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Wednesday, August 13th, 1986
Eddie Munson waited for his boyfriend to return home with the patience of a saint. At least, that was what he was telling himself as the metalhead danced around the kitchen preparing a meal for the four of them to share when Steve and Robin came through the door. He chuckled to himself, throwing some chopped vegetables into a pan for a stir-fry he had made for his uncle a million times when they’d lived together.
He should invite Wayne over for dinner before his shift at the factory. He knew that his uncle had been a bit neglectful of his health since Eddie moved out, and the metalhead was worried about the older man being alone in his trailer. He would still stop by every morning after his workday had ended, and those mornings were always the best.
Eddie had never imagined he would be able to speak with his uncle again. His life had become a rollercoaster that seemed to go down way more than up, and now that he was on a steady incline the fear of another drop brought weight to his stomach like that he could not shake off.
He’d become something he’d never expected, something monstrous and powerful. When Eddie was unaware of the darkness that threatened to swallow Hawkins on what seemed to be a yearly basis, he thought that he had everything figured out. There were the outcasts and there were those who made the outcasts miserable.
It wasn’t until he was confronted by the contrary that the metalhead truly understood the grey that sat between the black and white of what he considered life. The kids that he loved with all his heart, who maintained their friendships and bonds with each other with such unbridled care and affection. The relationships that Eddie had cultivated through everything they’d gone through together. Being able to be himself around so many people that he never thought possible.
If the world existed in shades of grey, Steve Harrington brought with him all the other colors. He was the light that Eddie craved at every moment, the joy that gave Eddie a reason to stay in this fucked up world of theirs. He would not exist if it were not for the younger boy who gave his heart to him. Eddie would sooner die than spend a moment in a world without Steve Harrington.
Some would say these thoughts were dangerous. Possessive.
Eddie had no use for the thoughts of others.
Instead he thought only of how to preserve the happiness that he and his love had grown together over these past few months. Creating a life that would suit them both and would no longer be fraught with heartache and ruin.
Eddie would work hard at keeping the peaceful life that they now shared protected. His defense of his kin, of the love he had chosen with the wills of ancient beings far older than himself by his side. Eddie would protect that peace with everything he had.
For now, that meant adding soy sauce to the stir fry and enjoying the sounds of Metallica playing loudly from their radio.
It was one of Nancy’s days off of work, and the younger girl was enjoying her own time at home by taking a shower before dinner. Eddie was trying to time their meal for when the Steve and Robin would return from picking up snacks and a movie for their night indoors. The four them tried to have at least one night a week that they had a night of hanging out and drinking without worrying about kids or other adults that wouldn’t be pleased about those who were underage imbibing in the alcohol or the weed that Eddie would casually smoke. It took a lot for Eddie to get a proper high going, and he was already acclimated well before he’d been turned in the Upside Down.
Now it gave him the smallest tingle, dulling his now far superior senses enough that he would not hear every footstep in the house, smell the different shampoos that wafted from multiple people (though he always enjoyed the Finesse), and see every possible danger that could be around them. It was the most human he was willing to feel, at least, the most like how he used to be.
Eddie missed it sometimes, being human. It was never something he wanted to dwell too much on, especially when his life had become wonderfully happy and full of love. It would be in those quiet moments of the night, when Steve was asleep and Eddie could not help but wonder if it would be better for both of them if he stayed human.
He didn’t wish he was dead. No, Eddie had died once and facing that oblivion had sent him running into the arms of monsters without a second thought. Eddie just thought about how much he took away from his friends. From Steve.
The boy would be consumed by Eddie every night. Sometimes Eddie would think it was so violent, what he did to Steve was monstrous and disgusting. He brought that boy to his knees and drank until satisfied. These thoughts of his inhumanity would plague him, and Eddie would consider what kind of life the two would share if they were both human.
Eddie also knew how much he loved drinking from Steve. The crimson blood passing through his lips like a holy communion. It drove him wild. The taste of Steve Harrington on his tongue more delicious than any meal he’d ever consumed while being alive. If he were not monster, Eddie would have never known what partaking in the consummation of Steve’s blood would feel like. It felt so wrong in the rightest of ways. His teeth sinking into a body that belonged only to him. He would never want to let that go.
So Eddie would stay up, conflicted and wondering what he wanted. Was the beast that dwelled within him the truest Eddie that he could be? Or was the desire for humanity something he should pursue?
Either choice would bring him back to Steve.
Nancy had made her way downstairs, joining Eddie in the kitchen as the two of them waited for their significant others to walk through the front door and they could start the evenings festivities. If a couple beers and The Goonies counted as festivities that is.
“Smells good Eddie,” Nancy commented, her curls still damp from the shower. She was dressed in her pajamas, already prepared for a night of snuggling on the couch and enjoying each other's company until Robin inevitably passed out by the second movie. Steve and Eddie would take turns carrying the younger girl up the stairs, and Nancy would follow behind with a soft smile on her face as the four friends said their goodnights.
