[ Eddie would have once given anything for Steve to look at him at all. This isn't exactly what he had in mind, but it figured that it would take a horrible curse, that it would take something as horrible as Vecna to thrust the two of them together. He hates that he's sort of thankful that it brought them together, because it feels horrible. People died and he's here, being thankful that he has someone like Steve in his corner. ]
Yeah, I know. [ Eddie's voice is quiet as he clenches his eyes shut, though no tears come. He's not even sure if he can cry. He's not alive, not really, so maybe he can't. ]
[It's unfortunate that such a traumatic and horrifying experience best known as the Upside Down has brought all of these amazing people into Steve's life but the once arrogant boy is grateful of the friendships. He wouldn't trade his bond with Eddie for anything else in this shitty world, it was too damn special. Its one of the many reasons why Steve wish he had the power to switch places with Eddie, take the curse upon himself.
Eddie deserves better than what the world keeps dumping upon him.
Steve places a hand upon the other's shoulder to offer Eddie some much needed comfort. He doesn't know if it'll do much good but Steve wants to prove to Eddie that he isn't in this alone.]
You can come to my place? My parents aren't ever home and it would give you a safer place to stay at least.
[ Eddie freezes when Steve offers him his home to stay in, at least until they get all of this sorted out. On the one hand, it would be really nice to have a place to stay that wasn't as cramped as the trailer, but --
It's Steve's home. Living with Steve, having that temptation dangling over his face? Maybe the house would be big enough that they wouldn't be living on top of each other, but his senses are sharper, and Eddie would always be able to sense him. It feels dangerous.
On the other hand, Steve always seems so damn lonely there. Maybe he needs the company just as much as Eddie does.
He places his hand over Steve's on his shoulder, and Steve's hand feels so much warmer than Eddie's, yet another reminder of what Eddie has become. ]
Maybe, um. As a trial run? But if anything goes wrong, the first sign of trouble, we find another place. I'm not putting you in danger, man.
[Steve's home is the best option and he isn't going to take no for an answer. His home has enough space to keep Eddie not only comfortable but hidden if anyone actually does come seeking him out. They would have to go through Steve first, he isn't going to allow anyone to harm Eddie even if the other is very capable of handling himself.
The company would be good for the both of them. Steve has spoken about how lonely his house becomes at times but he's failed to mention that being alone there has also gotten a bit terrifying. Eddie doesn't have to give Steve the time of day it'll be comforting enough to know he has someone else in the house those nights his nightmares become a little to real.
His eyes go soft as Eddie expresses his worry. Being in danger himself had never crossed Steve's mind. Perhaps he's gotten so numb to it these days. He offers his friend a small smile followed with another soft squeeze to Eddie's shoulder.]
I do pretty damn good with danger, man. I'm not worried.
[ Eddie knows better by now than to argue with Steve. When he's dead set on something, there is no changing his mind, especially when it comes to protecting the ones he cares about. He just never thought that would eventually include Eddie.
It still blows his mind that he's been accepted into their little ragtag group, but they all share the same secret so he supposes it's only natural to bond over that. It sucks that said secret has now led Eddie to such a shitty fate, but at least he doesn't have to deal with it alone.
He nods, then, glancing around his trailer to assess the situation. ]
Then I should pack. No offense, loverboy, but I don't think I'd look good in your clothes. And I'm not leaving without my sweetheart. [ He is of course talking about his guitar, which miraculously survived the earthquakes. ]
[Steve can be a bit overprotective for his own damn good but he takes on the responsibility of trying his best to keep everyone safe. Typically that means putting himself last but over the years Steve has slowly stopped caring about himself and placed his attention on those he cares greatly about. Eddie has now fallen into that category. He would give anything for it to not be because of the Upside Down.
Steve is still determined to find some sort of cure for his friend. He can't allow Eddie to fall to such an unfair fate.
He gives a look at Eddie's assumption about his clothes. Mouth falling open while his hands go to rest along his hips.]
What's wrong with my clothes, smart-ass?
[They could pack up Steve's car with no problem and what they don't get now they can come back for.]
( To Steve's question, all Eddie has to offer is a wolfish grin. He shakes his head, laughing at the stance that he's grown too used to seeing Steve in.
