Work Text:
It's a loud clattering from downstairs that wakes you. Tearing you away from the peaceful slumber you had finally settled into.
The sudden noise has you disoriented. You stumble out of bed, grabbing the nearest object you can throw your hand on in your sleep-addled state.
You barely acknowledge the weight in your hands as you descend the stairs. The house should be silent, as it was when you drifted off, but instead you hear muttering and quiet banging coming from a room that should not be lit.
The living room is bathed in a warm glow from the overhead light, a light you definitely remember turning off before going to bed.
Your grip tightens around the makeshift weapon in your hand as you round the corner, preparing to take on the intruder.
" Eddie ?" You release a breath you didn't know you were holding, lowering your hand and letting the plastic toy sword drop to the ground with a soft thud.
There, sitting cross legged on the floor in front of you, is your best friend.
"What are you doing here? It's 3am. How did you even get in?" As you approach him, you're hit with the distinct smell of alcohol.
Upon further inspection, the silent boy in front of you is fiddling incessantly with your Walkman. He hasn't spared you a single look since you found him.
"Eddie?" You gently place your hand on his shoulder, finally alerting him to your presence.
He says your name quietly, looking up at you with confusion.
"What are you doing here, Eds?" You keep your voice soft, almost a whisper, afraid to spook the wide eyed boy.
"Said I'd fix it for you." Eddie's words are slurred as he shows you the Walkman that is in worse condition now than it was before.
You sigh quietly, lowering yourself to sit beside your friend. Your hand reaches for his, squeezing it lightly.
"You've been drinking." It isn't an accusation, you know what he's been through and you can't blame him for needing something to dull the memories sometimes.
He doesn't speak. He simply lets his head drop to the side, falling heavily on your shoulder. Dark hairs tickle your face as you rest your cheek against him.
This isn't the first time you've found him like this. Silent. Distant. Yet desperate for the soft touch you always offer him.
It breaks your heart each and every time.
Seeing his face so devoid of life. The haunted look he gets in his eyes when something takes him back to that nightmare. How he runs his fingers over the lingering scars that are littered across his body, neck and face.
You want nothing more than to kiss away the pain you know he carries. But he's vulnerable and you won't take advantage of that.
So you continue as you always have. Taking care of him. Making sure you're there when he needs you. You're his friend first, always .
His voice breaks you from your thoughts, a whisper of your name in the silent room.
"M'so tired."
You hear the way his voice cracks, muffled as he turns his face into your shoulder. His fingers gripping tightly onto your pyjamas, pinching the plump flesh of your waist, as if he's afraid you'll disappear, and he probably is.
"I know, Eddie." Your throat is tight as you push back the tears you feel burning your eyes. Crying right now would do no good, but it's hard not to when you can see the pain he's clearly in.
"Let's sleep. Come on." You're gentle as you pull him up with you, wordlessly leading him up the stairs towards your bedroom.
You help him settle beneath your soft quilt, sliding in next to him when he refuses to let go of your hand. He turns on his side, pulling your arm to rest over his waist, interlocking your fingers together.
Your other hand is tucked under his neck, allowing you to lightly trace the scarring of his skin. You can feel the vibration as he quietly whimpers, trying to press his throat even closer to the softness of your fingertips.
"Can you just hold me?" His words are impossibly soft, barely loud enough for you to hear.
But you do. And the clench of your heart makes your eyes sting even more.
Your arm tightens around him, making sure that your bodies are touching at every possible point. You continue the gentle touches to his throat, as you leave a barely there kiss to the top of his head.
"I'm not going anywhere, Eddie. I promise."