Which was exactly why you should have known something was wrong the second he spotted you standing in the Baxter Building lobby dressed for a date. You'd spent nearly an hour getting ready. Sue had even helped you with your hair. Not because you were particularly excited about the date, but because it had been so long since you'd actually gone on one.

The man was visiting New York for a scientific conference with Reed. You were helping Sue prepare the auditorium for Reed’s next lecture when he politely interrupted you. Sue had smirked as she watched the interaction.

You talked for a while, eventually leading to him asking you to dinner and Sue lightly nudging you in encouragement. So, you said yes. He was smart, charming, and had somehow worked up the nerve to ask you out after three days of meetings.

Apparently not according to Johnny. You were checking your reflection in the glass doors when you heard a familiar voice.

“Where are you going all dressed up? Sue got you running around at this hour?” Johnny asked as he approached you.

You turned to find Johnny smirking with his hands in his jacket posckets.

His blue eyes swept over your outfit.

Then his jaw tightened as the realization hit that you were definitely not in your typical “Sue’s number one assistant clothes”.

“A date,” you answered simply.

The word seemed to physically offend him. “A date,” he repeated.

“That's what I said,” you shrugged.

“With who?” He asked, his tone defensive.

You laughed. “Why do you sound like an angry boyfriend?”

“I'm not,” he said too quickly.

“Good,” you said simply.

Johnny's expression darkened. You tried to ignore the strange feeling in your stomach that came with his reaction.

For months the two of you had existed in this weird gray area.

Friends, best friends, honestly. Friends who occasionally kissed. Friends who occasionally spent the night together. Friends who have seen each other naked more times than they could count. Friends who definitely weren't dating but were probably in love if they could gather the courage to tell one another.

You had spent almost every night for the last two months in Johnny’s bed or in your bed with Johnny. Prior to that, it was just sex. Your average, friends with benefits situationship with your boss’s younger brother who was also your best friend. Because that’s totally normal, right?

Somewhere between late night kisses, tangled sheets, and early morning laughter the lines blurred and you found yourself hopelessly in love with him. What you didn’t know was that he was hopelessly in love with you long before you realized you were.

Every time either of you got close to discussing feelings, one of you changed the subject. And it was usually Johnny, which is what lead you to believe the love was completely one sided.

So eventually you'd stopped trying, and when Sue had nudged you before you could say no to this date, you had the epiphany that if you let yourself keep falling back into Johnny’s arms, the cycle would never end.

Now he was glaring at you like you'd personally betrayed him. “What's his name?” he demanded.

“Why?” You asked, raising your brow at him, testing him.

“Because,” he said confidently, like that explained all the emotion swirling in his irises.

“That's not an answer,” you said, crossing your arms over your chest.

Johnny rolled his eyes, “fine. Because I want to know."

“Daniel,” you said simply.

“Daniel,” Johnny repeated like it was an insult.

You sighed, “what is your problem?”

"Nothing,” he grumbled.

“Johnny,” you scolded, losing patience for his behavior.

“Nothing,” he nearly whined back like a child having a tantrum.

You stared at him and he stared right back. You narrowed your eyes, trying to read him.

“If you have something to say, something that might effect whether I go on this date,” you took a deep breath, willing the strength to finish your thoughts, “I suggest saying it before Daniel gets here.”

The tension stretched between you. Your heart was beating so loud you were sure he could hear it.

His eyes flicked to your lips, and for a moment you thought he was going to do it.

He simply shrugged, “nope… nada.”

You nearly flinched at his words. You shook your head, “okay,” you stepped around him, “have fun acting weird and being mad for no reason whatsoever.”

His voice followed you, “maybe he's boring.”

You stopped in your tracks just as you reached the door and turned around to face him again, “what?”

“I'm just saying. I know what makes you laugh.” He paused as if he was trying not to cringe at his own words, “you don't even know him.”

“Exactly,” you blinked, “you wouldn’t know… because you don’t go on them, but that’s the point of a date.”

