Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

November 7th, 1983. Just 10 hours after Will Byers was supposed to be home on the 6th and half an hour when he was meant to be at school. The day everything would start going to shit.

Eddie Munson, young metalhead, dressed in a stereotypical red flannel with ripped sleeves, paired with a Mötley Crüe shirt, torn black jeans that hung loosely on his thighs to his ankle and white sneakers that were plastered in dirt, was finally in agreement with the town of Hawkins for once. Will Byers going missing is a pure mystery. Sadly enough, there was no search party just yet, which found him in Jonathan Byers room, comforting his one and only friend on his baby brothers disappearance. Jonathan, dressed in a dark denim jacket, navy blue and dark beige flannel, plain old blue shirt and jeans close to matching his denim colour wise and leather clad boots, hadn't stopped venting for at least an hour. Originally, Eddie was coming to pick him up for school, knowing that Joyce would be too caught in grief to drive right without getting lost in guilty thought. Now, here he was an hour later, best friend in his arms, rubbing his back as his voice wobbled to the point he was about to cry. He couldn't blame him. 

Eddie witnessed how close the Byers siblings were ever since him and Jonathan were eleven, six years of watching and wonderful sibling bond. Eddie wanted something like that, and he admitted his jealousy the first time he was ever high and taken home by Jonathan, in which he responded that he and Will considered Eddie a brother, which he cried and thanked Jonathan. But now that he's witnessing a breakdown over the loss of his friends sibling, he wanted to help him more than ever, rekindle something that he knows won't be lost forever. 

After two hours of being in one anothers hold, Joyce had come in to see if Jonathan had left since Eddie's van was outside. "Why.. Uh.. Why aren't you at school, boys?" She asked, her eyes red and puffy. Eddie felt bad for Joyce too. A single mum of two, holding two jobs and trying to contact a dead beat dad about their missing son. Jonathan wiped his eyes and left Eddie's hold. "We were just going." He said simply. Like he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Eddie nodded and stood up, Jonathan following suit. "Okay, be safe. And keep an eye for Will... Please."

" 'Course, Miss Byers. We'll keep a close eye." Eddie said for Jonathan as they walked through the bungalow and out to the beaten up van outside. The ride to Hawkins High was silent aside from the blaring of Mötley Crüe's Shout at the Devil. At least it was a comfortable silence. When they arrived in the parking lot of the school, Eddie took notice of three people outside, Tommy Hagan, Carol Perkins and Steve Harrington. Fuck. Jonathan left the van, camera hanging around his torso, from his left to right side. He didn't seem to notice. Eddie hated how those three asshats thought they were better than them, but one thing he thanked them for was how they gave him the label he was proud to wear, 'The Freak'. 

Eddie hurried out of the van and to Jonathan, leading him to another entrance. "Eddie what-"

"Narc's, twelve o'clock, we're going in the back." He hurried, making Jonathan run when Hagan spotted them and pointed towards them. Now, neither of them were scared, necessarily, but Eddie didn't want his grieving friend to have more issues than necessary. 

The day went by really damn slow, especially with Mrs O'donnell on his ass about his shitty grade. He felt as if he was gonna combust. Finally, he was able to leave. Riddled with tiredness and boredom, he searched for Jonathan, having no luck. It was like he left already. Whatever. He probably took the long walk home for some alone time. Eddie sighed and made his way to his van, noticing Tommy give him a sort of look, like disgust. He was used to it. At least until Steve looked at Eddie too. Steve 'The Hair's Harrington, King Steve, King of Hawkins, gave him the same look. It felt like an honour he was freaky enough to get Steve to look at him like that. He would've kept moving, if he didn't notice the dainty figure of Nancy Wheeler with the trio of assholes. As confusion took over, his brain blocked out whatever Steve or Tommy were saying as he stopped and stared. "Nancy?" He whispered before he felt a fist collide with his face, making him stumble as the rest of the world came back into focus. "We said move along, freak!" Tommy yelled, Eddie's blood evident on his pale fist. 