It occurs to Eddie that he's extremely lucky that it's Steve who came across him like this. If it were any of the other kids, if it were either of the girls? He doesn't think this would have had such a happy ending. )
Nothing's wrong with your clothes when you wear them. Polos just aren't my style, big boy. ( He wastes no time in packing, haphazardly throwing some clothes into a duffel bag. He has no idea how long this is going to be for, but he figures he can do laundry, or come back for more if he needs to. For now, though, this should get him through the next week or so. )
My guitar, ( Eddie confirms with a softer smile as he takes the guitar off its stand on the wall and grabs a case from under his bed to place it in for the journey, so she doesn't get scratched up. ) Let me just leave my uncle a note first and then we can be on our way.
[Steve finds himself rolling his eyes at that grin. It's both frustrating and amazing how charming Eddie can be in serious moments. It never fails to take a bit of the edge off and Steve finds much needed comfort in that. Life has been so unfair lately but it's nice to see that Eddie still has his humor despite the circumstances.
Steve is grateful he came to Eddie when he did.]
Diva.
[It's a playful, gentle tease to lighten the mood. Steve keeps out of the way as Eddie scrambles to pack up what he needs. It's a bit heart breaking to watch as his friend has to bag up his life and leave his uncle behind for who knows how long. Steve has made a silent promise to keep an eye on Wayne as much as possible.
( It's a little bittersweet, packing everything up and surveying what he's leaving behind. While he knows he will miss Wayne dearly, it really is safer for Eddie to be away from him until he gets himself under control.
And while he worries for Steve, he feels a strange sense of possessiveness towards him that he doesn't think hurting him would even come to mind. Maybe he really would be safest at Steve's house. )
Couldn't tell you. I think he'll be happy to have me out of the trailer, but worried if I'm just randomly gone. But it's safer this way.
( He scribbles out a note, leaving the details vague. He doesn't want to worry Wayne too much, but he thinks if he mentions the truth he will think it's a prank, and that Eddie is in some serious trouble. Better to just let Wayne think that he has trouble staying in this trailer with all that's associated with it, that the nightmares had become too much and he needs to be around someone who has experience with them.
It's a lot closer to the truth than maybe Eddie is willing to admit. )
[Steve is trying to focus on the positive of Eddie leaving the trailer and Wayne behind. He likes to think that Eddie really would be safer at his place but they both don't know just yet. At least Eddie would have more free range, more places to keep himself hidden and no worry about someone bursting in on him. They just need to figure out how to control Eddie's hunger.
Thats the challenge.
Very much like Eddie, Steve has this possessiveness over him and the need to keep Eddie safe. Steve is convinced that he's the one to take on thus responsibility, keep everyone else out of danger incase Eddie can't contain the beast within.]
We can always come back if we need too. Until then let's get you out of here.
( Eddie nods as he gives one last look at the trailer. ) It's funny, it took years for my uncle to convince me this place is my home, too. And now who knows when I'll be back here again?
( He lets out a soft sigh before looking back at Steve. It wasn't going to be forever. Maybe Steve would find a way to cure him, reverse these changes. Or at least find a way to control it so he wouldn't be a danger around those he cares about. )
[Steve frowns at Eddie's honest confession. Many would argue that the trailer wasn't much of anything but it had provided a safe space for Eddie to stay. Gave him a since of security that Steve was now robbing him of.]
I'm sorry, Eddie.
[He doesn't know what else to say or how to make this situation less difficult. Steve does want to make this better, he wants to fix what's happened to Eddie.]
I got my car all ready for you when you are.
[He moves to help Eddie transport all his belongings to his car, making sure to keep everything packed safe.]
( Eddie draws in a deep breath and then shrugs. ) It's not like it's your fault that this happened. Don't be. We'll find a way to fix this.
( Or at least they would find a way to control whatever it was that caused Eddie to hunger, to crave blood. Even if it was just curbing his appetite with animal blood, or fucking forbid Steve offers himself as a human blood donation. He has to believe they'll overcome this somehow. )
I'm as ready as I'm ever gonna be, man. ( He gives one last look to the trailer before climbing into the car with the rest of his things. At least, he thinks, he still feels something for his damn home, feels the regret of having to leave it behind. He hasn't turned into an emotionless monster, or worse, a rage-filled one. )
I shouldn’t have left you and Henderson alone like that. [Steve has been holding onto that guilt ever since that day Eddie nearly lost his life, Dustin could have as well. He should have never allowed either one of them to come or maybe Dustin should have stayed back while Eddie joined Steve and the ladies?
Would any other idea had made a difference?
As for over coming this? They have to for the sake of Eddie. This transformation could further change him at any given moment and the change could rip Eddie away from his humanity. Steve would do everything in his willpower to make sure that doesn't happen.
