Chapter Text
***
***
“Oh Jesus Christ Eddie! Quick, one of you help me put pressure on his wounds.”
“What happened?! ”
“I-it was the bats, h-he ran out to distract them and—“
“Nevermind, we need to move fast, he's already lost a lot of blood.”
“Oh my god, oh my god this is bad, this is really bad. Is he dead?!”
“He’s not dead, he’s breathing. Nance, can you put pressure here?”
“Yeah I got you.”
There’s a sharp pain in his abdomen as someone presses down and Eddie groans.
“Hey, hey man, you with us here? Eddie?”
There’s a slap to his face. Eddie’s face pinches, and he manages to open his eyes a crack. His vision is blurred, out of focus and going black around the edges.
Steve Harrington's face is above him, and his concerned expression breaks into an uncertain smile as he takes in Eddie’s open eyes.
“There he is. Hey man, you gotta try and stay awake for us, alright?”
Eddie looks around blearily and more faces start to come together. He can make out Nancy, whose face is filled with a sense of grim determination as she presses some kind of fabric to Eddie’s abdomen. Then above her is Robin, face tear streaked as she clutches Dustin to her.
Dustin…. He didn’t need to see this anymore, he’d already seen enough of Eddie’s soon to be corpse. Eddie grimaces.
“Jus’ leave me,” he slurs, every word being pulled out of him taking what feels like a gargantuan effort. His body is slowly going numb, which is an improvement to all the pain that he’d been feeling. He feels cold and all he wants to do is sleep.
“Nope.” Steve says. “Absolutely not. We’re getting you out of here but you gotta try and stay with us ok?”
Eddie frowns. Can’t they see that it’s pointless? He’s already made his peace with the fact he’s going to die. They need to leave him and get out.
He tries to tell them but all he manages is a weak cough, blood bubbling up past his lips. Steve’s face falls for a moment as he sees this, before the line of his mouth thins in determination.
“Robin,” Steve says, “I need you to go grab as many sheets or towels as you can find. We need to try and stop the bleeding as much as possible.”
Robin, face pale, nods quickly before dashing off. Dustin limps forward, face streaked with tears and looking absolutely devastated.
Nancy looks to Steve, “Steve, there’s no way we can lift him up through this gate-”
Dustin and Steve both look at her sharply.
“Nance you can’t be serious—”
“We’re not leaving him!”
“That’s not what I’m saying!” Nancy cuts them off, “We can’t get him through this gate, but Fred’s is close by. It’ll be a lot easier to get him through that one.”
“Ok, Ok,” Steve breathes out. “Good plan, Nance. I can carry him there and you all can get out and meet us there on the other side.”
“I’m coming too—” Dustin starts, but Steve shakes his head firmly.
“Not with that leg, you’re not. Have Nancy and Robin help you through the gate here and meet us on the other side.”
“But—”
“It’s not a suggestion, Dustin. You’re going with Nancy and Robin.”
Dustin’s eyes well up with tears. “I can’t leave him, Steve.”
“Dustin…” Eddie manages to say, all eyes turning to him suddenly. It’s a miracle anyone else even hears him with how quiet the words come out. “Lissn’ ta Steve.”
Dustin looks like he’s going to keep protesting, but he closes his mouth as Eddie stares up at him. Dustin looks away, more tears spilling down his face before he nods stiffly.
Robin comes running back, arms full of towels.
“Ok, ok.” She says, still panicked. “What now, what do you need me to do?”
“Start tearing off strips—” Steve starts instructing her, but the rest of his words fade out like they’re coming from underwater. The effort of paying attention to everything around him as well as trying to talk are taking their toll. His vision is starting to blacken further and further and he can feel unconsciousness starting to claim him again.
“Hey hey hey! Eddie!” Steve’s voice cuts in sharply as he slaps Eddie’s face again. Eddie moans pitifully but doesn’t open his eyes, too much effort.
“Come on man, you gotta try and keep awake,” Steve says before cursing, “Shit come on, we need to hurry.”
The next few moments are a total blur. Eddie drifts in and out of consciousness as his body is jostled and his wounds are wrapped. Every time pressure is placed down, there’s a sharp pain that runs through him and causes him to gasp and cough up more blood. After what seems like an eternity, they seem to have finished with him.
“Ok, I think that’s as good as we’re gonna get. Eddie, we’re gonna need to get you up. I’ll carry you to the other gate,” Steve says, and Eddie’s body goes even colder as the bodies that had been around him, holding him and bandaging him, are removed.
He doesn’t have too much time to miss the warmth, before he’s being jostled and lifted up. The movement causes all his wounds to flare in pain and a scream is ripped out of his throat before everything goes black.
***
Eddie regains consciousness again to the sound of Steve’s voice. He can feel them moving, Steve appears to have him in a fireman’s carry and is moving quickly through the woods.
“—need you to be ok, man. Dustin is never going to forgive you or me if you die on us here—”
“Steve,” Eddie says quietly, and Steve’s rambling abruptly stops.
“H-hey, Eddie, glad to have you back,” Steve says, sounding less panicked and more relieved.
Pain is flaring up and down Eddie’s body as they move. It fucking sucks, but he thinks it’s probably what woke him up, so he clings to it as much as he can, grounding him for what he has to say next.
“Steve, I need you to listen to me,” Eddie says, feeling Steve’s shoulders tense underneath him.
“Sure, what is it?” Steve asks.
“I need you to tell Henderson that this isn’t his fault,” Eddie starts, Steve’s breath hitches. “And tell my uncle Wayne that I love him and that I’m sorry.”
“No way.” Steve says. “You’re gonna tell them yourself. ‘Cause you’re getting out of here, ok? Don’t start talking like that.”
“We both know how bad this is, Harrington, don’t bullshit me.”
“I’m not,” Steve says, all grim determination. “We’re gonna get you through the gate and get you to a hospital.”
Eddie closes his eyes, a frustrated tear slipping down his face. “I need you to promise me—”
“I’m not promising shit, you’re gonna be fine—”
“Promise me, Steve!”
Eddie gasps with the effort of raising his voice, coughing pitifully and probably dripping more blood onto Steve. God, the poor guy’s gotta be covered in his blood right now with how Eddie is draped over his back. It’s pathetic, but he can’t give it up.
“Please, Steve,” Eddie says quietly, “Please do that for me?”
Steve is quiet for a moment, before Eddie feels him nod stiffly.
“Fine. I promise. But only because I know I’m not going to need to. Because you’re going to be fine.”
