Sunday, August 10th, 1986

Steve trudges in with another box, giving you a tight-lipped smile as he sets it down on top of another by the door of you and Eddie’s new apartment.

“That’s the last of it.” he announces to you, placing his hands on his hips. A light sheen of sweat covering his forehead.

You share a glance with him before looking around to confirm his words. Every box you can remember packing is here, either already being unpacked by your friends or sitting stacked and waiting. Max and Lucas are finishing unloading all the kitchen supplies. Robin has efficiently organized each box by room and purpose. Eddie and Dustin are unpacking all his DnD belongings, enthralled in conversation.

It happened so fast, but of course it would with seven sets of hands to help.

As you look amongst your friends in your new apartment, images of the memories you’ve all made together this summer replay in your mind.

Countless hours at the lake; Swimming and laughing, basking in the sun, and watching it set in content. 

Cookouts in Steve’s backyard; Sharing beers and stories.

Playing at the arcade, trying to beat each other’s high scores.

Campaigns in Mike’s basement.

Entranced while watching new movies at the cinema.

Memories you’ll hold dear in your heart forever.

Eddie’s words ring through your mind.

This isn’t the end, sweetheart. It’s only a new chapter.

You smile softly to yourself.

A soft, red light shines through the windows of the living room, evidence of the setting sun over the city buildings surrounding yours.

“And this…” Eddie begins, holding his copy of the Dungeon Master’s Guide in his ringed fingers. Cover slightly faded and spine bent from years of use and love. He takes one last look over it in admiration before turning his attention to Dustin, kneeling on the floor beside him in front of the moving box.

“Now belongs to you, Sir Dustin Henderson.” He says with a smile, handing the book over. Dustin’s own toothy grin falters as his mouth falls agape and eyes widen, looking between the book and Eddie.

“Are you serious?” Dustin practically squeaks out in disbelief, making Eddie chuckle softly. He pushes the book into Dustin’s open hands before clasping his hand on Dustin’s shoulder.

“Hellfire’s in good hands with you.” He begins, before cocking his head to the side, raising his brows humorously. “Don’t make me regret it.”

His smile quickly returns as Dustin throws his arms around Eddie, pulling him in for a tight hug.

“I won’t let you down.” Dustin promises, his voice quiet and sincere.

Eddie’s eyes flicker up to meet yours as you watch the interaction before you, leaning against a short stack of boxes with your arms folded, quickly giving him a warm smile as your heart thumps in your chest.

You hear Steve sigh softly at your side, turning your head to look at him.

“I guess it’s time for us to get going.” Steve remarks softly, giving you a one sided smile as the red glow has retracted from the windows, the lights of the apartment now primarily illuminating your surroundings.

You reach out to pull him in for a warm embrace. 

“Thank you for your help, all of you.” You say loud enough for everyone to hear as your friends begin to collect their belongings.

You and Eddie hug each one goodbye, a slew of thank you’s and see you soon’s blending in the mix.

Too quickly, the clock turns to the very early morning hours, and you and Eddie have made a significant dent in your unpacking tasks. Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors record spins on a player, music softly flowing through your cozy, new apartment. Eddie’s in the bedroom, putting away your clothes as you sit on the living room floor. The last box sat in front of you, FRAGILE in big, black words written by your hand across the tan cardboard.

“Honey” you call out to him. “Can you come here for a minute?”

After a few moments, his head pokes out from the bedroom door frame. Curls that have fallen loose from his messy ponytail frame his face.

“Yeah? You alright?”

You nod lightly at him with a sweet smile.

“I have something for you.”

He eyes the box in front of you as he approaches before they return to your face as he rests on his knees beside you.

“It’s a… apartment-warming gift.”

He looks at the light blush warming your cheeks, the bashful smile playing on your lips, your eyes that look at him in adoration and excitement. He chuckles softly, giving you a wide smile before kissing your lips sweetly.

“Baby, you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” You remark quickly before gently nudging the cardboard box toward him. “Open it.”

His hands briefly run along the material before he begins plucking at the edge of the tape sealing it closed. As the flaps concealing its contents open, your breathing slows and nearly stops as you intently read his reaction. 

His smile slowly fades as his eyes take in the gift before him. Inside sits a dark blue milk crate, filled with records. He knows what this is as soon as he sees it. Gulping down a lump forming in his throat as his fingers flick through each record he knows by heart, the replacement Muddy Waters record he bought in Hawkins 2 years ago sitting in the forefront.

“I went to every record store here in Indy, tried to find every one of the same records I can remember. I know it’s not the same but… I thought you’d like it.” You elaborate gently, almost cautiously despite knowing in your heart he’d love it.

He stares down at the records in bewilderment. It’s a blast from the past. A near exact replica of the milk crate and records it held that sat in the living room of every place he’d ever lived growing up. His mom’s records that held so many of the few memories he still held of her. The crate and records he’d lost in the fire two years ago that completely devastated him.

He takes a shaky inhale through the nostrils as his eyes brim with tears. One single look at you is all it takes before his hands are on your plush waist, pulling you to him. His mouth crashes onto yours in a desperate, deep kiss, effortlessly conveying every emotion and thought within him to you.

He takes a heavy sigh as your lips part and his forehead rests against yours. Fingers gently squeezing your waist.

“Thank you, sweetheart. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” His wet, brown eyes bore into yours, his voice quiet and overwhelmed with emotion.

Wordlessly, he rises from the floor and pulls you with him. Careful not to let either of you trip as you cross the short distance to the bedroom wrapped in each other’s embrace. With a strength you didn’t know he had, he lifts and lays you onto the bed, set on conveying just how much he loves and appreciates you, christening your new bed and apartment in the process.

Two years later

Friday, March 18th, 1988

Your apartment is buzzing with energy, music floating into the bedroom as you and Eddie move about, getting ready for the exciting night you’ve had planned for a month now.

A month prior on your anniversary, Eddie had taken you to a lovely Italian restaurant in town, his own way of recreating your first date at Vito’s in Hawkins, except this place was much nicer. Toward the end of your meal, he slid your anniversary present across the table toward you, enclosed in a white envelope. You’d felt like your stomach had fallen to your ass as you held the tickets in hand.

Market Square Arena presents

Michael Jackson

The Bad Tour

March 18th, 1988

“Eddie! How the hell did you get these?!” You squeal at him, trying your best to keep your voice down in the fancy restaurant. He gives you one of the proudest, goofy smiles you’ve ever seen.

“You know all the long, late shifts I’ve been working at the shop? I’d been saving up money for it ever since it was announced, got up early and made sure I was one of the first in line when they went on sale.”

You shaked your head in disbelief with a smile plastered on your face as you leaned across the table and planted your lips on his.

“Thank you, baby. You’re the best.”

After a month of anticipation and excitement, the night is finally here. You’re just about finished putting on your makeup in the mirror when you hear an unexpected knock on the apartment door. You look at Eddie in confusion.

“Who the hell could that be?”

He does his best to hold his lips in a straight line, shrugging his shoulders as he strides out of the bedroom. A shit-eating grin gracing his face as he passes the threshold to reveal one of the surprises he has in store for you.

“Are we ready to get this party started?!” You hear a familiar voice boom from the living room, Steve and Robin’s smiling faces soon following as they appear in the doorway to your bedroom. Your mouth falls open at the sight, soon turning into a wide smile as you jump in the air, pulling them in for a hug. 

“You guys are really coming with us?!”

“Yep, Eddie and I planned it out and bought the tickets together.” Steve announces with a satisfied smile.

You look at Eddie as he stands between your best friends, watching you with a grin. Excitedly swaying side to side with his hands behind his back.

You give him a quick but deep kiss, lips smiling against each others. You don’t even need to say anything, he knows.

You quickly finish getting ready and the four of you share a ‘pre-game’ shot before heading out. Now that you live in the city, the arena is conveniently only a couple blocks away. You all chatter in excitement walking down the Indianapolis sidewalks, soon merging with other groups of people heading toward the concert.

The atmosphere inside the arena is indescribable, only heightening when you finally take your seats inside. Your whole body is tingling, your stomach flipping as you wait in anticipation. A smile is permanently fixed on your face, and it warms Eddie’s heart knowing he’s responsible, that he can make you this happy.

The lights drop and the crowd erupts into cheers including your little group, standing from your seats and clapping before the man of the hour finally appears on stage. You swear you must be dreaming. That is until he begins singing the first song of the night, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. You realize it’s all real, and you couldn’t fight the tears from streaming down your face if you tried. It’s an experience and emotion so overwhelming to finally see one of the artists you’ve loved for practically your whole life perform. You feel Eddie’s warm hand grab and gently squeeze yours, looking at you with a loving smile.

You feel like you’re on top of the world. Frozen almost, as if nothing exists outside of the arena in this moment. Singing your heart out, swaying in beat to each song with your boyfriend and best friends. You couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Half way through the show, you scream out upon hearing the first notes of your favorite song begin to play, feeling your eyes welling with tears again. 

Looking out,

Across the nighttime

The city winks a sleepless eye

You can already feel your throat beginning to dry out, knowing it’ll be sore in the morning but you don’t care, you sing along to every word as loud as you can.

Eddie spares a glance over the top of your head to Steve, who turns to meet his eyes. Steve nods softly, a big smile spreading across his lips. A knowing look, a planned look. Eddie returns the nod before looking back at the stage, taking a shaky, deep breath as his hand anxiously fiddles in his pocket.

He looks down at you next to him, his hand reaching to softly caress your lower back. As your singing quiets, letting yourself just absorb it all, he knows it’s time.

“Sweetheart,” he coos softly against your ear. “I have another surprise for you.”

It takes a moment for his words to process through your brain amid the flurry of stimulation around you. Your brows furrow together in confusion as you turn to look at him, only for them to shoot up when you see your boyfriend drop to one knee beside you. Fishing in his pocket before he brings out a small, red box. Your heart stops and your mouth falls open at the sight in shock. His big, round, brown doe eyes staring up at you.

“I love you, Y/N” You watch his lips move as he tries his best to speak loud enough for you to hear over the crowd and music without yelling.

“Will you marry me?”

You don’t even need to hear it to know exactly what he’s saying, exactly what he’s doing in this very moment as the red box opens to reveal a beautiful ring. The lights from the stage glimmering off the diamond. Your mouth shuts as your lips form into a pout and whatever tears are left in you flow down your cheeks again.

“Yes!” You choke out, nodding your head fervently at the question, allowing the beautiful smile to grace his face again before he slides the ring onto your finger. Not wasting a second to stand up and grab your face, pulling you into a passionate exchange. You faintly hear some people around you who’d witnessed the interaction cheering, including your friends beside you. But at this moment, it’s just Eddie, continuing to make you the happiest you’ve ever been in your life.

Another two years later in the early summer months of 1990, you and Eddie finally tied the knot.

You have a small ceremony in a park on the outskirts of Indianapolis, surrounded by nature and your closest family and friends, it’s everything you could’ve asked for. Robin was your maid of honor, Dustin as Eddie’s best man, and Uncle Wayne graciously and tearfully accepted the offer to walk you down the aisle.

So much has changed in the last few years, even the last year alone. You’d just graduated from college, and throughout your time there you’d picked up a job at the college’s radio station and took elective classes in sound engineering. Learning even more about music and how to produce it. You’d discovered the pathways into the industry around Indianapolis and last year in 1989, a label showed interest in the lovesong you’d written for Eddie those few short years ago. Months later while driving around the city, you heard your song playing on the radio performed by the Cure, and the whole world stopped around you. Said best by Eddie, this only marked the start of a new chapter for the two of you.

Saturday, May 9th, 1998

Nashville, Tennessee

The cool, morning breeze gently cascades over your exposed skin, moving stray strands of hair out of your face. Your fingers are wrapped around a warm mug of coffee as you sit on the back porch of your house, letting your eyes slowly travel along the rises and dips in the mountains surrounding you, listening to the calming sounds of the lake lapping against the shoreline.

Absolute peace.

