ales

A few weeks ago, Gareth swiped an extra sheet from Eddie’s folder after you expressed an interest in learning how to play. The game had always fascinated you, but you never had a group to play with, or someone willing to teach you how to play. Erica Sinclair, the girl you babysit from time to time, tried her best to teach you, but her patience couldn’t withstand the many, many questions you had, so you thought your chances of ever learning were a lost cause- until Dustin’s mom gifted him a new set of d&d miniatures for his birthday.

The entire table was amazed- acknowledging even the smallest details on each and every figurine- and you wished you could share their enthusiasm, but you couldn’t tell the difference between a wizard and a sorcerer. While the rest of your friends found themselves enamored by the tiny figurines, you continued to lose yourself in your book. It wasn’t until Dustin silently pushed one of the small pieces in front of you that you looked up from your page.

With a toothy grin, he explained that she was an eladrin sorcerer and that their party could use an eladrin sorcerer- to which everyone agreed. Touched by the gesture, you explained the predicament you were in, and much to your surprise, every single one of them offered to help you learn.

Dustin seemed the most excited- meeting you with the same enthusiasm Erica did when you first expressed an interest to learn before you started asking questions- and Mike and Gareth had already started arguing about who was going to help you design your character, while Jeff chimed in that they should teach you the rules first.

So, the discussion began amongst the rowdy group of boys about how they would introduce you to their magical world, and that night after their campaign, Gareth swiped a sheet from Eddie’s folder.

“I finished filling it out, but I don’t know if it’s ready.” You admit.

“Show us.” Jeff encourages. Hesitantly, you pull the sheet from your binder and place it on the table.

Immediately, they all flock to it, leaning in closer to get a better look while they assess the choices you’ve made. It’s silent for a few seconds, and you realize that your table has never, ever, been as quiet as it is right now. Suddenly, your stomach twists into knots. What if you didn’t fill it out right? What if you created the worst character of all time? Worst of all- what if they laughed at you and your poor attempt to understand their world?

“Sick name.” Gareth beams, earning a nod of agreement from Mike, and your anxiety starts to fade away.

“Thanks.”

“Your dexterity score is great, but we need to raise your constitution score somehow,” Mike adds.

“She needs to play a bit until she’s at least to level four,” Jeff explains. “Then, her modifier will increase from +1 to +2.”

“We could make some new characters to play with you so you don’t die right off the bat and you could get a feel for the game if you wanted.” Dustin offers and the rest of your friends offer you encouraging smiles.

“That would be awesome.”

With a deep sigh, someone occupies the seat at the head of the table- the seat that was reserved for one person, and one person only.

“What do we have here?” Eddie asks, and all eyes flit between you and the leader of the Hellfire Club- the boy you’ve had a massive crush on since the start of your sophomore year.

“Nothing.” You quickly grab the sheet from the center of the table and fold it in half, shielding its contents from his view.

There’s a flash of hurt across his features, one only Gareth seems to notice. He’s the only other person who knows that Eddie’s been hopelessly infatuated with you ever since you started sitting with them, but you never give him the time of day. He’s also the only other person who’s seemed to notice that you act differently whenever Eddie’s around.

“What’d Deck want?” He quickly changes the subject, hoping to ease the growing tension before it becomes unbearable.

“The chance to assert whatever dominance he thinks he has.” Eddie rolls his eyes before turning to Mike and Dustin. “Did you two find a replacement for Sinclair?”

“Not yet, but we’re looking, we swear,” Dustin assures him and Mike furrows his brows, stealing a glance at you before offering an alternative reply.

“You know, Y/N’s been- Ow!” Before he has the chance to make his suggestion, Dustin’s elbow finds his ribs. “What the hell was that for?”

Having become best friends with Steve Harrington over the past few years, Dustin’s become very acquainted with the look of longing. Steve wasn’t convincing anyone when he said he was over Nancy. It was obvious that he wasn’t. Especially with the way he still talks about her like she hung every single star in the sky herself, and continues to look at her with such adoration and desire.

It’s nearly identical to the way you look at Eddie when you think no one is paying attention.

“I just remembered!” Always one for dramatics, Dustin makes a show of slapping his palm to the center of his forehead. “There’s someone we haven’t asked yet.” Mike wants to ask who, but he fears being elbowed in the ribs again. So, instead, he narrows his eyes and silently questions his friend. He doesn’t know what he was expecting, but it’s no surprise that Dustin doesn’t offer him an explanation before gripping the back of his collar and tugging softly, urging him to follow. “We’ll see you tonight!” He bids the group farewell.

“Don’t be late,” Eddie calls after the two freshmen, but they’re already long gone.

Jeff and Gareth exchange a look, and then a subtle nod before Jeff rises from the table.

“Shit man, I just remembered I’ve got to go talk to my math teacher about some extra credit.” He begins gathering his trash and packing away the rest of his food.

“I, uh, I’m feeling a little lightheaded,” Gareth announces, resting his palm against his temple before letting out a forced wince. “I should probably head on over to the nurse.”

You keep your head down and pretend to be immersed in your book, but your heart begins to race when Gareth follows Jeff’s departure- leaving you and Eddie alone at the table.

For a good five minutes, neither one of you says anything. You’ve given up on trying to read. At this point, you’re trying to remain as calm as possible, but it’s proving to be nearly impossible- especially when you can feel Eddie’s gaze on you.

