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There was no explaining the relief that spread through your chest when you found Eddie alive and unharmed, hiding in the boathouse of his supplier out by Lover’s Lake. Clearly exhausted and terrified, he was still in one piece.
It was a sweet reunion for Dustin; happy to see his friend as safe as he could be. Yet, you couldn’t ignore the anxious undercurrent that ran through the atmosphere. Anxiety that was brought to ahead when sirens were heard in the distance.
“Hide Eddie!”
At Dustin’s warning, Eddie ducks under the blue tarpaulin. Sirens rush past the boathouse; police cars and ambulances speeding up the road. An unspoken agreement rang through the group. Steve led the way, standing first, followed quickly by Robin and Dustin.
“You aren’t just leaving me here?” Eddie splutters in disbelief, sitting up in the boat. “Alone?”
“We have to check out the sirens,” Steve argues, already making his way to the door. “We have to figure out what’s happening here.”
“But do you all need to go?”
There’s a pause before Steve nods. “Guess not. Who’s staying behind?”
“I will,” You answer, stepping forward, flashing a calm smile towards Eddie. “Dustin and Max will keep me informed. They always do.”
“Alright,” Steve nods, not wholly happy with the idea but lacking the effort to argue further. “We shouldn’t be too long.”
They leave in a hurry, wanting to get to the scene of the sirens before the news vans and reporters descend. As Steve’s car speeds up the drive, you get your first good look at Eddie.
He’s a wreck. A tremor in his hands that he’s trying his best to hide. Dark circles line his eyes from where he hasn’t slept or has slept but woken up from nightmares. You can see the clear fear and worry in his brown eyes; constantly having to check over his shoulder and flinching at every loud sound.
You drop down next to Eddie in his makeshift hideout. The boat creaks with age, protesting as you throw the blue tarpaulin over the side. Eddie doesn’t comment but he watches you warily. With a winning smile, you address the falsely accused brunette. “What? I had to make room.”
“For what?”
“When was the last time you slept, Eddie?”
He freezes in place, thinking back to his last peaceful night. “A full night’s sleep? The night before Chrissy.”
“Oh Eddie…”
“I’ve had an hour here and there,” He murmurs, running a hand over his face, looking so dog-tired. “But then I hear a siren, or I hear Chrissy’s bones snap and I wake up terrified.”
“That settles it then,” You declare, offering no further explanation. Reaching into your bag, you pull out two items. A much beloved and battered paperback, and your favourite cardigan.
Amused and curious, Eddie eyes the two items. “Do you always carry a book with you?”
“Yes,” You answer as if carrying a book around with you was something out of the ordinary.
“What are you doing?” Eddie asks as he watches you fight with the buttons of the patterned cardigan.
“Making you a pillow,” You reply. You fold the cardigan into something that resembles a pillow. You place it onto your lap, explaining to the metalhead, “It’s a lot comfier than the floor of a boat.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Eddie hesitates; brown eyes flashing between your lap and your face. “What are you going to do if I sleep?”
You shrug. “Keep watch. Read my book.”
He continues to hesitate. You reach out and grab his hand, “Eddie, you’ve had a rough few nights. Whether you sleep or lie with your eyes closed, it’s up to you but I’m not going anywhere.”
Your words spur something in the metalhead. He shifts, lying down with his head in your lap. You smile down at him, “Everything okay?”
He nods. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Will you read to me? It might keep my mind away from Chrissy.”
“Yes, I’ll read to you but don’t judge my taste in books. I’ll have you know this particular book is a classic.”
An unexpected burst of laughter leaves Eddie; a handsome smile spreading across his face as he promises to do no such thing. The sight of such a smile leaves you momentarily stunned, reaching for your book silently.
Clearing your throat, you flip to the first page in the paperback that you’re confident you could recite word for word. Eddie sighs, eyes slipping closed with his arms crossed against his chest.