“Mommy?” A soft, quiet voice pulls you out of your trance. You turn to look behind you, greeted by the sight of your 3 year old daughter standing at the back door. Still in her jammies, holding her favorite stuffed toy to her chest. Wild, honey brown curls falling past her shoulders. Sleepy eyes and a soft smile.

“Hey, baby girl. What’re you doin’?” She takes short steps closing the distance between you, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before climbing into your lap and laying her head on your chest.

“Daddy woke me up, a-and told me to bwush my teeth.”

Your hand softly rubs up and down her back, looking down at her in amusement.

“And have you…?”

She's quiet for a moment before only responding with soft giggles, giggles that turn into loud cackles as your fingers tickle her sides making her body wiggle against yours.

“There she is!” Eddie walks out onto the porch with a tired sigh. 

You hold your daughter in place, dramatically gasping at Eddie’s appearance.

“You better hurry and get ready before Daddy gets you!” You emphasize quietly in her ear, sending her squealing past Eddie and back into the house. He watches her run past in amusement before turning toward you, rising from your seat to greet him with a kiss.

It’s been a couple of years since you’d made the move to Tennessee. Back in Indianapolis after graduating and getting married, Eddie continued to work at the shop part time and you found a part time job in your field, while you both also worked at a recording studio. You’d honed your skills producing and continuing to write music, producing your songs yourself and sending them off to record labels, waiting for one of them to take a bite. Eddie’d gotten his own stroke of luck after the success of your song, the unimaginable happening again when Metallica took up one he’d written, ‘Sad But True’. 

After a while, you’d both craved a change of scenery, seeking out somewhere you could settle down for the long run. After months of thinking, Nashville seemed like the perfect place to land. Returning to his and his mother’s home state of Tennessee before they moved to Hawkins felt right. It made sense for your future, too. Outside of LA, Nashville is the second city with the biggest music industry presence and connections. Though country music is often portrayed at the forefront, that image vastly underestimates the variety of musical artists and genres held within the city.

After taking some time to find your footing, Eddie now owns his own mechanic’s shop. Giving himself more freedom to take care of your child and to work at the studio you work in full time. The studio you both now own after busting your asses for so many years. All the years of hard work and dreams have finally come into fruition. You’d produced and written number one songs and worked with so many artists, while staying away from the overwhelming and toxic fame that often came with the industry. Allowing yourselves to live the quiet life you’ve always wanted while still doing what you love.

It’s only a four hour drive from Hawkins, and your loved ones still make trips to visit you and vice versa. Amid all of your busy lives now, you all still make a commitment twice a year for your friends to come down and have a get together. A weekend full of cookouts, bonfires, hikes, swimming in the lake, exploring the city, and DnD campaigns.

“How’re you two doing this morning?” Eddie asks softly, his voice still heavy with grogginess as his hand gently caresses the growing bump of your belly. You smile, resting your forehead against his.

“Good,” your head nods softly against his. “No more sickness, I think we’re in calmer waters now.”

“Only a few more months to go and we still haven’t decided on a name for him.” Eddie reminds you teasingly, making you playfully roll your eyes. 

“I know, I know. We’ll figure it out.” 

Tuesday, June 10th, 1986

Last Day of Class

Your steps on the hard, white tiles lining the hallway feel just a fragment lighter, tension eased in your shoulders with the final report card given in your 3rd period class. The best grades you’ve gotten yet this year, nearly all A’s besides the B from Ms. O'Donnell's grueling class. 

Despite the relief of your own grades and assurance of your spot at graduation, your stomach flutters with each step closer to the cafeteria. Intensifying with each step closer to the revelation of Eddie’s fate. 

After hours and hours of studying and doing homework together, passed quizzes and exams, you hope it’s enough to make up for his poor grades in the beginning of the year, surely it has to be. But your hope does little to dispel the anxiety hanging in your gut as you pass through the doors into the cafeteria, immediately seeking out the Hellfire table. Eyes zeroing in on the familiar fluff of dark hair atop your boyfriends head, attempting to read his features through the flurry of passing bodies excited for the end of the school year and summer vacations. However, his face is unreadable, expression flat, eyes unfocused and staring at the table as the boys chatter around him and your stomach drops.

Your steps are cautious as you round behind him to the seat at his side, sinking into it and watching as his eyes only flicker up to you for a split second.

“So?” You waste no time in prodding, the anticipation and rising worry too much to bear any longer. He looks up to you again before his eyes dart back and forth around him dumbfoundedly.

“Sooo??” He questions between chews of the salty potato chips between his lips, making your eyes narrow into unamused slits.

“Don’t bullshit me, Munson. Your report card?! What’s the score?” Your voice softens with uncertainty seeping in at the final question, his lack of excitement all but solidifying your worst fears.

“It’s uh, it’s not good.” He begins, looking down at the table with a sigh and shake of the dark waves around his face and you can swear everything slows around you, your eyes widen as you hang on to his every word and gesture. After a few moments that feel far longer than they are, he finally brings his brown eyes to meet yours and he can’t hold back the cheeky smile from creeping onto his lips. “It’s great.”

Your hand lands against the leather covering his bicep in a loud smack, sending him into a fit of laughter.

“You asshole!” You choke out in disbelief, your open mouth quickly turning into a smile. “You did it? You’re graduating?!”

“I’m graduating, baby.” He answers with a big smile and a glimmer in his eyes. He pulls you close to him, bridging the gap between you as your arms wrap around him, the hooping and hollering of celebration from the club filling the space around you. With a relieved sigh, you feel a burning sensation brewing behind your eyes, happy tears threatening to fall.

“I’m so proud of you, baby.” You whisper next to his ear as a tear breaks through, slowly sliding down your warm cheeks. His hands tighten on your sides, holding you closer against him. 

When your grips loosen and your head moves back to look into his eyes, Eddie doesn’t waste a second in slotting his lips with yours in a slow, tender, and sweet kiss. His fingers sliding through your hair, resting his forehead against yours when your lips part.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” He proclaims as his fingers gently caress your scalp. Your eyes squeeze shut at the praise and after deflecting it for so long despite his insistence, you let the rebuttal die on your tongue. 

Letting yourselves bask in this moment with each other, the excitement of your future together fully tangible now, and the pride of Eddie fully overcoming the barriers to graduating he’s faced for years.

Friday, June 13th, 1986

Graduation Day

Clear skies give way for the sun to beat down on you and your classmates as you stand in a single file line, walking onto the football field and filing into the rows of unfolded chairs. Families and friends fill the bleachers behind, immeasurable sets of eyes staring down overwhelm you in the short lived seeking for your mom, Steve, Uncle Wayne, and the party amongst the crowd.

With red cheeks, sweating faces, and hairspray struggling to hold under the relentless sun, you and your fellow graduates take your assigned seats and the ceremony begins with a speech from Principal Higgins.

Amid the scheduled speeches from Higgins and the class valedictorian, your attention staggers with shared glances and smiles from Robin and your boyfriend. One glance at him with the cap fitted on the top of his wild hair is enough to make your heart flutter.

This past week and even on the last day of classes, the reality of it all had evaded you. It all seemed like any other day just moving through the motions. Now, as you sit in your cap and gown and Higgins begins to announce the first names of your graduating class, it all seeps in for you and it feels so surreal.

You applaud and shout as you watch Robin cross the stage with a timid walk and smile, giggling to yourself when you hear Steve’s cheer overpower the others in the crowd behind you. Only a few minutes pass before it’s your boyfriend’s turn to finally cross that stage. You yell as loud as you can, without a doubt joined by Uncle Wayne and the party in the stands. Your smile is so wide you can feel it in your cheeks, laughing as you clock the smug smile on Eddie’s face as he takes the diploma from Higgins hand. Juxtaposed with Higgins flat, stoic face with his mouth in a firm line, only faltering in irritable surprise when Eddie lands a hard pat on his back. In typical Eddie fashion, he makes sure to flip off the entire crowd and staff with his new diploma in hand before he runs off the stage to return to his seat.

Far too soon, the cue for your row to stand and line up at the edge of the stage arrives. Nervous anticipation rises in your body as the number of students separating you from the stage quickly dwindles, your palms sweating as you imagine the hundreds of eyes peering down at you. You close your eyes with a deep inhale waiting for your name to be called over the speakers, and when it does you conjure every ounce of confidence you’ve been building in yourself over the years to fill you as you take your first steps across the stage. 

As soon as your name leaves his mouth and you take your first steps, the cheers from your friends and family meet your ears. You catch sight of Eddie standing from his seat to yell and clap as loud for you as he can, and the party, Steve, your mom, and Uncle Wayne doing the same in the bleachers when you pose for a photo with your diploma puts a bright smile on your face as the camera flashes. You’re sure your face is beet red by now as you make your way back to your seat, blushing even more when you peek at Eddie just in time for him to blow a kiss as you pass. 

The ceremony only lasts a short while longer. After the last graduate has returned to their seat, Mr. Higgins returns to fully face the crowd.

“It is my pleasure to congratulate you all and officially announce you as the Hawkins High Graduating Class of 1986!” His voice booms through the speakers, eliciting the crowd to erupt into cheers. A flurry of green caps go flying into the air before cascading back down, pulling theatrical pursuits from a few graduates to catch their caps amid the constraint of the steel chair rows.

With the ceremony’s conclusion, friends and family flood into the field as graduates seek them out. Eddie’s the first one you look for, meeting half way and catching each other in a tight, giggly embrace.

“You did it, baby” You smile in his hold, his warmth seeping through the green polyester into your hands.

“We did it, sweetheart.”

“We did it!” A familiar squeal quickly approaches. “Finally released from the death grip of this stone walled prison!” Robin exhales animatedly before you pull away from Eddie’s embrace to pull her into one of your own.

The sound of your friends and family’s voices soon join yours, circling the three of you and engaging in a round of hugs and chorus of ‘Congratulations!’.

You stand in a loose circle with your loved ones with Eddie’s arm around you, watching your friends excitedly interact with a wide smile.

“You know,” you begin, drawing in their attention. “Now that we’ve finally graduated and I have everyone I love here, there’s just one thing I want to say…” Your grin widens as they all look at you, waiting for your next words. 

“Thank you for being a friend” You sing out.

“Oh god.” Steve and Dustin groan, the first’s hand immediately reaching to rub his forehead.

“Traveled down the road and back again,

Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant” Robin’s voice quickly joins yours as you expected. You stand side by side with your arms around each other, swaying as you sing and inadvertently pulling Eddie with you, whom despite his best efforts can’t stop himself from smiling.

“And if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew”

Robin’s other arm pulls Steve into the mix, making him roll his eyes until he joins and sings along too. Your infectious smile lures Eddie in as well, giving in and singing along to the theme of the show that prefaced any movie watched at Harrington’s on Saturday nights.

“You would see the biggest gift would be from me, and the note attached would say

Thank you for being a friend”

Your group erupts into giggles and friendly jeers from the younger boys to Steve and Eddie.

“Watching The Golden Girls in your free time, fellas?” Dustin questions accusingly.

“Put a sock in it.” Steve retorts, snatching Dustin’s hat and roughly tousling his hair.

You giggle at the interaction, but your eyes and lips are quickly drawn in by your boyfriend at your side with that loving look in his eyes.

Changed out of your dress and gown and into your favorite pair of comfy shorts and Metallica tee, the back doors of Eddie’s van slam shut and the two of you carry a red cooler full of ice and beer into Steve’s backyard, followed by your entourage of Max, Lucas, and Mike that caught a ride with you. The beautiful, warm June weather perfectly lined up with Steve’s plans to throw a graduation pool party for the three of you and the group.

You’re greeted by Steve, but smirk at the sight of Robin and Dustin inhaling helium from the balloons he bought behind him. 

“We represent the lollipop guild, the lollipop guild, the lollipop guild!” Dustin sings out in a high-pitched voice, kicking his legs in tune and sending you and Robin into a fit of laughter. Steve is far less amused, placing his hands on their designated spot of his hips as he rolls his eyes.