Johnny opened his mouth and then closed it. He was very rarely left speechless.

His hands clenched at his sides. For one second you thought he might actually say whatever he was feeling, that your words had gotten to him just enough to make him drop to his knees for you.

Instead he muttered, “Forget it. Have fun.”

Your heart sank. Just like it always did when it came to Johnny and his feelings.

So you forced a smile, “goodnight, Johnny.”

You turned and pushed the doors open without sparing him another glance.

Johnny stomped so loudly back into the penthouse the walls were nearly shaking.

“Woah tough guy, I thought you were Ben shaking the apartment like that,” Sue said from the couch, “what’s got you so worked up?”

He huffed an annoyed laugh and continued walking towards his rooms, ignoring her advances.

“Okay, turn back around and sit down.” She demanded.

He took a deep, annoyed breath, but he knew better than to defy her. He rolled his shoulders and turned around, taking a seat across from her on the couch.

“Did you see my assistant in the lobby?” She asked teasingly, knowing that you were much more than that to both of them, and also knowing you were headed on your date.

The truth was she couldn’t stand to watch you both continue this dance. You thought you were smooth, sneaking out of his room in the morning, reeking of his cologne when she found you in her office before eight o’clock. She’s known for a while, and she’s also known you both belong together but won’t admit it.

“Yes. I saw her.” He said simply, acting grumpy.

She hummed in response, “she looked pretty, I helped her do her hair—”

“Sue, what is this?” Johnny asked accusingly.

She scoffed, “you know exactly what this is.”

He shook his head and let out a laugh, “what do you want me to do, huh? Sit here and tell you I’m in love with her? Go crash her date? She’s not mine.”

Sue raised her eyebrows, closing the book that was in her lap, “well I’ll admit, I thought it was going to be a lot harder than that to get you to say it.”

Johnny's mouth was slightly open, his eyes wide, “holy shit. Did you set this up?”

Sue bit her lip and shrugged.

“You are evil sister,” he said with a laugh. He ran his hand down his face.

“So what’re you gonna do about it?” She asked, raising a brow at him.

He threw his hands up in exasperation, “do you know where she is?”

She nodded with a smile.

Daniel had met you on the side walk just as you had willed the courage to keep your tears behind your eyes.

The restaurant was beautiful and the food was amazing. It was the type of restaurant you weren’t sure how he managed to get a reservation at on such short notice.

Daniel was perfectly nice and you were miserable.

Why the hell were you miserable? The sweet, tall, brunette with floppy eyes and brown eyes was basically yearning for you from across the table.

He was polite and ordered the perfect dishes and a delicious bottle of wine. But you couldn’t even taste the food or the wine. Because every few minutes your brain replayed Johnny's expression in the lobby.

You hated how much it bothered you and there was a storm inside your mind raging so loudly that you weren’t even listening to the sweet man across from you.

“So,” Daniel said with a smile, “I was hoping maybe tomorrow I could—“

A loud voice interrupted him from behind you.“absolutely not.”

Your eyes widened and slowly, you turned around, twisting uncomfortably in your chair. Although, you didn’t need to turn to know who’s voice it was.

Johnny stood in the middle of the restaurant breathing heavily like he'd sprinted ten blocks to get there.

Half the restaurant had already noticed him and stopped their conversations to listen in.

The flames were sizzling off his hands and there was some smoke left from it, did he just blast through New York to interrupt your date?

“Johnny,” you hissed.

“Oh, good. You're still here,” he said, his lips twitching up into his signature smirk.

“What are you doing?" You whisper yelled.

“I've been asking myself that for thirty minutes,” he took a few steps closer so that he was leaning against the small table you were sharing, “had to pick a place all the way downtown, huh?”

“Oh my god,” you ran a hand down your face, thoroughly embarrassed.

Daniel looked thoroughly confused, but Johnny was looking at you.

“You know what?" he said, “you were right.”

Your stomach dropped, “about what?”

"Me being weird,” he said.

Several nearby diners were openly staring now and when you glanced around and saw you wanted the floor to swallow you whole.