To keep his freaky nature going, to show he didn't care as he had hoped would work, he laughed. "My apologies, sire," he laughed. "Just taking in the new addition to your... Possee." Eddie finishes before moving on. He hears the group chatter away, not hearing Nancy at all, as if she wanted to keep quiet about what happened. She always spoke on what was on her mind. 

After a long night, November 8th rolls around. Eddie hasn't heard or seen anything of Jonathan since third period of the day before. He sighs and pushes himself off his bed and avoiding dirty clothes strewn about his floor as he traversed through his and his uncle's trailer. Wayne wasn't anywhere in sight so he presumed he was sleeping, getting energy for his night shift. Eddie sighed again, feeling fatigue from his sleepless night as he made searched for his Hellfire Club shirt. Hellfire was his D&D club which he convinced the principal to let him starts and run. There were very few in his party, but it was something. While their next session was a week on Monday, while it was currently Friday, he wore the shirt some days if he had nothing else. Once found, he stared at the devil printed shirt. Will always wanted to be a part of Hellfire, being a young DM himself, and Eddie made a promise that he'd be a part of it and possibly be the club leader one day. And if he had anything to say about it, he sure as hell will be. 

The morning went by slowly. And Eddie had a few notes. One, Jonathan needs to be less creepy. Watching what happened between Jonathan and Steve was bad and hard to miss. Don't get him wrong, he loves Jonathan, a lot... But that was a little bit of a what the fuck. Two, Steve's a bigger dick than he thought initially... Somehow. And it's only been twenty minutes since he left home. 

Eddie runs over to Jonathan as Nancy walked away from him. "Dude... That was something." He said, helping Jonathan put the broken camera away into his bag. "Like... Something, something." Jonathan sighed and looked at Eddie, a defeated look building in his eyes. "I know... I'm sorry you had to see that."

"Hey, hey, hey, Dingus, don't be." Eddie hushed at him, embracing him closely. "I can't even imagine how you feel after what he said, dude. I'll beat his ass." Eddie groaned into Jonathan's hair before letting him go. "Let's get on with today then go to my place. Wayne won't be home and I've got a new stash!"

"Thanks but no, man. I gotta help my mom tonight." Eddie nodded, patting Jonathan's shoulder. "No wrong done, my freaky-deeky friend! You help your mom, I'll have a look 'round the trailer park for a sign." Eddie said before making his way inside. If only he'd have known what would happen later that night. 

After the day had passed, it was now 11 at night and Eddie was beginning to lose hope in his solo search. He extended from the park to the forest behind it and had searched for almost four hours. Now, he was debating on going home and getting high or searching until sunrise. And he was letting the thoughts of being on another plane of existence would do his state better. That is until he heard multiple branches snap behind him. "The fuck?" He whispered to no one, fishing for his flashlight that was tied to his belt. When he finally got it out, more branches snapped, causing Eddie to quickly turn but bash his bare elbow on a tree, scraping it. "Fucking- Bitch!" His yell echoed through the trees as he felt a lazy river of blood fall down his arm. Thin skin sucked. Eddie, luckily didn't hear more branches snap, so he assumed it was just a fox or something. Do you get foxes in Indiana, let alone Hawkins? He didn't know or truly care. 

He traversed for another ten minutes before he heard the cries of a person and then a guttural groan of something... That was certainly not a human. Eddie began to panic. Was someone hurt? Was he gonna get hurt? Was he gonna die? His breath quickened. He needed to get home or to those people now! But the people were closer. Then, he saw it. This gangly, gastly looking creature emerged from behind a tree a few feet away from him.. No eyes we're glinting back at him, but... Teeth. A load of sharp teeth, up, down and sideways. Eddie kept his flashlight on it, a look of terror on his face, tears building. Oh fuck, he's gonna die. He dropped the flashlight as he released a guttural scream and fucking ran to the voices he had heard, screaming and begging for help. 

