Chapter Text
Eddie felt at a breaking point. He was exhausted and angry. Sarah, his four-year-old daughter, had even begun to notice. “Why are grandma and grandpa always so angry?” She asked.
“I’m afraid they don’t like me, kid.” He told her.
He’d been trying to keep her away from the arguments and fighting. Worst of all, he feared a legal battle they’d threatened him with. He didn’t want to lose his daughter.
“You can’t take care of her.” Chrissy’s mom would tell him. “What are you going to do? Bring her to your sleazy concerts. It’s no environment for a child.”
Eddie knew they were right, as much as he hated to admit it. Sarah sometimes found the concerts overwhelming, and Eddie’s gigs often went late, well past her bedtime.
“I’ll get a babysitter.” He snapped back at them.
There were lots of babysitting options in the trailer park Eddie called home. Eddie’s next-door neighbour, Maureen, was great and always more than happy to watch over Sarah. But Eddie knew it wouldn’t be enough to please Chrissy’s parents. He was desperate to keep his daughter; even if it cost more than he could afford, he’d get the best god damn babysitter in Hawkins.
Eddie scanned the advertisements in the newspaper. Anyone who advertised themself as a nanny was far outside his budget. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, looking over at Sarah playing on the carpet. He wished he could give her the best.
A reasonable price caught his eye, a babysitter based out of the higher end of Hawkins. It seemed promising. He read the ad, surprised to find it was a guy. Eddie thought about it; why should that be so weird? Eddie figured it was worth a shot and rang him up.
“Is this Steve Harrington?” Eddie read the name on the ad, some thing felt familiar about the name, but he couldn’t place it. Hawkins was a pretty small town, so he was bound to know him. The only question was would this guy be willing to take the job once he realized it was Eddie offering?
“Yes.” The male voice on the other end replied.
“My name’s Eddie Munson. I saw your ad in the paper.”
“You’re looking for a babysitter?”
“Yeah, I have a four-year-old daughter, Sarah. It’s just that I tend to work nights, and I can’t really bring her with me.”
“I’m more than willing to work nights.”
“Great.” Eddie wasn’t sure how to proceed.
“I like to conduct interviews with the families. That way, we can find out if I’ll be a good fit.” Steve told him.
“Oh yeah, sure.”
“Do you have a day that will work for you?”
Eddie rushed over to his calendar, pulling the phone cord almost to its end. “What about Friday at ten in the morning?”
“Friday at ten. Sounds perfect. And your address?”
Eddie quietly rattled it off. “The trailer park,” He felt a bit humiliated, half expecting this guy to bail on him as soon as the words came out.
“Oh yeah, I know it. I’ll see you then.”
“Thanks.” Eddie felt encouraged.
“Have a nice day.”
“You as well.”
He hung up the phone and smiled over at Sarah.
-
“Daddy!” Eddie began to wake up with Sarah calling his name and trying to shake him. He began to register his alarm going off.
“Shit!” He swore, jumping to turn it off. His head snapped back at Sarah, who was giggling.
“You said a bad word.”
Eddie put a finger to his lips. “Promise you won’t repeat it?”
Sarah nodded. “I’m hungry.”
“Alright, let’s get you breakfast. Then I have to clean up for when the babysitter gets here.”
Eddie let Sarah take her sweet time enjoying their morning, playing around with her. By the time he set about cleaning up, he only had a half hour till the babysitter would show up. He was frantic in cleaning the mess that they called their home. Sarah was only a small help.
Suddenly a knock came on the door, and Eddie snuck a quick look in the mirror to make sure he at least looked presentable. His hair was a bit frizzier than normal, but it would have to do. He opened the door finding a young-looking guy on the other side of the door. His outfit was clean and immaculate looking, the pinnacle of suburbia, a sweater vest and all. His hair was amazing, and Eddie was instantly jealous, though it gave him an odd sense of déjà vu. Eddie stood there for a moment, taking him in, awkwardly not letting him inside. But fuck, this guy was kind of attractive in a way that made Eddie self-conscious.
“Steve Harrington.” He put out his hand, and Eddie snapped back, shaking it awkwardly.
“Um, Eddie. Suppose I should introduce you to Sarah.”
“I’d like that very much.”
Sarah was already standing behind Eddie, trying to get a peak at the man outside their front door. Eddie took a step to the side to let her come closer.
“This is my daughter Sarah.” He introduced.
“Hi Sarah.” Steve waved at her.
Eddie suddenly realized that he had forgotten his hospitality. “Come in. Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” Steve came in then.
The déjà vu feeling was really starting to bother Eddie now. “Steve Harrington!” It suddenly hit him. Steve looked over at his name.
“Sorry, I just remembered you from Hawkins High.”
“Oh.” Steve threaded his fingers through his hair as he looked down. Steve turned to Sarah then. “Hey Sarah, do you have a favourite toy?”
“My bunny.”
“I’d love to see it.”
With that, Sarah ran off.
“Look, I know I was kind of a jerk in high school.”
“You were an asshole.” Eddie clarified.
“Yeah, I was. And I regret it.” Steve looked apologetic. “I’ve been trying to work on bettering myself. I’m sorry if I bullied you.”
Eddie shrugged. “You mostly gave me a wide berth if I remember correctly. Everyone did. I was known as ‘The freak’.” He still was.
