Chapter Text
They settle into a comfortable quiet after the mini-tattoo session. El flips the TV on, the static-y sounds of some sitcom filling the room. Eddie's doodling as she watches, eyes flicking to the screen every so often out of curiosity. Wayne didn't have cable or anything, so it was unfamiliar to him, and, honestly, didn't really hold his interest.
He's trying to draw up some more tattoo ideas for himself now. He wants something to remember the whole Vecna situation, but trying to think of anything that doesn't immediately turn his stomach is… tough. On his page currently are the clock and a demobat, both scribbled out. He's halfway through a drawing of an oar- that one reminds him more of Steve than of almost dying- but, fuck, is a permanent reminder of Steve Harrington really the best idea? He flushes and shakes his head to himself. Probably not. Plus, it would probably weird the hell out of Steve if he saw it. He sets the paper down, glancing up at the TV for a moment, before looking at the walkie, still on the couch from earlier. He still needs to ask for some comics for El. And the flowers. He picks it up.
"This is Eddie the Banished, does anyone copy?" He says into it. El barely gives him a glance before refocusing on the TV. A full minute passes with no response. He sighs, trying again. "Come in? Anyone?" Thirty seconds. "Hellooo?"
"Jesus, you are not good at hiding. Do you want to get hunted for sport?" It's Erica. Not who Eddie is looking for, but it'll work. He rolls his eyes.
"Ah, Lady Applejack. Always a pleasure. Is your brother home?"
"Nope, still out with Steve visiting his girlfriend in the hospital. Why? What do you want?"
"Nothing from you, I can assure that much. Especially not the sass . Have a little sympathy, Little Sinclair. I'm struggling here. I do need you to relay a message, though. If you can handle that." He gives her a moment to respond, and she does after a pause.
"Okay, fine, what is it?"
"When he gets back, can you have him send Steve with some X-Men comics? Doesn't really matter which ones. Oh. And ask Steve to bring back some wildflowers too?" There's another pause, and Eddie's worried that she's going to leave him without a response for a moment.
"...You want Steve to bring you flowers ?" Erica's voice finally comes through again. Eddie feels his face heat up. No. He is not going to let a fucking middle schooler embarrass him.
"Okay, real mature. We need them for art purposes. He's just the delivery boy."
"Mm-hmm. Sure, whatever, I'll have your boyfriend bring you your flowers and your nerd books."
"...Yeah, thanks, kid." He rolls his eyes, tossing the walkie aside. He feels eyes on him, and looks to see Eleven staring at him. He stares back.
"...Mike brought me flowers. In California. It was sweet." She says. Eddie sighs.
"You're not helping me here, kid." He laughs softly, and she looks a little confused.
"Helping with what?" She asks, and he just shakes his head.
"Nevermind, you're right, that sounds real sweet of him. He's a good kid." El beans at him.
"He is good. The best. When we were coming back from California, he told me he loved me-" She keeps going, but Eddie can only handle so much gushing about Mike fucking Wheeler, so he zones out, offering the occasional nod or sound to seem like he's listening. Eventually, he's brought back when she asks him, "Have you ever been in love?"
It takes all he has not to laugh at that, because no, of course not. He's Eddie 'the freak' Munson. Love isn't something that he gets. Growing up, 'Love' was never a word in the Munson household, and it isn't like he's ever gotten along with his peers, so shit, maybe he never learned how, or maybe his attitude, looks, and overall vibe just makes him incapable of receiving it. Whatever the reason is, his knee-jerk response is, "Absolutely not."
The quiet that follows when the words leave his mouth is deafening, even with the gentle drone of the TV in the background. Shit. He probably should've said something else. El eventually lets out a soft "Oh." And Eddie raises his eyes to look at her. The look on her face is… Troubled? Sad? Confused? Something like that.
"Well, I mean- just… I haven't really found the right person yet is all. Don't worry that little head of yours about it."
"It's not fair , though." She protests. "Everyone deserves love. I am sure there is a girl for you." This almost makes Eddie laugh again, but fuck if he's going to teach this sheltered 15-year-old what gay people are within a day of meeting her, so he deflects.
"Well, hey now, some people don't want love. 'Least not romantically. My buddy Davey has zero interest in anything like that."
"...But you do." Shit. She's smarter than he gave her credit for. He just shrugs instead of answering.
"Love is not something on the table for me right now, kid. Moving on." El looks unconvinced but doesn't say anything else, returning her attention to the TV. Eddie watches too for a moment, but very quickly gets bored and finds himself reaching for his notebook again, sketching out a new idea. He doesn't notice that El has moved to watch him until he hears her voice come from next to him.
"What are you drawing?" She asks, and he jumps, wincing with the sudden movement and letting out a soft pained cry. El grimaces at his pain. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, peachy. Just wasn't expecting you, kid." He brushes it off, turning the notebook to show her the drawing. "What do you think? Maybe on my shoulder?" The tattoo he's drawn is one of the shields he and Dustin had made, with two spears crossed behind it. El smiles at him.
"I like it!" She says. "Metal."
He grins. "Hell yeah, it's metal!" He holds out his hand for a high five. She looks confused for a moment before tentatively slapping their hands together in a high five, and before either of them can say anything else, there's a distinctive knock on the door. El's eyes light up. "Are you expecting someone…?"
She grins. "Hopper."