Chapter Text
September 17, 1984
Music could be heard from outside the trailer. Most would assume that the neighbors would yell or complain about the noise, but they haven’t met the people of the trailer park. The whole neighborhood was like one big family, everyone knew everyone, though it stayed fairly quiet, everyone minding their own business unless a threat stepped in. Like a whole different town, nestled into the small clearing of the vast woods of Hawkins, where all of the people who are shunned and failed come to find refuge and peace.
Eddie Munson was one of those residents. He moved in with his Uncle Wayne when he turned 14 years old, just before his freshman year of highschool.
Now, Eddie was a junior, 17 years old and spending his last evening before the school year starts to really bask in the freedom that the summer months held. He played his rock music loud, smoked so much weed that the smell seeped into the aged wallpaper, read his fantasy books and played his guitar.
Exactly what Eddie had done every day the whole summer. By himself.
It wasn’t all that bad, at least Eddie had his band and his club. He would meet with the guys every Saturday for band practice, maybe if they were lucky they’d find a gig at some bar that paid them with free drinks despite being underage. He would host club meetings every Wednesday, run the Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for hours, pretending that, just for the moment, the fantasy world he wrote was real life.
But still, it was an undeniable fact that Eddie Munson was lonely. Ostracized from most everyone else.
Eddie dreaded school. He never liked it. Even when he was a little kid, playing on the jungle gym, he was shunned and bullied by the other kids. Always told that he was too weird , that he didn’t fit with anyone. He was too annoying to hangout with the boys, and too obnoxious to hangout with the girls.
He never meant to be those things. He spent his whole life trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Hoping that if he figured it out, he’d be able to change it. To fix it. Maybe, just maybe , then, he could feel as though he had a place of worth. His peers would stop with the insults and the name calling. The beating and the threats. Maybe his father would love him more. Maybe it would help ease some of Wayne’s good-hearted worries.
So when Eddie figured out that he couldn’t change this. He was devastated, scared. He always knew, like a lingering fear in the back of his head, whispering every now and then, just to make itself known, before it scurried away into the shadows of his brain, waiting for when Eddie would chase after it, throw away all of the things it was hiding behind and shine a light to it.
“Hey, rockstar?”, Wayne knocked on the worn wood door to Eddie’s bedroom, careful not to allow his fist to collide with the Van Halen poster that was thumbtacked on the outside of the door.
Eddie reached across from where he sat on his bed, turning down the volume of his stereo system before getting up and answering the door. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes fondly at the nickname, one that Wayne had for Eddie ever since he first saw him as a baby in the hospital. Wayne would always recall how, ‘even when he was just a baby, his hair was so wild, like he was born to be a rockstar.’
It was corny, but Eddie would be a liar if he ever said he hated it.
“I’m headin’ out for work,”, Wayne said once Eddie opened the door, “‘Should be home before you leave in the mornin’, don’t want you to start the first day without me.”
Eddie had to force a smile, not wanting to see his Uncle fuss over him. Wayne knew how Eddie felt about school, neither of them needed a reminder, and Eddie couldn’t bear to crush his Uncle’s attempts at enthusiasm.
“Yeah.”, he nodded, carding his fingers through his long, frizzy hair, “I’ll see you then. Drive safe.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure to pick up some breakfast for you before I get home,”, Wayne added, turning back to his door in the hallway, to the left of Eddie’s door, right across from the bathroom. He closed it, pulling on his jacket and smoothing it out, “Don’t keep the music on too long, now, kiddo. It’s gettin’ late, don’t wanna bother Ms.Bolen next door.”
“I won’t. Promise,”, Eddie assured, following behind Wayne into the living room, plopping himself on the couch and grabbing the remote to the tv while Wayne tied up his work boots.
Wayne gave Eddie a nod before leaving. Eddie spent the rest of the night quietly, watching music videos on MTV. His favorite bands always played later at night, Eddie assumed that most of the kids who listened to the top 100 were out partying at this hour, while kids like him were cooped up inside, finding comfort in the rockers that were just like them on the tv.
