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withacapitalp · 1 year

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Root Beer

Happy birthday @stevesbipanic !!! I had an idea for this so long ago, but then your birthday gave me the perfect excuse to write it. I'm so honored we are friends, I am still so shocked about it (Flashback to my OG post about Tumblr royalty liking one of my posts) and I cannot wait to get to spend even more time with you <333

“Remind me again why you always pay for Erica’s ice cream?” Eddie wondered as Steve dug into his wallet and forked over the dollar eighty five required for Erica’s scoop of cotton candy with rainbow sprinkles.

“It’s reparations for child endangerment,” Erica replied immediately, sticking her tongue out briefly as Steve rolled his eyes.

Eddie automatically stuck his tongue out right back at her, making her laugh as she skipped off to the other side of the counter and waited for her treat. The kids had asked for a ride to the ice cream shop, but in a rare display of discipline, Steve had refused to pay for any of them except Erica, and, shockingly, no one had complained. They had all pooled their money, ordered three sundaes to split, and were now sitting in the corner digging into their treats.

“I’ll tell you about it some other time,” Steve promised, keeping his wallet open as he turned towards his boyfriend, “Are you gonna get anything?”

“Still deciding,” Eddie said, bouncing on his heels.

The shop was no Scoops Ahoy, but it did have a wide array of different options, all with wonderful punny names. He was currently between getting a ‘Bloody Sundae’, which was a vanilla scoop with cherry syrup and chocolate sprinkles, or a ‘Mint to be’, which was mint chocolate chip with whipped cream and bright green sprinkles.

Maybe he could get both if he gave Steve the right amount of puppy eyes. That usually worked for other things. Dates, getting to pick the movie they watched at night…..other….things.

Eddie was still thinking through his strategy as Steve stepped up to order.

“Can I get a large root beer float with soft serve twist and a cone on the side?” Steve asked, using his customer service voice with a charming smile, making the girl behind the counter twitter and twirl her hair as she rang him up and walked off to make his float.

Eddie blinked a few times trying to register what Steve had just said, before groaning loudly and pulling a disgusted face.

“What?” Steve wondered, bewildered by Eddie’s vehement reaction.

“Root beer,” Eddie said with a grimace, waggling his tongue.

“What’s wrong with root beer?”

“It’s so…sweet,” Eddie finally got out, trying and failing to find the exact words to explain his complete disdain for root beer. He had given root beer a real try, multiple attempts and everything, but every time he had spat it out, unable to enjoy the taste.

“Eddie, I have seen you eat a frosting sandwich,” Steve said in a complete deadpan, giving Eddie a raised brow look, “Just frosting and white bread,”

“Don’t judge my trailer park cuisine, rich boy!” Eddie cried in an overdramatic tone, clutching his chest and shaking his head with his eyes shut tight, “I’m not the one having nasty icky sarsaparilla nonsense, making future kisses completely impossible until you have purged yourself of the disgusting concoction.”

Steve burst into bright loud laughter, lighting up the entire store like he was the goddamn sun. Eddie paused in his diatribe, watching Steve with lovesick eyes as he giggled uncontrollably.

“Sarsaparilla concoction,” Steve huffed out, continuing to chuckle, “God, I love you, you big dork.”

Oh.

Both of them paused, staring at each other with wide eyes as they took in what Steve had just let slip out.

It wasn’t like they didn’t both know. They had been dating for three months, crushing on each other for two before that, and every minute had been pure bliss. There was no doubt that Steve was the love of his life, and Eddie had been pretty sure Steve felt the same.

Now he knew for a fact, and that was a lot to take in standing in the middle of a subpar ice cream shop.

“I- um- I,” Steve stopped trying to stutter, giving Eddie a nervous little look, letting his eyes drop to his shoes as he shuffled in place. Eddie’s surprise faded into unbearably warm affection. He reached over and quickly squeezed Steve’s hand, knowing he wasn’t able to do more in public, but wishing he could kiss Steve until they were both drunk and delirious on their love.

“I’ll have a black raspberry shake with chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream, and hot fudge,” Eddie called out as the cashier walked back over with Steve’s float, delivering it with a flirty little smile. Steve didn't even look at her as he took his ice cream, and she rang them up lightning fast, clearly jilted by his non-response. Eddie couldn't care less, dragging Steve over to their tables and waiting for his order to be called.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” Eddie said softly as they sat down, the words being overshadowed by the sound of their kids happily screaming at each other. He looked around and risked a quick kiss on the cheek, getting Steve buttered up and happy before he finished his sentence.

