#train rides

This is for @steddiemicrofic october prompt "train" | wc: 551 | cw: runaway Eddie | rating: G summary: Eddie and Steve meet on a train to Hawkins. AO3

The rumble below Eddie's feet grounds him to the consistent motion of the moving train; clearing his mind and lulling him to sleep. A duffel bag rests under the seat, holding his clothes and other necessities.

His backpack’s clutched tightly in his hands, stuffed with everything he couldn't bare to leave behind; his mother's notebooks, her jewelry, his old teddy bear, and shamefully, his dad's dog tags. That old bastard may be the reason Eddie's left eye can barely open, but he isn't dumb enough to believe he won't miss the asshole. Even though he knows Al won't ever look for him, part of Eddie hopes he'll at least miss him too.

The train slows at a station, and a kid about a year younger than him gets on with a little suitcase and a messenger bag. The conductor tells him to sit next to Eddie so all the unaccompanied minors are in the same place, before he dashes off to do his job.

The boy sits down with an awkward smile and tucks his items under the seat. It's so obvious to Eddie that this kid is a tourist. He's wearing a sweater, with a collar peaking out the top, some kakis, and loafers; but it's the shiny gold watch on his wrist that catches Eddie's eye. No one who lives in Chicago would let their kid get on a train with that just out in the open.

If he was still living with his dad, he might reach over there and lift the piece off him. He's pretty smooth, no one would notice; plus it would make his dad proud, give them enough money to fund his drinking habits and feed his son. The kid’s parents would just assume he left it somewhere or something, not that it would be Eddie's concern.

But Eddie's not living with his dad anymore. He doesn't know where he'll get his next meal, but he promised himself no stealing unless it was from a chain store. They could definitely afford a few lifted loaves of bread.

No, instead of swiping it, he does something even more unthinkable.

“You might want to tuck that watch into your sleeve.” He whispers, leaning in close. “You’re an easy mark.” Eddie looks the boy in the eyes and shrugs, looking away again.

“What does that mean, easy mark?” The kid mumbles back even as he takes Eddie's advice and hides the watch. Eddie rolls his eyes a little.

“It means if someone was looking for something to steal, they'd see you and decide it would be really easy. You're not from around here, you're alone, and that watch tells everyone that your dad can afford another one.” Eddie explains.

“Oh, okay.” The boy says. “My name’s Steve by the way.”

“Eddie.” He replies.

“Why are you on the train?” Steve asks.

Eddie tells him that he's running away to find his uncle in Hawkins.

“I live in Hawkins!” Steve exclaims wiggling in place. “Maybe we can be friends!”

Eddie smiles and agrees.

They talk for the rest of the ride. By the time they get to Hawkins, Eddie’s already a little in love with Steve.

Before they part ways, Steve quickly kisses Eddie's cheek.

Looks like he's not the only one who found love on the train.

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Small railway station at night (originally: Vasúti megállóhely éjszaka) 2025 Acrylic on paper

I made this for the Train Rides square of @fourseasonsbingo. I have been looking forward to this particular picture for a while! Here are my other fills, and the bingo cards I made them for.

This is Strauss and Andrei meeting at the railway station; Medea of Angelopolis came along because it gets to be part of the atrocity family. <3 The pine branches in flower are symbolic of Andrei's happiness at the arrival of his beloved. And the ash tree branches are symbolic of Strauss' memories, but still, they are in flower too. And of course the plants are also there because this is a very small station, a single pair of tracks and perhaps just the one lamp the light puddle of which we see on the left side of the painting, otherwise swallowed up by vegetation.

Once me, my mom,Dad and grandma were travelling in our train to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) when we started talking about the history, ajanta and ellora caves etc. I also knew about Aurangzeb at that time, and of course had no good feelings towards him. So, I loudly said, "Aurangzeb ek number ka ghatiya insaan tha". Translation: Aurangzeb was a really bad and shameless person. Then my mom and grandma told me to shut up so someone did not get offended. I always wondered why I was being told to shut up when I said nothing wrong. Facts are facts. My parents always told me to stay away from religious debates, mughals, and other controversial topics.....

Train Rides in Japanese Cinema

1. Haru (1996)

2. Ritual (2000)

3. All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001)

4. A Gentle Breeze in the Village (2007)

5. Hana & Alice (2004)

6. Mio on the Shore (2019)

7. After the Storm (2016)

8. Happy Hour (2015)

9. Nobody Knows (2004)