The only thing was, there was a big difference between Eddie and Iron Maiden’s Paul Day. It wasn’t their hair, their talent, their fashion, or their attitude. It was biological, something that most wouldn’t even turn a blind eye to. But in Eddie’s case, it was all people saw, and it tended to scare them away, to disgust them. At times, even Eddie found himself disgusted by it, though not for the same reasons.
He was disgusted with himself; he knew that his body wasn’t right.
And he never had anyone tell him that there was nothing wrong with him because of that.
—
“Eddie, wake up, kid,”
Eddie inhaled sharply, stretching his arms out and waking up.
“Fell asleep on the couch again,”, Wayne commented, patting Eddie’s shoulder.
“No bother- I brought you something to eat before school. A breakfast of champions, if you will,”, the older man tried to joke, giving Eddie a knowing smile.
Eddie nodded, returning the expression in the best way he could, “Thanks,”, he yawned, rubbing his eyes before he sat up properly, joining Wayne in the small kitchenette of their trailer.
He settled on the plastic foldable chair, tucked away in the corner with the kitchen table, fit only for two. Unwrapping the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich from the parchment paper, Eddie tried to blink the sleep away from his eyes, reality coming back to hit him like a brick, no longer in the peaceful state of sleep.
Wayne looked his nephew over, sighing softly as he sipped his coffee, “Sleep okay?”, he asked
Eddie nodded, mouthful of sandwich, bed head wild around his face.
“Havin’ the club come over later?”, Wayne tried again, clearly searching for a little more response from Eddie. He wouldn’t push, he knew that school was always something Eddie dreaded. Wayne dreaded it too, ever since the first day Eddie came home from school early with a busted lip and a black eye. Wayne knew right then, that things wouldn’t get easier with time. He did what he could to make things better for his nephew, he always stuck up for him, but there were some things he just couldn’t fix, and the thought hurt. He held onto every little thing that made Eddie smile, desperate to see more of it.
The suggestion of the Hellfire Club perked Eddie up instantly, his eyes brightening, a smile curling at his lips as he spoke.
“Yeah, we’re gonna set up some new character sheets for the next big campaign, I wrote a really sick script for it,”, Eddie explained, letting the rest of the morning fill with enthusiastic conversation, going into all of the details and passion Eddie had with his fantasy game.
Wayne didn’t understand one bit of it, but he still sat and listened, nodding and engaging, just to see his nephew happy.
“Got your schedule yet?”, he asked during a break in the conversation, Eddie taking a moment to catch his breath and drink some soda - a questionable choice for 7 in the morning, but Wayne was far past questioning the things his nephew does.
Eddie nodded, swallowing his mouthful of food, “Mhm,”, he hummed, “Got P.E first period.”, he added, glancing up to catch Wayne’s gaze, who only looked apologetic and worried.
“Well,”, the older man cleared his throat, “You know what to do, right? Thumb tucked outside your fist, hit with your body weight, not just your arm-“
“I know, don’t worry, okay?”, Eddie cut his uncle off with a soft sigh.
Wayne may not understand or know a lot about what Eddie is going through, but he always stays supportive. He taught Eddie to never take anyone’s shit, but they both knew that sometimes the threat was too big for Eddie to fight. The worst part of it, too, was that the threat seemed to be everywhere. Eddie wasn’t a fighter, but he had to be if he wanted to survive.
“Do you want to see if I can try and get you to go to the girl’s locker rooms- or just use the bathrooms instead?”, Wayne suggested, desperate to do something to make Eddie feel even the slightest bit safer.
The idea of being placed in the girl’s locker room stung, but Eddie knew Wayne didn’t mean any harm with it. He was just trying to help.
Eddie shook his head, “No, I don’t think the girls would be any better, and if I go to the separate bathrooms, it’ll just ostracize me more. I can take it. I always do.”, he added, sitting up straighter and trying to give Wayne a convincing nod.
“Just because you can take it, doesn’t mean you should, boy.”, Wayne sighed, standing up to collect their trash from breakfast, “But, you know more ‘bout this than I do. Jus’ know if those bastards ever chase you onto my property, I’m gettin’ my gun.”
Eddie couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head and patting Wayne’s shoulder, “There won’t be a need for that, old man.”, he tried to make light of it, though he knew Wayne was serious. Sometimes, Eddie was surprised that Wyane didn’t just show up at the school, cursing everyone out. But, that would surely leave the man in county jail, and Eddie needed Wayne home more than anything else.