Johnny didn't seem to care.

“I've been acting like an idiot,” he continued.

“Johnny—” you tried to cut him off.

“No, let me finish,” Johnny took a breath and suddenly every trace of humor vanished from his face, “I hate that you're here with him.

Your heart stopped.

“I hate that some other guy gets to make you laugh tonight,” he was dead serious.

The room disappeared, Daniel was clearing his throat, but neither you or Johnny flinched, holding each others gaze.

There was only Johnny, even the sound had faded around you. Only those blue eyes fixed on yours.

“I hate every date you've ever gone on,” he took another step closer. “And I know I don't get to be mad because you aren't mine.” Johnny swallowed hard, “but I want you to be.”

The entire restaurant gasped collectively. You were pretty sure you did too, but honestly you think you blacked out for a moment.

Johnny's voice softened, “you make every day better. I look for you at the end of every day. I see you in everything I do.”

Your eyes burned.

“And somewhere along the way I fell completely in love with you. You’ve had my heart for months,” he nearly whispered the confession.

Daniel slowly raised his hand, “I feel like I should leave.”

“Its probably in your best interest to do so,” Johnny said without glancing toward him. His eyes remained locked on yours.

You didn’t say anything, you felt like your throat had gone completely dry and you were dizzy.

From the corner of your eye, you saw Daniel throw cash on the table before scurrying away.

“Good luck with whatever,” he pointed between the two of you, “… this is.”

Johnny never took his eyes off yours, “if you don't feel the same, that's okay, but I couldn't sit there knowing I might lose my chance because I was too scared to tell you.”

Your heart was pounding so hard it hurt, “you idiot,” you let out a wet laugh.

Johnny laughed weakly, “yeah.”

“You absolute idiot,” you said with a smile.

“I've been told,” he smiled back.

Tears filled your eyes.

Then you stood up from your chair, and before he could say anything else, you closed the distance between you and you kissed him.

The restaurant erupted into applause, snapping you back into reality enough to make you realize you caused a scene, but not enough to make you pull away from him.

Johnny kissed you back instantly, his hands finding your waist. It wasn’t like your usual lustful ones, it was slow and passionate, like you had been waiting your entire life for this.

When you finally pulled apart, both of you were breathless. He rested his forehead against yours.

“Soooo… you love me too?" He asked with a smirk.

You rolled your eyes, “I've been in love with you for like forever."

Johnny groaned dramatically, lare you kidding me?”

“You couldn't tell?” You asked. His hands still held your waist tightly as you stood there.

“No!” He said, “we’ve wasted so much time being stupid.”

Johnny pulled you closer, “well,” his grin finally returned, “what happens now?”

You smiled, “first?” You brought your hands to his chest, resting them comfortably.

“Yeah?” He smirked, getting excited.

“You apologize to Daniel,” you bite your lip, knowing that’s not what he wanted to hear.

Johnny looked over at the door, “honey, we scared him right off. He’s long gone.”

Then he looked back at you. The expression on his face was so full of affection it made your chest ache.

"Second?" He asked.

You smiled, “second, we’re going to finish this bottle of very nice wine and talk about how we finally stop pretending we're just friends.”

Johnny's answering grin lit up the entire room, “best idea you've ever had.”

Tags (all): @ilocuras24 @nyxmoretti @kmc1989 @destinyg237

EDDIE MUNSON FINALLY HAD everything line up the way he always desired.

Older now, Eddie no longer thought of his time in Hawkins like some oppressing weight he'd never unshackle himself from. He was no longer a shadow of his father's fuck ups, nor was he a lively mass of flesh that people percieved as unworthy. Throwing every damn insult under the sun, shunning and condemming him to a life of isolation.

He had dreams he obtained through sheer persistence. One too many demos sent to big-time producers, long months of perfecting one bridge just to appear enough. Enough to market to a large group of people and feel positive about the outcome.

He became someone who he only ever aspired to be when he was banging hopes into every lifeless crowd at The Hideout. He committed to the craft, though, demanding some compensation for the effort when most people in Hawkins tried with all their might to snuff him out.