"HELP ME, HOLY FUCKING- PLEASE! ANYONE! HELP!" there was no way the people wouldn't hear him... He truly hoped they weren't deaf, that would be just his luck. He had tripped and stumbled multiple times, only trying to quicken his pace whenever he heard the thing roar or run as well. Then he saw a light. The people. Eddie almost began to laugh in triumph when he saw the light. "HEY! YOU THERE!" He called, the echoes seeming to fade away from his mind. He felt like he was going to pass out. Two figures arose from where they had been sat, looking towards Eddie, and he could only barely see their faces. Jonathan and Nancy. Good. People he knew. As he approached, he saw Nancy's body bend over and pick something up. A yell of 'duck' caught his ears and he did so... Well, no, he didn't, he tripped again. Something flew over his head, bullets or a stick, he couldn't comprehend it. Either way, he acknowledged the creatures screech and the stomps of its feet fade away. 

A pair of hands grabbed Eddie and pulled him up, shaking him. "Eds! Hey, you okay? Talk to me, Eddie, talk to me!" Jonathan looked at his friends drousy face, sighing when he realised he wasn't dead. "Who's.. Oh, shit. Him." Nancy sighed before helping Jonathan hold him up. "Quite an athlete he is." Nancy tried to joke as they walked, Eddie's legs tiredly helping them, but not doing much. "Believe it or not, he's really good at class track when he has food in his system." Jonathan tried to joke back. His sense of touch slowly began to return once they got back to their car. Did Nancy always feel so grimy and slimy? "You feel gross." Eddie turned to Nancy, Nancy turning to him and giving him a look of 'what?'. The she realised what he meant and cleared her throat. "You'll understand when you're not almost passing out from malnutrition." She said stiffly, as if she was unsure Eddie would believe her, even though he saw the same monster she did. Jonathan opened the car door and placed Eddie on the seat, putting the belt on him. "Yours or-?"

"Mine, yeah, my mom won't be there and my dad will sleeping so we can sneak in, easy." Nancy looked up at Jonathan. He can tell she was putting up a front of bravery and normality, even though she almost possibly died and almost watched Eddie die too. Bad night. Jonathan nodded and shut the door before heading towards the drivers seat and Nancy going to the passenger seat. 

The drive to the Wheelers residence was mostly quiet, save for the soft playing if The Beatles, the voice of John Lennon or Paul McCartney singing Strawberry Fields Forever. No one in the car could tell the difference between the two Brits voices. When they arrived, as Nancy led Eddie upstairs to her room, Jonathan snuck past Mr Wheeler and grabbed drinks of water and whatever food Eddie and Nancy would want as he expected them to be the most tired. He jogged up the stairs and opened Nancy's door slowly, seeing the two sat on the bed, Nancy using a towel to wipe away the other worldly good on her body and Eddie on his back ranting about some metal band he had heard of not long ago. "Hey," Jonathan announced his presence which made the other two seventeen year olds look at him. "I've got water bottles and food." Jonathan placed what he had grabbed between Nancy and Eddie, Eddie instantly grabbing a bottle of water and chugging half of it. It amazed Nancy that while thirsty as hell he could still rant. 

Eddie closed the bottle and sighed. "Thank you, Johnny!" He laughed, making Jonathan smile. Nancy smiled and grabbed her bottle, drinking some of it then using some if it to water down the goo and clean her face and hair better. A shower would work better though. "So... What had you, a pair of fair small town peasants per-say, in the woods with a gun and bat?" Eddie started, grabbing a bar of whatever the fuck Jonathan brought and beginning to eat it. "We could ask you, the fair local bar... Bard? The same thing." Nancy added, walking to her closet, both the boys looking the other way. Gentlemen. 

"I was looking for Will the wise, dear Nancy. Promised Jonathan I would." He sat up and pulled off his dirt stained denim jacket, covered in messing stitched patches. "Then that... Thing... Appeared," He recalled, softly rubbing at his now scabbed elbow. "Then I heard you two. Just before I spotted it. My only options were pussy out to the people or pussy out back home, and home would be running towards the thing so there I was. Lucky it was you two as well, THE Harrington's latest date and my best friend." Eddie giggled. Nancy awkwardly hummed and threw on a simple top and leggings. "Do you two want to go home or stay here?" 

"I'd rather not be alone after that, thanks. I'll sleep on the floor though. Let thy lady have her bed." Eddie slid onto the floor, out of sight from her window, not wanting to look outside and possibly see that thing again. Eddie didn't really hear anything else that had been said, having been too tired from running and having a shit eating schedule. But in the comfortable silence, he swore, while the other two were distracted by holding each other in a warm embrace, he heard the roof outside Nancy's window slightly rattle. 