“Someone remind me, whose idea was it again to invite the children?”

You’re happily surprised when you spy Nancy, Jonathan, Will, and an unfamiliar long-haired guy with them, whom you soon find out is named Argyle. You jump at the chance to catch up with them as the party officially commences. Jobs and extracurriculars distanced you and Nancy throughout the school year, while thousands of miles between California and Hawkins distanced you from the Byers since their move. You’re filled with pride watching Steve interact with Nancy and Jonathan, proud of his progress and growth with moving on after the heartbreak to now interacting with them as friends.

You and Eddie quickly click with Jonathan and his new friend Argyle over your shared love for consuming the green plant, settling yourselves on the outer edges of the yard to pass around a joint as you reconnect and get to know Argyle more. Meanwhile, the younger group is the first to hop into the pool, their distant sounds of splashing water, laughter, and petty arguments setting a smile on your face.

After the joint is long finished, the four of you are still standing around enthralled in a conversation about Thundercats when the younger members' shouts catch your attention, primarily Dustin luring your group to join them in the pool with teasing taunts. You and Eddie bite, stripping down to your bathing suits before you’re pulled into a game of chicken, assigned the ‘vehicles’ for the younger ones to climb onto your shoulders and try to push the other off.

It plays out like a tournament, the winner moving on to fight the next contestant, starting with you and Max against Eddie and Mike. Their antics make you laugh, but not more than the sight of Eddie constantly fighting to push his wet bangs that hang in his eyes out of his face. 

First Mike, then Will, then Lucas go down, leaving you and Max to go against the final contestant of Dustin on Eddie’s shoulders. His smack talk does little to help as he grapples against Max for a good minute with you and Eddie chuckling beneath them, trying your best to keep them upright amid the struggle. Once again you and Max come out victorious, pumping your fists in the air as Dustin pouts while wiping the water from his eyes.

You wrap yourself in a towel and settle onto one of Steve’s lounge chairs along the pool as your eyes roam over all the guests. A familiar tune begins to play over the radio, easily recognizable synths and keyboard setting into your chest. 

Welcome to your life,

There’s no turning back

Steve smiling and laughing at something Argyle said, him and Jonathan still clearly stoned out of their minds. 

Even while we sleep,

We will find you

Robin and Nancy getting friendly, finding some common interest of which you have no idea. Likely innocent jokes about Steve.

Acting on your best behavior,

Turn your back on mother nature

Eddie animatedly talks about DnD with Will while Mike and Dustin splash each other in the pool, Max and Lucas sit side by side on the edge, feet dangling in the water.

Everybody wants to rule the world

You can’t quite describe the overwhelming feeling this song infects you with upon each listen, but it’s bittersweet. 

It’s my own design

It’s my own remorse

It’s hopeful, but longing.

Cynical and uplifting.

Nostalgic in a peculiar way despite its release only a year ago.

Help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure

Nothing ever lasts forever…

If your current reality didn’t hit you at graduation, it comes fully crashing down on you now as you look around the smiling faces of all your friends to the poignant melody.

Your eyes water and burn, realizing that it’s all over. This phase of your life that allowed you to see your chosen younger siblings everyday, or at least have them only a 5 minute drive away. The phase of movie nights with Robin and Steve every Saturday.

There’s a room where the light won’t find you

Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down

When they do, I’ll be right behind you.

Your bottom lip trembles as wetness streaks down your cheeks. For all you know, this could be the last time you all have together like this. Despite the happiness of everyone here, that thought alone is crushing and restricts the air in your chest.

Water droplets fall from Eddie’s hair and body, splashing down onto the concrete below him as he steps out of the pool. The smile on his face falters when he catches sight of you, looking into the distance with glossy eyes and wet cheeks. Cheeks you feebly attempt to dry with your hands when you finally notice him approaching.

His body weight dips into the lawn chair as his hand wraps around your waist, pulling you into his side.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

You shake your head, almost feeling silly for having such a strong reaction out of nowhere when everyone’s having a good time. Your eyes drift down to your twiddling hands in your lap.

“I’m just a little sad, I guess.” You sniffle, taking in a shaky breath. Eddie remains silent at your side, giving you space to continue as his thumb caresses the skin of your waist.

“It’s just all really hitting me now, that this part of our lives is over. And I just got to thinking about all the things that are over with it. Like going to school and Hellfire with the kids every Friday… even moments like this.” You weakly gesture to the scene around you. “It won’t ever be like this again.”

Eddie nods in understanding, sucking his bottom lip in between his teeth as he ponders your words.

“I know, baby. It’ll be different, but it’s not like we’ll never see them again. They’ll only be an hour and a half away at most.” He offers gently, his reassuring voice soothing the rattled feeling in your chest. Your hand reaches out to rest on his knee, squeezing softly.

“I know.” You take a more confident inhale through your nostrils as you bring your eyes to look over your friends again. “I guess I’m just letting myself grieve this part of my life now that it’s ending.”

“It might be ending, but there’s so many more memories for us to still make together,” His hand grabs yours and entwines your fingers together. “and with our friends.”

You turn to him and smile, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips as you feel more tears coming. Your head falls to rest on his shoulder with him holding you as you sit in the uncomfortable bittersweetness of the moment.

Sunday, May 18th, 1986

The classifieds section in the latest edition of the Indianapolis Star sits in your lap, red ink circling the multiple destinations on you and Eddie’s agenda for the day. You take a deep, reassuring breath in an attempt to settle the anxiety creeping into your gut as the highway exit for Indianapolis appears, willing excitement and hope to take its place instead. 

With your choice to attend Indiana University in the fall solidified, now it’s time to find a place to live and the prospect of living in a dorm does little to excite you. Many of the classified ads for apartments in the paper appeal to the working college student, promising the perfect fit with a close proximity to campus.

“Where to first, babe?” Eddie asks from the driver's seat. With a quick look at the coordinated red markings on the classified ads and map of Indianapolis, the van follows your directions toward the first address.

After a few minutes, the van slows to a stop in front of an apartment building. Outer walls made of faded red bricks rising 5 stories tall, dark fire escape stairs settled near the white edged windows. Nothing fancy, but decent enough to fit the bill. With a quick glance to Eddie, he gives you a tight-lipped smile before you two depart from the van and head inside. 

The expectations from the outside coincide with the inside. A one bedroom apartment. The smell of cleaning products provide some relief as you look over the cream colored walls paired with worn cherry wood floors and molding. Slightly dated white appliances match the tile flooring in the small, but adequate kitchen. Big windows fill the rooms with soft sunlight, allowing a view of the heart of the city. Exploring the bedroom and its attached bathroom, you can’t stop yourself from visualizing all your belongings filling the quaint apartment. What you’d put where, how you’d decorate it. Imaging Henny running through it and napping on the windowsill. 

Only a mile away from campus, it checks everything off your list.

“I really like this one, it’s practically perfect.” you remark to Eddie as you stand in the bedroom. He follows, giving a quick glance around.

“It’s alright, I guess.” He sighs as if unimpressed, an impression that’s solidified when he doesn’t return the smirk you give him, only continuing to look around and walk back into the living room.

You shrug it off, holding onto the hopeful feeling that comes with the ease of imaging yourself here. With every inch fully explored, you and Eddie return to the van. Making sure to mark a star next to this listing before you’re onto the next stop only another mile away.

The next apartment you have marked is only 2 miles away from the first, and in the short drive it becomes clear the area is less than savory. The whole area seems darker almost, even in the clear light of day. Darker bricks and cement lining the buildings, dirtier sidewalks less populated than the last. Some buildings in clear need of some TLC, while others are completely rundown. Spots of glass are settled on the sidewalks, whether from windows or broken bottles you aren’t sure. The van slows in front of a dark tan building that looks not much different than the ones surrounding it, corresponding numbers to the address you have circled on the exterior by the front door. A double take to the newspaper in your lap confirms it.

“Well… this is it” your voice wavers slightly at the announcement, eyes raking over every crack in the foundation.

“Absolutely not.” Eddie retorts without hesitation, foot resuming on the gas pedal to continue down the street.

“Wh- Eddie! Come on, this is the cheapest place I could find!” You look between your boyfriend and the apartment building now fading behind you.

“Ha. Yeah, no wonder.” He scoffs, voice hard as steel.

“Come on, we didn’t even give it a chance!”

“Oh I gave it a chance, Sweetheart. I don’t need to be worrying every night about my girl getting mugged on your way home from school.” He doesn’t spare you a glance, only a shake of his head with his decision finalized. You recede with a huff, sinking back into the passenger seat. With a couple more listings to see, you hope the rest of them are as decent as the first.

The next address takes you to the outer edges of the city, away from most of the hustle and bustle where there’s more greenery and less of the constant noise found closer to the heart of the city. There’s less apartment buildings and more houses, including the one at the next circled address. It’s clear the house has toughed out many seasons but still emanates a cozy, inviting atmosphere with off-white singles and a small yard. The information in the ad details the house is split into apartments with the shared living space of a kitchen and living room, ideal for college students with the university only a short drive away.

When Eddie shifts the van into park, you barely waste a second climbing out and onto the sidewalk, almost anxious your boyfriend would quickly find something wrong and drive off again. You hear the familiar scuff of his Reebok’s next to you as you both eye the place and the neighborhood.

“You uh, got some big girl job I don’t know about?” You giggle, looking at his features that are scrunched in confusion. “How are you gonna afford renting this whole house?”

“I’m not renting the whole house, Eds. The owner rents out rooms.”

When you look from the house to Eddie again, his eyes are now on you. Only he’s looking at you as if you’ve just spoken to him in another language.

“Nope, no. Too risky.” He argues, curls swinging as his hands move with his words.

“Eddie-”

“You don’t know these people, Y/N. They could be freaks, real freaks!”

In the middle of a deep sigh and roll of your eyes, you spot who you assume to be the owner stepping out from the front door. An older man with salt and pepper hair, hunched over onto the stair railing with a pipe in hand.

“Look, Eds. We’re already here and the owner’s already seen us so let’s just take a look, alright? Please?” you beg exasperatedly with big, bright eyes pleading up at him. He meets them, looking over you before his chest raises with a deep breath, sparing a glance to the old man on the porch watching.

“Alright, fine.”

The owner is friendly enough, ushering the two of you through the well-lived in living room and kitchen that is in need of some light cleaning and personality. After following his slow but steady steps up the stairs, the owner whom you now know as Fred, grumbles towards an open door before leaving you and Eddie to explore the small but amble room on your own.

There’s not much to look at; gray speckled carpet lines the floor of the room and beige flowered paper is glued onto the walls. With a look into the closet, you’re skeptical of its capacity to contain your wardrobe but you’re sure you can make the space work if needed. Though you love the idea of having your own apartment, renting a room out of a house is a cheaper option while still giving you the chance to live with other college students. You can make due.

“Oh, hi!” an unfamiliar husky voice coming from the hallway catches your attention, turning around to spot a tall, tan-skinned, and muscular guy standing in the doorway. “I’m Mark, you?”

“Y/N”

“Eddie”

Mark's gaze only flickers to Eddie for a split second before it’s back on you, flashing his pearly whites.

“I live in the room right at the end of the hall. Are you moving in?” You don’t miss the flirtatious smirk on his nude lips, nor the way his eyes quickly look over your body and neither does Eddie.

“No-” “No.”

You laugh awkwardly as you take in Eddie’s rigid posture that’s now angled toward Mark. The tension hanging in the air between them is nearly visible to the eye.

“I’m just looking right now before the Fall semester.”

“Oh, are you going to Indiana University? I’ll be a Senior there this year myself. What major ar-”

“Well, like she said. We’re just looking right now and I think we’ve seen everything. Right, sweetheart?” Eddie’s voice is cold and features firm as he looks toward you, hand outstretched for you to take with your own. With a stunted breath you grab Eddie’s hand, forcing a smile while he leads you out of the room. You offer Mark a polite wave goodbye as you pass him and follow Eddie right out of the front door.