Now, it had finally paid off. Aspiring artists actually came to him for advice now. Crowds congregated where his fingers plucked out a tune in beat with his band. He was now the inspiration he always sought out.

He tried to stay humble. That was the important part. To never let the noise thin the genuine humbleness that crafted him. He didn't even care about the money, that wasn't what he sought out. It kept him alive, but didn't poison his mind.

He was still always that Eddie that lived in the trailer with Wayne and got spit on by petty kids who hated people who lived outside the norm.

The most important thing Eddie was granted through this whole journey was you.

You had been there since the beginning. When he was trying to climb the pedestal in the heart of Los Angeles. No money, no backup, just sheer spite to prove to himself that he could be something. He stumbled, made you intrigued with his awkward delivery of words, and decided then that you would give him a chance.

Four years down the road, and you were still here.

Tonight was an award show. He had played this game several times now, and still, he was in awe. How had he even gotten here? Sometimes, he couldn't just quite connect his reality to his brain. It had to have been a dream. Some out of body experience that he'd soon fly back down to earth from.

Your hand perched on his thigh the whole show to keep the leg from taking flight. He still got nervous in front of crowds, even if he relished in the feeling at the same time. He always had attention drawn to him, but deep down, he always cared how he was perceived.

One hand on his thigh, he clung to your other hand with one of his. Grounding. As if he was still having a hard time believing you were here. You had been for a long time. Always so supportive in a way that made his belly turn to mush. He was lovestruck, gushy, completely dedicated to making sure you were always taken care of.

When his band won one of the bigger awards of the night, he forgot all about his firing nerves and bounced up the stage before anyone else. He grabbed the award and told the world about the lovely star that always kept him on the right path. Four years down and the world practically knew how devoted he was to you.

He barely remembered to pass the mic off to someone else. He couldn't steal all the limelight. He stepped back, his heart pounding in his chest. He basked in the moment. He was proud of his band, proud of himself, and proud of you.

He was just grateful.

He could never go to bed early. He was full of pent-up adrenaline and needed to release it somehow. Wandering in fancy attire down the streets of Los Angeles seemed like the perfect idea.

He was just happy.

There was a random store selling knick knacks still open. The blue light illuminated from the inside, inviting Eddie closer. He dragged you into the chilled room, already browsing.

You separated from him at one point, lazily sesrching the shelves. He watched you for a long moment, relaxed expression on your face as you wandered. He always found his eyes drifting to you, partly because he wanted to ensure you were safe. A silent habit he acquired from years ago.

He didn't divulge much about his last years in Hawkins. But the silvery, raised scars along his body were hard to pass off completely. He said vague answers, like how Hawkins suffered an earthquake and he got caught in the eye of the storm. But that was the farthest thing from the truth.

He never expressed how simple coughing sometimes brought him right back to choking on his blood as he lay on the ground, surrounded by the nightmare version of his hometown. Didn't tell you about the fear he felt for days knowing he was most likely damned if he ever made it out of the Upside Down. Maybe part of him never wanted to make it out.

But he did.

Because he learned that some people are too stubborn for their own good.

He woke up in a hospital two towns out of Hawkins before it closed to quarantine. Was somehow cleared of any murder charges, the slate wiped clean.

He took that second chance and left for a brighter future, Wayne moving along with him. He bared the brunt of Eddie's reputation in that forsaken town as well. And just because the law decided he was okay, rumors never died.

He started over. Which meant some parts of his past were too damn much. But it always bled onto the music had written. Maybe that was enough to curb some of your quiet concern. You never pushed for more, understanding the wound was still festering in some way.

Maybe one day he would tell you.

He picked a stupid item off the shelf, contemplating for a moment as if it was some profound thing. He looked at you then the item, grinning softly to himself. He was nothing if not spontaneous.

You found him just as he made one choice.

"What do you have there?" you asked, startling him. He hadn't realized you had left from where his lovestruck eyes saw you just moments before.

