red velvet cake - bf!eddie munson x fem!reader x brother!steve harrington
Summary: Your relationship continues to blossom with Eddie, however your older brother Steve isn’t the biggest fan and lines are tested
Warnings: swearing, smoking, tense situations, angst, fight fight fight, let me know if I miss anything!
a/n: Hey, all! Welcome to my first official post! If you enjoy, please like, reblog, etc! This was just a lil blurb, but I have other things in the works, so I’m hoping this goes well and I can continue to share with you all!
“I need you and your big hair to calm down.”
Your brother looked to you quickly from the bathroom mirror, his face scrunched up at your comment. “My hair is not big.”
“You say that and yet you’ve gone through your second can of hair spray this month,” you retorted, grabbing the can quickly in your hand.
Steve snatched for it but you held it behind you, ceasing any attempt of him grabbing it. He sighed with a comb still lodged in his brown tuffs and leaned back against the counter. Another disagreement between the two of you. Nothing was new seeing as that was the typical way a brother and sister relationship stemmed. From the time you were born, only a short year after Steve, you were at each other’s throats constantly and could never come to an agreement on anything. Steve would steal your favorite toy that day from the toybox, so you’d steal the TV remote and sit on it to his disdain when your parents allowed you both to pick the nightly movie after dinner. You’d spread gossip in the middle school of your older brothers crush on Tammy Thompson (before the singing career), and somehow most girls still believed in cooties, so he’d steal your clothes from your locker before gym class was over. Today’s topic of conversation once again revisited your current dating life and now you were stealing his most prized possession. This was the never ending, vicious, and annoying cycle only those who had a sibling could understand at the end of the day.
“I really don’t see what the big deal is,” you said, crossing your arms. “Eddie and I have been seeing each other for almost a year now and you still refuse to hang out with him.”
“Yeah, it’s Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson. He runs that club Dustin and Mike are in, huge nerd, and he’s in a band that plays at the Hideout” he grumbled. “Also, he’s way older than you.”
“He’s twenty, Steve. It’s not like I’m a kid anymore,” you replied. “Also, he’s a senior. I’m a senior. And Hellfire is actually really cool if you’d take up the invites I’ve extended.”
Steve shook his head, wagging his finger. “No, no, you’re a senior. This is his third time being a senior.”
“And he’s gonna graduate! He finally has a C in Mrs. O’Donnell’s!”
“It’s still weird. And just because you date him doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
A groan escaped you and your arms dropped from their defensive position. “But the least you could do is be civil with him. I can’t bring him over because you make everything so uncomfortable, and now with Nancy’s party coming I’d just like the two of you to get along for once!”
Steve looked to you after your minor outburst and his eyes traveled your face. He couldn’t help but be a little annoyed by you but he hated that in a sense, you were right. He’d only based his opinions on Eddie off of what he knew from when he went to Hawkins High and what he heard around town. You’d always dealt with his on and off again flings that never worked out and continued to accept each one as they came through the door so why couldn’t he do the same for you? It might be the older sibling in him screaming at him to watch out for his baby sister but you were getting older and dating was just naturally right behind. The thought ran a chill down Steve’s spine.
“Fine,” he sighed, standing straight. “I’ll… I’ll try. Just this once. But I’m not going to the board game nights, though.”
You squealed and the jump that came with it shocked your brother. You could get past his comments this once. “Thank you, thank you! Oh, Steve, I could hug you!” You made a face realizing what just came out of your mouth and you shook your head. “But I won’t. Gross. Here’s your even grosser hairspray, I have to go call Eddie!”
You shoved the can back in his hand and spun on your heels, now ready to face your boyfriend and his dislike for Steve. Steve, however, felt a small smile creep up on his face at your antics. His head snapped up at ‘hairspray’ and he groaned.
“It’s not just hair spray!” he yelled after you, before looking to himself in the mirror. “It’s Farrah Fawcett spray.”
Eddie had come to pick you up for your nightly drive together as soon as you had called, and you couldn’t help the excitement that buzzed in you. He took note of this and turned down the head pounding sounds of Motley to focus in as soon as you had climbed in the passenger seat. “What’s got you riled up, sweetheart? Missed me that much?”
You smirked, looking to the doe eyed boy. “You’re so full of it, Eds.”