“Like I said, freaks. No way. That guy was a total creep.” He spits out the final word once you’ve re-entered the van, quick to turn the keys in the ignition.

You exhale and lean back into the clothed seat, deciding to let Eddie take the win on this one too. Out of the three you’ve seen, only one is still a viable option with the list now dwindling. Any rooms for rent or ‘bad’ neighborhoods out of the question, you’re unsure what, if any kind of list will be left by the end of the day.

The sunshine that once illuminated the city now hides behind clouds, peeking through only momentarily as drops of rain splatter onto the van’s windshield. The hope and excitement you had at the beginning of this trip is disappearing with it.

By the time every circled address has been checked off, that hope is a far gone memory with Eddie finding something wrong at every place, nothing was good enough. Though his protectiveness over you and concern for where you’d be living was endearing at first, as you make your way onto the highway back toward Hawkins, it’s downright pissed you off. The light drizzle of rain has now turned into a downpour, the squeak of the windshield wipers rapidly sliding across the glass to keep up with the water is the only sound filling the van beyond the Dio tape playing through the speakers.

You aren’t sure if it’s just you or if the heat filling the van is the cause for your cheeks to burn red hot. Eddie hasn’t said a word since you parted the last apartment on the list and neither have you. Leaving you to ponder what the hell is wrong with him for the whole ride home. His mood has been off from the get-go today, before you even left Forest Hills Trailer park and has remained steadfast till now. You hadn’t expected the way he acted today at all, but what irks you even more is how much his sour mood has leaked into yours, chipping away your excitement bit by bit, listing by listing. Leaving you teetering on the edge of a snippy comment you’d later regret if provoked. 

When the van returns to the gravely driveway of Wayne’s trailer, silence continues to permeate the space between you. Following Eddie wordlessly into the trailer, you wonder if you even want to. Considering if you should just return to your trailer, let Eddie sulk in his shitty mood and try to salvage yours. But still, your heart tugs you along after him into the bedroom. You lean against the door frame, watching as he yanks off his vest and jacket to fall on the floor, digging around his drawers for the weed stash. 

“Maybe I should spend tonight at home.” You test the waters, watching and waiting for any reaction reminiscent of remorse or guilt, any kind of change from the mood he’s given you today.

“If that’s what you want.” He mutters without meeting your gaze, sitting on the edge of the bed and sprinkling bud into a fresh paper to roll.

Your jaw clenches and you’ve officially been pushed over the edge you’ve walked the last few hours. You fully step into the bedroom and slam the door behind you, finally drawing his attention.

“What I want is to know what the hell has been up with you today?!” you cry out in frustration, but he only looks back down at the weed in his lap.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit you don’t! You’ve been in a bad mood all day, constantly nitpicking and shooting down every single place we saw. I don’t understand!” You take a breath as you read his body language, tense but slouched shoulders with his head hung low. Taking another step closer, your voice comes out softer. “So, please… help me understand, Eddie. What’s wrong, baby?”

The sincere desperation in your plea finally breaks through his walls, his shoulders slumping with it.

“I’m scared, okay.” He admits sheepishly.

“Scared?” You prod, disposition going soft while your eyebrows knit together in confusion as he takes a shaky breath.

“I’ve been able to push down the thoughts about what’s going to happen when you move to Indy and start college for awhile now, but I couldn’t run away from it today. I had to face the reality that you’re leaving and yeah, I know it’s only an hour and a half away but it’s not across the street, or in my bed almost every night.” His own voice betrays him as it cracks toward the end and it feels like a vice grip on your heart, pulling you until the bed dips with your weight next to him. 

“And of course, I can’t help but think about what happened the last time you moved. You’ll have a whole ‘nother life there, new friends, shit, maybe you’ll meet some guy like Mark and decide you like him more than me.” 

You bite back the retort the bubbles up from your throat, intent on letting Eddie air out all he’s been holding back in this moment of vulnerability. His watery brown eyes look up from his lap to meet yours, effectively putting a lump in your throat and summoning tears to well in your own. 

“Tonight on the drive back, you were so quiet and I know it’s because of me, but I couldn’t help but wonder if you were thinking the same thing I’ve been. Wondering if there will be better for you at college, better than me… better without me.” 

The grip on your heart tightens with his confession; the worries about your love, the insecurities on his ability to hold yours with the uncertainty of the future. It pains you that they blind him from seeing himself the way you do, from seeing the undying love you have for him. You reach for his hand and interlock your fingers, taking a deep breath as you look over his face with love and admiration.

“Eddie… I can’t act like I know what the future holds but I can tell you this with 100% certainty. I love you, and I can’t see myself falling as hard for anyone else as I have with you.” You search his eyes, seeing the way they soften as he takes in your words. His hand tightens around your own while your thumb gently strokes his skin. Your teeth dig into the sensitive skin of your bottom lip, contemplating making the offer that’s been floating in your head for months.

“And… I um, think there’s a simple solution to all this. All those places we saw today, Eds… they’re big enough for two people.”

His eyes widen with the realization of your offer, body turning to full face yours. Weed tray put off to the side of the bed so he can take both of your hands in his.

“Really? You want me to move with you?” With a nod of your head and a soft smile, one of his own spreads across his face. “I’d follow you anywhere, baby.”

“Eddie,” You breathe out. “I don’t want you to ‘follow’ me. I want you to be with me, you know, build a life together. But I don’t want to get in the way of your dreams, either. If you want to give the rockstar thing another shot then-”

“Sweetheart.” He stops you in your tracks with a dry chuckle and a shake of those dark curls. “Yeah, I could give it another go if I wanted to. Do another demo with the band and try to get signed. Move to LA, maybe even become famous for a few years and hopefully not lose myself in the process. But, I don’t even know if I really want that anymore, especially if it’s not with you.” His tongue darts out to wet his pink lips before he leans in closer to you, holding your undivided attention. “All the dreams I have about my future, you’re always in them. The only future I want is with you, my love. No matter where we are, no matter what jobs we have… as long as I have you, I’m happy.”

A wet laugh bursts from your lips as a tear breaks free and your forehead falls to rest against his. The rough skin of his thumb gently wipes the tear from your cheek before cradling your face. Faces slowly inching together until your lips collide, desperation in every seamless movement. Desperate for each other's touch, desperate to convey your love.

Gasping breaths escape your mouth each time your lips part before they meet again in a soft and slow tantalizing dance. A dance that only intensifies and deepens when his big, warm hands grab onto your thighs, pulling you to straddle his lap. You fall into the position eagerly, arms sliding behind his head, fingers losing themselves in his curls. The wet sounds of your mouths and the muffled whimpers leaving them fill his bedroom. Losing yourself in the pillowy softness of his lips and the tight grip of his hands kneading the fat cushioning your hips.

As you part for a breath, you’re overcome with how much you love Eddie more and more everyday. The thought only intensifies as he flashes you a wide smile, dimples on full display. Your finger twirls around a loose strand of hair framing his face.

“So in all honesty, which place did you like the most today?”

“Think I’m gonna have to go with the first one.”

He swears his heart skips a beat when you smile back at him, the kind of smile that spreads to your nose in a cute little scrunch. 

“That one’s my favorite too.”

Friday, April 18th, 1986

Your eyes immediately land on the table taken by your friends and boyfriend as you enter the cafeteria, the usual loud chatter surrounding you. Telling by the look on his face, Eddie’s deep into a rant. With your steps drawing nearer, you’re finally able to make out the conversation as you come to his side.

“-it’s forced conformity!”

“What is forced conformity?” you ask, your side pressing into him with your hand coming to rest on his shoulder. His own arm immediately wraps behind you, his hand falling to your hips.

“Prom” Gareth and Jeff groan in cohesion, clearly unamused and uninterested. No doubt one of them innocently mentioned it, unknowingly spurring Eddie into a rant no one asked for.

“O-oh. Prom, huh?”

“Come on, Eddie. It’s looking like you’re actually gonna graduate this year, you don’t want to go to Prom just once, at least to say you did it?” Jeff questions, hands extended out in front of him in near disbelief despite knowing how hard headed Eddie could be.

“Ah, yes. There’s nothing I’d rather spend my Saturday night doing than going to the pinnacle event for people that peak in high school, a pissing contest to flaunt who’s the richest and most popular.” Eddie sighs, leaning back in his seat before looking up at you. Zoned out staring at the table as his words ring through your ears. “Right, babe?”

You cough, blinking yourself back into focus as your head immediately nods along.

“Yeah, totally. I mean, we’re already forced to spend our days with these assholes, don’t wanna spend my Saturday nights with them too.” You scoff out a laugh, though the smile it pulled immediately fades after it leaves your mouth.

“Exactly!” Eddie booms with a laugh, looking at the boys as if your point adds to his argument. A quick look to Gareth says otherwise, seeing the out-of-it look in your eyes with a tint of fleeting sadness.

“Anyway, I uh- just came to say ‘hi’. I promised Robin I’d meet her in the library for lunch.” You put on a small smile for your boyfriend as you look down at him, leaning over to give him a small peck on the lips before parting from the table with a “Bye, guys.”

“See you later, sweetheart.” Eddie calls out, watching as you disappear out of the cafeteria doors.

“Dude.” Gareth presses, pulling Eddie’s attention from the swinging doors to him.

“What?”

“You may not want to, but do you really think Y/N doesn’t want to go to Prom?”

“Well, she just told you she doesn’t, didn’t she?” Eddie rebukes with an attitude and impatience rising, pushing Gareth and the others to drop the conversation and instead divert to discussions about tonight’s campaign.

The silence of the school hallways engulf you as you part from the cafeteria doors, giving you no choice but to focus on the heavy feeling hanging in your chest, feet mindlessly trudging toward the library. 

You and Eddie hadn’t really discussed the prospect of attending Prom this year, part of you just assumed you would. It’s a tradition, a ‘right of passage’ to mark the transition into adulthood as the old heads say. Part of you also figured Eddie wouldn’t be crazy about the idea and to be fair you were being truthful with your comment to the club. Being around the popular kids flaunting their wealth and status isn’t your ideal Saturday night, but if you’re surrounded by your closest friends it couldn’t be so bad. 

There’s few students populating the library, you notice upon entering. Maneuvering through the aisles to your designated table in the back, inhaling the smoky wood scent wafting off the old books settled on the shelves as you pass. The sight of a familiar dirty blonde bob manages to make a meager smile pull at your lips as you sit in the chair next to her.

You’re deep in thought, reading over your History notes when Robin mentions the topic you were hoping to be free of for the rest of the day.

“So have you gotten a dress yet? Cause if you haven’t we should totally go out shopping this weekend. After much convincing, Steve agreed on green so I have to find a matching handkerchief thing or whatever for him and-” Her words barrel out of her mouth before fumbling upon the sight of your expression, looking at her slightly wide-eyed and solemn. Your shoulders slump with a sigh, tapping the eraser of your pencil against the notebook.

“Rob, I don’t think I’m going.”

“W-What? If it’s about the dress there’s this place in Indy that I’m sure we could find a cheap one-”

“No, it’s Eddie. He doesn’t want to go, it’s ‘forced conformity’.”

“Whoa wait a second, you’re telling me you asked him and he turned you down? That asshole!”

“No” you laugh softly with a shake of your head. “I didn’t ask, kind of just stepped into a conversation about it earlier at the lunch table.” You shrug in an attempt to act unbothered despite how much it’s getting under your skin.

“It’s fine, really. I didn’t even want to go that much anyway.” You finish, returning your focus back to your notes. Robin takes your action for what it is, a sign you’re done with the conversation and not willing to push it further. 

“Alright, just saying you can still go with me and Steve. We can go as a throuple!”

She offers, pulling a genuine giggle from you.

“Yeah, alright. I’ll think about it.” 

Bells ring above his head as Eddie enters through the glass doors of Family Video, hightailing it toward the horror aisle. He’s in a rush, making a quick stop to return his last rentals and check out a movie for the two of you before he needs to get back to the school to set up for tonight’s campaign.