He hid the item as if it was linked to a crime. His smile was sheepish now. He rocked on the balls of his feet. "Nothing…" he said quickly. "Just look away while I pay for it, okay?"

You raised an eyebrow, assessing him. "Okay, weirdo," you said. "Do your thing, I guess."

He scampered off to the counter, already pulling out the cash.

It was well past midnight when the both of you entered the home you shared. Eddie was finally feeling the exhaustion that was beginning to curl in his shoulder blades. It had been a long day of getting presentable for the world. he loved it, but it was still an out-of-body experience.

You wandered off to the bathroom while he sought a glass of water in the kitchen. Part of him itched to go straight for a bottle, but he had fought hard to break the bedtime routine of drinking. He didn't want to be someone lost and reliant on it.

You made him want to be as present as possible.

A drink or two was fine when somewhere like a party. But here? He tried really hard to draw lines because he knew how he got.

He made it into the bathroom just as you started the shower, shedding your clothes. He propped himself against the doorjam, admiring you with soft brown eyes. God, he was so in love with you.

Your eyes tracked him as you started to step into the stream, a silent gesture of "come here" with your finger. He obeyed, always drawn in. He would've followed anyway, but he liked the invitation.

He circled around you as soon as he was in, kissing the back of your neck with a quiet hum. His arms wound around your body, making you both stand under the spray for a moment. He rocked unconciously, pressing several more kisses to your neck, cheek, and chin. Anywhere his lips landed.

He wasn't trying to start anything. He just wanted to be with you. To wind down from the long day. You had a way of grounding him. Just like you had a habit of taking away those dark thoughts surrounding Hawkins without even knowing it.

Eventually, he did actually let you get clean. The bathroom was steamy when the both of you stepped out. He grabbed your towel, wrapping you gently with a quick kiss to your forehead to seal the deal. You had a tired smile on your face the whole time.

He had a towel tried around his waist as you did the rest of your night routine back in the bedroom. He felt some resolve hit his chest and he reached into his discarded jacket to find the item he bought earlier.

He unwrapped it quickly, peeking over to make sure you didn't hear or see.

His smile was boyish and nervous as he closed the distance. He had no plan, just sheer emotion.

"Baby…" he called.

"Hm?"

He crawled across the bed, wet curls dripping onto the comforter. He could've totally walked like a normal person to your side of the room, but his brain was sort of mush right now.

"Can you look at me?" he asked.

When your head turned and your eyes found him perched on the bed, he felt those nerves spike, nearly swallowing him whole in their abruptness. Oh god, his throat felt like it was closing on him.

He cleared the phlegm as best he could. His voice cracked slightly when he spoke next and he winced. "Will… you… will you marry me, baby?"

He held up the sacred item: a silly, red ring pop.

You looked amused if anything. taking in the sticky candy versus the tense look on his face. "What's this, Eds?" you asked.

"I'm serious," he breathed, words leaving him. "I'm really fucking serious right now."

His hand actually started shaking as doubt started to trickle in. Maybe the ring pop was too unserious for such an important moment. But he had always been one to indulge in the comedy. And suddenly he couldn't read your face.

"I can try again with a different ring if that's the issue, bu-" there really was no issue at all, and exactly 20 seconds had passed since he asked. He was just really good at preparing for the worst when it came to a major life change.

"Eds," you huffed out a soft chuckle. You weren't mocking him, and if he was able to look at this objectively, he'd realize you were going through your own moment of surprise. "There's nothing wrong with anything. Let me answer before you explode, yeah?"

He took a deep breath, an embarrassed tug of his lips. "Yeah. Yeah. Okay."

You cupped his cheeks, thumb running over his cheekbone. He sighed and leaned into the touch, a sucker for you.

"Of course I want to marry you," you finally answered, his heart stopped or started. He wasn't quite sure, but he did feel light. "Ring pop and all."

Those words were like heaven to hear.

Halfway through the next day you found Eddie with the remains of your ring pop. You gasped and he turned to look at you with wide eyes.