He tossed his hand to his heart, making those big eyes of his twinkle in the light of the dashboard. “Only full of my love for you.”
You couldn’t help the laugh that bustled out and Eddie soon joined in, his hand now grabbing yours in his. He squeezed gently and you squeezed back, the cold of his rings sending goosebumps up your arm. “Now come on, spill. You sounded way too excited on the phone.”
You nodded. “While yes, I definitely missed you, I talked to Steve today about Nancy’s party.”
His hand lost a little grip to yours and you looked to him quickly, the smile on his face slowly disappearing and you frowned in response. “Eddie, it was a good conversation. He didn’t even say much in the negative category.”
“Much?” Eddie scoffed. “So I’m guessing we’re gonna talk about it.”
“Well, yeah. I mean, I would just really like you both to get along,” you shrugged.
An eyebrow raised as he looked at you.
“For me.”
That was it. Right there. Eddie was caught. How could he say no to you? Your relationship had been nothing but perfect, and there was a happy balance of entertaining each others interests. You’d attend Hellfire meetings with him and watch Corroded Coffin practice, he’d come to your piano recitals and help you finish your notes for book club. You’d share musical interests with each other and watch every movie under the sun, and you’d both agree Sixteen Candles would never been an option. His Uncle Wayne had taken an immense liking to you as soon as you and Eddie became friends, he’d even tag along to your piano recitals sometimes when work didn’t have him in a chokehold.
“I know you two have never really liked each other, but you’re my boyfriend, he’s my brother. At the end of the day I don’t want to have to pick between the two of you, and Steve has agreed to set aside all of it for the party. I just want you to be in the same boat.”
“Is it just one night?” Eddie questioned, his eyes searching yours.
“If I can get one night of civil between you two, I can die happy,” you smiled softly. “And besides, it’ll be fun. Everyone will be there, the kids, Nancy, Robin, Jonathon, and I’m making your favorite.”
“Stop,” he gasped, the twinkle coming back and he grinned. “Please tell me it’s your red velvet cake.”
“With the homemade icing,” you nodded, watching him throw the theatrics back on and he fanned himself. “Mrs. Wheeler has been asking for the recipe since I made it at Holly’s birthday last year, figured the party would be a good time to make it.”
“It’s always a good time for anything you cook,” Eddie praised, making you shift in your seat. “Now I’m really looking forward to this party.”
“Well,” you sighed, adjusting yourself in your seat and turning your full body towards him. “I know something that might help the wait.”
He noticed the change in your tone and his eyes didn’t lose the glimmer, just a different glimmer now displayed and he double checked the gear and threw it in park, having turned into the high school parking lot. “Oh? Did you make something else for me?”
“I brought only the best for you,” you smiled, leaning up and across the console separating you.
Eddie bit his lower lip and his hand grabbed lightly at your face. “Show me, princess.”
Immediately obliging, you pressed your lips to his and he quickly pulled you over the console, resting in his lap. He seemed to take all of this better than Steve. Maybe the party would work out in your favor, hell, maybe they could even be friends by the end of it? Maybe? Right?
“I think it’s nice you’re setting aside your differences for your sister,” Nancy said, pouring a bag of chips into a large serving bowl. Robin and Steve were helping her with last minute food prep as they awaited everyone to arrive. Pizza was already there, sodas were in the cooler, Robin even brought movies from Family Video and Steve dug out the old board games your parents had stored away.
“It’s just for tonight,” Steve retorted, grabbing a Coke and quickly opening it. He could feel his usual nerves heightened with the agreement between you and him. He’d never admit it, but having his little sister genuinely involved with someone was a huge thing for him (but also it being Eddie didn’t exactly please him either). “I told her I’d try for tonight.”
“Why don’t you, I dunno, try everyday?” Robin said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re missing out on future brother in law bonding time.”
Steve winced, groaning out and waved his hands. “No, no, no, don’t say that. You don’t know that.”
“Ah, but you don’t know either,” the short haired fiend quipped and shrugged. “Also it wouldn’t kill you to maybe get to know Eddie and form your own opinion. He’s sat with us at lunch a few times, he’s not so bad.”
Steve looked to Nancy, his face stressed. “Can you believe this?”
Nancy pursed her lips, finishing up last touches. “I don’t think it’s honestly a big deal.”