“Even if your taste is trash,”

#Steve harrington #Eddie munson #steddie #steddie drabble #steddie ficlet #st #st 4 #stranger things 4 #erica sinclair #Steve and erica #steve harrington #stranger things #eddie munson #st drabble #st4 #Happy birthday B

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ryan-waddell11 · 5 days

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happy 32nd birthday to the man that invented babygirlism!! grateful to be surround by your talent!! you deserve the absolute best Joe Keery. enjoy your day!! I hope it’s as great as you!!

#Yes I know he won’t see this #he still deserves a birthday shoutout #stranger things vol 1 #stranger things 4 #netflix #joe keery #djo music #djotime #djo #happy birthday Joe keery #steve harrington #kurt kunkle #gator tillman #keys free guy #spree

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stevesbipanic · 1 year

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Dedicated to the lovely Lex @thefreakandthehair Happy Birthday 🎉😊❤️

Eddie was terrified.

This wasn't something new persay. Eddie was scared of a lot of things; maths tests, gym class, checkouts, bus timetables and interdimensional monsters. This was a new kind of fear.

"You'll be fine, kid. I've seen the way that boy looks at you."

"What if I mess it up, I've never been on a date, Wayne."

"Son, you could fall on your face in a pile of cow dung and Steve would still look at you like ya hung the damn moon."

Eddie smiled, fears not completely quelled but settled enough at the thought of Steve's smile. Eddie barely had time to finish tying his shoes before he heard the familiar crunch of gravel outside. He opened the door to see Steve getting out of his car, hair meticulously coiffed, jeans ironed and shirt hugging him perfectly.

"Sorry I'm late sweetheart."

"Hey, that's my line," Eddie said smiling shyly as he made his way to Steve.

"Think I deserve to call you sweet names for a bit too, after all you've gotten to call me sweetheart, angel, big boy, hot stuff, sweetcheeks, princes–"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, can't help myself, baby."

Steve blushed softly, "Will have to add that one to the list."

"I've got plenty more, sweetheart, and we've got all night to hear them."

"There's something I don't think I'll be able to wait all night for," Steve said taking Eddie's face in his hand, Eddie unconsciously leaning into it.

"What's that, angel?"

"This," Steve whispers, almost as nervous as Eddie had felt in the trailer, as he leans in and connects their lips. Eddie smiled into the kiss, the last of his nerves melting away. Steve was here for him, Steve wanted him and as long as that stayed true Eddie would never worry again.

"Don't think I could've waited either, Stevie."

Inside, Wayne shook his head as he listened to the car pull back out of the trailer park.

"Like he hung the damn moon."

#happy birthday lex #stranger things #steve harrington #stranger things s4 #eddie munson #st4 #steddie #stranger things season 4 #ficlet #fluff #wayne munson #first date

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gravedigginbbydoll · 8 months

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Because I just went to emo nite for my birthday I have this absolutely adorable Eddie headcanon about a meet cute like

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imagine it’s your first emo nite and you’re nervous and scared but excited, standing among the crowd and singing along to all your favorite songs, new and old. You were originally supposed to come with friends who were seasoned veterans, but something was going around and they both called you to apologize for being sick.

You stand in the crowd, shouting lyrics to everything from My Chemical Romance to Paramore along with some heavier music. You have an icy Jack and Coke in your hand, already feeling inebriated off of the energy in the room and the alcohol flowing through your bloodstream. You began to feel the adrenaline turn into dread as a song began blasting, the group of people in front of you getting super excited and beginning to mosh, arms and bodies thrashing around. You panic when you notice you’re on the front line of it, a tall and bulky guys limp body heading straight for you when suddenly, an angel appears.

Well, not an angel, per say, but a godsend. A tall and lanky but filled out man with a head of curly hair piled into a messy man bun, his body adorned in tattoos from what you can see of his torso, and his loose tank top covered by a battle jacket chock full of metal patches. He stands in front of you like a guard dog, arm prepped at the ready to push people who are moshing back in the pit. His foot even is turned in and planted there as he sings along to the music, nodding his head, but careful to keep his arm at the ready so no one hits you.

By the end of the song, the moshing calms down and he waits for a minute before letting himself relax, turning to you. You practically burst into flames. He’s got big brown puppy dog eyes that crinkle at the corner with his blinding grin, dimples gracing his cheeks. He’s wearing smudged eyeliner that make his brown eyes more enticing. You lose yourself in his eyes right as he sticks out a nimble fingered hand covered in rings for you to shake.

