand back. “Yeah, I'd like that,  but first he raises his glass of horchata “for Ozzy and for all the freaks and weirdos he made feel a little less alone” 

The other three raised their glasses “For Ozzy” they say in unison and after everyone clinked their glasses together he takes a sip of his drink, the  sweet creamy cinnamon taste comforting Eddie in this moment of grief.

The grief that has been hovering over at a the whole day really begins to come down on him once they all return to to the duplex four of them have been calling home for the last 30 years. 

He gets ready for bed in total silence, no jokes, no music blasting exactly up until time the people in the building next door would complain about, no talking to their pets. The clink of his rings as he puts them in the jewelry dish feels louder than usual. 

He sits down on the bed, feet still firmly planted on the ground and feel so familiar pair of arms wrap around him from behind “hey, you okay?” Steve asks quietly 

Eddie shakes his head “no, just” his voice cracks “Ozzy’s gone” 

“Hey, yeah I know, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry” 

Eddie nods then turns around and adjusts his posture so he's curled up against Steve and buries his face in his neck. The familiarity of the gesture, of  Steve’s scent, finally cracks the dam. 

Tears begin to slip down Eddie's cheeks and a sob escapes his lips and soon he's crying in Ernest. 

Steve doesn't say anything, just adjusts the way they’re laying to be more comfortable and strokes Eddie’s hair. 

He doesn't know how long he lies there, in their bed, sobbing into Steve's shoulder, but as deep as the grief is, the familiar comfort of the man he's loved for most of his life now makes the whole thing a little less overwhelming.