“What? You agree?” Steve said. “You’ve seen Munson and-“
“And,” Nancy interrupted. “-nothing. I don’t have an opinion on Eddie because I don’t know him that well.”
Robin gestured in support, throwing her arms out in front of her. “See?”
“Well he doesn’t make the effort either,” Steve defended. “So why should I?”
“One of you has to, or you both have the chance of losing y/n,” Nancy responded, raising her eyebrow at him. “It takes effort from both of you.”
The sound of shouting and laughing came from the front room and Nancy looked at him once more. “Behave.”
Steve sighed as the kids piled in the kitchen, scurrying over each other and grabbing what their hands could before Nancy shooed them. “We have more people coming, guys, come on!”
Jonathon followed in, shouting after Will and Dustin as they brushed past him into the living room. He smiled kindly to Steve and soon took to the tension that radiated from the older boy. “You alright?”
Steve nodded, taking a quick drink of his Coke. “Yeah, just being scolded by women. Again.”
Jonathon laughed briefly before Steve spoke up once more. “Is my sister here yet?”
“Uh, I think her and Eddie weren’t too far down the road,” he replied. “I passed them on the way here.”
“Good, good,” he nodded. “Great, wonderful, terrific.”
Steve continued on a tangent of positive words and Jonathon glanced between the two girls, pointing to Steve with an eyebrow raised. Nancy rolled her eyes and shook her head. Robin shrugged, sipping exceptionally loud on her drink. Jonathon made a face at both of them and could only anticipate what to expect going into tonights events.
The same thought had been crossing Eddie’s mind all day. He knew that despite how he felt, he needed to try his best for you. That meant setting aside how he felt about your brother, how Steve made him feel all those years in school, every single time Steve laid the ‘freak’ bit on thick – Eddie was preparing himself to leave it all at the door as soon as you arrived to the party. He could only hope Steve was on the same page and tonight would move rather seamlessly. If all went according to plan, maybe they could continue hating each other again bright and early tomorrow morning.
“Whoa!” you yelped, almost bumping into Eddie who had stopped in front of you. The cake in your hands was fragile cargo and you swerved, saving it from meeting it’s demise with the pavement. “Jeez, Eds, if you want any of this cake I would appreciate if you kept both feet moving or a heads up would be greatly appreciated.”
He turned abruptly and made a face, scratching the back of his head. “Um, yeah, sorry, sweetheart. Just lost in thought."
You couldn’t help but smile softly at him. His nerves were on full display and you knew Steve was most likely in the same boat. You’d do whatever you could to ease both of the boys tensions, to prevent anything from escalating, and you hoped they both knew you were on their sides and not against them. It would be beneficial not just for you but the group, too, if there was common ground and structure and not the constant state of tension so thick, of awkward conversations, of debating if it should be both Steve and Eddie invited or one or the other. Not only was it hard for you, but your friends who were also in the same predicament you were with two of the group members holding it out for one another.
“It’s gonna be fine, Eds,” you said as you stepped up the small step to the door. “Deep breaths, like I taught you.”
He snorted, pushing the door open for you. “Aye, aye, captain.”
The eye roll that followed had Eddie pinching at your hips, causing you to yelp and laugh, trying to escape the attack. “Eddie, stop! I have a cake in-“
Your back met with a firm surface and you gasped, hands gripping the dish even tighter. You wobbled slightly, your feet finding an uneven surface and hands gripped your arms to keep you from tripping even further. The eyes of Steve looked back at yours when you glanced back and you sighed, standing straighter after regaining your footing. “I almost dropped the cake, Steve.”
“Maybe Eddie shouldn’t goof off as much, then,” he stated plainly, removing his hands and making eye contact with Eddie who had set his lips in a fine, tight line at the statement.
“Come on, Steve,” Nancy quipped, stepping in the room. “He was just being a little silly, that’s all. Y/n, Eddie, there’s food and drinks in the kitchen! Come on, I’ll help you get that cake in a safer spot.”
You smiled to Nancy, looking back at Eddie and raised an eyebrow. He shook his head and held up his pack of cigarettes, slipping past the three of you and towards the back doors. A frown soon replaced the former smile and you slipped pass Steve into the kitchen. Nancy gave him a stern look and hustled behind you. This would be a long night.