Eddie hums, figuring that’s as good as he’s going to get.
“We’re almost there, just gotta keep talking to me ok?” Steve says, “You’re doing so good right now, you just gotta keep it up.”
“Don’t think I can…” Eddie trails off, now that he has Steve’s word, the pain is numbing out and his vision is starting to spot again. He just feels so weak . “I’m so tired man, can’t even feel my limbs anymore…”
“Nope, come on, tell me about something,” Steve says, voice going tight, “How about— um, tell me about your uncle. Wayne, right?”
“Wayne?” Eddie mumbles.
Eddie tries to think, his brain swimming in a fog of exhaustion and pain, the sweet call of unconsciousness beckoning to him. It would be so easy to just—
“Come on, Eddie, tell me something about him. Tell me a good memory.” Steve says, and there’s a thread of desperation to his voice that Eddie picks up on, even now.
Eddie coughs wetly again, trying his best to gather his scattered thoughts for Steve, “Wayne’s been great to me,” Eddie starts. “Nothin’ but patient and kind, despite me being kind of a handful.”
“ ‘Kind of’, right,” Steve chuckles.
“Fuck you,” Eddie complains weakly. “I’m a delight.”
Eddie can feel Steve’s shoulders shaking underneath him as he laughs.
“Anyway,” Eddie continues, voice going tight as another flare of pain wracks him and his vision swims, “He’s the one who gave me my first guitar. Taught me the basics. I owe my love of music to him.”
Eddie’s eyes start to well up at the memory. He’d been an all out terror of a kid right after his Dad dropped him off on Wayne’s doorstep and never came back. Constantly acting out, yelling and screaming at Wayne every time his uncle tried to reach out. Eddie had thrown every bit of kindness he was shown back in Wayne’s face.
But Wayne hadn’t given up on Eddie. He’d stuck by him, patient and grounding like a rock in a storm.
The guitar had been the first olive branch that Wayne had extended that Eddie hadn’t immediately tossed aside. Eddie had always wanted to learn how to play, ever since he saw Wayne playing at a family get together years back. So the fact that Wayne was giving him his own guitar, handing it down like a family heirloom, had loosened something inside of Eddie’s tiny, distrustful heart.
Wayne teaching him how to play had been a life-changing experience for Eddie. Not only did he finally let Wayne in, allowing himself to be cared for and praised as he mastered the basic chords, he’d realized just how much he loved creating music.
He didn’t just owe his love of music to his uncle, he thinks he might owe everything to him.
“Wow,” Eddie’s brought out of his drifting thoughts by a hum from Steve. “Sounds like he means a lot to you.”
“Yeah, he does,” Eddie says wetly, tears finally dripping down his face, “I never got to really tell him how much. I’m gonna miss him so much.”
“Hey now, stop that,” Steve says, “I can see the road ahead, we’re almost there, just hang on a little longer. We’re gonna get you to a hospital and you’re gonna be just fine.”
Eddie shakes his head, exhaustion sinking deep into his bones. The coldness that’s been ever present throughout his body is getting worse.
“Eddie, you still with me?” Steve asks.
“Yeah…I’m tryin’, man. ‘S just so hard…”
“I know, I know, but we’re here now, gonna get you through and Nance, Robin, and Dustin are gonna be waiting for us on the other side, just watch.”
“Okay…”
Eddie looks around and can see the gate right in front of them, glowing ominously as it splits the ground open.
“Alright, here’s what we’re gonna do,” Steve says, “I’m gonna get you down on the ground and I’m gonna roll you through. That’s gonna be the easiest way I think. I’ll be right behind you ok?”
“Okay,” Eddie says, vision swimming as Steve begins to shift him around. “Might pass out ‘gain”
“Please try not to, I really need you to stay conscious man.”
“No promises…”
“Ok, brace yourself, here we go,” Steve warns, before laying Eddie down as gently as he can.
Despite how careful Steve’s being, pain still flares and Eddie’s vision goes black around the edges as he cries out.
“Shit, I’m sorry but we gotta do this,” Steve apologizes.
All Eddie can do is moan in response, his whole body screaming at him. He just wants to be left alone, let the numbness take the pain away until there’s nothing left and he can just sleep. He lets his eyes slip closed and he starts to drift again.
Steve’s apparently too busy concentrating on getting him through the gate to notice that Eddie’s losing his battle with consciousness fast.
“Gonna roll you through now ok? Just hang on, just a little bit longer, dude.”
Then Eddie’s body is rolling over onto its side, the movement jostling his injuries again. He hisses, and then he’s briefly weightless as he must drop through the gate. He hits the other side with a thump, and it’s just enough to finally knock him back out again.
***
The next time Eddie comes to, he’s riding in the backseat of a car, his head pillowed in someone’s lap and hands stroking through his hair. There’s raised voices around him, but it’s like he’s hearing it from far away. He thinks he must make a noise, because someone says his name, sounding frantic.
He passes out again.
***
He drifts awake to the sound of shouts and chaos. There are sirens off in the distance and someone is next to him, voice raised and pleading. He can feel his body jostled and moved, laid down on something, his injuries flaring. He groans.
“Just hang on, man, just a little longer. We’re here, you just gotta stay with us.”
He murmurs and feels himself being rolled away, the sounds of foreign voices yelling for help and then everything goes black again.
***
When he blinks awake again, he’s surrounded by white. He wonders briefly if this is supposed to be the afterlife? But then he hears a rhythmic beeping sound and the room around him starts to take shape.
He’s in a hospital bed. The beeping is coming from a heart monitor that is steadily telling him his heart is still beating.
He’s alive.
Steve was right.
Eddie Munson had lived.
***
That first time he wakes up, he’s alone. They must have him on the good drugs, because where there was pain before, now there’s nothing. He can feel that he’s got bandages covering most of his body.
He tries to move his arms, but a clinking noise alerts him to something snapped around his right wrist. He looks over.
He’s handcuffed to the bed.
Great, he thinks, stomach sinking. He lived, only to be arrested for the murders he didn’t commit.
He feels frustrated tears well up and he closes his eyes, letting his arm drop back to his side. He’s so tired and all he wants to do is sleep again.
So he does.
***
He wakes up to raised voices. It sounds like there’s some kind of argument happening right outside of his room.
“—no visitors. This is an open investigation and the suspect is—”
“I don’t care , he’s my boy and he didn’t hurt nobody! Let me see him!”
Wayne , Eddie thinks. Warmth suffuses through his chest and tears prick his eyes. He knew Wayne would be in his corner but hearing his voice again, defending him, makes something inside him break.