Once Eddie is in the car and ready, Steve takes to the road. ]
( Eddie feels himself crumble a little bit at Steve telling him he shouldn't have left them alone. He would have been stubborn at the time, insisting that he and Dustin would be fine, probably. Interpreting it as Steve not trusting them to take care of themselves. Little did Eddie know that might have saved his life.
He is silent most of the car ride, at least until Steve speaks up. Eddie nods, looking over to Steve. He isn't sure how this is going to work, but he is grateful that Steve is risking so much to let Eddie have a chance of surviving. At least long enough until they either find a cure, or...whatever the other option is. )
Sounds fancy. ( He smiles weakly, finger playing with a strand of hair. Other than the near constant hunger that doesn't seem to die down, he doesn't feel dead. If anything, his emotions feel like they're dialed up. He had expected to feel nothing. He almost feels grateful that in spite of everything, he still feels slightly human. ) Bet your shower's got ridiculous water pressure.
(That wasn't true, the opposite actually. Steve knew that if anyone were going to keep Dustin safe it would be Eddie. Steve wasn't about to allow Dustin to march off to fight Vecna with them when he already had one little nugget using herself as bait. He also believed he was sparing Eddie from even more trauma but in the end the decision had nearly gotten Eddie killed. It was a harsh reality to face that Steve couldn't protect everyone. Nancy was well equipped to handle her own and Robin had survived the Russian interrogation but Robin was also Robin. If Steve had stayed behind and something happened to her Nancy would never forgive herself. Steve would much rather carry that guilt on his own shoulders. Robin was his responsibility and Nancy had dealt with enough.
If he could trade places with Eddie he would in a heartbeat. Take on the curse himself. For now all he can do is offer the other a safe place and hope that they can cure this. Surely there has to be something if they both did a bit of researching?)
It's alright.
(His own response comes soft as he glances over to take a glance at Eddie. The silence is almost unbearable for Eddie Munson is never quiet. It's rather unsettling and it does nothing for Steve's guilt. )
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Yeah, I know. [ Eddie's voice is quiet as he clenches his eyes shut, though no tears come. He's not even sure if he can cry. He's not alive, not really, so maybe he can't. ]
I don't know where else I could go, though.
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Eddie deserves better than what the world keeps dumping upon him.
Steve places a hand upon the other's shoulder to offer Eddie some much needed comfort. He doesn't know if it'll do much good but Steve wants to prove to Eddie that he isn't in this alone.]
You can come to my place? My parents aren't ever home and it would give you a safer place to stay at least.
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It's Steve's home. Living with Steve, having that temptation dangling over his face? Maybe the house would be big enough that they wouldn't be living on top of each other, but his senses are sharper, and Eddie would always be able to sense him. It feels dangerous.
On the other hand, Steve always seems so damn lonely there. Maybe he needs the company just as much as Eddie does.
He places his hand over Steve's on his shoulder, and Steve's hand feels so much warmer than Eddie's, yet another reminder of what Eddie has become. ]
Maybe, um. As a trial run? But if anything goes wrong, the first sign of trouble, we find another place. I'm not putting you in danger, man.
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The company would be good for the both of them. Steve has spoken about how lonely his house becomes at times but he's failed to mention that being alone there has also gotten a bit terrifying. Eddie doesn't have to give Steve the time of day it'll be comforting enough to know he has someone else in the house those nights his nightmares become a little to real.
His eyes go soft as Eddie expresses his worry. Being in danger himself had never crossed Steve's mind. Perhaps he's gotten so numb to it these days. He offers his friend a small smile followed with another soft squeeze to Eddie's shoulder.]
I do pretty damn good with danger, man. I'm not worried.
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It still blows his mind that he's been accepted into their little ragtag group, but they all share the same secret so he supposes it's only natural to bond over that. It sucks that said secret has now led Eddie to such a shitty fate, but at least he doesn't have to deal with it alone.
He nods, then, glancing around his trailer to assess the situation. ]
Then I should pack. No offense, loverboy, but I don't think I'd look good in your clothes. And I'm not leaving without my sweetheart. [ He is of course talking about his guitar, which miraculously survived the earthquakes. ]
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Steve is still determined to find some sort of cure for his friend. He can't allow Eddie to fall to such an unfair fate.
He gives a look at Eddie's assumption about his clothes. Mouth falling open while his hands go to rest along his hips.]
What's wrong with my clothes, smart-ass?
[They could pack up Steve's car with no problem and what they don't get now they can come back for.]
Your guitar?