Eddie had rejoined the festivities shortly after his two cigarettes, his nerves only escalating at Steve and his comment. Right off the bat, he had thought, he just had to jump into an accusatory stance. He bit his tongue in your defense, but how long could he keep that up? Jonathon and him had gotten into conversation you had overheard, and watched quietly from a distance. Nancy and Robin chitchatted next to you, and the kids were already causing Steve’s inner mother to kick in. Lucas and Mike were tossing a ball back and forth in the living room, Dustin and Will had turned on their favorite radio station and were singing much off tune to Madonna (much to everyone’s surprised enjoyment, even Eddie who only ever consumed that of every heavy 80’s metal or hairband), and Max and El were currently in a contest of who could crush a soda can the fastest: Max against her forehead, or El with her actually head? Steve was in the current stages of trying to prevent possible brain damage, to both. Erica was continuously bugging you for a slice of cake, to which you turned her down everytime.
“Don’t you agree?” Robin asked, bumping her hip into yours and you quickly looked to her, eyebrows raised. You waited and she glanced to Nancy, then back. “Have you really not been listening? Babes, this is the impending doom of the possibility of not getting new band uniforms.”
“Oh, no,” you breathed, the end of ‘no’ hitching slightly in question and you couldn’t help the giggle that followed when Robin groaned. Nancy joined in the laughter and Robin threw her hands up in exasperation.
“Fine! I’ll go complain to Steve!”
“That might be good, actually,” you suggested, watching Steve stumble by with Dustin on his back and attempting to smack his hands away. “Looks like he could use the help.”
“Dustin! Dustin, Steve is not a piñata!” Robin hollered, following after them as you and Nancy watched in amusement.
“So,” Nancy started in, refilling your cups and returning her gaze to the events taking place in the room next to you. “They haven’t fought.”
“Ssh!” you snapped quickly, looking to her. “Nance, you’ll jinx it! This is the most I’ve seen them not go at each other, even if they are just keeping to themselves. It’s a start and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“How long do you think it’ll keep up, though?” she asked honestly. When you frowned at her question she set a hand on your arm. “I want you happy, you’re my friend. Knowing those two bone heads, though, I just worry they’ll drop the façade when you aren’t looking.”
Your frown creased even further into your face. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do, Nance. It’s my brother and my boyfriend. I love them both, but I don’t wanna lose either of them.”
“I know,” Nancy sighed, before perking up. “What if-“
“Watch it!” Steve shouted, and all eyes directed into the living room.
Eddie dusted Dustin’s shoulders off, before looking to Steve. “You almost crashed the kid into the bookshelf, man, you should be the one watchin’ it.”
Steve scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Like earlier when you nearly pummeled my sister into the ground?”
“Goddammit, Nancy,” you mumbled before stepping up a ways. “Steve, it was-“
His eyes cast to you and he scoffed. “An accident? Like anytime y’all horse around?”
“Hey,” Eddie snapped, stepping up to your side. “I’ve never laid a hand on her like that.”
“Like what?” Steve retorted.
“You know exactly what you mean,” Eddie said.
Jonathon stepped up now, followed by Dustin. “Come on, guys, everyone just caught up in the moment. Everyone’s good.”
Steve shook his head. “I’ll be good when he’s gone.”
“Steve!” Nancy said, shaking her head.
“Like hell!” Eddie laughed. “I was invited!”
You sat a hand on Eddie’s shoulder, looking to him. “Eddie, calm down.”
“Fine! Then I’ll go!” Steve said, and he looked to you. “Come on, Y/N, we’re leaving.”
Everyone stared, Robin trying to talk quietly to Steve who was having none of it. Nancy looked to Jonathon with a worried expression and the kids clamored to the other side of the room, just watching. You stared at your brother in disbelief and shook your head. “Steve, we just all need a break, please! Let’s just all breathe a second!”
“We can breathe at home.”
Steve stepped up and grabbed your arm, causing Eddie to grab the other. You squeaked at the force of the two boys, looking to Nancy with wide eyes. They had never escalated to protectiveness with you involving each other in the same moment, it had never gotten this heated before and the worry crept in the pit of your stomach, causing bile to slowly rise in the back of your throat. You swallowed it down, the panic on your face evident and Nancy immediately jumped in.
“Boys!” Nancy yelled, grabbing onto Steve and Jonathon grabbing Eddie.