He’s too weak to try and call out, all he can do is groan but no one can hear him.
He passes back out again, listening to Wayne shouting at whoever they have posted outside his door.
***
He must drift for a good long while. He can vaguely recall more moments of consciousness. Just snippets of voices talking over him. Some of them he recognizes, some he doesn’t. They must be letting him have visitors after all.
Sometimes he thinks they’re talking to him but he can’t really make out any words. Just tones–worry and sadness, but also comfort and laughter.
He likes the happier sounds best. He doesn’t like hearing anyone being sad because of him. When he does, he wants to comfort whoever is crying over him, but can’t quite get awake enough.
Staying conscious is so hard. He doesn’t even know if it’s his body still dealing with the trauma he endured or if it’s because of the drugs they’ve got to be pumping him full of. He can’t really find it in himself to care too much about it.
He'll be more awake soon. He’s alive. He’s got nothing but time now.
***
The first time he really comes back to consciousness, fully awake and eyes open, the first person he sees is Steve.
Steve is sitting in a chair off to the side and he’s reading a book. Eddie isn’t sure, but the book looks kind of familiar. A worn paperback with yellowing pages that have wrinkled corners from dog earing them. It looks well loved.
“Good book?” Eddie asks, and instantly winces. His mouth and throat feel like a desert and his voice comes out croaky and hoarse from disuse.
Steve’s head shoots up so fast Eddie thinks he hears an audible crack. He fumbles the book, nearly dropping it as he sits up.
“Eddie!” Steve says before breaking into a big smile, “It’s good to see you finally awake.”
Eddie gives a weak smile in response. He brings a hand up to rub at his throat and realizes that he’s no longer handcuffed. Had he imagined it…? No, he had definitely been handcuffed at one point. What had happened while he was out?
Steve must sense his confusion, because he stands up and crosses the room, looking at Eddie with furrowed brows.
“You ok? No, wait, stupid question." Steve grimaces, “Do you need anything?”
“Water?”
“You got it. Be right back.”
Steve leaves the room and Eddie takes the moment to check in with his body.
He’s not really feeling much pain, but he’s sure he can thank the IV drip of drugs going into his arm for that. His bandages are a little itchy against his skin, he can feel them winding around his torso, parts of his legs, along his throat and even one on the left side of his face.
He grimaces, thinking about the horror show that his body must look like underneath all of that. He knew the bats had done a number on him, but at the time he was in so much pain it was impossible to tell where one wound ended and another began. Everything had just hurt.
His limbs feel weak and heavy and there still seems to be a sense of numbness to them. Raising his arm to his throat earlier had been like lifting a weight. He still feels pretty sleepy, but this is the most alert he’s been in some time so he tries to hold onto it.
Steve comes back into the room with a cup of water and a straw.
“My hero.” Eddie rasps, lips twitching into a smile. Steve shakes his head at him, but he’s smiling too. He brings the water over and holds it out so Eddie can take it.
Eddie tries to reach for it, but his hand starts to tremble as he brings it up to grasp the cup. Steve sees this and immediately moves the cup away, lifting the straw up to Eddie’s lips instead. Eddie lets his hand drop to the bed and takes a sip gratefully.
The water feels so good going down his parched throat and he lets loose a small groan of happiness around the straw. Steve laughs.
“Better?” He asks.
“Much. Thanks, man.” Eddie says as Steve turns to set the cup down.
Eddie is struck by the thought that really, Steve was his hero. Eddie wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Steve dragging his limp body through the Upside Down. The thought brings a lump to his throat as Steve turns back to him.
“Really, Steve, Thank you.” Eddie says, trying not to get too choked up.
Steve blinks. “It was just some water. No big deal.”
“No, not the water.” Eddie says, “Just… For everything. For getting me out of there, for keeping me awake and talking, for not leaving me there to die. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you.”
Steve looks away, sheepishly, “Nah. You don’t need to thank me. There’s no way I could have left you behind.” Steve looks back at him, “You’re one of us now, whether you like it or not. We look out for each other.”
“Okay,” Eddie says quietly. He can feel tears prickling at the corners of his eyes and he takes a deep, shuddering breath to get his emotions back under control. He feels like a mess.
“Besides,” Steve says with a lopsided grin, “Henderson would have had my ass if we’d just left you.”
Eddie winces at the mention of Dustin, “Um. How is Henderson, by the way?”
“He’s alright.” Steve says, “His ankle was just badly sprained, and it hasn’t slowed him down a bit even though I keep telling him to stay off of it.” Steve rolls his eyes, “He’s been by to visit you and Max almost every day.”
“Max?” Eddie asks, a chill going down his spine, “What happened to Max?”
“Oh, shit,” Steve says, eyes widening, “Yeah, I guess there’s a lot you need to be filled in on...”
Steve starts by explaining what happened to Max. She had managed to give Vecna the run around, but eventually he caught up to her. She had technically died due to her injuries and Eleven, the supergirl they had told Eddie about, had somehow brought her back.
Max was stable and in a room just a little further down from Eddie. She’s still unconscious, and they aren’t sure when she will wake up. The word “coma” is being said a lot. Otherwise she’s got her arm and legs casted up and is healing as best as she can, all things considered. Lucas hasn’t left her side.
As for Vecna, Steve assures Eddie that he was, in fact, dead. He, Nancy and Robin had managed to torch him, shoot him full of lead, and finish the job by whacking his head clean off. Vecna was dead and gone, never to terrorize them ever again.
But because Max had still died, the gates had opened up all throughout Hawkins, almost destroying the town.
In the aftermath, El had managed to seal the gates, but there were still giant cracks running through Hawkins. Houses and businesses had been destroyed, lots of people either dead or injured. They had won, but the cost had still been high.
A bunch of suits from the lab had shown up the day after everything had gone down and taken over things. They’d been covering things up as much as they could, releasing a story about how a freak “earthquake” had hit Hawkins and caused all the damage. The public seemed to be buying it for the time being, latching onto any possible rational explanation for the tragedy.
Eddie sighs deeply, dreading the answer to what he has to ask, thinking about the phantom sensation of handcuffs around his wrist, “So, million dollar question, Harrington. Am I still wanted for murder?”
Steve breaks into a small smile, “Nope, part of the lab’s coverup involved clearing you of any charges. Henry Creel has been declared the official murderer, but he’s presumed dead because of the “earthquake”.”
Eddie breathes out slowly, “So, what, I’m a free man again?”