“Hey. I’m Eddie, at your service.”

#mind ur business I’m still drunk from my emo nite lol #and I’m in need of protective Eddie #also happy birthday to me 🎂 my gift should be Eddie ur so right #I’m too old for this shit #eddie munson #stranger things #eddie munson x reader #stranger things 4 #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x you #eddie munson headcanons #eddie munson headcanon #eddie munson blurb

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willslun · 1 year

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coming back from the dead to wish happy birthday to my son and the only boy ever, will byers 🫶🏻 i wish i could tell him how loved he is

#stranger things #will byers #will byers birthday #will byers deserves happiness #will byers deserves the world #happy birthday to my son #stranger things s4 #stranger things s2 #stranger things season 2 #stranger things season 4

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cinnamoncunt · 1 year

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happy birthday little nugget!

#happy birthday joseph quinn #joseph quinn #eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things 4 #joseph quinn x reader

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ladymunson · 2 years

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This Is Halloween

Fic Summary: It’s almost your favourite time of year, which also happens to be your birthday. Eddie wants to know… trick or treat?

A/N: This is a small blurb for my good friend @eddiesprincess86 for her birthday. I hope you like it! Also it’s set modern day AU

Word Count: 852

Warnings: None, sweet fluffy nonsense :)

I do NOT give permission for my work to be copied, translated or posted to any other platform.

Support content creators by reblogging.

—

“Happy birthday Princess!” Eddie whispers in your ear as his arms wrap around your middle. You grin, and lay your head back on his chest. You stop what you’re doing to turn in his grasp. His arms stay in the same place so they’re wrapped around the small of your back.

“Thank you for being the best birthday gift a girl could wish for!” You say, Eddie snorts making you cringe. “Sorry that was so cheesy!”

“Super cheesy!” Eddie agrees with a grin but leans down to press a kiss to your lips. Then he lets you go. ��Gotta run sweetness, your present won’t set itself up.”

“You haven’t done anything stupid have you?” You ask with a cocked eyebrow.

“You will never hear the words stupid and Eddie Munson in the same sentence!” He says with seriousness and a dramatic flourish.

You scoff. “Yeah right!”

“Don’t ruin my moment!” Eddie pouts.

—

The sound of banging on your door brings you back to the present, you’d gotten lost scrolling through tumblr you’d kinda spaced out. You put your phone down and walk to the door, opening it expecting to see Eddie and the rest of the gang.

But Eddie is alone. “Trick or treat?” He says, you look up at his face and crack into a huge smile. He’s in full costume, and his face is painted, like Jack Skellington.

“You did this for me?” You ask, chuckling.

“Well it is your favourite movie, are you gonna leave me out here all night?” Eddie asks, hand on his hips. You smile and step aside to let him in.

He goes straight for your dvd collection and digs out what he’s looking for. Going straight to the player and inserting the disc, smiling at you. He sits on the couch and pats the space beside him, you hold out your hand to indicate one second and disappear into the kitchen. Coming back moments later with sodas and snacks, you hand them to Eddie before taking a seat beside him. He picks up the remote and presses play.

The opening to the movie starts and you try to stop yourself saying the opening narration, Eddie gives you the side eye as if telling you that he’s waiting for you. But he doesn’t say anything and neither do you.

The opening musical number begins and you look at each other and start humming along.

Boys and girls of every age, wouldn’t you like to see something strange.

Come with us and you will see, this our town of Halloween.

This is Halloween, this is Halloween. Pumpkins scream in the dead of night.

This is Halloween, everybody make a scene.

Trick or treat ‘til the neighbours gonna die of fright.

All of a sudden Eddie is up on his feet, acting out the song.

He kneels down like a creeper and sings along.

I am the one hiding under your bed, teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red.

Then his up and wiggling his fingers like snakes and spider legs.

I am the one hiding under your stairs, fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair.

You’re howling with laughter and not managing to keep up with the singing. In fact you miss the rest of the song while you’re laughing, but Eddie continues to act it all out.

Once the song is over he sits beside you once again and acts as if nothing has happened, which has you giggling.

“What?” Eddie asks.

“You’re such a dork!” You say with a chuckle.

“But you love me anyway.” He replies with a grin.

—

You both continue to watch the movie, saying all your favourite lines and quotes along with the characters on screen. Just before the climax of the movie, Eddie gets up off the couch and heads into the bathroom, you pay no attention and carry on watching.