Steve and Robin clock him as soon as he enters, wild hair and patched jean vest easily recognizable. Robin’s half-bewildered that the opportunity she’s been looking for has fallen right in her lap, no need to seek him out herself to ring his neck. She’s been ranting and raving to Steve about it ever since she climbed into his BMW outside Hawkins High this afternoon, the whole ride to work and since they’ve clocked in. 

After a quick browse, Eddie grabs a tape of Fright Night before walking up the aisle toward the checkout counter, where Steve stands watching him. Arms crossed against his chest and eyebrows cinched together. Eddie gives him a quizzical look as he comes to stand before him, unaware Robin had been trailing a step behind until he feels a punch on his arm, curls bouncing in the air as his head flies around to look at the assailant. 

“Ow! What’s your damage, birdie?” he exclaims, rubbing his bicep up and down as he gives Robin a crazy look, whilst she stands beside him unfazed with flared nostrils.

“You know, I’d actually started to believe you were a decently smart guy, Munson. But, I guess I was wrong. You’re a certified idiot.” Steve states, unwavering in his stance with his lips pressed into a firm line.

“Certified dingus!” Robin's finger flicks against Eddie’s ear, causing him to recoil.

“Hey! Look, I know I’m supposed to rewind the tape but I forgot, alright?! I’ll remember next time, promise!” He looks to Robin warily with outstretched hands, only for her to cock her head to the side and narrow her eyes at him.

“Jesus- No, Munson. This isn’t about the goddamn tapes! This is about Y/N, and you, and prom!” Steve looks at him bewildered, holding himself up with his hands against the edge of the counter.

“Prom? The hell are you talking about? She doesn’t want to go, she said so herself today.”

“Idiot” Robin curses under her breath with a shake of her head as Steve pinches the bridge of his nose and scoffs out a stifled laugh.

“Eddie… have you ever considered asking her genuinely, one-on-one, and not as part of a group conversation where, you know, you’ve already made your distaste for the idea clear?”

Their eyes bore into him, watching as the gears turn in his head until a light bulb goes off. A sigh bubbles from his chest, leaving his lips as guilt and shame begin to creep in.

“Shit” Eddie whines, fingers moving to rub his temples.

“Yeah, shit!”

“I mean, I know Y/N isn’t one of the typical girls around here, but did you really think that meant she would want to miss a once in a lifetime event?” Robin questions accusingly.

“I-I didn’t think about it, I just assumed she felt the same way I did.”

“I mean, we all know she can hide her feelings well, but not that well. It was pretty clear to Robin she was upset about it.”

“And now here I am, talking some sense into you so you can fix it before it’s too late!”

“Well what do I do?”

“Do we have to do everything for you, Munson? Prom isn’t until next Saturday but I suggest you don’t waste any more time in coming up with a way to make it up to her.” Steve advises, leaving Eddie’s wide eyes to dart between him and Robin.

“A thought out prom-posal?” Robin guides him, “I know you’ve seen them and no doubt rolled your eyes at it but- do one that’s more in tune with you two. And for the love of god Eddie, grovel.”

Your body is curled into Eddie’s side on the loveseat as your head rests on his chest and his arm is wrapped around you, warm hand holding onto your plush waist. Fright Night plays on the box TV in Wayne’s living room. Though the film is anything less than entertaining, you find your attention wavering in and out from the movie to your thoughts. Both of you are, for that matter.

You hadn’t expected the prospect of not going to Prom to bother you as much as it is, though to be fair you’d never truly considered the idea you wouldn’t be going at all. Even as the days until next Saturday have counted down and Eddie never spoke a word about it, despite the banners around school and tables selling tickets for the last two weeks, you’d still just assumed the two of you would go. Make it a group effort with Robin, Steve, Gareth, and Jeff.

You let the thought of imagining the possibilities fade, into a reminder of your mom. She’ll be disappointed, her little girl missing out on the pinnacle of her high school ‘career’. Your aunt too. Hell, you imagine even Uncle Wayne will be disappointed too. You sigh, deciding maybe you’ll just take up Robin’s offer to go with her and Steve… but the idea carries a hollowing feeling. You imagine you’d just be thinking of Eddie the whole time, the missed opportunities of memories that could be made.

Your soft sigh falls heavy on his ears, the sting of guilt pulsing in his chest at the sound. He holds you tighter against him, fingers gently digging into the meat of your waist as his lips press onto the top of your head. Indulgently inhaling the scent of your shampoo, overtaking his senses and temporarily dulling his worries. 

He feels so stupid, so careless with his words…selfish. To be so consumed with his own opinions to not consider you and your desires. Your happiness is all that truly matters to him, and his mistake has dwindled the spark in your eyes. He would and he will do anything to make it up to you. 

Anything for his girl.

“Sweetheart” he calls to you softly, urging your head to turn and oblige him with the sight of your breathtaking gaze.

“Hmm?”

“You think you can manage to convince your Aunt to give you off this Tuesday? So you can finally see your rockstar boyfriend on stage?” He asks with a wiggle of his brows, pulling a stifled chuckle from you.

“Mmm I don’t know, I’ll have to come up with a good excuse to give her. I’m afraid seeing my rockstar boyfriend at the rundown town bar won’t suffice.”

“Oh, come on. I doubt you’re busy enough on a Tuesday night to be missed that badly, just this once. Pretty please? For me?” His widened brown eyes sparkle as he pleads you, his thumb stroking the side of your waist.

“Alright, I’ll talk to her.” You give in to your boyfriend easily, flashing a smirk he always manages to pull from you. Meeting his lips in a warm embrace before nestling back into his side to resume watching the movie.

Despite your affections, a dull sting hangs in your chest. How easily you give in when he asks you to do something for him. To be fair, you’ve wanted to go to the Hideout to see the band play for months but have never been able to get off work for it. Still, you wonder if he’d give in as easily for you if you asked him to swallow his pride and go to prom. 

You bite back the bitterness rising in your throat and filling your mouth. You hate feeling and thinking that way, especially about Eddie. You’re hopeful he would say yes if you asked. You know how much he loves you but his outrightly proclaimed distaste for it is enough to keep you from broaching the topic. Falling into the habit of avoiding an argument or confrontation. 

You’ll just make the best out of however you end up spending next Saturday night. Whether it’s at work and with Eddie or without him at prom with Steve and Robin, you decide with little confidence.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 1986

You fidget uncomfortably on the bar stool, edges of the peeling leather covering the seat digging into the fat of your thighs through the denim. The few months since the last time you’d been at the Hideout for Eddie’s birthday has stripped your memory of just how heavy the stale air mixed with cigarette smoke hangs in the bar. The dimmed lights around the bar to accompany the lights decorating the stage help to make the wood paneled walls and chipped paint more appealing to the eye.

You nurse a sweating glass of Coke as you watch your boyfriend and friends set up on stage, tinkering with their instruments amid the low conversations of the handful of older men sitting around, downing beer after beer.

“Ahem” Eddie clears his throat into the microphone, barely grabbing the attention of the bar patrons. “Thank you for joining us tonight. We are Corroded Coffin and this… is Whiplash.”

A smile sears itself onto your face as you watch the boys play, drums thumping through the ground and into your chest, heavy guitars flowing through your ears as your head bangs along to the metal song. You can’t help but be mesmerized by your boyfriend and watching him play, he falls into it with such ease and commandeers a presence on the stage. Blush fills your cheeks every time his eyes fall to you and he throws a cheeky grin your way, which ends up happening every minute it seems.

He can’t help it, the way his eyes constantly fall to you. The bright smile on your face, your head bobbing along, your cheers after they finish each song; it fills him with confidence and pride. Week after week here at the Hideout, it feels almost like a glorified band practice. Playing for the same drunks that couldn’t care less if they were here or not. But tonight with you, he feels like he’s actually performing.

Your claps and hollers fill the bar once again as they finish one of their own songs, their setlist a mix of covers and music they’ve created together. The confidence your reaction has given him falters momentarily as the realization of where they are in the setlist hits him. Biting his bottom lip, he fidgets with the tuners on the guitar for the next song.

“Alright, you guys ready? Just like we practiced.” Eddie asks as he turns to his bandmates who answer him with nods and knowing smiles. With a deep breath, he turns back to the microphone and looks around the bar.

“This next song is something a little different than what we usually play, but we have a special guest here tonight.” His eyes lock on to yours. “Sweetheart, this one's for you.”

A shaky fingered note from Eddie’s guitar fills the bar and your jaw begins to drop as you immediately clock the song by Jimi Hendrix before the rest of the band join into the rhythm.

“You know you’re a cute little heartbreaker

Foxy

And you know you’re a sweet little lovemaker

Foxy”

His brown eyes bore into you as he sings, teasingly winking at you and causing your cheeks to burn red-hot.

“I want to take you home, yeah

I won’t do you no harm, no

You’ve got to be all mine, all mine

Foxy lady”

Your hand moves to cover your mouth almost shyly as you bite your bottom lip, the blush spreading from your cheeks to your chest. Under his fiery gaze, it feels like you’re the only ones there in the bar, your surroundings fading into the shadows.

“I've made up my mind

I'm tired of wasting all my precious time

You've got to be all mine, all mine

Foxy lady

Here I come”

Your thighs rub against each other as the heat spreads through the rest of your body watching your boyfriend sing every word of one of your favorite songs to you. His eyes only leave yours to look down at the guitar as he plays a solo, the same solo you’ve heard countless times over the years and he makes it look so easy. You’re mesmerized by his fingers, flashes of memories of all the things he has done with those same fingers to you. Before you know it his eyes are back on you singing the chorus, and there’s no other thoughts in your mind but him.

“Here I come, baby

Coming to getcha

Foxy lady yeah yeah

You look so good”

His chest flutters and fills with warmth at your big grin, the pride and lust filling your eyes as you watch him and it gives him all the confidence he needs as the song comes to an end with a held out screeching note of his guitar.

“Now, I have a very important question I need to ask.” Eddie begins as the last note of the song has faded, and turns his entire body to face you. “Honey bunny, would you do me the honor of being my date for prom?”

Your jaw finds itself falling again, completely caught off guard and in shock at his proposal. You feel the excited anticipation from the boys in the band watching your reaction and the half-interested attention of the bar drunks, but the only thing in your mind and vision is him, pink cheeks and dimples looking down at you from the stage.

Shock fades and sentiment sets in, tears lining your eyes in a second at the gesture. Your head quickly nods, accepting his proposal as you quickly wipe away a tear falling down your cheek. Eddie removes his guitar and jumps off the stage in a haste, jogging the short distance between you to pull you into a tight embrace.

Claps and cheers from your friends and the bartender fade into the background as your lips crash into his, your tongue quickly licking into his mouth. His tongue eagerly greets yours, moaning into your mouth as your tongues swirl around each other.

When the reality of your surroundings set in, your lips part and your foreheads rest together.

“I’m sorry, baby. I was a grade A asshole the other day, I didn’t even stop to think about how you felt.” He admits lowly, begging for your forgiveness with his hands pressed into your lower back.

“You’re right, you were a bit of an asshole.” You sigh before a teasing smile creeps onto your lips. “But I’d say you’ve adequately made up for it.”

He shares a satisfied smile before meeting your lips again in a soft, deep kiss.

“So uh- how much longer until you guys are done?” You press breathlessly, giving him a look that he now knows too well.

“In a rush to get somewhere, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, in your pants.”

Saturday, May 3rd, 1986

Prom

Your eyes rake over your figure in the mirror as your hands glide down your satin dress. You’d gone with Robin up to Indianapolis a few days ago to go dress shopping. Despite the bigger stores in the city, your options were limited with finding a dress in your size, budget, and on short notice. You’re grateful you managed to find one in your favorite color, even if the fabric clings to your figure more than you’re used to.

Your heels dig into the carpet beneath you with each slow step down the hall toward the living room where you can hear the sound of your Mom and Uncle Wayne talking. Eddie’s eyes immediately land on you as soon as you pass the corner into his vision, quickly standing from the couch. He looks you over wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open as he takes short steps toward you.