The next morning, all three teens woke up from the knock on Nancy's door and Karen Wheeler's voice coming through the door. "Nancy? Are you awake?"

"Yeah! Don't-don't come in I'm... Changing!" Nancy yelled, quickly shoving Jonathan out of her bed and  yanking Eddie up from the floor. The boys made their exit from her window and hid on the side of the Wheeler's garage. They possibly waited around half an hour before Nancy ran outside, looking for them. Eddie and Jonathan left their hiding spot and entered the family car Nancy was now able to borrow and drove off to town. "So... What now?" Eddie asked, leaning over the back to the front. "I don't know." Jonathan said, knee bouncing anxiously. Silence bestowed the trio once again. Until Nancy perked up, like she realised something. "Eddie, when did the monster show up, visually, anyway?"

"After I bashed my elbow... Why?"

"That's fucking it... Barb went missing just a little bit after cutting her hand. It came for me and Jonathan after we found a wounded deer and it came for you when you cut your elbow. It's attracted to the smell of blood!"

"Like a shark?" Jonathan asked, gaining a nod from Nancy. "Sorta like that, yeah. So why don't we lure it in... Then kill it." She said, driving them to their local guns 'n shit store. "Metal... Nice choice of lady, Byers!" Eddie laughed before eagerly hopping out of the car, Nancy and Jonathan following. They'd probably spent almost an hour in their, grabbing gasoline, bear traps, two revolvers and a lot of ammunition. While the other two bought everything, Eddie made his way outside. He made sure no gasoline was on his hands before he pulled out his lighter and super king Marlboro's, lighting one up and smoking his stress away. That's when he noticed something off. Did the theater always use red and black letters or did he accidentally light up a laced joint? He checked his cigarette to confirm and yes, it was only nicotine and tar. 

Jonathan and Nancy soon exited the store, opening the boot and putting everything inside. Eddie placed his cigarette in his mouth and put in a couple of bear traps before bringing up the theatre. "So," he takes out his cig from his mouth and blows smoke. "Has the theater always used red letters or am I still delusional?" Nancy looked at him as if he was delusional before looking herself. And she had looked stunned. Then she ran towards the theater. "Nancy!" The boys yelled, slamming the boot shut and running after her. They all stopped in front of the theater and gaped at what had been spray painted onto it. 

NANCY IS A SLUT

Nancy began to shake and look around, hoping no one knew that she was the Nancy... But wondered how she was a slut. Jonathan looked stone faced, like he wanted to be angry but couldn't portray it. Eddie was visibly red, taking longer drags of his cigarette to keep his nerves down. Then, the trio heard douchey sounding laughs from the nearby alleyway, Nancy instantly stomping her way over, Eddie and Jonathan following, not because they thought she couldn't protect herself, but in case she did something to the douchey sounding people. Low and behold, it was Steve, Tommy and Carol. Hands slightly stained in spraypaint as they laugh and what they were currently spraying. And now, Eddie knew his promise of going to beat Steve's ass would come into fruition. He couldn't fight, not properly anyway, but his rings would do some critical damage. Nat20 damage. 

Apparently, Eddie had missed a good chunk of what was happening, lost in his thoughts, only to be brought back by Steve throwing a hit at Jonathan and hitting him straight on the lip. Eddie saw red. He stomped out his cigarette and stared Steve down. When he noticed Jonathan start to get up, he ran at Steve, Jonathan didn't need an assault charge on him but Eddie didn't care one fucking bit. With his triple ring clad left fist, Eddie socked Steve in the nose, getting him good, three cuts appearing and bleeding almost heavily. Nancy was screaming at the boys now, pulling Jonathan back while Tommy and Carol screamed for Steve to beat The Freaks ass. Eddie had never ran towards a fight before, but Steve made him see red and made him want to see red pour from his face. 

He wasn't going to let this slide at all. Steve's put them through enough. Eddie, while drawing back his right single ring clad fist, was struck in the lip by Steve, knocking his head back slightly and making him stumble. "Two hits and you've had enough, Freak!?"