“I’m such a good housewife, I know.” Eddie batted his eyelashes, laughing when Nancy rolled her eyes before heading into the living room.
Eddie could get used to this kind of life. One without woe and a constant battle for any kind of respite.
When he heard the doorknob turn and the creak of wood at the door being opened Eddie perked up instantly. The split second of excitement transforming into confusion when the scent that met his nose was not Robin or Steve.
What invaded his space was no one he recognized. At least, Eddie could not remember ever smelling these people without the scent being months stale. It was the memory of people who Eddie never met, and now that the smell of expensive cologne mixed with the cooking vegetables and oils Eddie felt oddly sick.
It couldn’t be.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harrington?”
Nancy’s shocked gasp was all the Eddie needed to get moving. Practically sprinting to the entryway of the kitchen so he could see in full view the people he was going to make quick work off. It had been so long since he’d had a good hunt. Of course, these two would not be a challenge for the beast that turned Demogorgons into corpses that his kin would feast on. No, these two would be much easier.
Eddie was lucky that they had come to him.
Two figures that stood in the foyer, their noses turned up in obvious disdain as their eyes scanned the space that Steve had been left in the only goodbye his parents were willing to give him. Richard Harrington (Dick, Eddie would call him) was shorter than Eddie thought he would be. His hair was full, and the pinched expression he wore when he made eye contact with Eddie caused the older boy to sneer in disgust. The woman looked nothing like Steve. Blonde and blue-eyed with a holier-than-thou up-turn of her head. Eddie could see how different the two people in front of him were from Steve.
Steve had this vibrancy to him, a spark that brought the people he cared for feeling safe and loved. He left no person unattended, never allowing the loneliness that the younger boy had been subjected to be thrust upon the people he loved. Steve would never leave his kids all alone without food for days while he fucked off to another state.
These people were cold. They held nothing inside them.
Eddie could smell nothing on them that reminded him of Steve. He thought that maybe his love’s parents would in some way resemble the boy that they brought into this world, but Eddie supposed that it didn’t truly matter to him. Not when the memory of Steve breaking down in front of him was burned into his mind, and Eddie could feel the blood building in his mouth as sharpened teeth chewed into his cheek.
The first to speak was the man. The ‘father.’
“I suppose this is what happens when we give the boy something,” His voice sounded like the crawling of insects, “He turns it into trash.”
Eddie wasn’t going to let him say another word. He took a step, one with purpose and intent.
“Don’t!” Nancy shouted, her eyes frantically meeting Eddie’s, “I mean, I don’t know what you’re doing here Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, but Steve isn’t home.”
She was pleading with Eddie not to move, not to bring the wrath that ate away inside him down on their heads.
“We know Steven is here young lady.” Richard Harrington said, the two of them still standing in Steve’s home. Still breathing.
“I need to go upstairs and freshen up.” Mrs. Harrington spoke suddenly, grabbing her bag and attempting to go up the stairs. Eddie whistled, a satisfied smirk on his lips as the woman shrieked.
Ozzy stood at the top of the steps, coiled and ready to pounce if necessary. Eddie had taught his hound well, and though the creature was beyond a normal dog, Ozzy had learned to only use one pair of eyes when interacting with the people outside of the Party. It didn’t change the fanged snarl and deep rumbling growls that erupted from the Hellhounds throat as the woman tried to impose in their space.
“Don’t let her up Oz.” Eddie ordered, letting his body go a bit more lax now that he’d gotten their attention. Eddie knew that these people, these awful people did not deserve to breathe the same air as Steve. But he was also aware that the younger boy would be returning home any minute, and if there was one thing Eddie wanted more than seeing these two dead, it was them never laying eyes on their son again.
“Eddie.” Nancy stared at him with concern, a bit of fear in the possibilities that were now available.
“You get this mongrel out of our house right now!” Mrs. Harrington demanded, “All of you need to leave. We did not give permission for you to live in our house!”
Eddie was going to scream. It was the only thing he could think of when the rage that bubbled up into his throat threatened to tear its way out of him. However, to everyone’s surprise, Eddie Munson began to laugh.
“Your house?” He snorted, running a hand through his hair just for the sake of soothing his own frustration, “You said this is your house? You have no right to be here. Whatever claim you had to this space no longer exists do you understand that? I thought that perhaps the ones who abandoned him, left him with nothing but an empty house and money would have the capacity to comprehend that they were no longer welcome. I guess we should change the fucking locks!”
It was hysterical. What kind of twisted delusional thinking did these people possess to make claims like that in front of him. In front of anybody. No, Eddie couldn’t let that slide. He had to play teacher for the ignorant creatures that did not understand their place.
“I mean, I thought that maybe you would be a little smarter.” Eddie’s tone was mocking and cruel, “Showing up on our doorstep like you have any right to be here. You two are truly lucky.”
