Work Text:
You haven’t had the best day.
Honestly, it’s been the worst.
You needed Eddie but you really didn’t want to burden him with the storm that is your emotions right now.
It all started this morning when you were late to work, a whole hour late. The minute you walked in that door, your boss was waiting, foot tapping on the linoleum. You tried to sputter out an apology, that you had slept in, but he was not having it.
“This is the fourth time that you’ve been late this month.”
‘I’m so sorry. I swear, I accidentally slept in past my alarm, I’ve had a rough past few days I’m s-’
“I’m so tired of these shitty ass excuses that you come in with every single time.” he yells, “You’re done. You’re fired. Get out of my office.”
‘Sir please it won’t happen again, it’s just been a difficult week for me, I’m so sorry, so so sorry please I need this job.’
“I’ve given you plenty of chances to do better, yet here you came in today, strolling in an hour late. No, no more chances. Goodbye.” He turned and left you standing there, tears starting to well in your eyes almost immediately.
You didn’t know what to do. You were in shock and you couldn’t move from where you were standing. You needed this job. You needed the money to get you and Eddie the hell out of Hawkins. This job was the best-case scenario for you (and Eddie) and you had blown it. Ruined it. Fucked it all up.
You turned and made your way out of the building, trying so desperately to hold it all in. You really didn’t want to call any more attention to yourself.
Quickly taking your sweater sleeve and wiping your face clear of any tears that might be there. You start making your way back towards the bus stop so you can get yourself back home. Maybe let it all out.
Only one problem though, your mother.
You tried so hard to sneak in the door, hoping she was still getting ready for work. She maybe wouldn’t realize that you had gotten home way earlier than you were supposed to. Yet, the minute you walk into the house your mom is right there.
You just stand and stare at her, hoping she can’t see right through you right now. Hoping that she won’t blow up on you for losing this job that would finally get you out of her house like you were supposed to be after high school. But it’s not that simple for everyone, she just doesn’t like to see that.
“H-hi? Didn’t you just leave for work? Why are you back so soon?” she just stares at you, casually observing. You can kind of see the veins in her head start to show through, already getting pissed at you just being home.
‘Oh yeah, I was at work. I accidentally slept in again though and Greg got angry at me. And… I might’ve lost my job… But it’s okay though! I’m going to figure it out as soon as I can mom I promise. I’ll still be out by June like I said, like we agreed. I’ll figure it out.’ You tried to reassure her in hopes that she wouldn’t give you the same treatment Greg gave you this morning. Throwing on a fake smile and everything to ham it all up.
She still didn’t buy it.
“You lost your job. All because you couldn’t get there on time. Do you know how simple it is to wake up on time and make it to work? Yet this has happened time and time again. I won’t support you any longer if this is how it’s going to be.” She starts to stomp her way up the stairs until she stops and turns around.
“This is all because of that deadbeat you call a boyfriend. It’s because of him that you can’t get the simple shit in your life together. You are 20 years old, why am I still supporting you when you don’t try. If you care about him so much that you let him ruin your life then you can live with him. I want you out of my house. I’m done.”
You can’t believe what you are hearing from your own mother. She’s kicking you out of your house. Granted you were supposed to be moving out in a few months but you were in no way prepared yet.
‘What do you mean mom what- what am I supposed to do? I can’t move all of my things into Eddie’s trailer all of a sudden, that’s not fair to him! Can’t you just wait a few months, I swear I’ll be out. Please don’t kick me out mom, please no-’ You tried to negotiate and reason with her.
“NO! Now that you have no job how am I supposed to believe that? No. You have a week to get your things before I throw them out.” She finishes her trip up the stairs and slams the bathroom door.
Not only did you lose your job, but you also lost your home. And pretty much destroyed what little relationship you had left with your mother, nothing’s been the same since losing your father last 4th of July. It’s been a tough year and it seems to prove itself getting tougher. Still, it’s not fair for her to be treating her child this way.
You walk to your room and open the door. So much has changed since you left bed this morning, God you wish this were all a bad dream.
You grabbed a backpack that was laying by your closet and began to pack a few sets of clothes, necessities, and anything special that you’d like to take just so you know it won’t be gone the next time you collect your things.
You wish there were a way to contact Eddie while he was at school. To at least give him a heads up that he has a new roommate to lessen the shocking news that he was going to receive when he gets home. At least he doesn’t have D&D today.
God your thoughts are racing, you are starting to really panic. You were supposed to have time to figure it out. For yourself. For you and Eddie. And it’s all crashing down on you at once, plans that were once there are now ruined.
You lower yourself to the carpet and sobs just began to wrack your whole body. You couldn’t stop if you tried. All the pent up frustration, anger, sadness, and grief, it’s all coming out at once, and no one around to tell you that it’s all going to be okay
You wish Eddie was here.
To hold you until you were okay.
To reassure you that you’d figure it out.
Figure it out together.
That he loves you. More than anything. (Except that god damn guitar.)
That made you smile a little, just thinking about him. He really makes everything so much better.