“The moon cast long shadows over the old stone tower which rose three stories high and seemed to scowl down, in a tired way, at the broken and crumbling wall that surrounded it…”
You channel Jude Deveraux’s words, letting them wash over the both of you. Halfway through chapter two, Eddie’s breathing slows, the tension leaving his face. Light snores fall from his lips; the sight entirely too endearing for you to handle so you return to your book, reading silently to yourself.
You find it hard to completely focus on the plot of the book in your hands. Despite knowing it word for word, your eyes slip to the sleeping brunette in your lap. His chest rises and falls steadily; his mouth slightly parted as breathy snores leave his lips. Warmth stirs in your chest as you watch him; a feeling that had occurred more than once when talking to the metalhead.
Forcing yourself to read the book in your hands, you’ve barely begun chapter six when Eddie begins fussing. It starts with small whimpers before the word ‘no’ leaves his mouth far more than it should.
Eddie wakes with a start, forcing himself to consciousness when his dreams turned to nightmares. Breathing heavily, his heartbeat only starts to calm when he spots you sitting beside him.
“(Y/N)?”
“Hey Eddie,” You whisper, “You good?”
He ignores the question in favour for asking another. “How long was I asleep?”
You check the watch sat on your left wrist. “Just under an hour.”
Eddie nods as if he were expecting this answer. You pat his shoulder comfortingly, “Think you could sleep some more?”
Eddie nods again, settling back down with his head on your lap. “Will you read some more? I never took you as someone who enjoyed reading steamy romances.”
You laugh; the action coming far too easily in his presence. “It’s clear you don’t know me that well then, Eddie Munson.”
“I’ll have to fix that.”
“Yes, you will.”
There’s a pause; a charge of something else before you pick up from where you left off. The words flow easily from you, Eddie getting lost in the rise and fall of your voice. He can feel sleep waiting to claim him, but he fights against it. He fights and he fights until you place a hand on his, gripping his fingers.
“Don’t worry,” You murmur, pausing your recitation of the 1981 romance. “I’ll be here when you’re awake.”
At your words, Eddie holds your hand that little bit tighter, finally falling asleep.
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By the time the others land back at the boathouse, Eddie remains peacefully asleep, his face hidden in the stomach of your t-shirt. Dustin finds you, loudly announcing his arrival to which you shush him silent whilst pointing at your lap with your free hand.
A satisfied smirk grows on Dustin’s face as he waves everyone over. “Dustin,” You warn, “Whisper! You aren’t waking Eddie up.”
“Why is Eddie asleep in your lap?” Steve asks, frowning.
“He hasn’t slept in days and my lap is comfier than the floor of the boat.”
Satisfied with your answer, all but Dustin wander away, thinking about their next steps with whatever they found out. “What?” You hiss at the teenager.
Dustin shrugs. “Nothing.”
“Dustin Henderson, I will burn your entire comic collection.”
“No need for violence,” Dustin laughs, “He has a crush on you, you know? Told me at Hellfire the other week.”
You ignore Dustin’s words, feeling the familiar burn of hope in your chest and flush in your cheeks. Glancing down at the sleeping metalhead in your lap, Eddie keeps a firm hold on your hand as he snores into your stomach. A fond smile grows on your face as you ignore the racing of your heart.
“I see the feeling is mutual,” Dustin crows victoriously, a large smile on his face.
“Dustin!” You whisper-yell, “Bugger off before you wake Eddie up.”
Dustin wanders away, arguing with Steve as he sits down next to his idol. Eddie shifts in your lap. “Doesn’t matter,” he announces, “I’m awake.”
“Oh,” You croak, clearing your throat. “I’m sorry if we woke you.”
“Don’t apologise,” Eddie smiles, “That was the best sleep I’ve had in days.”
You snort, amused at his words. “I told you so,” You smile confidently, “I was here when you woke.”
Eddie laughs; the sound music to your ears. “That you did.” Eddie pauses, looking over to the group that were doing their best not to stare. He drops his voice to a whisper, leaning in to you. “Perhaps you’d like to read more of that book to me? I mean… after everything is over.”
You cut him off before he can begin rambling, kissing his cheek quickly. “I want nothing more.”