#munversummer

This guy was with him, and beautiful, or Eddie supposed. And Eddie was on tour, this is what he's supposed to be doing, not staying faithful to a guy from high school who's probably forgotten all about him.

One wing was whole, feathers rendered in delicate black lines. The other is busted, a broken bone and inky blood spilling down the guy's...

"M'mmm, why are we moving?" He turned and Eddie's breath caught.

It was him. Or someone who looked just like him. Blonde hair, a little longer, was mussed around a perfect, angelic face. Apart from the smudged eyeliner. Christ, he's still haunting Eddie, all these years later.

"Bus is moving to Detroit," Eddie said dryly.

"What?" Jason fucking Carver sat up in alarm, and that's what finally convinced Eddie.

He didn't know how Jason Carver had gotten backstage at a Corroded Coffin concert, let alone wriggled himself into those skintight jeans and the mesh shirt he was tossing over his head now.

"It really is you." Eddie murmured.

Jason shot him a look of abject betrayal. "What?"

"Jason, wh- why are you here?" Eddie asked.

"Why am I here? You asked me. You said come back to the bus, baby?" Jason shook his stupidly tight jeans at the bed. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"But shouldn't you be like... in Hawkins?" Eddie rubbed his forehead.

"You-" Whatever Jason was about to say is swallowed with a gasp as the bus jerked to a stop and he landed hard on the bed, half over Eddie. He tried to struggle away, but Eddie grabbed him hard and yanked him so that they were staring at each other.

"Jason. Why are you here?"

"I t-told..."

"I don't remember last night, I was on mushrooms." Eddie cringed.

"It doesn't matter, it was a mistake-" Jason struggled harder, brushing hard against Eddie's morning wood and drawing a gasp out of them both.

"It does matter," Eddie said after a moment, when he was able to get himself back in control. "Angel. Why were you in Chicago?"

At least he stopped struggling. His eyes are briefly illuminated by a streetlamp through the sliver in the curtains, lucent blue and frightened, so clearly frightened.

"I work there. At a club, I'm a," Jason swallowed. "Dancer. My parents kicked me out and I didn't have money for school."

Eddie digested this for a moment, his stomach fluttering as he took a chance and reached up to cup Jason's cheek. "You came to see me?"

"My friend won the tickets on the radio," Jason bit his lip. "I thought you wouldn't recognize me, and then you did but..."

Eddie cracked a smile and reached out to slap at the light beside the bed so he could get a good look at Jason. "I did. I just didn't believe myself. Fuck, Angel. I've been lookin' for you in every crowd for years. Is it any wonder when I see you I don't believe it."

Jason's lip trembled. "What? You didn't... I mean you're famous now..."

"You think that would ever make me forget you?" Eddie whispered. "I remember everything. I remember kissin' under the bleachers and-"

Jason groaned, shifting a little, rubbing them together. "Eddie."

"You came to see me," Eddie said.

Jason nodded, head still in his hands.

"Did you win the tickets for real?"

Jason paused, unmoving.

"Baby. Did you buy them? To see me?"

Jason held, and then nodded again.

"Fuck." Eddie grinned. "Fucking hell.

Jason made a choked off noise, something like defeat, when Eddie pried those hands away.

It was him, that face that haunted Eddie's dreams, ghostly pale. A little older, a little more tatted, but the same guy who'd taught Eddie what love meant, and then what heartbreak meant too.

"I still love you," Eddie said. "Do you love me?"

Jason's eyes darted around, looking for a way out. He licked his lip, and blinked hard, like he couldn't see Eddie when he said it.

"Yeah. Yes. But Eddie-"

Eddie didn't wait for the moment to kiss, to memorize Jason all over again, from the curve of his lip to the taste of his tongue, to the growl he let out when Eddie pulled back even for just a moment.

Jason curled around him, spreading his thighs and rolling against Eddie in time with the chase of his tongue.

Eddie's thankful, so thankful, Jason hadn't gotten to the jeans yet, because he can spread his fingers over Jason's hips, and adjust him until he's seated just right.

They break, mostly so Jason can trail kisses down to Eddie's neck, nuzzling into his morning stubble.

"Dancer, huh?" Eddie ground up into Jason, relishing the weight of him.