“High school, man.” Steve shook his head.
“What are you doing babysitting?”
“It’s more meaningful than some office job. I really like kids, and I’m good at it.” Steve was smiling again. It was so bright, and Eddie could tell his words were true.
Sarah came running back with her bunny to show Steve.
“Oh wow. Can I hold her? Is it a her?”
Sarah nodded. “Her name’s bunny. Mommy gave her to me.”
Eddie's heart sank at Sarah’s words.
“I’d love to know what things you like to do, Sarah. Maybe we can sit down?”
“The living rooms over here.” Eddie pointed across the trailer.
Steve looked all to out of place in the grungy trailer. Eddie thought maybe he should have tried harder to clean up. Sarah was already climbing onto the couch next to Steve, telling him everything she loved to do. Eddie could already tell Steve would be great with her as his full attention is on her.
“I like daddy singing” Eddie smiled at that.
“And he’s funny too.”
Eddie stuck his tongue out at her, and she giggled.
Steve smiled at the interaction.
“So you work overnights?” Steve asked Eddie.
“I’m a gig musician. Most of my shows are at night.”
“Oh, cool. I always wanted to be in a band or something. What kind of music to you play?”
“Really loud, with lots of screaming,” Sarah told him.
Eddie chuckled to himself. “Metal,” He clarified.
“I should’ve guessed.” Steve’s eyes flickered over Eddie.
Eddie’s appearance turned most people off, but Steve hadn’t even batted an eye. Hell, he’d barely reacted at all till now. Eddie still couldn’t help but feel Steve would turn the job down once Sarah was gone.
“I just need someone to look after Sarah while I’m gone. Make sure she has dinner. Put her to bed.”
Steve nodded.
“Some gigs can go pretty late.” Eddie dared to tread.
“I don’t mind working late hours.”
Eddie nodded.
“Is there anything else I should know? Does Sarah have any allergies or anything?”
Eddie shook his head. “Nah, she’s pretty good. Gets along with everyone.” He smiled at her. “The neighbourhood is a bit rough.”
“I’ve babysat kids around here before,” Steve told him, and Eddie felt shocked. A guy like Steve usually wouldn’t be caught dead there.
Steve looked at him, almost hopeful.
“Do you like Steve, Sarah?” Eddie asked her.
Sarah nodded, making Eddie smile. “Why don’t you put your bunny back away? Daddy’s got to talk.”
Sarah jumped up without protest, leaving Eddie alone with Steve.
“She seems like a great kid.”
“She’s my everything,” Eddie admitted. “Look, I know you’d probably want to work for anyone else.”
Steve looked taken aback.
“I don’t want to be a bad note on your resume or whatever.”
“Eddie, a job’s a job. And if you need a babysitter, I’ll be here for you. I’m not going to turn someone down because of their situation.” To Eddie’s surprise, Steve's voice was genuine.
Sarah returned to his side. “Are you done talking now?”
“Yeah, say your goodbyes to Steve,” Eddie told her.
“He’s coming back?”
“Yeah.” Eddie caved.
-
Steve arrived for his first babysitting gig at five o'clock on a Friday.
“Phone numbers and the address is on the fridge.” Eddie felt like his brain was everywhere as he raced around.
“We’ll be fine, Eddie.” Steve tried to calm him.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just gonna be late.” He gave Sarah a rushed hug and kiss. “Goodnight, sweetie, see you later. Be good. Listen to Steve.” He turned to Steve. “Food is in the fridge.”
“Got it.” Steve nodded, and with that, Eddie was out the door.
Eddie came back at 1 am, finding Steve watching his TV. “Sarah’s asleep,” Steve told him.
“Thanks.” Eddie nodded, and he handed Steve a 10-dollar bill. “She was good?”
Steve nodded. “How was your gig?”
Eddie figured he was just being polite in asking the question and wasn’t actually interested. “Fine.” He shrugged, fixing his hair. “It’s late. I’m sure you want to go home.”
Steve nodded and said his goodbyes before heading out the door and driving away.
In the morning, Sarah assured Eddie she had a fun time, and Eddie thought that maybe he might have just found something that worked.
-
Eddie and Steve’s interactions were always brief and short. Sarah was always in bed when Eddie got back. Steve was always nice and polite. It wasn’t that Eddie was brushing him off. He didn’t fully believe that Steve actually wanted to talk to him. Sarah was already in love with him.
“Steve does funny voices.” She told Eddie when he asked her if Steve read books to her before she went to bed.
Eddie was glad Steve was willing to do something like that for Sarah. She loved being read a book before sleep.
-
“If you want, I can make Sarah dinner. I know you usually have to leave before dinner.” Steve offered Eddie when he came back one night.
“I don’t want to make you do more then I hired you for.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“I can’t pay you extra,” Eddie admitted, feeling a bit humiliated by his lack of income.
“My rate is my rate. I would never charge you anymore. I don’t mind at all, honestly.”
“I mean if you really want to.” Eddie caved. It would save him some work.
A week later, Eddie let Steve make dinner in his kitchen while he was gone.
“There are leftovers in the fridge,” Steve told Eddie when Eddie returned.
“Thanks,” Eddie paid him, and they said their goodbyes.
When Steve was gone, Eddie tried some of the leftovers. Fuck, Steve was a good cook.