“Free as a bird.” Steve says, then frowns. “Though, public opinion is still pretty rough. There was a full blown witch hunt for you and all. People haven’t really forgotten all of that just yet.”
Eddie lets out a shuddering breath, before smiling thinly. “Well, I’ve never been known for my popularity in the first place. It’s always been ‘Freak’ this and ‘Satan worshiper’ that. Nothing really new there.”
“I’m sorry, man.” Steve says quietly. “People are assholes.”
Eddie shrugs, looking away. He had never fit in anywhere anyway, but knowing the whole town was still against him? Despite having his name cleared? It stung.
He fucking hated this town.
“Anything else I need to know?” Eddie asks, looking back at Steve, feeling exhaustion starting to creep back in. “How long have I been out, anyway?”
“Well, they’ve had you pretty drugged up, and you’ve been really out of it. All in all it’s been about a week.”
“A week ?” Eddie asks, eyes widening.
Steve is about to explain further, but they’re interrupted by another figure entering the room.
“Stopped by the diner and picked you up a burger and some fries, son. No sense in you starvin’ cuz you’re too busy to take care of yourself.”
Wayne steps around Steve and stops at the foot of the hospital bed once he sees Eddie’s eyes are open. Steve steps aside with a small smile and Eddie feels that lump in his throat coming back as he and Wayne lock eyes.
“Hey, Wayne.” Eddie says, emotion welling up inside his chest at seeing his uncle again for the first time in almost two weeks.
“Hey yourself.” Wayne says with a tired smile. “Good to see you awake.”
“Yeah.” Eddie says, blinking back tears. “Yeah, glad to see you too, Wayne.”
Wayne’s face softens and he hands the bag of food he’s carrying over to Steve before coming around to the other side of the bed. He leans over and pulls Eddie into a careful hug. The movement jostles Eddie enough for a dull ache to twinge through his body at his wounds getting pulled at, but he gladly bears it as he brings his own arms up, shaking, to hug Wayne back.
“Had me real worried there for a while, son.” Wayne says, and Eddie’s control at holding back his tears is gone.
“I’m s-so sorry, Wayne.” Eddie says around a sob and he digs his fingers into Wayne’s jacket, pulling himself further into Wayne’s embrace. “I’m so s-sorry for e-everything.”
“Shhh, shhh, Ed, there ain’t nothin’ to apologize for.” Wayne says soothingly. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Eddie nods and sniffles, burying his face in Wayne’s jacket. His uncle is warm and solid and smells of cheap soap and cigarette smoke. Eddie breathes in deeply and lets the familiar scent ground him as he lets out another weak sob.
“Um, I’m gonna give you guys a moment.” Steve says, and Eddie glances up with watery eyes to see him set down the bag of food before awkwardly motioning to the door. “Gonna grab a drink from the vending machine. Or something.” And then he’s shuffling out the door.
Eddie feels a slightly hysterical giggle burst out of him as he watches Steve leave. Wayne gives a chuckle as well, rubbing Eddie’s back comfortingly.
“That Steve’s a good kid.” Wayne says, pulling back and letting Eddie lie back down. “Been here a lot checking in on you and that girl.”
Eddie nods again, bringing a shaking hand up to wipe at his face. “Yeah, he’s not so bad.”
“I understand I have him to thank for gettin’ you outta there and to the hospital.” Wayne says and Eddie looks up at him sharply.
“Um, how much did they tell you about what happened…?” Eddie asks carefully.
“Oh I know the whole story.” Wayne says with a quirk to his lips. “And I don’t mean the yarn they’re spinnin’ on TV about these ‘earthquakes’. I knew there was somethin’ those kids and the suits that have been hangin’ around weren’t tellin’ me. I wasn’t gonna just sit around and let them pull the wool over my eyes.”
“So they told you.” Eddie says flatly.
Wayne nods. “More like I made ‘em tell me. About this ‘Upside Down’ place below Hawkins, about Henry Creel and how he was killin’ those kids, about how y’all took care of him.”
Eddie stares at Wayne in disbelief. “And you, what, just believed it all? Just like that?”
“I knew you were innocent.” Wayne says, standing back and crossing his arms over his chest - all no-nonsense. “I knew there ain’t no normal animal that could cause the kinds of wounds I saw on you, and there ain’t no way that these ‘earthquakes’ were caused by anythin’ natural. Everything those kids explained to me, as unbelievable as it all sounded, made more sense than anythin’ else that was going on.”
Eddie feels another hysterical laugh bubble up from him, as he stares into the face of his uncle. “Wayne, I lived through it and I still have a hard time making sense of all of this.”
Wayne looks off to the side. “It was also in part ‘cause of the way those kids told it all to me. Somethin’ in the way they spoke, the looks on their faces as they were explaining it all. I could tell that they’ve all seen and been through more’n what any normal kid should have had to. I’ve seen that kind of look before back when I was in the service. So yeah, I believe ‘em.”
Eddie lies there quietly for a moment and lets this all sink in. Part of him is relieved that Wayne knows about everything. At least now Eddie doesn’t have to worry about making up some half-assed lie that he’s sure Wayne would see right through anyway. Another part of him feels guilty. Throughout all of the mayhem of the last few days, Eddie had hoped that Wayne would have been safe from all of this. That he wouldn’t have to live with this burden of knowledge. But here he was anyway, the old coot, shoving himself into the mix without a second thought.
“Now I can see that brain ‘a yours thinkin’ real hard. No sense in blaming yourself for any of this. Way I understand it, wasn’t anything you could’ve done to change anything that happened.” Wayne says.
“But why, Wayne?” Eddie asks. “Why would you willingly get involved in all of this? You can’t take any of this back. I still don’t know how deep the lab is involved in this, if we’re still in any danger from them. They may have cleared my name, but I still don’t know if they can be trusted to be good to us poor folk from the trailer park.”
“You’re my boy, Eds.” Wayne says sternly. “Of course I want to be involved. No reason for you to take on all this by yourself. Let me help you, alright? We’ll figure out everything together.”
Eddie feels the tears that he’d finally gotten under control start to well up again despite his best efforts to keep them back.
“Ok.” Eddie says, sniffling. “Alright. I love you, Wayne.”
Wayne pats Eddie’s hand and smiles gently at him. “Love you too, kiddo.”
Steve chooses that moment to enter back into the room, peering around to make sure the coast is clear. He’s carrying two cans of soda and looks a little sheepish.
“Come on in, boy.” Wayne says gruffly. “No need to be shy now.”