"Oh, STEVIE!" Eddie yelled, wiping his blood onto his hand. "Not at all! Because I'm not done with you! I don't LIKE when people FUCK WITH MY FAMILY!" He screamed, bashing Steve by the eye with his head, knocking him down. Steve yelped in pain and struggled as Eddie sat onto his chest and began to obliterate the bastard, rings leaving bruising and bleeding cuts every where and his headered eye beginning to swell slightly. "EDDIE STOP IT!"

"MAN WE HAVE TO GO!!"

To neither Eddie or Steve's knowledge, the police arrived. Before he could properly register what Jonathan had yelled, Eddie was being yanked off of Steve and cuffed an abandoned car beside where he and Steve quarelled. To his dismay, Steve, Tommy and Carol managed to make their escape, even with a trained officer chasing them. Eddie huffed and slightly banged his head on the abandoned cars hood, smiling. 

He beat Steve Harrington's ass... Just like he promised. 

But, he was now in the station, Nancy and Jonathan at his side as witnesses and his wrists still cuffed. Then, Chief Hopper and Joyce Byers walked in. Oh fucking shit. Eddie was well acquainted with Hopper, having constantly entered the station, beaten and bruised to report an assault. Now he was being reported for assault. Amazing. "Munson." Hopper sighed, Joyce making her way to Jonathan and wiping whatever blood was still liquidy off his face. "What the fuck did you do, boy?"

Eddie was blank. Should he say and get a charge or stay quiet and not be able to help his best friend and new acquaintance. "I beat Steve Harrington's ass after he vandalized the theater, dehumanizing Nancy, and attacked Jonathan." He said, leaning back with a smile, the cut on his lip from just an hour before reopening, blood slightly spilling. He didn't want to smile but knowing he protected someone was nice. He wasn't a coward... But yet, not a hero... Damn, he made his own heart hurt. Why did he want to be one so bad? 

"Fucking hell, kid." Hopper sighed. He pulled up Eddie and took him to his office, shutting the door and sitting him down, leaving Joyce with Nancy and Jonathan, most likely getting told what happened. "One, that was dumb. Fucking stupid, even! And two, why were you and those two filling up the back of a car with gun, gasoline, ammunition and bear traps?" God, Hopper sounded pissed. Eddie's mouth mimicked a fish for a moment, unsure of what to say. Would he believe that there was a monster? Maybe? "There's a monster... In Hawkins..." Eddie started, letting his mouth go before his mind. "I saw it in the woods last night while looking for Will and those two were there as well. They haven't told me what happened to them while in there but that.. Th-that thing almost killed me!" He didn't mean to begin yelling. But luckily, Hopper didn't look at him like he was insane. He looked at him knowingly. 

Hopper sighed and sat down in his chair, looking Eddie in the face. "Describe it."

"Er, uh... It was tall. Gangly? Looked slimy and only had a large... Soul stealing mouth with so many FUCKING teeth man!" Eddie began to shake more, his words coming out in a hurry. Just remembering the thing was bad. Hopper nodded and huffed. "I won't charge you with anything, lucky you, but God damn it, don't just attack someone. Especially with your reputation and... Faggy look." Hopper uncuffed Eddie and instantly retracted his hands. "Watch the slur, Hop, or I might just not have a favourite officer anymore. Just say I'm Dorothy's friend!" He smiled and made his way outside, not waiting for a response from Hopper. When he left, he noticed Nancy and Jonathan weren't there anymore, but was informed they were outside. Eddie ran outside and saw Nancy and Jonathan, no Joyce as she most likely stayed inside. "Charges?"

"None! I'm a free bitch!" Eddie smiled. "I'm a regular with Hop, but normally it's the other way around."

"I'm aware." Jonathan sighs. He walks to Eddie and hugs him, Nancy smiling at the two. "Thanks man... "

"No biggie, big guy. I did say I'd beat his ass." Eddie hugged him back and patted his back. "So... What now?"

"They took our stuff," Nancy hummed, walking towards them. "But, I did sneak these." She opened her jacket, revealing the revolvers and a solid amount of ammo. Fuck yeah. Eddie laughed and clapped his hands. Practice time. 