“Come on, guys, this is stupid,” Jonathon added and patted Eddie on his back.
“She doesn’t wanna go,” Eddie snarled, staring Steve right in the face.
“I’m her brother, older might I add, so what I say goes,” Steve responded, Nancy tugging on his belt loop.
“Guys, please stop!” you cried, wiggling in their grips. “You said you’d try! Just break it up!”
Dustin and Max came up, prying the older boys grips and Robin stepped up to pull you aside, her arm slipping around your shoulders. Eddie shook his head, chuckling to himself and turned away from Steve which caused Jonathon to loosen his grip. Nancy kept a petite finger interloped in Steve’s belt loop for safe keeping.
“Steve, why don’t we go outside for a minute?” Nancy mumbled, tugging lightly.
Steve broke his gaze on Eddie, wiping a hand down his face. He nodded slowly and turned towards her. “Yeah… yeah anything to get away from that freak.”
The words slipped out without a second thought. Steve froze, as did everyone else, and eyes landed on Eddie. The panic that set in was worse than the first time and you pulled away from Robin, going to Eddie immediately. As soon as the words were out, Eddie’s shoulders tightened and his back went straight. Jonathon could see his face and he watched every emotion cross over it – shock, realization, anger, guilt, sadness, absolute rage. Eddie couldn’t register who was near him and his hearing went into a high frequency pitch. His eyes darkened and the only thing you felt was the shove, a rush of air, and your back hitting the counter of the island. “Eddie, no!”
Eddie swung first. His fist connected quickly with Steve’s jaw and the elder boy stared stone cold at him as Steve stumbled to the ground.
“Shit,” Dustin muttered and everyone was quick in action.
Steve jumped up from the ground, Will and Mike trying to hold him back while Jonathon and Dustin grabbed for Eddie. Lucas moved Max and Erica out of the way and Robin and Nancy stepped up to your side.
“Let me go!” Steve yelled. “Let me go!”
“Knock it off!” Mike snapped, stumbling at the tug Steve attempted away from the younger boys.
“Come on!” Eddie cackled. “Let pretty boy get a nice swing in!”
“Don’t push it!” Jonathon snapped.
“I’m slipping!” Dustin yelled, his palms clammy and his upper arm strength nonexistent in the pull Eddie had.
“Eddie, Steve, stop!” you shouted. “Stop right now!”
“I’ll never understand what my sister sees in you!” Steve shouted, glaring. “She could do so much better!”
Eddie scoffed and licked his lips. “Like I haven’t heard that before! At least I can land a gal, you strike out on every chance you get! So much for being the Hawkins King!”
“Shut up!” you again yelled.
“Maybe you should listen to your girlfriend! She’s clearly got the brains in this relationship!” Steve smirked. “Third times a charm right?”
“It’s no wonder she hates being at home!” Eddie started, and you froze. “I wouldn’t want to be around someone as idiotic, full of themselves, and a kiss ass like you!”
“Bullshit she doesn’t want to be at home! It’s better than that trailer trash park you’re in! I’m surprised she hasn’t brought home bed bugs or lice!”
“Ask her then! You don’t even try to get to know her anyway, so what does it matter!”
Tears began to well in your eyes and you tried your best to swallow them down. The adrenaline was suffocating, everyone getting their own taste of it. Dustin’s grip slowly lost and Eddie pulled free the rest of the way, Steve finding his way out from Will and Mike. Everyone started yelling all at once when the two got ahold of each other, causing mass chaos to ensue. Fists flying, Eddie landed another blow to Steve’s eye – it would definitely be swollen in the next hour and shut completely by the end of the night. Steve tumbled around with Eddie, landing two good blows into his ribs causing the metalhead to yell out – they weren’t broken but there would definitely be major bruising and tender for a while. You attempted your own chance at pulling them apart, but the force of the two sent you stumbling and Nancy shouted, anger setting in for her at the two acting this way in her home. “Knuckleheads, break it up or I’ll call Hopper!”
The two continued their dance, nearly tumbling into the three of you and Steve slammed Eddie against the counter top. Eddie flailed beneath him and Steve sent a blow to his jaw, causing Eddie to yelp in pain. He glared up at Steve and reached around him for anything that would help him gain some traction.