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It occurs to Eddie that he's extremely lucky that it's Steve who came across him like this. If it were any of the other kids, if it were either of the girls? He doesn't think this would have had such a happy ending. )
Nothing's wrong with your clothes when you wear them. Polos just aren't my style, big boy. ( He wastes no time in packing, haphazardly throwing some clothes into a duffel bag. He has no idea how long this is going to be for, but he figures he can do laundry, or come back for more if he needs to. For now, though, this should get him through the next week or so. )
My guitar, ( Eddie confirms with a softer smile as he takes the guitar off its stand on the wall and grabs a case from under his bed to place it in for the journey, so she doesn't get scratched up. ) Let me just leave my uncle a note first and then we can be on our way.
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Steve is grateful he came to Eddie when he did.]
Diva.
[It's a playful, gentle tease to lighten the mood. Steve keeps out of the way as Eddie scrambles to pack up what he needs. It's a bit heart breaking to watch as his friend has to bag up his life and leave his uncle behind for who knows how long. Steve has made a silent promise to keep an eye on Wayne as much as possible.
Right. The guitar. ]
You don't think your uncle will get upset do you?
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And while he worries for Steve, he feels a strange sense of possessiveness towards him that he doesn't think hurting him would even come to mind. Maybe he really would be safest at Steve's house. )
Couldn't tell you. I think he'll be happy to have me out of the trailer, but worried if I'm just randomly gone. But it's safer this way.
( He scribbles out a note, leaving the details vague. He doesn't want to worry Wayne too much, but he thinks if he mentions the truth he will think it's a prank, and that Eddie is in some serious trouble. Better to just let Wayne think that he has trouble staying in this trailer with all that's associated with it, that the nightmares had become too much and he needs to be around someone who has experience with them.
It's a lot closer to the truth than maybe Eddie is willing to admit. )
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Thats the challenge.
Very much like Eddie, Steve has this possessiveness over him and the need to keep Eddie safe. Steve is convinced that he's the one to take on thus responsibility, keep everyone else out of danger incase Eddie can't contain the beast within.]
We can always come back if we need too. Until then let's get you out of here.
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( He lets out a soft sigh before looking back at Steve. It wasn't going to be forever. Maybe Steve would find a way to cure him, reverse these changes. Or at least find a way to control it so he wouldn't be a danger around those he cares about. )
Let's go. Before it gets too hard to say goodbye.
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I'm sorry, Eddie.
[He doesn't know what else to say or how to make this situation less difficult. Steve does want to make this better, he wants to fix what's happened to Eddie.]
I got my car all ready for you when you are.
[He moves to help Eddie transport all his belongings to his car, making sure to keep everything packed safe.]
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( Or at least they would find a way to control whatever it was that caused Eddie to hunger, to crave blood. Even if it was just curbing his appetite with animal blood, or fucking forbid Steve offers himself as a human blood donation. He has to believe they'll overcome this somehow. )
I'm as ready as I'm ever gonna be, man. ( He gives one last look to the trailer before climbing into the car with the rest of his things. At least, he thinks, he still feels something for his damn home, feels the regret of having to leave it behind. He hasn't turned into an emotionless monster, or worse, a rage-filled one. )
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Would any other idea had made a difference?
As for over coming this? They have to for the sake of Eddie. This transformation could further change him at any given moment and the change could rip Eddie away from his humanity. Steve would do everything in his willpower to make sure that doesn't happen.
Once Eddie is in the car and ready, Steve takes to the road. ]
Gonna set you up in a guestroom upstairs.
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He is silent most of the car ride, at least until Steve speaks up. Eddie nods, looking over to Steve. He isn't sure how this is going to work, but he is grateful that Steve is risking so much to let Eddie have a chance of surviving. At least long enough until they either find a cure, or...whatever the other option is. )
Sounds fancy. ( He smiles weakly, finger playing with a strand of hair. Other than the near constant hunger that doesn't seem to die down, he doesn't feel dead. If anything, his emotions feel like they're dialed up. He had expected to feel nothing. He almost feels grateful that in spite of everything, he still feels slightly human. ) Bet your shower's got ridiculous water pressure.
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If he could trade places with Eddie he would in a heartbeat. Take on the curse himself. For now all he can do is offer the other a safe place and hope that they can cure this. Surely there has to be something if they both did a bit of researching?)
It's alright.
(His own response comes soft as he glances over to take a glance at Eddie. The silence is almost unbearable for Eddie Munson is never quiet. It's rather unsettling and it does nothing for Steve's guilt. )
Yeah.