So, two hours later, they were found in the middle of a field, bottles and cans lined up with Jonathan and Nancy wielding the firearms. For a third weapon, Eddie was handed a nailed up bat, whacking up trees and plants for practice. When he looked at Nancy and Jonathan, he noticed them bonding well. Too well. He lived for how Jonathan was finally socialising, even if only a little, he also loved him for... He loved that he... Oh shit. "Oh shit... " Eddie whispered, holding his slowly burning up cheek. He loved his best friends. His only friend! He already knew he was gay, yeah, he never found girls good looking in a romantic or sexual way but lived for sex scenes that mostly had guys or movies with beautiful men if any body type... But Jonathan. How is he just realising this!? He'd do anything for Jonathan. But he wasn't into guys. He didn't know what being Dorothy's friend meant, he didn't know anything about flagging, never even mentioned how good a guy looked, even if only because be had a good outfit or something. 

Eddie felt sick now. He realised he was in love with his straight best friend who had become head over heels for Nancy Wheeler. He felt a tear run down his face... He had watched many a movie with unrequited love being a co-star but never thought he'd go through it. He swallowed the bile building in his mouth and sighed. He shouldn't be thinking of this right now. He should be practicing his swings. "Eddie!" He heard Nancy call. He wiped his face and turned to her. "Yeah?"

"You want a go? I can't aim for... Anything." Jonathan laughed. Eddie went slightly red and nodded, jogging over and handing Jonathan the bat while he was given the revolver and whatever rounds he had on him. Taking a stance, left foot in front of the other, the right behind and arms extended out, one eye closed and iron sight on the dusty bottle of Coors. He felt both pairs of eyes on him as he tried to steady his hands. His hands always shook. This might end bad. He sighed and pulled the trigger, a resounding bang ringing out and echoing with an echoing smash following, glass blasting every which way. Eddie screamed when the glass shattered, breaking his expectations. "Good aim! Just.. Try to shoot sooner, we don't know how fast this thing can get." Nancy says, patting his back. Eddie smiles at her and giggles. 

"So, we've got guns and a bat, yeah, but how are we gonna get everything back? That cost a lot of your money and all of my two bucks." Eddie adds to the conversation, fiddling with the gun, the safety being on, and figuring out how to reload. "We could break in? They don't have cameras and we could try picking the lock?" Jonathan looks to Eddie, who stares at him blankly. "Ex-queeze me? Jonathan, my brother in arms, my best and only friend... Of course I can pick that lock!" He laughs, flinging the clip back into place. "You know father Munson wasn't like any other normal religious Hawkins dad."

".. What does he mean?"

"Daddy Munson was a criminal, Miss Wheeler. Taught me how to hot wire, pick locks, pickpocket, you name it." Eddie said, as if it was the most normal fucking ever. Nancy was in a stunned silence and only nodded, clicking her gun off the safety. "Cool." Is all she says before she shot a few more cans. Eddie laughed and pulled out his Marlboro's and lighter.

Smoke break. 

Hours pass and darkness befalls Hawkins. A lot had happened, surprisingly. Jonathan, when he returned home for a change of clothes had gotten a call recited to him from a balling Joyce who took him to the hospital where 'Will' currently was. Surprisingly, Joyce denied it to be her son, but a 'fake'. She very quickly gained the title of Hawkins crazy lady. And Jonathan? He hadn't returned any calls to Eddie. Nancy hadn't called considering she was comforting her deeply in denial brother along with learning about this buzz cut owning superpower having girl. Nancy had informed Eddie of this around midnight and called off the plan for the next night. At least it would be a Sunday. Because no one cares if you miss Monday for school. So, the next day goes by slowly and Eddie passes the time by finding any lock he can in his trailer and using a spare bobby pins from one of his drawers to unlock said locks. Wayne had caught him in his antics but chalked it up to him being bored. He also decided to try and make up a new campaign as his current one for Hellfire was almost over. Whilst looking for monster ideas, he came along something that almost perfectly mimicked the monster he saw a day before. The Demogorgon. At least he had an official name for it now. 

Now, as the clock struck 11:30pm, Eddie received a call from Nancy. "Hello?"