But, if a fight ever landed on Wayne’s property. It was all fair game.
—
The bell shrilled through the whole school, 8 am on the dot. It was first period, gym class, and Eddie just managed to stagger into the boy’s locker room before he was marked late.
He had been stalling in the parking lot, watching intently as everyone walked in the school, trying to time it right so he could avoid the initial crowds. Of course, he was talking with his friends near his van and smoking a cigarette, which probably didn’t help his tardiness. But, he made it nonetheless, even if he wished to be anywhere but here.
The locker room was small, metal cabinets lining the walls and making a lane, the showers on the opposite side of the room, a bench right down the center of both sections. Most of the guys were changed already, spending the rest of their 15 minutes before they had to get on the court to continue to talk. Eddie always found it ironic how the guys in his class preached about being a ‘real man’, when they themselves gossiped like schoolgirls. Maybe it was only okay when they did it.
Bullshit.
Eddie untucked his hands from his front pockets, keeping them by his sides as he stepped further into the locker room. He hated gym class, and not just because of the changing and the showers. He wasn’t the most athletic. Sure, he could run real fast when being chased by the cops, he could pack a lethal punch, but those were more tactics for survival and not for sport. He was too uncoordinated for basketball, cross country hurt his lungs - though that was probably from smoking - and he wasn’t even given the chance to play dodgeball, even though he was certain he’d be good at it. What difference does a foam ball or a fist make?
It shouldn’t bother him. It wasn’t like he was even allowed on sports teams anyway.
As he walked past, he could practically feel the stares from the back of his head. It was a suffocating feeling, having all eyes on you, and the looks were either of disgust or danger.
“Back for another year, freak? I would’ve thought that you’d be scared away- especially after everything that happened last year.”
Eddie kept his back turned, eyes focused on the inside of his locker, chewing on the inside of his cheek in hopes that the slight pain would make the words and memories hurt a little less.
“Look at me when I’m fucking talking to you, who do you think you are?!”, before Eddie could snap back or do anything to defend himself, the locker door was slammed onto his fingers, earning a shout while he was slammed back against the closed metal door, pinned by his shoulders.
Tommy Hagan was leering down at him, the rest of his friends crowded around, most of the boys in the locker room either cheering them on or looking the other way.
Eddie thrashed in the hold, trying to kick his way out of Tommy’s hands desperately.
This wasn’t the first time this had happened, and each time the violence got worse.
The other boy’s hold was persistent, a vice grip on Eddie’s shoulders with a dark grin on his face, the boys around them crowding into Eddie’s space. It felt like he couldn’t breathe, but Eddie still tried to hold his ground.
Thumb on the outside of your fist, tucked under the knuckles. Keep your feet planted and swing with your legs, use all of your body weight with the punch. Aim for the nose, jaw, sternum, and eyes. Don’t show that the words get to you. It’s okay to fight dirty.
“I thought I’d make a reappearance, clearly you needed someone to entertain you in this god awful school. Ya’ know, for someone who claims to hate me, I sure am on your mind a lot.”, Eddie spat, no real amusement in his tone, keeping his eyes narrowed and locked on Tommy’s face. Eddie was always hyper vigilant, looking for the next threat around the corner.
The other boy seethed , gritting his teeth and pulling Eddie forward just to slam him back again. This time it did some damage, Eddie’s expression flattering for just a moment to wince as his head slammed back into the metal. He’d surely be left with a concussion.
“What? You think I’m some kinda fag ? Watch your fucking mouth when you’re talking to me, you sick fuck.”, Tommy snapped, Eddie forced one of his shoulders out from Tommy’s hold, pushing the boy back and thrashing to get away from being cornered, but the boys that surrounded him were quick to jump in, holding him still while Tommy got his bearings.
“Awe, trying to fight back like a bitch ? I don’t think I could even call you that, you’re no man and you’re even less of a woman. If anything, you’re closer to a monster, the same ones people warn the little kids about.”, Tommy growled.
“ Stay away from the witch, she mutilates her body to shift into any horrific creature she wants. But do not let her fool you, because she will reveal herself, and it will be too late. ”, one of the other boys mocked.