Steve enters slowly, still looking unsure like he doesn't want to intrude. Wayne just waves him in and Eddie tries and fails to suppress a grin. Just like Eddie’s been adopted into this new group, it seems like Wayne’s already adopted Steve into theirs.
Steve passes one of the sodas to Wayne before giving Eddie a nervous smile. Eddie just cocks an eyebrow at him.
“Looks like you’ve got some lunch to eat, Harrington.” Eddie says, nodding over to the bag of food that’s sitting on the table next to the bed. Steve rolls his eyes, but starts to open the bag and take out the burgers contained within. Now that Eddie’s not preoccupied with emotional family reunions, he can take a moment to take in the scent of diner burgers and french fries and oh man, it smells divine.
Eddie’s stomach growls loudly, cutting through whatever awkward tension Steve had brought back into the room with him. Eddie looks at them both sheepishly. “Any chance you could spare a fry or two to this poor, feeble invalid? I’m starving , actually.”
Wayne chuckles and shakes his head with a wry grin. “Sorry, kiddo. The doc’s got you on some strict diet restrictions for right now while you recover. Your stomach took a bit of a beating.”
Eddie groans. “Oh come on. Please? I promise I won’t snitch.”
Wayne reaches out and ruffles his hair while Eddie scoffs, “Nope, can’t risk you getting any kind of infection. I promise you can have whatever you want once they clear you.”
“Holding you to it, old man.”
They spend the next half hour chatting while Steve and Wayne eat and Eddie watches on forlornly. Wayne talks about how they’ve got him set up in a motel for right now since the trailer was pretty much destroyed. With the help of their little group, they’d managed to salvage as much as they could and have it all loaded up in boxes at Steve’s place right now. Steve’s parents have been gone this whole time, his Dad working on some big business deal out in Boston. They hadn’t even called yet to check on Steve.
The conversation drifts over Eddie and he’s starting to get sleepy and nod off again, but snaps awake as he hears the sound of movement around him.
“Sorry.” Eddie mutters and looks up. Wayne is getting up to stretch, knees creaking, and Steve is heading over to his stuff by the chairs and starts gathering them up. Eddie frowns. “You guys leaving me?”
Wayne leans over and places a warm hand on Eddie’s shoulder. “We’re gonna get out of your hair and let you rest. We’ll be back.”
“Yeah.” Steve chimes in. “You’re gonna need your energy for when hurricane Henderson comes flying through here later.”
Eddies smiles tiredly. “That sounds about right.”
He glances down and notices the book Steve’s holding in his hand. Recognition flashes through him as he sees the familiar, worn book cover of his copy of The Hobbit.
“Is that.. Is that my book?” Eddie asks and Steve stops short.
“Uh, yes?” Steve says, looking nervous. “Wayne said it was OK for me to borrow it. Is that… alright?”
Eddie grins. “Hell yeah it’s alright. Though I expect updates and a full book report back when you’re finished.”
Steve sighs, but his smile seems relieved. “Yeah, whatever Munson. Anyway, get some rest.”
“You got it.” Eddie says, nestling back into the bed. “See you guys later.”
It doesn’t take long after Steve and Wayne leave for Eddie to drift back off to sleep.
***
He’s awoken later not by Henderson or even Steve again, but by a nurse and doctor checking in on him.
The nurse busies herself checking his vitals and then sets about looking over Eddie’s bandages while the doctor jots something down on a clipboard. After a moment the Doctor pauses, introduces himself as Dr. Robertson, and asks if Eddie felt awake enough for them to chat. Eddie nods, nervous at the serious expression on the man’s face.
The doctor explains that Eddie really did have a very close call. If his friends hadn’t gotten him to the hospital when they did the chances of him making it were slim. He had lost a lot of blood and had suffered some internal bleeding where his intestines had been lacerated. His neck wound had also been pretty serious - a little deeper and it could have punctured his jugular and he would have bled out.
Eddie feels himself getting more and more sick to his stomach as the doctor relays all of this to him. He knew things had been serious but to have it so bluntly explained like this feels like a punch to the gut. He really had narrowly avoided death. He shudders involuntarily.
Dr. Robertson keeps on going, informing him that he’d undergone surgery to help repair the internal bleeding and suture up the worst of the wounds. They’d kept him sedated for a few days during his initial recovery, but he’d still been mostly unconscious until today. Not entirely unusual, mostly because of the pain medication he’s been on, but also because of the severe trauma his body had been through. It was his body’s way of recovering.
On the subject of recovery, Eddie would need to stay in the hospital for more monitoring for at least another week. His sutures could come out at that point, but they really wanted to monitor him for his internal injuries to make sure he was healing properly. They’ll be keeping an eye out on his pain levels, keeping him to strict bed rest, and would be making sure his injuries are kept clean and dry as well as checking for any other symptoms that may pop up.
Dr. Robertson mentions having a strict diet of only clear liquids for the next few days while they monitor how his gut wound is healing. Now Eddie understands why his uncle was so stingy about the fries earlier.
“All in all, you’re a very lucky man, Mr. Muson.” Dr. Robertson says, finishing up his spiel.
Eddie grimaces. “Just Eddie’s fine. Mr. Munson just makes me think you’re talking about my Uncle.”
Dr. Robertson chuckles. “Alright then, Eddie. We’ll leave you to rest now but let Susan know if you need anything, alright?”
The nurse, Susan, points out a small remote that had been lying next to him on the bed. “That’s the call button for the nurse’s station. If you need anything just press that button and I’ll come check on you.”
“Got it.” Eddie says. “Thanks Doc, Thanks Susan.”
They both depart and leave Eddie to his own thoughts. He settles back in bed and stares up at the ceiling for a while, absorbing in all the information he was just given.
It was… a lot.
He doesn’t have too much time to dwell on it, because shortly after the doctor and nurse leave, a new group of people come through the door. Loudly, seemingly without any concern for other people in the hospital.
“Stop worrying, Steve! I’m still mad at you, by the way.” Dustin says, limping through the door on crutches and closely followed by Steve and Robin.
“Henderson!” Steve is hissing, “He might still be asleep, you gotta be quiet— oh.” Steve stops, seeing Eddie awake and watching them bemusedly.
“Why are we mad at Steve?” Eddie asks with a grin.
He doesn’t get an answer, because Dustin is just staring at him now. The smile slowly slips from Eddie’s face as he watches Dustin’s face go pinched and sad and Eddie suddenly feels incredibly out of his depth.