"Eddie, it's Nancy! Look, I don't have too much time because we need to hurry with this. I need to meet you outside the police station, ready to pick the lock, me and Jonathan will be there in ten, plan kill the Demogorgon is a go!" Before Eddie could reply, Nancy hung up. At least he didn't need to tell her of the name of the beast, he guessed Mike was good with his D&D too. With a shrug and quick run to grab more bobby pins before getting in his van and driving to the station. When he arrives he notices the Byers' car halfway down the block. He gained the assumption they'd use his van to carry the equipment. He rushed out and sped his way to the entrance, watching Nancy and Jonathan run to him. "Ready?"

"You bet, Wheeler." Eddie gave a smirk and got to work, bending the pin open with his teeth, pushing in and out of the keyhole and shaping it to whatever the key would be. He took three minutes to complete the task and open the door, watching as Nancy and Jonathan hurried in. "Open the van, go, go!" Jonathan ushered. Eddie obeyed and ran to the back of his van, flinging the doors open, staring at the open space that would now have a purpose. The other two booked it to him the safest they could, mass amounts of ammo, bear traps and gasoline entered his truck. "I'll keep a hold of the gas." Nancy stated before hopping into the back and shutting the doors. Eddie and Jonathan Hopper into the front, Eddie starting his hunk of still working junk up. "Where to?"

"My place." Jonathan ushered again. Jesus, want did they find out. "Jesus alright, keep a good hold on that Nance, we're speeding there." And he stuck to his word. What would normally be a twelve minute drive became seven as Hawkins was pretty much barren at night and driving fast wasn't a problem with no one to crash into. The van skidded in front of the Byers residence, the trip hopping out of the van and entering the house, equipment in hand. What Eddie would refer to as phase 2 was now a go, set up the traps. This process took at least half an hour, especially with Eddie's stuck up mess of hair catching on the hanging Christmas lights multiple times. He didn't even want to mention the alphabet on the wall. 

Everything was now in place. Neither of the other two had told Eddie of what had happened and hour or so prior yet but he assumed doing the plan mattered more as of now. So he didn't bother to ask. Jonathan handed Eddie and Nancy a kitchen knife each, sharpened to almost perfection. "Ready?" He asked, feeling a deep hollowness build in his stomach, like he'd be sick. "As I'll ever be." Nancy looked at Jonathan, a strange glint in her eyes. "Eds?"

"I mean... The Mist is closing in either way... So monster destruction it is." Eddie nods, Nancy barely getting the Stephen King reference and Jonathan building a small smirk at the reference. The trio dragged their respective blades across their hands, smoothly and swiftly. Each of them groaned in pain, Eddie dropping his knife once done and smacking his legs to be rid of tension with his unharmed hand. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!!" He groaned. Fuck. Thin. Skin. Jonathan left to grab bandages and soon enough all three were wrapped up. Eddie and Nancy were equipped with their revolvers, fully loaded and belts equipped with bullets and Jonathan taking his his nailed out bat and getting prepared. 

Suddenly, they heard a car drive up in front of the house, Eddie springing over to the window to see none other that Steve Harrington's car stop and Steve step out, slightly healed from the day before. Eddie gripped the revolver. "It's Steve." He grumbles, looking at Nancy and Jonathan, who's hands were occupied with one anothers. A pang of jealousy hit Eddie but was overshadowed by the arrival of The King making his blood boil. "I'll take care of it." Nancy said standing up and carefully traversing her way to the door. She opened it and saw Steve's beaten face up close. The injury done to him made her feel I'll, but he deserved it. "Steve? What are you doing here?" 

"I came to apologise. You weren't at home and-and I thought about how you were with Byers and Munson and... And... What happened to your hand?"