You love him so much.
It takes you a while, but you grab your backpack and the grocery bag that you stuffed a few books, a pillow, and your favorite blanket into, and you never looked back. Walked out the door and tried to ignore how hard this all was.
This hurt like hell.
On the bus ride over to the trailer park, it’s never been more difficult to hold yourself together. Everything was falling apart. You also tried to conjure up the story that you would tell his Uncle Wayne so that he would let you in without too many questions, at least for now.
Wayne Munson was always so kind towards you and you knew he would welcome you with open arms. Wayne knew how happy you made Eddie. But you didn’t want to tell him everything just yet. You just wanted Eddie.
Arriving at the trailer door, it was difficult to get yourself to knock. It’s finally hitting you that you can’t go back home.
You lightly knock a few times.
Wayne, groggy-eyed and clearly half asleep answers, and to his surprise, it’s you on the other side.
“Hey kid, whatcha doin’ out here? It’s mornin’, Eddie isn’t gonna be back till 2?”
‘Hey Wayne, I called out of work today, not feeling well, so I thought I’d stop by, take a nap and then surprise Eddie when he gets home. Is that okay with you? Sorry to intrude I-’
“No, no, no not intruding at all! You know you are always welcome here, I was just curious. Come on in, do whatever you like darlin’. Are you feelin’ alright?”
‘Yeah, I’ll be okay! Just didn’t want to bother my mom at home. I’ll go to his room, thank you again, Wayne.’
“Anytime hon, you are welcome here anytime you need. Holler if you need anything at all!”
It’s not until you hear the bedroom door open, that you wake up.
You slept 4 hours, guess all of the emotions of the day took a toll.
“Honey, I’m home!’ he yells as he enters, throwing his bag on the ground.
You rub at your eyes and open them to see Eddie, blurry and distorted Eddie Munson. Your heart immediately swells as you hold out your arms and he falls right into them.
You bury your nose in the crook of his neck, smelling the cologne and the tobacco on him. It smells like home and you never want to let him go. It’s almost enough to get you to break down again.
As he tries to pull away with a smile on his face and goes to greet you, he notices the beginnings of tears swelling in your eyes. His stomach drops with immediate worry.
“Woah, woah, woah, are you okay sweetheart?! What’s going on? Talk to me?” the concern in his voice and the look on his face cause you to start to cry more.
It’s always when someone asks if you’re okay.
‘Eddie, I don’t know anymore, everything is going to shit and it just feels like the world is against me. I can’t do anything right no matter how hard I try and… I don’t know baby everything is falling apart- Eddie I don’t know what to do-’ Sobs start to wrack your body for the second time today only this time, the dam is really breaking.
You are crying, hyperventilating, shaking.
Eddie holds on so tight.
Murmuring words of reassurance to you in hopes that you can calm down enough to tell him what’s wrong.
So he can help.
He hates seeing you like this, where he’s completely helpless. He just wishes he could take your pain away.
“Hey love why don’t we lay down,” he whispers against your hair, “we can lay down and I can try to help you out, okay? I hate seeing you like this.”
You nod your head and move so that he can scoot under the covers with you.
You rest your head on his chest and begin to trace the tattoos on his arms. It’s your favorite grounding exercise.
“Are you ready to tell me what’s going on or would you like some more time?”
‘I lost my job Eds. This morning I slept in again and I lost my job. And now I have to find a new one and I don’t think I’m going to have nearly enough money for a few months' rent to get us out of here. I’m so sorry Eds, I’m so, so sorry, please don’t be mad, I’m so sorry…’ You couldn’t get any more words out as you began to cry again.
You don’t want to lose Eddie.
‘My mom also kicked me out of the house and I hate to be a burden on you and suddenly be living with you and I’m just so tired and scared Eddie-’
“Okay first of all, please do not think I would ever get angry with you for anything like that my love, never. I understand completely, I could never be mad at you for losing your job, I know you try your hardest and everyone makes mistakes baby it's okay, I'm here to support you don’t you worry. We will figure out the money situation when you are okay and on your feet. Second, you know you can stay with me and Wayne, you know you can, please don’t say that you are a burden. We are here to support you for as long as you need. And this way, we can have a little extra time to get our money together and we can get out of here, okay baby? We will figure this all out, it’ll just take some time.”
‘I love you so much Eds, so fucking much’
“I love you too. More than anything. We will figure this out I promise.”
You finally build up the courage to pull away and look him in the face, afraid of any anger or doubt that you may see.
You find nothing but love in his eyes.
You slowly move your eyes down towards his lips and you lean in.
His lips are so gentle at first. A light pressure, leaving a few kisses on your lips before leaving to lay a kiss on your nose, and another on your forehead.
He returns to your lips with more vigor, more confidence. He is trying to prove to you in all his actions just how much he loves you.
Moving his hands to your hips, leaving a light squeeze before resting his forehead on yours.
“We’ll be okay, just hang in there, I’m right here with you.”
‘Hanging in there Munson.’