“Oh, honey! You look beautiful!” Your mother squeals from behind the couch, but you can only look at Eddie with a shy, but amused smile at his dumbfounded expression.

“Cat got your tongue?” you tease.

“Baby… you look amazing.” he mutters, hands slowly reaching to hold onto your hips as he looks you over.

“I wasn’t too sure about the dress, do you like it?” You ask with uncertainty, looking down at the satin fabric hugging your body.

“Very, very much, sweetheart.”

“Come on, you two! I need pictures before you go!!”

Uncle Wayne and your mother smile proudly as she snaps pictures of you and Eddie on her polaroid, cooing about how cute the two of you look. They give you both hugs before sending you on your way.

The gentleman and doting boyfriend he is, Eddie helps you into the passenger side of the van with a big grin plastered on his face. The boy can barely keep his eyes and hands off you as the van barrels down Hawkins roads, stopping to pick up Gareth and Jeff before heading to the school. Steve and Robin are waiting outside as you pull up, Eddie and Steve share a hug and a pat on the back as you and Robin gush over each other.

With your hand enveloped in Eddie’s, your group heads inside the school and into the gymnasium that’s been transformed into a dance floor. Strobed lights reflecting off disco balls is the only thing illuminating the large room. Pink and blue balloons are stationed at each table surrounding an open circle for dancing. Pink and blue streams hang from the ceiling overhead, music booming and reverberating through the gymnasium.

You quickly claim an open table for your group, settling in with finger foods and cups of punch that Eddie quickly spikes with a pint of vodka he snuck into his tux. The night turns into everything you’d hoped it’d be. Light conversation and laughs with your friends, dancing to pop songs together on the dance floor in your own little world, ignoring everyone around you.

“You know, I have to admit… this isn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.” Eddie announces sitting next to you at the table, his hand on your thigh as you watch Robin and Steve dance. “But to be fair, it’s entirely because of you.” His smile shines and his eyes twinkle as he looks at you, leaning in to meet you in a sweet kiss.

Huh Huh Uh-Huh Hiiii

You smile against his plump lips as True by Spandau Ballet begins to play loudly through the speakers, blue and purple lights shining around the dance floor.

“Come on” You grab his hand, pulling him out of the seat to follow you out onto the dance floor. His hands quickly find your hips, sliding around to your lower back to hold you against him as your hands rest on the back of his neck, your bodies rocking side to side in sync to the music. 

I know this much is true.

His forehead rests against yours, the tips of your noses brushing against each other. You melt into his touch as an elated sigh leaves your chest. Closing your eyes, you lose yourself in the moment. The music and his touch ground you. You feel at peace, the worries and sadness you held a week ago now a distant fading memory. Neither of you are perfect, but you’re growing together, for yourselves and each other.

“I love you, honey” His soft voice beckons your eyes to open to find his looking at you, admiring your face in the soft lighting. A smile pulls at your lips, affectionately nuzzling the tip of your nose against his.

“I love you too, baby. Thank you for this.”

“I’d do anything for you.” he responds instantly without hesitation, a testament of his love and devotion for you.

I know, I know, I know this much is true.

Friday, April 18th, 1986

Your eyes immediately land on the table taken by your friends and boyfriend as you enter the cafeteria, the usual loud chatter surrounding you. Telling by the look on his face, Eddie’s deep into a rant. With your steps drawing nearer, you’re finally able to make out the conversation as you come to his side.

“-it’s forced conformity!”

“What is forced conformity?” you ask, your side pressing into him with your hand coming to rest on his shoulder. His own arm immediately wraps behind you, his hand falling to your hips.

“Prom” Gareth and Jeff groan in cohesion, clearly unamused and uninterested. No doubt one of them innocently mentioned it, unknowingly spurring Eddie into a rant no one asked for.

“O-oh. Prom, huh?”

“Come on, Eddie. It’s looking like you’re actually gonna graduate this year, you don’t want to go to Prom just once, at least to say you did it?” Jeff questions, hands extended out in front of him in near disbelief despite knowing how hard headed Eddie could be.

“Ah, yes. There’s nothing I’d rather spend my Saturday night doing than going to the pinnacle event for people that peak in high school, a pissing contest to flaunt who’s the richest and most popular.” Eddie sighs, leaning back in his seat before looking up at you. Zoned out staring at the table as his words ring through your ears. “Right, babe?”

You cough, blinking yourself back into focus as your head immediately nods along.

“Yeah, totally. I mean, we’re already forced to spend our days with these assholes, don’t wanna spend my Saturday nights with them too.” You scoff out a laugh, though the smile it pulled immediately fades after it leaves your mouth.

“Exactly!” Eddie booms with a laugh, looking at the boys as if your point adds to his argument. A quick look to Gareth says otherwise, seeing the out-of-it look in your eyes with a tint of fleeting sadness.

“Anyway, I uh- just came to say ‘hi’. I promised Robin I’d meet her in the library for lunch.” You put on a small smile for your boyfriend as you look down at him, leaning over to give him a small peck on the lips before parting from the table with a “Bye, guys.”

“See you later, sweetheart.” Eddie calls out, watching as you disappear out of the cafeteria doors.

“Dude.” Gareth presses, pulling Eddie’s attention from the swinging doors to him.

“What?”

“You may not want to, but do you really think Y/N doesn’t want to go to Prom?”

“Well, she just told you she doesn’t, didn’t she?” Eddie rebukes with an attitude and impatience rising, pushing Gareth and the others to drop the conversation and instead divert to discussions about tonight’s campaign.

The silence of the school hallways engulf you as you part from the cafeteria doors, giving you no choice but to focus on the heavy feeling hanging in your chest, feet mindlessly trudging toward the library. 

You and Eddie hadn’t really discussed the prospect of attending Prom this year, part of you just assumed you would. It’s a tradition, a ‘right of passage’ to mark the transition into adulthood as the old heads say. Part of you also figured Eddie wouldn’t be crazy about the idea and to be fair you were being truthful with your comment to the club. Being around the popular kids flaunting their wealth and status isn’t your ideal Saturday night, but if you’re surrounded by your closest friends it couldn’t be so bad. 

There’s few students populating the library, you notice upon entering. Maneuvering through the aisles to your designated table in the back, inhaling the smoky wood scent wafting off the old books settled on the shelves as you pass. The sight of a familiar dirty blonde bob manages to make a meager smile pull at your lips as you sit in the chair next to her.

You’re deep in thought, reading over your History notes when Robin mentions the topic you were hoping to be free of for the rest of the day.

“So have you gotten a dress yet? Cause if you haven’t we should totally go out shopping this weekend. After much convincing, Steve agreed on green so I have to find a matching handkerchief thing or whatever for him and-” Her words barrel out of her mouth before fumbling upon the sight of your expression, looking at her slightly wide-eyed and solemn. Your shoulders slump with a sigh, tapping the eraser of your pencil against the notebook.

“Rob, I don’t think I’m going.”

“W-What? If it’s about the dress there’s this place in Indy that I’m sure we could find a cheap one-”

“No, it’s Eddie. He doesn’t want to go, it’s ‘forced conformity’.”

“Whoa wait a second, you’re telling me you asked him and he turned you down? That asshole!”

“No” you laugh softly with a shake of your head. “I didn’t ask, kind of just stepped into a conversation about it earlier at the lunch table.” You shrug in an attempt to act unbothered despite how much it’s getting under your skin.

“It’s fine, really. I didn’t even want to go that much anyway.” You finish, returning your focus back to your notes. Robin takes your action for what it is, a sign you’re done with the conversation and not willing to push it further. 

“Alright, just saying you can still go with me and Steve. We can go as a throuple!”

She offers, pulling a genuine giggle from you.

“Yeah, alright. I’ll think about it.” 

Bells ring above his head as Eddie enters through the glass doors of Family Video, hightailing it toward the horror aisle. He’s in a rush, making a quick stop to return his last rentals and check out a movie for the two of you before he needs to get back to the school to set up for tonight’s campaign.

Steve and Robin clock him as soon as he enters, wild hair and patched jean vest easily recognizable. Robin’s half-bewildered that the opportunity she’s been looking for has fallen right in her lap, no need to seek him out herself to ring his neck. She’s been ranting and raving to Steve about it ever since she climbed into his BMW outside Hawkins High this afternoon, the whole ride to work and since they’ve clocked in. 

After a quick browse, Eddie grabs a tape of Fright Night before walking up the aisle toward the checkout counter, where Steve stands watching him. Arms crossed against his chest and eyebrows cinched together. Eddie gives him a quizzical look as he comes to stand before him, unaware Robin had been trailing a step behind until he feels a punch on his arm, curls bouncing in the air as his head flies around to look at the assailant. 

“Ow! What’s your damage, birdie?” he exclaims, rubbing his bicep up and down as he gives Robin a crazy look, whilst she stands beside him unfazed with flared nostrils.

“You know, I’d actually started to believe you were a decently smart guy, Munson. But, I guess I was wrong. You’re a certified idiot.” Steve states, unwavering in his stance with his lips pressed into a firm line.

“Certified dingus!” Robin's finger flicks against Eddie’s ear, causing him to recoil.

“Hey! Look, I know I’m supposed to rewind the tape but I forgot, alright?! I’ll remember next time, promise!” He looks to Robin warily with outstretched hands, only for her to cock her head to the side and narrow her eyes at him.

“Jesus- No, Munson. This isn’t about the goddamn tapes! This is about Y/N, and you, and prom!” Steve looks at him bewildered, holding himself up with his hands against the edge of the counter.

“Prom? The hell are you talking about? She doesn’t want to go, she said so herself today.”

“Idiot” Robin curses under her breath with a shake of her head as Steve pinches the bridge of his nose and scoffs out a stifled laugh.

“Eddie… have you ever considered asking her genuinely, one-on-one, and not as part of a group conversation where, you know, you’ve already made your distaste for the idea clear?”

Their eyes bore into him, watching as the gears turn in his head until a light bulb goes off. A sigh bubbles from his chest, leaving his lips as guilt and shame begin to creep in.

“Shit” Eddie whines, fingers moving to rub his temples.

“Yeah, shit!”

“I mean, I know Y/N isn’t one of the typical girls around here, but did you really think that meant she would want to miss a once in a lifetime event?” Robin questions accusingly.

“I-I didn’t think about it, I just assumed she felt the same way I did.”

“I mean, we all know she can hide her feelings well, but not that well. It was pretty clear to Robin she was upset about it.”

“And now here I am, talking some sense into you so you can fix it before it’s too late!”

“Well what do I do?”

“Do we have to do everything for you, Munson? Prom isn’t until next Saturday but I suggest you don’t waste any more time in coming up with a way to make it up to her.” Steve advises, leaving Eddie’s wide eyes to dart between him and Robin.

“A thought out prom-posal?” Robin guides him, “I know you’ve seen them and no doubt rolled your eyes at it but- do one that’s more in tune with you two. And for the love of god Eddie, grovel.”

Your body is curled into Eddie’s side on the loveseat as your head rests on his chest and his arm is wrapped around you, warm hand holding onto your plush waist. Fright Night plays on the box TV in Wayne’s living room. Though the film is anything less than entertaining, you find your attention wavering in and out from the movie to your thoughts. Both of you are, for that matter.

You hadn’t expected the prospect of not going to Prom to bother you as much as it is, though to be fair you’d never truly considered the idea you wouldn’t be going at all. Even as the days until next Saturday have counted down and Eddie never spoke a word about it, despite the banners around school and tables selling tickets for the last two weeks, you’d still just assumed the two of you would go. Make it a group effort with Robin, Steve, Gareth, and Jeff.

You let the thought of imagining the possibilities fade, into a reminder of your mom. She’ll be disappointed, her little girl missing out on the pinnacle of her high school ‘career’. Your aunt too. Hell, you imagine even Uncle Wayne will be disappointed too. You sigh, deciding maybe you’ll just take up Robin’s offer to go with her and Steve… but the idea carries a hollowing feeling. You imagine you’d just be thinking of Eddie the whole time, the missed opportunities of memories that could be made.