“Hey, Henderson.” Eddie starts, smiling nervously.
Dustin’s face crumples and he drops the crutches, limping forward and throwing himself at Eddie, knocking the breath out of him. Eddie gives a pained grunt as his injuries flare at the treatment. Robin and Steve both lurch forward as if to grab Dustin.
“Dustin!” Robin says.
“Woah, Henderson be careful!” Steve scolds, but Eddie shakes his head at both of them to tell them it’s ok. Steve is still scowling, but nods and goes to pick up the discarded crutches. Meanwhile, Eddie brings both his arms up to carefully hug the other boy, who’s started crying into his bandaged chest.
“Hey man.” Eddie says softly. “Hey, It’s alright. I’m ok.”
“I know!” Dustin cries. “I know you’re ok. But you nearly weren’t .”
After the talk with the Doctor just a little while ago, Eddie is more aware than ever about how true that statement is. He really was ready to sacrifice himself back in the Upside Down, to save Dustin’s life and to buy Steve, Nancy and Robin more time. He knows deep down he’d do it all over again if he had to, if it meant saving their lives. But this wasn’t the time or the place to talk about that. He just had to be glad he lived through it this time, and be there to comfort the people he almost left behind. He swallows down the lump in his throat that’s starting to form.
“I’m sorry.” Eddie says. “I’m really sorry, Dustin.”
“You better be.” Dustin shakes his head and grips onto Eddie harder, causing his bandages to pull and he lets out an involuntary hiss of pain. “Don’t you ever pull that self-sacrificing crap again.”
“I think this was a close enough call that I’m a little done flirting with death.” Eddie says with a slight chuckle. Dustin sits up and, none too gently, punches Eddie in the shoulder. “Ow!”
“I’m serious, Eddie!” Dustin says, cheeks red from crying and eyes still wet. “You mean too much to me, to all of us, to just throw your life away like that.”
Eddie sits with that, taking a moment to look up at Robin and Steve. Robin’s got tears in her eyes and Steve is just looking at them with a solemn, serious expression. Steve nods slightly at Eddie, as if to confirm just how true Dustin’s words were. Eddie turns back to Dustin’s tear-streaked, determined face and his heart clenches in his chest at the outpouring of emotion this group of people feel towards him. The only other person he knows who’s ever shown this much worry and care towards him has been his uncle.
“You mean a lot to me too.” Eddie says and Dustin starts to interrupt but Eddie cuts him off. “No, Dustin, let me finish. You mean a lot to me too, so I’ll promise that I won’t intentionally try to get myself killed in the future because - full disclosure here - dying sucks . But I also won’t just stand by and let you get yourself hurt. I’ve already stood by and watched enough people die in front of me and I’m not going to just let it happen again. If you died, and there was something, anything , I could have done to stop it? I would never forgive myself, man.”
“Eddie, I don’t need you to protect me.” Dustin protests weakly.
“I know you don’t need it, but it doesn’t mean you’re not worth it. And I’m starting to get the sense that the feeling is a little bit mutual. Because someone recently told me that we look out for each other, right?” Eddie quickly glances a look at Steve, and catches the slight quirk of the other man’s lips, before looking back at Dustin who’s gone quiet.
Dustin stays silent for a long moment, and Eddie is readying himself to get another earful from him, but it never comes. Instead Dustin seems to deflate and he looks away from Eddie, reaching up to wipe away the tears from his face.
“Fine.” Dustin finally says. “But only because I’m going to be keeping a close eye on you from now on, got it?”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less.” Eddie says, smiling.
***
The next morning, Eddie is visited by someone from the lab. This in itself is not shocking to him, he’d been expecting them to visit him and is honestly surprised they hadn’t visited him before now.
No, the shocking thing is who walks in right behind the no-nonsense lady in a suit.
“Close your mouth, kid or you’ll catch flies.” Hopper says.
Eddie snaps his mouth shut. “Aren’t you supposed to be dead?”
“Didn’t take too well to it.” Hopper says dismissively, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms. “And from what I understand it didn’t take very well to you either.”
Eddie chuckles wryly. “No, it didn’t.”
Hopper grunts. “Anyway, I’m just here as a mediator. I’ll let Brenda here explain everything.”
The lady in the suit, Brenda, smiles thinly at Hopper before turning her gaze on Eddie. Eddie swallows nervously under her gaze.
This is it. He thinks. This is where I get screwed over.
Brenda clears her throat. “Good morning, Mr. Munson. My name is Brenda as has already been pointed out. I am with Hawkins Laboratory. I’d like to offer first my condolences on the trauma you and your friends have been through. I know that it wasn’t easy, dealing with what you all dealt with. It was due to our negligence that a tragedy like this occurred.”
Eddie snorts. “At least you’re self-aware.”
She smiles, and to her credit it seems more sympathetic than annoyed. “I have a few things to go over with you if that’s alright.”
“I suppose I don’t have much choice, do I?” Eddie asks.
“You do, but I would encourage you to hear me out. I assure you we are here to help.” She says.
Eddie stares at her for a moment, eyes narrowed slightly with distrust. He still wasn’t sure how much he could trust the lab. Whatever “help” they had to offer would probably come with a pretty significant catch. He also didn’t know how he felt about Hopper being here to “mediate” as he called it. He and Hopper didn’t have the best track record. The former police chief had busted Eddie a number of times for minor offenses related to his drug selling. He wasn’t sure that Hopper wouldn’t try and screw him over too. After all, raised from the dead or not he was still a cop.
“Alright, what is it?” He finally asks.
“Thank you. I’m sure you might be already aware of some of it, but I’d like to first go over the cover story we’ve relayed to the public as well as what we are doing to help with the relief efforts.”
She proceeds to tell him essentially what Steve had gone over with him the day before. Earthquakes, Henry Creel responsible for the murders, yadda yadda. Most of it he was already familiar with, but the fact that the lab was helping to cover the costs for the majority of the displaced people was surprising to him.
“Thus far, the public has only been made aware of your innocence and the extent to which you were involved have remained private. With your permission we would like to release a statement involving how you were injured to help garner some more sympathy since from what I understand several people in the town are still distrustful of you. We hope that a statement about how you were injured while protecting a victim of Henry Creel’s might do some good in improving public opinion.”
That made Eddie’s head spin a little. He glanced over at Hopper briefly and Hopper just nodded at him.
“It’s your choice, kid. They’re not going to release any personal information about you without your permission.”
Eddie let out a breath. “… Can I think about it? I don’t know how I feel about putting even more attention on me, even if you claim it might do some good.”