You shift in your seat and he quickly looks away. He knows Gareth’s full of shit, and he’d be willing to be that Jeff’s full of shit, too. Still, the two of you are finally alone at the table together, and he has no idea what to say to you.

“So,” He clears his throat and you nearly jump out of your skin at the sudden sound of his voice cutting through the silence. “What’s your book about?”

“Hm?” You look up and immediately forget the next thing you were going to say as soon as your eyes meet his. It takes a few seconds for you to realize that he asked you a question and when you realize that you’ve just been blankly staring at him, you swallow thickly. “Oh, um, it’s-“It's like you’ve suddenly forgotten how to have a conversation. You could talk about books for hours to anyone who would give you their time, but it’s different with Eddie. With him, you find yourself second-guessing everything. “It’s silly, really.” You finally answer, warmth spreading through your entire body as you lie about your favorite book.

“I bet it’s not.” He encourages gently, coaxing you to open up to him while he offers a kind smile.

“It’s about-“ You try again, but it’s no use. Eddie Munson makes you forget how to function like a normal human being. “It’s just about a girl.”

His lips part, ready to ask another question, but the bell rings and you quickly scurry away. He lets out a defeated sigh, resting his palms against his forehead while everyone around him starts making their way to their next classes.

Eddie can’t bring himself to move. He’s starting to think that he’s absolutely hopeless. He can’t blame you, really. There isn’t exactly a long line of people lining up to talk to the school freak. But he knows your different. He knows that you don’t think of him that way. At least he hopes you don’t. But with your reluctance to talk to him whenever he tries to talk to you, the way you avoid him whenever you see him coming your way, or the way you fish a book out of your backpack whenever he sits down for lunch, he doesn’t know what else to think.

His bad mood follows him for the rest of the day, and it isn’t until he takes his place on his throne that he starts to feel his frustration slip away. This is the only place where he feels like he can truly be himself and let go of whatever shit the day throws his way. He’s just about finished setting up when the door opens and he’s about to make a grand announcement, but the words die on the tip of his tongue when he sees you enter the room with Dustin, Mike, and another girl he’s never seen before.

You were supposed to be babysitting Erica tonight and hoped to spend the rest of the evening finishing your book. You needed the distraction after your almost conversation with Eddie at lunch. Your keys weren’t even out of the ignition when Erica was knocking on your window and telling you that she needed to head back to school.

Eddie’s not sure what’s going on. You don’t look like you’re in on it either, but Gareth and Dustin keep sharing a look with one another. He’s not sure who’s in on whatever this is, but he’s grateful for them. He tries to gather his composure, but as soon as the rest of the club informs him that you’re going to be playing, he’s a goner.

For two hours the party takes everything slow enough for you to follow along. They all take turns interjecting, explaining, and offering advice when you ask for it. Eddie's cheeks remain flushed the entire night. He’s fumbling over his words, and making mistakes he doesn’t usually make, but he can’t help it. His dream girl is literally playing dungeons and dragons two feet away from him. If he’d known you were going to be playing, he would’ve made a more beginner-friendly campaign, but alas, he wasn’t included in the same plans the rest of his friends were.

With almost everyone else dead, it’s a wonder you’re still alive. You’re having so much fun playing, and even more fun watching Eddie in his element, that you don’t even realize that it’s your turn until Eddie gently taps the table next to you.

“What do you want to do, Miss Azara?” He asks, referring to your character and you look to the rest of the group for assistance before answering.

“I want to-“ In your heart, you know what you want to do, but you also don’t want to be the reason the game ends tragically.

Sensing your fear, Dustin places a hand on your forearm, encouraging you to follow your heart. “Go on Y/N, it’s alright.”

“I want to strike.” You know it’s probably not the best idea, but you’re not sure when you’ll ever have the opportunity to play with the Hellfire Club again. If you’re going to go out, you’re going to go out with a bang.

“Go ahead.” Eddie smiles, placing the dice in your palm. His fingertips brush against yours and your breath hitches. It takes you a moment to recover and when you roll the dice, it’s completely silent before Eddie announces, “It’s a hit!”

The room erupts into cheers as Erica and Dustin jump from their seats to engulf you in a hug. You’re so overwhelmed by the praise that you don’t even notice the smile on Eddie’s lips.

Slowly, Gareth makes his way across the room, approaching his friend and dungeon master.

“You let her win, didn’t you?” He asks just above a whisper, even though he already knows the answer. He folds his arms across his chest and raises a brow. There’s nothing accusatory about the gesture, but Eddie bites back a smile as he mimics Gareth’s threatening façade.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He replies coyly, a glint of mischief in his eyes while he steals a quick glance at you and the absolutely gorgeous smile on your face.

“Nicely played, man.” Gareth claps a hand on Eddie’s shoulder before walking back over to his chair and packing up his belongings. You’re still surrounded by your friends as they celebrate your victory, and it’s all a little bit overwhelming, but Eddie thinks it was all worth it, just to see you smile.

He’d do it again in a heartbeat.

A/N: So this idea came to me and I instantly fell in love with it. There is just something about it that leaves me with a feeling of comfort knowing that its Eddie. Anyway, I hope you guys like this one, I sure as hell did.