mihael

After Eddie's “death”, you didn't mutter a single word for a long, long time. It was like you were static and unable to think. Robin, your best friend, was worried. The the rest of the group too, and they opted to visit at least twice a week to check in without overwhelming you.

Even though the company was appreciated and kept you from rotting in your room, you still wouldn't say a thing, not even make a sound when moving around the house. You'd just sit on the couch with everyone in the living room and stare at nothing until they left you be, calling to check in on you every day after that. Sometimes, you'd even visit Wayne before he moved away from Hawkins. It was a complete bummer after that, because you genuinely felt like he was the only person tied to Eddie that didn't make you feel like you've lost him forever.

That would change a week later, of course. The moment you came back home and found the dirt stains, you stopped being afraid and dismissive of miracles. Your boots cracked against the floor as the pacing quickened when following the trail of wet, bloody dirt that was all over the carpet all the way to your kitchen.

...and there he was.

Dirty, bloody, and... Alive.

That night you realized you have zero survival skills, because if that wasn't actually Eddie, you would've been eaten for sure. Still, you were so sure about it, you would bet your life on the tall and broody creature being the man you loved so much.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eddie noticed you weren't alright the moment he came back from crawling through hell and caught up with small hints on what was going on. Maybe the fact that you didn't even scream or look terrified settled the whole thing, but yet again, Eddie would never hurt anyone in the first place. It was a well aware fact. There was, however, just a teeny tiny startled gasp that came out the moment you came back home and switched the light on, seeing Eddie standing there covered in dirt and dry blood. The sobs that came out of your shaking body when hugging Eddie's frame like he'd disappear were like whispers that disappeared in the air.

Robin found out days later when she passed by your place to drop off some groceries, and after a long hour of assimilation, she was pulled aside by Eddie.

“Robin, why's [y/n] not speaking?” Eddie was quick to ask that, having noticed that detail first.

Robin was quiet for a moment and then sighed.

“He um– okay look,” She started. “You, being gone, hit him harder than anyone else. He's much better now, trust me.”

“But he's so quiet, Robin.” Eddie remarked. “Too fucking quiet. I even have to put my head on his chest to make sure he's still breathing.”

“...we know.” Robin replied, “I'm… still off-put by how he hasn't even coughed.”

Eddie felt his heart drop.

“Eddie,” Robin continued, placing a hand on Eddie's shoulder. “Give him time–”

“...just how long has this been holding up for?”

She paused, and Eddie immediately knew that wasn't good at all.

“Listen, don't be harsh on [y/n]. He– he's been grieving.” Robin said. “Give him a moment to accommodate the fact that you're here and–”

“And a vampire, Robin.” Eddie added, arms corset around his chest. “One who [y/n] quietly offered blood to the other day.”

Eddie sometimes wished he hadn’t come back, because having known that his boyfriend was wasting away in heartbreak was the worst thing to witness. It was a cruel thing to think about, even during the moments where you regained the color on your face and walked out of the room often to check on him. Sometimes you'd also, as Eddie mentioned to Robin, offer something for him to nip and drink from.

He could still recall the first night he fed from your neck; the way your blood drilled into his taste buds, the jolts, and the nasty scar that faded way too soon. But something that stuck with Eddie was the way he was held by you; warm and caring like it was normal. He remembered how he brought several juice boxes right after, almost tripping from running. Then, Eddie watched you fall asleep in his lap while looking like it was the best sleep you'd gotten in ages.

“I love you.” A rough voice spoke, which made Eddie jerk back to reality and look at the man he was lying on top of. The look on your face was almost as if you'd regained a small spark of life in your soul, looking down at Eddie with such tenderness that it felt so familiar and warm. That warmth was something Eddie thought he lost the moment he woke up in the Upside Down.

“...oh my god–” Eddie muttered, hugging you close like it was that evening at Lover's Lake where he heard those three words for the first time. It sort of was, because Eddie had always initiated saying “I love you” before, so hearing it from you actually meant a whole lot– god, hearing your voice after so long was too much for his dead heart to handle. “Jesus fucking Christ–”

Eddie just embraced you, nuzzling his face into your shoulder as he felt being held tighter.

“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to startle you–” you whispered into the top of Eddie’s head.

“Sweetheart-” Eddie looked up at the man in front of him, his big eyes already teary as it contrasted with the sheepish grin on his face, showing a glint of fangs. “If anything, I'm so happy right now. I just missed your voice so much–”

You immediately cradled his face. Eddie attempted to speak, but tears were already welling up in his eyes.

The warm feeling of your hands against his cheeks, cleaning them from any tear tracks made Eddie feel like the softest being behind the spectral appearance. Eddie just– hugged you and pressed his face against your collarbone, crying and feeling his forehead get kissed and some fingers threading through his long curls. That warmth that was once his own was gone for sure, but you helped him feel less like the beast he was butchered to be and instead feel like himself again.