"Want a private show?" Jason muttered, and then jerked away. "Oh fuck. I have work tomorrow. You have to let me out."

Eddie tightened his hands, wherever they were, grabbing Jason's ass so hard he yelped.

"Come with me."

"To Detroit?" Jason frowned.

"To everywhere." Eddie said.

"But... work."

"Let me say the sleezy thing, just one time, but I'll make you work," Eddie said, easing his grip so he can urge Jason into moving his hips again. "But at least Detroit. Call out sick. Come with me. Give me a chance, Angel."

Jason bit his lip, and Eddie remembered so many years ago. A bitten lip and a confusing, rambling speech about how long distance was going to be too hard, how Jason couldn't expect Eddie to wait for him.

Eddie leaned up, taking Jason with him until they could rest their foreheads together.

"I've waited for you, I'm done with it, Angel. Long distance doesn't work, so let's not do it," Eddie said softly. "Please, Jason. Please."

Jason's lip twitched. Somewhere, wings fluttered.

Jason Carver struggled to contain his emotions when the wedding march started playing. His heart was beating like a drum.

Everyone in the hall stood, waiting for the grand entrance. Jason felt his palms sweat and smiled nervously at Chrissy’s brother beside him.

Chrissy entered, arm in arm with her father, her face hidden behind the veil—but Jason could still guess at the happy, shy smile underneath. Her dress was perfect for her: white, airy, not over-the-top. Simple and elegant, like her bouquet of roses and lilies, which filled the air with their perfume.

From the opposite end of the aisle, Margaret—the other bride—had entered too, escorted by her own father. Her dress was also white but slightly sexier, with a mermaid cut and a dramatic neckline. A crown of flowers adorned her head in place of a veil.

After much discussion, the brides had chosen to walk in separately, one in front of the other, so they could see each other at the same moment—neither one robbed of the surprise. Maggie looked more emotional than expected and was on the verge of tears when Chrissy’s father lifted the veil from his daughter’s face and stepped back for the ceremony to begin.

Jason was moved, too. Ten years ago, he might’ve dreamed of being the one at Chrissy’s side. But now, he was genuinely happy for them—especially for Chrissy, who had been brave enough to leave everything behind and find herself. She’d built a little family with Maggie and their cats, and helped Jason find himself, too.

The ceremony was breathtaking. The brides read their vows, and Jason cried like everyone else. Eddie Munson, three seats down, blew his nose so loudly that Chrissy’s mother cleared her throat—twice.

Eddie hadn’t changed much. Jason would recognize him anywhere. No suit, of course—just black jeans, a ridiculous black jacket with red silk lining, and a bat-shaped bow tie. The wedding wasn’t formal, anyway. Eddie had plenty of flaws, but he didn’t lack confidence. And he hadn’t aged badly, Jason thought, blushing, before forcing himself to focus on the celebrant’s speech.

The party was held at a hotel with a large garden and a pool. The weather was perfect. As afternoon turned to evening, the brides changed into more comfortable white dresses to dance, and the music and alcohol began to flow freely.

Eddie was in his element, even if the playlist leaned a little too pop and cheesy for his taste. But it was Chrissy’s wedding, and he was overjoyed for her. She’d found the love of her life—she deserved it, after everything she’d gone through. Eddie had always supported her, but deep down, he sometimes felt she’d been even braver than him.

He danced, drank, greeted old friends, and played with kids until the party turned adults-only. When he started to think that the open bar had been a bad idea, it was already far too late. He was tipsy—and had no plans to stop.

Needing air, Eddie stumbled out to the poolside and flopped into a beach chair. A group was already gathered there—laughing, shouting, singing—and Eddie grinned, tempted to join them, even though he didn’t know most of them.

Then he saw Jason.

They still lived nearby, but their paths rarely crossed. After high school, they’d seen each other a few times, eventually coming to better terms. Eddie wasn’t an angry freak anymore; Jason wasn’t a bigoted jock. They were both still close to Chrissy and had buried the hatchet—but that didn’t mean they hung out.

Jason still looked hot. Eddie cursed the alcohol rushing through his veins for reminding him of that stupid high school crush—because what could be more classic than a freak falling for the golden boy who tormented him?