Your soft sigh falls heavy on his ears, the sting of guilt pulsing in his chest at the sound. He holds you tighter against him, fingers gently digging into the meat of your waist as his lips press onto the top of your head. Indulgently inhaling the scent of your shampoo, overtaking his senses and temporarily dulling his worries. 

He feels so stupid, so careless with his words…selfish. To be so consumed with his own opinions to not consider you and your desires. Your happiness is all that truly matters to him, and his mistake has dwindled the spark in your eyes. He would and he will do anything to make it up to you. 

Anything for his girl.

“Sweetheart” he calls to you softly, urging your head to turn and oblige him with the sight of your breathtaking gaze.

“Hmm?”

“You think you can manage to convince your Aunt to give you off this Tuesday? So you can finally see your rockstar boyfriend on stage?” He asks with a wiggle of his brows, pulling a stifled chuckle from you.

“Mmm I don’t know, I’ll have to come up with a good excuse to give her. I’m afraid seeing my rockstar boyfriend at the rundown town bar won’t suffice.”

“Oh, come on. I doubt you’re busy enough on a Tuesday night to be missed that badly, just this once. Pretty please? For me?” His widened brown eyes sparkle as he pleads you, his thumb stroking the side of your waist.

“Alright, I’ll talk to her.” You give in to your boyfriend easily, flashing a smirk he always manages to pull from you. Meeting his lips in a warm embrace before nestling back into his side to resume watching the movie.

Despite your affections, a dull sting hangs in your chest. How easily you give in when he asks you to do something for him. To be fair, you’ve wanted to go to the Hideout to see the band play for months but have never been able to get off work for it. Still, you wonder if he’d give in as easily for you if you asked him to swallow his pride and go to prom. 

You bite back the bitterness rising in your throat and filling your mouth. You hate feeling and thinking that way, especially about Eddie. You’re hopeful he would say yes if you asked. You know how much he loves you but his outrightly proclaimed distaste for it is enough to keep you from broaching the topic. Falling into the habit of avoiding an argument or confrontation. 

You’ll just make the best out of however you end up spending next Saturday night. Whether it’s at work and with Eddie or without him at prom with Steve and Robin, you decide with little confidence.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 1986

You fidget uncomfortably on the bar stool, edges of the peeling leather covering the seat digging into the fat of your thighs through the denim. The few months since the last time you’d been at the Hideout for Eddie’s birthday has stripped your memory of just how heavy the stale air mixed with cigarette smoke hangs in the bar. The dimmed lights around the bar to accompany the lights decorating the stage help to make the wood paneled walls and chipped paint more appealing to the eye.

You nurse a sweating glass of Coke as you watch your boyfriend and friends set up on stage, tinkering with their instruments amid the low conversations of the handful of older men sitting around, downing beer after beer.

“Ahem” Eddie clears his throat into the microphone, barely grabbing the attention of the bar patrons. “Thank you for joining us tonight. We are Corroded Coffin and this… is Whiplash.”

A smile sears itself onto your face as you watch the boys play, drums thumping through the ground and into your chest, heavy guitars flowing through your ears as your head bangs along to the metal song. You can’t help but be mesmerized by your boyfriend and watching him play, he falls into it with such ease and commandeers a presence on the stage. Blush fills your cheeks every time his eyes fall to you and he throws a cheeky grin your way, which ends up happening every minute it seems.

He can’t help it, the way his eyes constantly fall to you. The bright smile on your face, your head bobbing along, your cheers after they finish each song; it fills him with confidence and pride. Week after week here at the Hideout, it feels almost like a glorified band practice. Playing for the same drunks that couldn’t care less if they were here or not. But tonight with you, he feels like he’s actually performing.

Your claps and hollers fill the bar once again as they finish one of their own songs, their setlist a mix of covers and music they’ve created together. The confidence your reaction has given him falters momentarily as the realization of where they are in the setlist hits him. Biting his bottom lip, he fidgets with the tuners on the guitar for the next song.

“Alright, you guys ready? Just like we practiced.” Eddie asks as he turns to his bandmates who answer him with nods and knowing smiles. With a deep breath, he turns back to the microphone and looks around the bar.

“This next song is something a little different than what we usually play, but we have a special guest here tonight.” His eyes lock on to yours. “Sweetheart, this one's for you.”

A shaky fingered note from Eddie’s guitar fills the bar and your jaw begins to drop as you immediately clock the song by Jimi Hendrix before the rest of the band join into the rhythm.

“You know you’re a cute little heartbreaker

Foxy

And you know you’re a sweet little lovemaker

Foxy”

His brown eyes bore into you as he sings, teasingly winking at you and causing your cheeks to burn red-hot.

“I want to take you home, yeah

I won’t do you no harm, no

You’ve got to be all mine, all mine

Foxy lady”

Your hand moves to cover your mouth almost shyly as you bite your bottom lip, the blush spreading from your cheeks to your chest. Under his fiery gaze, it feels like you’re the only ones there in the bar, your surroundings fading into the shadows.

“I've made up my mind

I'm tired of wasting all my precious time

You've got to be all mine, all mine

Foxy lady

Here I come”

Your thighs rub against each other as the heat spreads through the rest of your body watching your boyfriend sing every word of one of your favorite songs to you. His eyes only leave yours to look down at the guitar as he plays a solo, the same solo you’ve heard countless times over the years and he makes it look so easy. You’re mesmerized by his fingers, flashes of memories of all the things he has done with those same fingers to you. Before you know it his eyes are back on you singing the chorus, and there’s no other thoughts in your mind but him.

“Here I come, baby

Coming to getcha

Foxy lady yeah yeah

You look so good”

His chest flutters and fills with warmth at your big grin, the pride and lust filling your eyes as you watch him and it gives him all the confidence he needs as the song comes to an end with a held out screeching note of his guitar.

“Now, I have a very important question I need to ask.” Eddie begins as the last note of the song has faded, and turns his entire body to face you. “Honey bunny, would you do me the honor of being my date for prom?”

Your jaw finds itself falling again, completely caught off guard and in shock at his proposal. You feel the excited anticipation from the boys in the band watching your reaction and the half-interested attention of the bar drunks, but the only thing in your mind and vision is him, pink cheeks and dimples looking down at you from the stage.

Shock fades and sentiment sets in, tears lining your eyes in a second at the gesture. Your head quickly nods, accepting his proposal as you quickly wipe away a tear falling down your cheek. Eddie removes his guitar and jumps off the stage in a haste, jogging the short distance between you to pull you into a tight embrace.

Claps and cheers from your friends and the bartender fade into the background as your lips crash into his, your tongue quickly licking into his mouth. His tongue eagerly greets yours, moaning into your mouth as your tongues swirl around each other.

When the reality of your surroundings set in, your lips part and your foreheads rest together.

“I’m sorry, baby. I was a grade A asshole the other day, I didn’t even stop to think about how you felt.” He admits lowly, begging for your forgiveness with his hands pressed into your lower back.

“You’re right, you were a bit of an asshole.” You sigh before a teasing smile creeps onto your lips. “But I’d say you’ve adequately made up for it.”

He shares a satisfied smile before meeting your lips again in a soft, deep kiss.

“So uh- how much longer until you guys are done?” You press breathlessly, giving him a look that he now knows too well.

“In a rush to get somewhere, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, in your pants.”

Saturday, May 3rd, 1986

Prom

Your eyes rake over your figure in the mirror as your hands glide down your satin dress. You’d gone with Robin up to Indianapolis a few days ago to go dress shopping. Despite the bigger stores in the city, your options were limited with finding a dress in your size, budget, and on short notice. You’re grateful you managed to find one in your favorite color, even if the fabric clings to your figure more than you’re used to.

Your heels dig into the carpet beneath you with each slow step down the hall toward the living room where you can hear the sound of your Mom and Uncle Wayne talking. Eddie’s eyes immediately land on you as soon as you pass the corner into his vision, quickly standing from the couch. He looks you over wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open as he takes short steps toward you.

“Oh, honey! You look beautiful!” Your mother squeals from behind the couch, but you can only look at Eddie with a shy, but amused smile at his dumbfounded expression.

“Cat got your tongue?” you tease.

“Baby… you look amazing.” he mutters, hands slowly reaching to hold onto your hips as he looks you over.

“I wasn’t too sure about the dress, do you like it?” You ask with uncertainty, looking down at the satin fabric hugging your body.

“Very, very much, sweetheart.”

“Come on, you two! I need pictures before you go!!”

Uncle Wayne and your mother smile proudly as she snaps pictures of you and Eddie on her polaroid, cooing about how cute the two of you look. They give you both hugs before sending you on your way.

The gentleman and doting boyfriend he is, Eddie helps you into the passenger side of the van with a big grin plastered on his face. The boy can barely keep his eyes and hands off you as the van barrels down Hawkins roads, stopping to pick up Gareth and Jeff before heading to the school. Steve and Robin are waiting outside as you pull up, Eddie and Steve share a hug and a pat on the back as you and Robin gush over each other.

With your hand enveloped in Eddie’s, your group heads inside the school and into the gymnasium that’s been transformed into a dance floor. Strobed lights reflecting off disco balls is the only thing illuminating the large room. Pink and blue balloons are stationed at each table surrounding an open circle for dancing. Pink and blue streams hang from the ceiling overhead, music booming and reverberating through the gymnasium.

You quickly claim an open table for your group, settling in with finger foods and cups of punch that Eddie quickly spikes with a pint of vodka he snuck into his tux. The night turns into everything you’d hoped it’d be. Light conversation and laughs with your friends, dancing to pop songs together on the dance floor in your own little world, ignoring everyone around you.

“You know, I have to admit… this isn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.” Eddie announces sitting next to you at the table, his hand on your thigh as you watch Robin and Steve dance. “But to be fair, it’s entirely because of you.” His smile shines and his eyes twinkle as he looks at you, leaning in to meet you in a sweet kiss.

Huh Huh Uh-Huh Hiiii

You smile against his plump lips as True by Spandau Ballet begins to play loudly through the speakers, blue and purple lights shining around the dance floor.

“Come on” You grab his hand, pulling him out of the seat to follow you out onto the dance floor. His hands quickly find your hips, sliding around to your lower back to hold you against him as your hands rest on the back of his neck, your bodies rocking side to side in sync to the music. 

I know this much is true.

His forehead rests against yours, the tips of your noses brushing against each other. You melt into his touch as an elated sigh leaves your chest. Closing your eyes, you lose yourself in the moment. The music and his touch ground you. You feel at peace, the worries and sadness you held a week ago now a distant fading memory. Neither of you are perfect, but you’re growing together, for yourselves and each other.

“I love you, honey” His soft voice beckons your eyes to open to find his looking at you, admiring your face in the soft lighting. A smile pulls at your lips, affectionately nuzzling the tip of your nose against his.

“I love you too, baby. Thank you for this.”

“I’d do anything for you.” he responds instantly without hesitation, a testament of his love and devotion for you.

I know, I know, I know this much is true.

In the dead of summer in Hawkins, Indiana, it’s another day in a seemingly endless heatwave cooking the midwest. In the Forest Hills Trailer Park, poor insulation does little to help keep the heat out of the metal sided homes, few in the neighborhood able to afford A/C costs, window units struggling to combat the high temperatures. Rather than sweltering in his room, Eddie finds relief walking under the trees in the park, leaves providing shade from the relentless sun.

He’s beginning to think it’s the only relief he’ll get from the rising temperatures this summer. Until he approaches a trailer, glimpsing through the passing trees into the backyard, yellow plastic catches his eye… and crystal clear water.

A pool. 

A cheap, inflatable one only a couple feet wide, but a pool nonetheless. Filled with cool water. He can practically feel it engulfing his warm, sweaty body. 

Next to it on a plastic lounge chair lays you, basking in the sun. Back home from college, he assumes.

“Well, well, well. Back to visit us peasants?” his voice booms, startling you out of your trance. He leans against your trailer, arms crossed with a grin plastered on his face.