Brenda nods. “That’s fine, and completely understandable. You have a right to your privacy of course.”
She then produces a briefcase that she’d been holding and strides over to place it on a nearby chair. She opens it and turns back to him holding a sheaf of papers.
“This is a standard non-disclosure agreement. For public safety and peace of mind we ask that you keep your knowledge about the specifics of what actually transpired private and to only discuss them with those who have also signed their own NDAs. This does include your friends Steve, Nancy, Robin and Dustin among others. I’m sure I don’t need to list them all. We have also already spoken to your Uncle Wayne, who we understand has also been made aware of the particulars.”
“And did he sign an NDA?” Eddie asks cautiously.
“He did.” She says.
That surprises Eddie, enough that he holds a hand out and gestures for her to hand over the documents. She does and he begins scanning over them. It’s a bunch of legalese and he has no idea what half of it actually means. He’d need a lawyer to probably make full sense out of it and there’s no way he can afford that.
As if sensing his distrust, Hopper chimes in. “We’ve all signed the same thing. I know it’s overwhelming to look at but if you have any concerns know that Wheeler has already looked it over with a fine tooth comb.”
Eddie nods, still distrustful but if Nancy had been over it already it does make him feel a little better about the whole thing.
“Towards the end it includes a more specific offer to you in compensation for your involvement in everything.” Brenda says.
“So, buying my silence essentially right?” Eddie asks, glancing up at her as he flips through the pages.
“If you’d like to see it that way. We view it as more of an added apology.”
Eddie flips over towards the back pages to see what she’s talking about. He reads over it for a moment and when he finally understands what he’s looking at his eyes widen.
“You’re serious about this?” He asks her incredulously. Those are some big numbers he’s looking at.
“As a heart attack.” Brenda says. “Financial compensation as well as an agreement to cover all of your medical costs relating to the incident. We have also already begun working with your uncle at picking out a house for you both to relocate to since your previous accommodations were destroyed.”
Eddie stares at her, mouth agape for the second time today. It was a huge offer, more than he was even expecting them to do. He had thought they’d just throw some money at him and be done with it but this was a chance to get back on their feet after having lost everything.
“What’s the catch?” He asks cautiously. “Just keep my mouth shut and all this is mine? No other expectations or stipulations?”
“No catch, no other expectations of you. We just want to make things as right as we can. That’s all.” She says simply.
Eddie lets out a low whistle and sinks back into his pillows, staring unseeing at the paperwork in front of him. On one hand he wants to just say fuck it and see what they’d do if he refused. He bet her nice and pleasant tone would change real quick. On the other hand he was terrified of what they could do to him if he did refuse. It sounded like his uncle had already agreed to part of the offer, which put his mind at ease a little. It was still a lot and he had a hard time believing that he wasn’t just signing his life away here.
However, all his friends had already signed similar offers. It seemed pretty stupid to be the only hold out.
“Alright fine, hand me a pen or whatever.” He finally says. “Show me which dotted lines I need to sign.”
Brenda smiles and produces a pen. “Of course Mr. Munson.”
He reaches out to take it. “And please drop the ‘Mr. Munson’ crap, just call me Eddie.”
“Alright, Eddie.”
The next few moments are spent going over the document and signing and initialing in several places. She goes over some more specifics of the NDA with him but it’s still nothing too terrible. He’s got to stick to a cover story of how he was injured - He had been helping to save Max, Henry’s final victim, and was injured during the altercation. If anyone were to question the nature of his wounds, he should say that Henry had some angry guard dogs that attacked him. It seemed flimsy to Eddie but who was he to say otherwise. He’s sure the only people who would really doubt it were the doctors and they were probably paid off by the lab already for all he knew.
He has some difficulty signing the papers. His hand won’t stop shaking whenever he holds the pen a certain way which makes his signature come out kind of wonky, more so than his usual chicken scratch. He wonders if maybe it’s a side effect of one of the drugs he’s on? Or it could just be weakness from being bed-bound for a week. Hopefully it’ll go away.
He’s still not sure about sharing the cover story with the public. He thinks at this point he’d like to avoid any attention being placed on him, good or bad. People had always had a shit opinion of him to start with, it wasn’t like a little sob story about how he got hurt would really change anything.
After all is said and done Brenda leaves him with a card as a means of contacting her. She mentions that they have a lab-appointed guard stationed in the hospital to run interference should any angry Hawkins residents come around trying to start anything. No one has made any attempts thus far, and things seem to have calmed down for the time being, but they still wanted to be cautious.
“Thanks for everything, Eddie.” Brenda says. “I do hope your recovery goes well. Contact me if you need anything at all or have any questions.”
“Thanks.” Eddie says.
She nods at both him and Hopper before heading out of the room. Hopper stays behind which instantly makes Eddie’s hackles rise. Hopper seems to sense this and walks over to lean against the side of his bed.
“No need to be all tense, Munson. I just wanted to see if you felt up to visitors after all that.”
“Yeah, sure.” Eddie shrugs, tension still there despite Hopper's words. “I'm sensing there might be an ‘and’ to that statement.”
Hopper sighs. “I just wanted to try and put your mind at ease. I know you’re new to all this, but that lady you just spoke with, while there is reason to distrust Hawkins lab, the section of it she works for has been helpful to us in the past. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, even though I know you probably will anyway.”
Eddie hums noncommittally.
“Also.” Hopper adds. “I know you don’t have much reason to trust me either and I don’t necessarily blame you all things considered.”
Eddie snorts at that and notices Hopper's lips give a little twitch.
“But you’re part of our little group now whether you like it or not, and that means I’ll be keeping an eye on you, got it? We’ve all been through enough shit as it is, we at least gotta look out for our own.”
“Thanks, uh… Chief? Are you back to being police chief now?”
“I’ll get back to you on that one.” Hopper says, shifting a bit and making to leave. “I’ll send the troops in to see you. Oh and Munson?”
“Yeah…?”
“Try and keep the drugs away from the kids, got it?”
Eddie sighs heavily. “I think I’m gonna be taking a break from that particular line of work.”
“Glad to hear it. Otherwise we might have to have some words.” Hopper says, knocking twice on the doorway before heading out.
***
Shortly after Hopper leaves, he’s joined by a fairly large group of people. Mike, Nancy and Jonathan Byers as well as three people he’s not met before. A girl rocking a pretty sick buzz cut, a tall teen with an unfortunate bowl cut and another guy who has the longest hair Eddie has ever seen and an outfit that’s so bright it’s a little hard on the eyes.