“How about that? What do you say, do you think we should show some of the new kids just exactly what you are?”
Eddie’s eyes widened in fear, and he shook his head, kicking and shouting; praying to a god that never listened for some mercy, “N-no! Get off of me you bastards! Fuck off- Stop!”
Just as Tommy was nearing closer, reaching for the hem of Eddie’s shirt, the coach finally walked in the locker room, deciding that enough was enough.
Eddie knew the coach was watching the whole time. They only ever stepped in when things were deemed ‘too far’.
‘Too far’ was never the beatings or the slurs.
“Alright, boys, Munson .”, the teacher boomed through the room. Tommy dropped his hands, the hold around Eddie’s shoulders and forearms released. Eddie stayed put, still shaken. “Hagan, what’s all this about?”
“I’m so sorry, coach, sh- he kept-“
“That’s enough, it’s the first day, and there’s no need for this mess. Get on the court. As for you, Munson, get to the nurse, and detention after school.”, the coach left no room for any objection, ending with the blow of his whistle, signaling all of the boys to get to the gym.
Of course the coach wasn’t going to listen. No one ever did.
Wiping the blood away from his nose, Eddie gathered his things from the locker. He tucked the hem of his shirt into his jeans, his eyes now wet with tears because he was left alone. With a shaky deep breath, he walked out of the locker room, going to the nurse’s office.
—
The rest of the day went as typical. Eddie couldn’t bear to go to most of his classes, and he had a detention anyway, so he cut class in the bathrooms. The only class he showed up for was history and woodshop.
He loved history, he liked learning about the different myths and legends that surrounded ancient civilizations, or the various deadly plagues that would hit early populations. It was a little grim, but it piqued his interest - especially the theatrical stories that would be told.
Woodshop was fun, he got to pick out this year’s project. He decided on attempting to build his own guitar, already sketching out the idea and the details in his notebook while the teacher went over the rules Eddie already knew about.
In most of his classes, he didn’t speak. He didn’t always have a reason to, because no one spoke to him; and when he would open his mouth - whether it be to answer a question or add to the discussion of the class - he was made fun of and shut away before he was given a chance.
Besides, Eddie had to lay low. Keep his head down and mouth shut in hopes that it would make the day easier for him. Already, his bandaged nose was a big topic for gossip, word spreading of what happened in the locker room like wildfire, ruining any chances Eddie had to try and befriend the new kids who didn’t know who he was yet.
The last bell rang, and Eddie snuffed out the cigarette he had been smoking in the bathroom. Finally, he crept out of the locked stall and out of the bathroom, having waited before to make sure no one was inside to see him. The hallway was fairly clear, all of the kids eager to leave the school and celebrate the first day.
Eddie, of course, was heading straight to detention.
For a second, he wondered if he should just turn around and skip that too. But he couldn’t bear the inevitable hurt he would feel to see Wayne’s reaction to his injuries. He knew Wayne would ask about it, and as much as Eddie knew his uncle just cared and worried, Eddie didn’t want to talk about it.
So, he decided to prolong the time until he went back to the trailer, stepping into room 701 for his punishment.
“Sit down, no talking, and no doing any work. Just sit quietly until the hour is up.”, the teacher sighed, exasperated as if she had been working vigorously for hours, annoyed that Eddie was even there in the first place.
Eddie didn’t say anything, just nodded and took his place in one of the desks towards the back. So far, he appeared to be the only one there. But, of course, Eddie wasn’t that lucky.
Putting his head down for a few moments, he only looked up when he heard the soft squeak of the desk beside him.
For a moment, Eddie debated if he even wanted to bother to look. Surely, it was a mistake for someone to sit beside him, and he was expecting a taunt or insult to be thrown his way.
What Eddie didn’t expect, was to see Steve fucking Harrington being the one to sit next to him.
Pickling his head up, Eddie furrowed his brows slightly, because Steve was looking at him, expectantly.
Glancing around the classroom, it was just them, the teacher having left somewhere - probably to get coffee, clearly uninterested in the boys.
Eddie looked back at the other, “What?”, he asked, though it wasn’t hostile, more confused.
What was Steve Harrington - of all people - doing in detention?
“What happened to your nose?”