"Baby! It's not what it looks like!" he exclaimed.

"My ring!" you cried. "Does this mean we have to get divorced now?"

Eddie looked horrified.

"We haven't even gotten married and you already want to divorce me?" He stood up, determined. "I'll get you five more ring pops!"

You giggled. "Eds, just get me a real ring."

Strange, he wasn’t expecting anyone and he wasn’t blasting loud music so no neighbours should be complaining… Ignoring it was always a safe option but the knocking seemed almost polite, so it probably wasn’t some asshole jock trying to torment him again. No harm in checking, right?

Just as he made his way to the front door the knocking stopped, still, he opened the door to check outside.

There you were, already turned around from the door and making your way away from his trailer. Eddie noticed how hunched over you seemed, almost as if ashamed or trying to make yourself smaller.

“Hey! Wait, come back!” He called out and was going to go after you before he realised that going outside in just his sweatpants and no shirt might only scare you away. He rushed back inside scrambling for a shirt, a sweatshirt, a blanket, anything to cover up. He usually wouldn’t care but it was you. And he sure did care about you. His guardian angel who dropped down to Earth and somehow landed on the picnic table just as he was dealing for one of your friends.

He was glad to hear your footsteps coming back but it worried him when he heard a few sniffles. Screw the shirt, he had never turned around quicker.

There was an evident pout in your lips and your eyes had a slight gloss to them, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t worried.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” His hands found your upper arms, his thumbs instantly rubbing a soothing motion over them.

You put your hands over your face, trying to hide from him.

“It’s stupid.” It came out in a mumble from behind the palms of your hands.

“Hey- no- nothing’s stupid when it’s you, angel.” The petname came almost naturally when it was you. Still, it earned a snort from you, you slowly removed your hands from your face.

“Angel is so not something you say.” Even though you found it annoying, there was still a soft blush on your cheeks, it made Eddie smile, his own cheeks earning dimples.

“Maybe, but it fits you so I don’t really care.” His thumbs continued their motions as he kept looking at you with this adoring look in his eyes that was so familiar and so Eddie you couldn’t help but calm down.

“So, want to tell me about it?”

-

“-and I studied so hard just to barely write anything on the test, I don’t know what happened…” you were sat on his couch holding a cup of orange juice (as it was the only beverage in the trailer aside from milk or tap water).

“Well, you gave it your all and exams are rigged anyway and-“ Eddie sat next to you on the sofa, desperately trying to get his point across.

“Or I’m stupid.” You countered his argument, his eyes immediately widened.

He turned to you and found you staring into nothing with a bitter expression on your face. He could practically hear your thoughts, repeating that same word. Stupid stupid stupid.

“If you’re stupid, I am beyond lost and America is doomed. You’re the smartest person I know.” It was still evident you didn’t believe him.

“Come on, think about it, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have passed any of my classes this year. Smartest girl I’ve ever met, I’m telling you.” He nudged your shoulder with his.

“…Not smart enough, apparently.”

A soft sigh escaped your lips. But your breathing wasn’t shallow and your eyes weren’t glossy like when you first entered the trailer, so Eddie felt a sense of relief.

“Want to do something?” He nudged your shoulder again, making you sway slightly.

“…or maybe smoke something…?” He continued in a hushed and dragged out voice.

“Eddie, I didn’t bring any money with me… I wasn’t even planning on smoking today-“

“Nonsense, time to activate your sad-girl-discount.”

Eddie practically jumped off the couch and rushed into his room to get his pre rolled joint, one that he planned to smoke on a better occasion than you getting a bad grade, but alas…

That’s how the two of you ended up laying in his bed, hazy and calm. Overtaken by the silent melody of his cassette player, interrupted by nothing but the cheery chirping of birds outside and the soft static of your thoughts. This time they weren’t filled with thoughts of failure, but with quiet reassurance that everything was going to be okay.

You try to stifle a laugh, “Sorry, He’s just having a rough night.”