“Jesus Christ, Munson. Can you be any less subtle?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Would you rather I have knocked?”

You roll your eyes, readjusting in the chair as you eye the metalhead.

“What do you want?”

“Oh, you know. Just perusing the neighborhood, decided to stop by and say hi to an old friend.” He meanders closer to your position, hiding an ulterior motive clear as day. An arched brow peeks over your sunglasses.

“Uh huh… friend…sure”

“Hey, you never spewed insults at me in the halls at school, I consider that a friend!”

You scoff out an amused chuckle as he throws a cheeky grin your way.

“Okay, sure. So, friend, what exactly is it that you wanted?”

“Well, I couldn’t help but notice you’re keeping this sweet slice of heaven back here, all to yourself.”

“Yeah, I bought it all by myself.” You state matter-of-factly.

“Hmm. I guess maybe I just thought, being the generous person you are, you’d be willing to share with a friend. I mean, considering the conditions.” He gestures around him with open arms, putting on all the charm he can muster in those dimples.

Despite his stance on the existence of your friendship, you’d never been more than neighbors and classmates. Your circles at Hawkins High never ran or meshed together, your friends falling into the norm of calling him a ‘freak’. A nickname, insult rather, that you never partook in berating him with. An insult that remained when he failed his senior year, meant to graduate with your class. You’ve heard from friends in passing that he failed this year too. You never thought less of him for it though, unlike everyone else in town.

To be honest, you’ve always had a liking for him despite your minimal interactions. Eyes lingering over him when you’d see him in class or the halls, fighting a smirk from his theatrics at lunch. You’d become an outcast like him if your friends knew, but you’d been hiding a crush on Eddie Munson for years. As you look over him now, it becomes strikingly clear that your crush hasn’t faded in the year away at college.

“You think flattery will work on me, hmm?” you remark with a grin.

“Well I only speak the truth, cross my heart.” His actions follow his words, hand over heart.

“Hmm” Your propped up leg fidgets side to side as you consider him.

“Okay, I’ll let you take a dip. But only if there’s something in it for me.” You decide with a confident smile, reveling in the way it catches him off guard before his theatrics kick back in.

“Why, of course. It’s only fair. What would you have me do?”

You keep him a little on edge, taking your time in deciding as you look amongst the yard until a perfect idea pops into your mind at the bottle next to you.

“Well, it is time for me to reapply. Mind giving me a hand?” You throw your own charm his way, a bottle of sunscreen extended out to him.

He only falters for a split second before nodding like a bobble head.

“Uh y-yeah, sure. Of course.” He answers almost too eagerly. “Skin care is important.” 

He worries the forced chuckle gives him away.

When you turn to lay on your stomach, he’s grateful you can’t see the way his entire expression fumbles.

To be fair, he’s always had the hots for you. Given your differing social groupings, he never thought he’d stand a chance. Now, he wonders if his mind is playing tricks on him with your demand. Eying the way your bottoms have bunched up between your cheeks, full figure on display for him, barely covered by the cloth.

A deep sigh rises from your chest at the sensation of his calloused hands spreading the cool lotion along your warm skin. Working from your shoulders and down your arms, you feel the anticipation rising as his hands move down your back. 

Lower and lower until.. his hands meet your calves. His tongue peeks from between his lips, watching as his hands move higher, from your calves to your thighs. An irresistible tug pulling his eyes and hands to move to your ass. 

“Do you uh- want me to..?” he questions, eyeing your cheeks only half covered by your bottoms.

“If you wouldn’t mind… not trying to deal with sunburn on my ass.” You answer sweetly, ending with a lighthearted laugh.

The sensation shoots right between your legs, only inches away from where his calloused fingers knead the plush flesh of your ass. You have to bite your lip to muffle the moan threatening to rise up your throat.

Eddie almost swears he feels the slightest push of your ass against his hands. He’s mesmerized by it, unable to stop himself from visualizing what’s underneath the slither of cloth. He never thought he’d ever be this close to you, let alone touching you like this. He wants to lose himself in it, in you but stops himself before his lingering touch becomes suspicious.

“A-alright, you’re all good.”

You flip over onto your back with a smile.

“Thanks, Eddie. You wouldn’t mind doing this side too, right?”

His eyebrows shoot up with a bob of his adam’s apple, gulping at the proposition before forcing a chuckle.

“Just trying to get a free massage out of me, aren’t ya?”

“Well you know, college is very stressful and I did say you’d have to make it worth my while”

He licks his lips before sinking his teeth into them, looking down at the sunscreen in his hands.

“Yeah, alright” he agrees with a smirk.

His movements mimic his work on your backside. Shoulders, down your arms, slowing as they glide across your chest, forcing himself not to linger before moving down to your stomach. Working up your calves, to your thighs. Admiring the way his fingers dig into the doughy flesh, your covered pussy right in his face.

You’re enjoying yourself far too much, watching how flustered you’re making him through the shade of your sunglasses. As his fingers glide up your legs, you spread them open ever so slowly. Biting your lip as his hands caress up to the inside of your thighs, eyeing the growing bulge in his shorts.

“Eddie…”

Wide eyes shoot up from your core to meet your eyes, now uncovered with your sunglasses moved atop your hair.

“Do you want a taste?”

He watches as your hand slides down your stomach, inching toward your pussy before they flash back up to meet yours.

“It’s a question, not an order.” You giggle at his silence, giving him an out.

“You’re serious?” He asks in disbelief, mouth agape. 

You nod softly, biting your bottom lip as your fingers ghost over your clit.

“Wanted you for a long time” You mutter, breathing becoming heavier at the prospect of finally getting what you’ve wanted for so long.

“Shit…” His gaze falls back down to where your hand is, rubbing your pussy through your bathing suit. “You don’t have to ask me twice, sweetheart.”

His hand replaces yours, gently sliding your bottoms to the side and groaning at the sight of your pussy. You gasp softly as his tongue dives between your folds, licking a long stripe from your already wet hole and up to your clit. Hands sliding up your body, pulling both sides of your top to the side to free your breasts. Rough hands engulfing them, massaging them between his fingers as he shoves his face in your pussy like a starving man. Tongue exploring every crevice, lapping up your juices as his nose nudges against your clit.

“Oh fuck” You moan, head falling back as your fingers tug at his curls.

His fingers pinch and roll your nipple between them as his tongue circles your clit, bringing his other hand down to tease your entrance with his fingers. Slowly sliding two ringed digits in, tongue flicking against your clit before sucking it into his mouth, your eyes rolling back at the overwhelming pleasure, moans freely falling from your lips. 

You force your eyes open to watch. The sight of Eddie Munson between your legs, mouth worshiping your pussy, tongue working you in a way no guy ever has before, it’s sending you closer to the edge faster than you ever have before. 

You bite your lip at the sight, fingers running through his hair. The metal of his rings digging into the flesh of your ass with each thrust of his fingers into you.

“Mmm, good boy.”

A deep, rumbling moan rises from his chest, sending vibrations through your clit sucked between his lips as the pads of his finger rub against your g-spot.

“Fuck, Eddie. You’re gonna make me cum!”

Your admission only eggs him on more, sucking onto your clit harder, fingers moving faster in and out of your soaking walls that clench around them. His eyes flutter open to meet yours and that’s all it takes, every muscle in your body tightening, thighs trembling around his head as you grip it. 

Coming down from your orgasm, he replaces his soaked fingers with his tongue. Licking up every bit of your juice he can.

“Taste s’good, baby” he mumbles, face still buried in your pussy.

You whine at the praise and sensation, grabbing onto his hand and bringing his fingers to your mouth, sucking your cum off them. He pulls his attention back to you with a guttural moan, the action making his cock throb even harder in his shorts. Your other hand reaches out to rub him through the fabric, never breaking eye contact.

“Need to feel you inside me” you beg, rubbing the pads of his fingers along your bottom lip.

“Christ…”

His other hand eagerly reaches for the waistband of his shorts, pulling them down under his balls, throbbing cock springing free. Yanking his shirt off to relieve him from the heat of the sun and your sweating bodies.

He lines his cock up with your entrance, slowly sliding himself into your warm, wet walls until he’s fully sheathed inside you with a moan. His mouth latches onto one of your breasts, sucking and nibbling your nipple as he begins slowly thrusting into you.

“Fuck, yes!” you gasp out in pleasure, one hand in his hair as the other grips onto the lounge chair beneath you.

His mouth moves from your breast to your mouth in a hot, wet kiss as he shoves his cock as deep as he can inside you.

“Feel so good. Always wanted to fuck you, sweetheart. Feel this tight pussy wrapped around me.” he mutters against your lips. Sweat makes his bangs stick to his forehead, lips moving to latch onto your neck.

More moans escape your lips from the power his words, mouth, cock, the power he has over you, giving you more pleasure than you’ve ever felt by any other guy in Hawkins or college.

One of his arms hooks under your knee, giving him deeper access as his hips collide with yours, your hands attempting to grip onto his sweaty back. The sensation, his cock stretching you out with every thrust is overwhelming, consuming every bit of your attention, the fact of being in your backyard long forgotten.

“Eddie!” 

Your whines of pleasure are met with a stifled chuckle.

“Better quiet down, sweetheart. Don’t want the whole neighborhood to hear you, do you?” his husky voice and breath fan over your ear, sending chills down your spine amid the relentless heat surrounding you. 

His reminder, the reality that anyone passing along the same path he did, looking through just the right break in the trees at just the right time, would see Eddie “the freak” Munson balls deep in your pussy on the lounge chair in your backyard.

It only turns you on more, making your walls clench around him, delighting in the broken moans it pulls from him against your ear before he chuckles again.

“Mmm you’d like that, wouldn’t you? Dirty girl”

His thrusts pick up in pace, your sweat aiding to the wet sounds of his skin slapping against yours.

“You were so cocky earlier, what’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” He teases, out of breath. Sporting a smirk as his face moves into your vision, hovering above you.

You groan in a mix of pleasure and annoyance.

“Just- oh…shut up and fuck me”

His tongue darts out to wet his bottom lip as he moves your legs to rest on his shoulders, allowing his cock to go even deeper inside you. His hands keep a harsh grip on your hips as he plows into you mercilessly. The new position and rough thrusts making the wet, slapping sounds of his skin on yours, his balls slapping your ass grow even louder along with your moans.

“Oh god oh god, yes!” your desperate whimpers fumble from your lips, a white knuckle grip on the plastic holding your bodies up. You’re sure it’ll buckle beneath you at any moment from the power of his thrusts.

“Mmm. What if your mother came home right now, fuck, to find her precious daughter getting fucked by the town freak, huh?” 

Even in his pleasure, the smug teasing still breaks through. Taking even more pleasure in watching you unravel beneath him, because of him, a girl once thought to be completely unattainable, now cockdrunk for him.

“Mmm don’t care, feel too fucking good” you answer breathlessly, feeling yourself quickly barreling toward your climax again.

He can’t decide where to look, watching your face twist in pleasure or watch his cock disappear in and out between your pussy lips. Despite his teasing, he can feel he doesn’t have much longer, and if the way your walls are pulsing around his cock is any sign, he knows you don’t either.

“Gonna cum again for me, baby? Give it to me, wanna feel you soak my cock, pretty girl”

He keeps up his relentless pace as much as he can and you feel like his cock is about to split you in two, making your toes curl in their position next to his head. You can’t stop it even if you tried, waves of pleasure crashing through your whole body as you meet your end.

“Fuck, Eddie!” you squeal in overwhelming pleasure, hands moving to grip onto his arms. Your head thrown back, mouth falling open, back arching off the chair as everything in you clenches.

The tight grip you have on his cock and the scream of his name as you cum is all it takes to drive him into his own climax, removing his cock from the warm confines of your pussy to cum all over your bare stomach with a deep moan of your name.

Your grips loosen, his head falling to rest on your chest as your legs fall to his sides. Heavy breaths and chests heaving as you recoup from your highs.

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