“I don’t know who you think you are, but I’m here to speak to my son-“ Richard Harrington started to shout, but Eddie rounded on the older man before he could finish his thought. Not touching, not throwing the man to the floor and tearing him apart. Eddie knew that would not heal the heart of the one he belonged to.
“Steve Harrington is not yours.” Eddie stated, a strange sense of calm washing over him quickly as he watched the fear flash in the older man’s eyes.
“I don’t know what gall or inflated sense of ego brought you into our home. But I will make this clear only once, so listen closely.”
He leaned in, a smirk playing on his lips as the people who hurt his love the most seemed to deflate in front of him.
“Steve is mine.” He purred, the statement feeling perfect coming from his lips, “And I am his. This house belongs to him. You two should know, it was you who gave it to him after all. If either of you wish to see tomorrow I suggest you turn away now, and never look back.”
“Y-you can’t threaten us!” Mrs. Harrington sputtered, obviously not as smart as her husband who remained silent.
Eddie just grinned.
“I’m handling trespassers accordingly ma’am. You do whatever it takes to protect your home.”
Eddie brushed passed the two stunned figures, holding the door open with a flourished bow.
“Now, if you’d kindly fuck off, I would appreciate it.”
He watched with an almost disappointment as the two grabbed their bags and shuffled out the door, both appearing stunned and angry. Though Eddie suspected they knew a losing battle when they saw one.
Mrs. Harrington did turn to Nancy before leaving, her eyes wet with tears that Eddie thought looked forced and ugly.
“Please tell Steven we will not be coming back.”
Nancy didn’t move, her eyes focused on the metalhead still glowering at the figures retreating into their car. Eddie waved his fingers as the Harrington’s pulled out of the driveway, and Eddie hoped for their sake he would never see or hear from them again.
Nancy grabbed his hand, watching with him as the vision of their car grew smaller in the distance. Eddie squeezed her hand tightly, both regret and relief filling him. He’d managed to control himself enough to not take their lives, but Eddie wished that they would die. It was a truly wicked thing to want.
“You did well.” Nancy smiled, “I swear I would have put a couple of shots in them if I was armed.”
Eddie snickered, letting the comfort the younger girl offered sink into his still tense form.
“I’m glad Stevie wasn’t here.” Eddie admitted, “If he was I don’t think I could have held back.”
“Are you going to tell him what happened?” Nancy inquired.
“Yeah. I don’t want to keep this from him.” He informed her, “Plus there’s always the possibility of them trying to get to him when he’s out of the house. I don’t want him to be shocked or caught off guard if they decide to be stupid.”
Nancy nodded, obviously pleased with his answer and reasoning.
“We should change the locks.” Nancy agreed, “Don’t want them to try and break in at night either.”
Eddie chuckled, imagining what would happen to the older couple if they ever attempted to break into their home. Between the Hellhound, the blood-drinking undead, and Nancy Wheeler with a pistol, Eddie doubted there would be anything left of them.
Still, Eddie agreed about changing the locks.
It was few minutes later that Steve’s car pulled into the driveway, both him and Robin discussing whether or not Keith hates Steve more or less now that they were no longer working at Family Video.
“All I’m saying Robs is that he seemed extra pissed when I walked into the store. I think he’s mad that you got fired along with me.” Steve said as he stepped out of the car, his hands gesticulating wildly as if it better proved his point.
Robin rolled her eyes.
“He was always that pissed at you Dingus. You just never noticed because you were too busy avoiding him.”
Eddie went to the duo immediately, wrapping his arms around Steve’s waist a placing a kiss on the back of the younger boy’s neck. He felt Steve relax into him, and Eddie smiled at the two friends continued bickering while unloading the backseat of groceries.
It took Eddie a second for something to click.
“Shit.” He hissed, jogging back into the house.
Steve followed behind him, a worried look in his eyes as Eddie ran into the kitchen. The space was filled with smoke and the smell of burnt vegetables. He’d completely forgotten to turn off the stove when he’d chased out their unwanted guests.
Steve stared at the most definitely ruined stir-fry with amusement and a little bit of worry still playing in his gaze.
“Everything okay Eds?” He asked, caressing Eddie’s cheek with the gentlest of touches.
“Yeah,” Eddie assured him, “We had some unexpected people drop by. Nancy and I will tell you all about it when everyone is inside. Um, sorry about the food.”
Steve just smiled at him, held tilted slightly at the older boy’s words. He leaned in, kissing Eddie gently on the lips before turning back to continue helping unload.
“No worries, babe,” Steve shrugged, “We can order pizza.”
Eddie smirked, grabbing Steve’s hand as they headed back out together. Always together.
Eddie Munson did not know what he was anymore. His body and mind had been shaped and molded into something entirely new. However, he did know where he belonged. Eddie Munson was most at home with his hand in Steve’s.