His hand landed in something mushy, his fingers feeling a heavy, thick, consistency on them but he went with it. Eddie grabbed a fist full and landed a blow into Steve’s face, causing him to gasp and lose his hold. Steve wiped his face, red crumbs and white icing coating his hand. He stared at it before looking up and it was on before you could stop them. Steve grabbed his own fist full and the two went back to it, cake and icing flying in every which direction. Food and drinks came with it and everyone yelled as soon, the entire party was coated in carbonation, crumbs of chips, and icing being flung every which direction. Nancy tried to block herself, screaming out in anger. Oh, how much trouble she was going to be in for this later.
You felt the tears brimming, pushing, and soon tumbling over your waterline. They were heavy, hot, and quickly cascading down your face. Your chest heaved as you struggled to catch your breath and everything moved in slow motion in front of you. The cake was destroyed, demolished, gone, as were any chances of your two favorite people reconciling and putting any differences behind them. There went any chances of family dinners, trips, any chances of enjoying a Corroded Coffin show, any chances of a future that was healthy with either one. You watched as they continued their antics, neither one of them sparing any glance to check on you, to see your reaction, for any sign or confirmation that you were okay. In this moment, it was about Steve and Eddie. It was always about Steve and Eddie. Reflecting and looking back, even when it was you and only one of them, it turned around to discuss the other.
Steve always wanted to know what Eddie was doing, who he was hanging out with, where you were going with him, if Eddie was trying to sell you weed, if you two were drinking. Anything he could get dirt on for your parents. Eddie always wanted to know what Steve was doing, if he was working, when he was working, and when he’d be home so he could plan exactly to come get you at the worst time just to annoy him. It was little things, it was spiteful, and the two couldn’t leave high school behind. Where did you even fit in to the equation? At that point it’d be better for them to just date each other.
Making your way to the now empty cake platter, a splash of Coke greeting you in the face on your trek, you grabbed the glass dish firmly in your hands. The porcelain was completely clean, smooth, no crumbs of what had been. This is what your life would be now; clean, smooth, no crumbs of what had been. The surface, slipping back and forth in your hands, would not survive this fight either. Arms raising above your head, you could hear your pulse in your ears, not even the shout from Robin when she saw what you were doing, it was so loud. Even when you screamed out in frustration, you couldn’t hear how actually loud you were, how it was almost deafening as the realization set over the situation in front of you. Most everyone covered their ears with their hands, wide eyed and cowering back from what was to come. With your screaming, you quickly brought the plate crashing down to the kitchen tile and shards of glass went flying. The small pieces grazed your bare calves, probably not the best time to be wearing shorts. Steve and Eddie were the two closest to the line of fire, both of them turning away and blocking their faces. When the glass had calmed, that’s when your screaming did, and the deafening silence that followed felt louder.
Everyone looked around, food and drink covering every surface in the kitchen and half of the living room. The glass had spread from the bottom of your feet into the line of the living room, down the tile of the kitchen, and even some had managed to bounce to the countertop. All eyes slowly landed on you, Eddie and Steve both finally taking in the mass destruction of what they had caused. Tears continued to stream down your face, mixed with the icing slabbed on your cheek and the stain of Coke all along the collar and upper shoulders of your shirt. Eddie looked to your legs and saw the thin lines of blood from the shards, before meeting your face again. Steve watched as your shoulders shook from the sobs held in, your face as red as the cake you had made.
“Oh, baby,” Eddie started.
“Kiddo, I-“ Steve added at the same time.
“No!” you sobbed. The room grew quiet again. All eyes were on you. This was your time.
“I-“ you started, taking a deep breath to try and align yourself. “I didn’t want to lose- to lose either of you. I wanted th-this to work. Just once!”
Guilt began creeping over the boys, disappointment settled in Steve’s bones as he knew he let you down, Eddie feeling his own tears start to grow at the state you were in. They didn’t want this.
“But now,” you chuckled, causing both boys to go rigid in fear. “Now I realize you’re losing me.”
You looked to each of them, a sob tight in your chest and you choked it back. With shaking hands, you wiped the remaining food from your face, and brushed past the two of them and everyone else. The sobs finally racked your chest as you quickly made your way out the door, slamming it shut behind you.
Steve and Eddie looked around before looking at each other. They both were fucked up. And they had fucked up. Big time.