The clown offers you the flower balloon rather insistently as Eddie bursts out, “A rough night!”

“Thank you,” you say as you take the balloon in hand. 

Eddie continues behind him, “A rough night, you gotta be kidding.”

The clown gives Eddie another side-eye before offering you an arm, which really doesn’t help Eddie’s current temper. He scoffs and turns from the two of you, stomping back through the cars. You frown, and the clown steps back to draw his fingers over his lips to match the cartoonish smile painted on his lips. 

“Sorry,” you tell him with an attempted smile, “I need to take care of this. I did lie to him about where we were going.”

The clown nods and steps aside, gesturing to Eddie, shouldering his way through the crowd. You follow after him slowly, trying to give him a moment to settle. You find him leaning against your car, cigarette to his lips, leg bouncing in irritation.

“Baby,” you say softly as you settle next to him. Your nose wrinkles as he blows out smoke. His head turns to settle on you with an upset stare.

“No baby here,” he bites, “Only a schmuck you lie to to get what you want.”

You sigh, head dipping. That hurt, but he was right. You had lied to him because you wanted to go to the carnival, “I know I shouldn’t have, but I wanted to go to the carnival, and I didn’t think you would hop on board and come with. It would’ve been lame if I came by myself.”

He kicks the dirt, taking another drag of his cigarette, “That doesn’t make it right. I hate it when people lie.”

“I know,” you frown, “I’m sorry, Eddie. We can go home.”

You shift the flower balloon in your hand, the plastic squeaking as you attempt to dig your keys from your purse. Eddie snatches the flower from your hand and glares down at it as he tosses his cigarette to the side.

“Why don’t you hang out with your boyfriend? I’m sure he’d keep you company and make you a whole bouquet of stupid balloon flowers,” He grumbles as you pull your keys out, “and probably win you any prize you want and make you laugh cause he’s fuckin’ clown and-”

“Eddie,” you snap your finger, and his glare leaves the balloon to look at you, “You can not seriously be jealous of a clown.”

He shrugs nonchalantly, “So what if I am? Sleezeball came onto you in the middle of our argument, and you just took the flower. Might as well replace me already.”

You stare at him, blink, then stare longer, “... Please tell me you're joking.”

He shrugs again, and you fight the urge to roll your eyes and curse at him. You settle on something that would hopefully salvage the evening, “Eddie, I don't want some carnival clown. I want you. I like you. I know I should have told you my plans, but I just wanted to go on a fun date with you. I didn’t think you’d be against the carnival, a place society claims is full of ‘freaks’.”

He presses a breath through his teeth before he meets your eye, “I’m being too dramatic about this, aren’t I?”

“You said you’d break up with me,” you reply flatly. At the time he’d said it, it was more playful, but your following argument admittedly made you feel queasy at the thought. 

His eyes widen, “Princess, I didn’t mean it like that.”

His hand reaches to curl over your shoulder before dragging you in a hug. The balloon flower pressing to your head, “I don’t ever want to break up with you. I’m sorry.”

You hug him back gently, not the full force you usually hug him back with, as you mumble against his chest, “I’m sorry too. I just want to spend time with you and do something different.”

You two stand there for a long time, wrapped up in each other as you listen to the sounds of the carnival and groups of people walking by. You settle on the fact that you would probably go back to Eddie’s trailer for the night to watch a movie or listen to him practice his guitar, which is fine. You enjoy it, but that's just what you would normally do.

Eddie lets out a sigh, far to dramatic for it to be one of upset. You tip back to look at him. He gives you a cheeky smile.

“We can do your carnival thing,” he says softly, “If you buy me funnel cake.”

You grin at his folding, “I will buy as much funnel cake as you want.”

He shifts, arm over your shoulder as he pulls you to walk, “Don’t tempt me. You’ll be bankrupt before the nights over. Also we will be avoiding any clowns.”

You snort, “Really?”

“He was way too charismatic for a man who said nothing. You were swooning, I know it.” He announces, and you shake your head, far too happy to argue anymore.

-------------

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