"What- oh, nothing-"

"Did those freaks do this to you?!" A small scuffle began with Steve and Nancy, featuring the door. When he managed to barge past her, he took notice of all that was around him. Bear traps, Nancy and Eddie holding firearms, Jonathan holding his bat and the distinct smell of gas. "Holy shit- what the fuck- is that gas!?" Steve began to panic now. Before he could continue though, Nancy held up her gun, pointing it at Steve. "Leave, Steve." Her voice was stern and ready to start yelling if she needed. Luckily, Harrington didn't need to be told twice as he booked it outside and slammed the door behind him. But as Steve almost entered his car, he saw the lights within the Byers how's flicker maniacally, flashes of red, blue and green along with the overpowering yellow of the main lights made him think. They were fighting something and he wanted to redeem himself. So, without thinking too much, Steve ran back to the house when he heard gunshots and screaming. 

The trio witnessed Steve bash through the door, grabbing the now discarded bat off the floor, near where Jonathan had been knocked over top of Eddie who's head was slightly bleeding. He screamed and bashed the Demogorgon by the body and wherever he could, twirling the bat for dumbly timed style, managing to push it back into a bear trap. When a bunch of noise came through from one of the rooms, Nancy yelled an overpowering 'NOW' and what followed, none of them will ever forget.

A stumbling Eddie leaned onto the battle stance ready Steve and chucked his clicked on lighter onto the gasoline that surrounded the Demogorgon before it engulfed into flames, it's screeching almost making their ears bleed. Eddie took a few shots at it with Nancy until Jonathan hobbled over and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, nothing left behind but an ashy mess and Eddie's lighter, now out of fluid luckily enough. "What WAS that!?" Steve screamed. "Better question right now is, is it dead?"

"Oh, no fucking way." Eddie stated, the other three looking at him through tired and or bruised eyes. "This is some literal otherworldly shit, dudes! That Demogorgon is weakened at best! That's like getting-"

"I'm gonna stop you there before you make another unreadable reference." Nancy sighed, patting his shoulder and dropping her gun. "We'll explain everything in time, Steve. We just.."

"I'll get you guys out of here." Steve says, leading the tired and slightly battered trio to his car. He drives them away from the Byers house in the first uncomfortable silence in a while. No one speaks, no radio is on and the most audible noise is Eddie's winded breathing. "I think I've got a concussion." He whines, patting his hair which had now been dried in blood. "It won't be a concussion, but you'll need a bandage." Nancy informs, reaching into the back and patting his knee. "What now, though?" Jonathan asks, pulling Eddie's head onto his shoulder softly so he could rest. "... Anyone hungry?" Steve asks. 

The all look at him, silent, then shrug. "I could eat." Eddie grumbles, almost asleep on Jonathan and Jonathan almost sleeping as well but nodding. "Sure... You're paying." She looks to Steve who only laughs and drives to whatever place may be open at this time of night. "It's the least I could do right now." He says. 

... 

December rolls around. Finally, everything feels normal, Will's home again but the girl with superpowers, who Eddie and Steve is informed is called Eleven, had most likely died killing the Demogorgon that bad gone after the kids. At least the teens weakened it beforehand. Eddie had comforted Jonathan over Nancy and Steve trying again as he seemed to actually be becoming a better man. But after their little comfort session, Jonathan had gone home to spend Christmas with his family. Leaving Eddie alone in his trailer, Wayne still having to work since the plant he worked at was dog shit. 

And so, Eddie Munson, freak of Hawkins, Indiana, now traumatised along with a bunch of kids and other teens, alone on Christmas, playing his guitar to his hearts content. And as the clock strikes midnight to signify Christmas' arrival, he strikes the last chords of Owner Of a Lonely Heart, sending an echo through his trailer, reminding him of an empty home and heart he'll have for a long time. 

Chapter Text

Heya

So if u attemptesd to keep up with my 10 Eddie fic then you'll probs know that I'm going to rewrite it from the beginning! 

And I thought, hmmm, might as well do this one too

2022 wasn't the greatest for me and it was one of those cases were I was alone and got way too attached to a fictional character

So what I'll be doing is my best to keep important character moments as important character moments and future out how Eddie would fit then :) 

The rewrite will just be done in here and restart at chapter 3 which I will note in chapter 1 

I feel I've gotten a better hang of writing in the last 3 years so I'm hoping it's a shit ton better

Thank you for reading chapter 1 if u did and thank you for your patience if u read way back when lmao (ik it's not a lot of people but I'm still grateful :] ) 

-This one will have the slower updates due to each chapter being essentially a whole season-