“Uh, hey guys.” Eddie says with a small wave. Nancy and Jonathan both give him a smile, while bowl and buzz cut both look at him curiously. Long haired dude waves back with a big grin. Mike is starting to look a little like Dustin did yesterday, face pinched and sad. Eddie sighs.
“C’mere baby Wheeler, bring it in.” Eddie says, gesturing for Mike to come over and give him a hug. “Just mind the bandages ok?”
As if he was just waiting for permission Mike nods and strides across the room. He carefully throws his arms around Eddie in a hug.
“I’m so glad you’re ok, Eddie.” Mike says as he pulls back. “I kind of freaked out when Dustin told me what happened.”
“Aw, over little ok’ me? I’m touched, Wheeler.”
“It is good to see you awake, though.” Nancy says, coming up on the other side of Eddie’s bed and patting him on the arm. “You had us all pretty worried there.”
“Well thanks to you and Steve’s quick thinking I’m still kicking. So, seriously, thanks.”
“Of course.” Nancy says with a smile. “Though I’m not going to be your favorite person soon. They’re starting school up again so I’ll be bringing you the class work you’re missing out on while you're here.”
Eddie groans loudly, throwing his head back “Wheeler you’re killing me here. Can I not find a moment's peace? Have I not been through enough? You gotta ruin my life with homework?”
“I see you haven’t lost your dramatics.” Nancy tuts, but then smiles. “Anyway, we’ve got to keep you on track for graduation. Don’t think for a moment that I’m going to let you fail another year.”
“Fine.” Eddie grumbles. “I’ll let it slide, if only because I still want to see the look on Higgin’s face when I finally grab that diploma out of his hands.”
“That’s the spirit.” Nancy says.
“Anyway!” Eddie says, looking past the Wheelers and at the group of assorted teenagers currently assembled in his hospital room. “I think you have some introductions to get to, baby Wheeler.”
“Oh yeah!” Mike brightens up and gestures to buzzcut girl and to bowl cut boy. “Eddie this is El, my girlfriend, and my best friend, Will.”
“Ah, the girl with superpowers, right?” Eddie says, wiggling his fingers. El smiles at him and nods.
“It’s nice to meet you.” El says. “Mike has told us a lot about you. I like your hair, it’s very pretty.”
Eddie smiles at her. “Likewise, you’re rocking the buzzcut. Very metal.”
“Metal.” She repeats, as if testing the word out on her tongue. “I like that.” She smiles, pleased.
Eddie turns to Will, who’s looking nervous and out of place in a way that makes Eddie instantly feel for the kid. Another lost sheep to be taken under his wing.
“And Will the Wise! I’ve heard a lot about you too!” Eddie says. “We’ll have to talk shop about D&D at some point, get you in on some games once I’m out of here. I’ve heard from Wheeler that you make a pretty good DM.”
Will looks a little surprised. “Y-yeah, of course.” He says. “That’d be great. I haven’t been able to play since I moved, I’d love to join the party again.”
Mike smiles at Will tentatively and Eddie can sense that Will is not just talking about joining a D&D party, but joining back up with his real party as well. Yeah, Eddie already likes the kid and hasn’t even known him for more than a handful of minutes.
“And of course I remember you, Byers.” Eddie says, nodding at Jonathan, who nods back with a small smile. Eddie turns to long-haired dude who is standing next to Jonathan and watching all this proceed with a lazy smile. They make eye contact and the guy’s smile gets even bigger.
“Hey, my fellow long-haired friend!” The guy says and strides on over to Eddie’s bedside. Mike makes a noise of protest as he’s knocked away and Eddie is being pulled into yet another hug. From this distance, Eddie catches the smell of weed wafting off of the guy and thinks Oh.
“Names Argyle, my man.” Argyle says, pulling back and patting Eddie on top of the head. “Heard about your sick extra-dimensional concert. Very awesome.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Eddie says bemusedly. “It was the one good thing about an otherwise pretty shitty night.”
“I know how that goes, dude.” Argyle says solemnly. “Some pretty nasty shit happened to us too. A guy died in my pizza van, which really sucked. But later we got Supergirl here to get her mind-fight on from a pizza freezer which was rad as hell.”
“ What ?” Eddie asks with feeling, looking to Mike for help. Mike is looking at Argyle with a decidedly bitchy face.
“Yeah, we’ve got a lot to fill you in on.” Mike says.
“So I’ve been told before. Happens when you’re out of it for a whole week .” Eddie mutters. “But yeah, I’m interested in what happened on your side of the country while I was busy running for my life.”
Over the next half hour Mike and the rest of the group from California tell Eddie all about their misadventures on the west coast. Eddie hears about the lab again, and assumes they’re talking about the “bad” section of the lab that Hopper had alluded to. El’s “Papa”, the man in charge of the program responsible for training superpowered kids, was dead now. Good riddance, Eddie thinks.
Then they get to how they used a pizza freezer as a sensory deprivation tank so El could hop into Max’s mind and fight Vecna. Which is an absolute mind-fuck of a statement if Eddie’s being completely honest. Though considering he had his own personal metal concert in another dimension and then nearly died from being ripped apart by monster bats, he supposes it’s not necessarily the craziest thing that’s happened lately.
By the time they’re finishing up, Eddie is starting to yawn again. Nancy gives him a sympathetic smile.
“We should probably let you rest. You’ve had a busy morning so far.” She says. “Besides, we’re off to visit Max and give Lucas some company next.”
“Yeah, send them my best. I’d visit if I could but well.” He gestures to all of him.
“We will.” She says.
“Yeah, take care, Eddie.” Mike says. “Get better soon so we can get back to playing D&D.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it Wheeler. You only like me for my skills as a dungeon master.” Eddie says with an exaggerated sigh.
Mike frowns. “No, that’s not—”
“I’m kidding, Wheeler.” Eddie says with a laugh. “Come back and visit anytime. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon it sounds like.”
Goodbyes are said, and Eddie receives another hug from both Mike and Argyle. He thinks he could get to like this Argyle guy, he seems like a trip. And Eddie can respect a man who enjoys his maryjane.
He settles back into bed as they depart, sighing in exhaustion. Both meetings today have left him feeling completely wiped out. For someone who was unconscious for a whole week, he sure was easy to tire out. He figures the doctor was probably right though, his body had been through the ringer and needed as much rest as it could get.
He let the numbness of sleep wash over him, letting the background noise of the hospital filter through his mind as white noise.