Just after the people of Halloween town sing their version of What’s This, Eddie comes out of the bathroom. He doesn’t come back to the couch though, which confuses you slightly until he begins to approach while singing.

My dearest friend, if you don’t mind. I’d like to join you by your side.

Where we can gaze into the stars.

You begin to sing along.

And sit together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see.

We’re simply meant to be…

And with the last few notes playing on the tv, Eddie leans down and kisses you. “I love you.” He says as he pulls back.

You smile and reply. “I love you too, my Jack.”

“My Sally.” Eddie says and you share another kiss.

The End.

#eddie munson #stranger things 4 #stranger things #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie stranger things #eddie munson x you #joseph quinn #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x y/n #happy birthday #the nightmare before christmas

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peanut-booi · 2 years

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🌱 Happy birthday to me, I guess ^^ 🌱

Me and the teenage boys from my favorite show 🫶🏼💙📼

Love you guys 🫶🏼

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bylertruth3r · 22 days

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BIRTHDAY BOY 🥳💙🎂

#stranger things #byler #mike wheeler #mike wheeler is gay #will byers #stranger things 4 #happy birthday mike wheeler

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luvstargirl1 · 1 year

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HAPPY 29 BIRTHDAY JOSEPH QUINN😘🎉🎂🥳🎈

I hope you have a wonderful birthday my brown eye sexy man. Eat lots of cake and party hard ❤️🍸🍾🎉🥳

01/26/1994

#joseph quinn #joe quinn #joseph quinn x reader #eddie munson #stranger things 4 #eddie munson x reader #handsome #gorgeous #so hot 🔥🔥🔥#happy birthday #birthday boiii #party hard

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withacapitalp · 1 year

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@thefreakandthehair

Dearest Lex! First of all, happy birthday <3 People like you are once in a lifetime, and I'm so so grateful we've become friends. I tried to pull together a little surprise, I'm sure someone else has already posted theirs, but I scheduled mine to be here bright and early!!

For anyone not in the loop who wants to do something for Lex DM me!!

Link to Ao3

Eddie had never exactly had the best track record with birthdays.

When he had been couch surfing with his mom and dad, there wasn’t exactly time for setting up a birthday party, or money for cake and presents. If he was lucky, his mom would get him a cheap toy car, or a lollipop that she swiped from the gas station — little ways to make the day special. She tried, she really did, but that was mostly at the start.

By ten, she seemed to have forgotten her son even had a birthday, too lost in the drugs to see him waiting for her to notice. Hell, there were even some years where he himself completely missed it. They would pass by somewhere, and Eddie would offhandedly see the date, realizing with a jolt that his birthday had passed days or weeks ago and nothing had changed.

He hated those years most of all.

But…but today was his thirteenth birthday.

He was turning thirteen today, and he was finally in a place he could really call home. He was turning thirteen, and for the first time, Eddie wanted to let himself hope. He let himself day dream about a party with balloons and a cake littered with bright candles. He had thought endlessly about how Thirteen was going to be great, the best year yet. His year.

Eddie had, foolishly, let himself think that things might be better now. After all, Wayne had been nothing but kind to him so far, always wanting to know what Eddie thought and listening when he told wild long winded stories. Wayne was good, and he seemed like the type to make birthdays something special.

He woke up that morning, hope starting to stir in his chest, and it instantly vanished when he threw his arm out to wake his uncle, only to find that the other side of the bed was cold.

Uncle Wayne wasn’t in the room they shared, and when Eddie wandered out, there was a post-it note on the fridge saying that he switched to the day shift, and he wouldn’t be home till 7:00 tonight.

No cake, no presents, not even a card. He hadn’t even written Happy Birthday on the note.

He tried not to be disappointed, tried to reason with himself, because Uncle Wayne might not have even known it was his birthday. He hadn’t even known Eddie existed until a few months ago, how could he know when his birthday was?

But there was a wrathful sad creature writhing in his chest, pressing down on that old wound and making it reopen, telling Eddie that if Wayne actually did love him, he would have known. He would have cared enough to ask.

It wasn’t fair to think that way. His Uncle cared plenty. He had taken Eddie in, given him a home, shared his room and his food and his life when didn’t have to, and Eddie wanted to be grateful for all of that. He was grateful for all of that.

He just also wanted Thirteen to be different.

The rest of the day was the same. Eddie went through school in a daze, barely paying attention to his classes or the assholes all around that liked to make fun of him. No one wished him well, or asked how he felt to be thirteen, and he was almost kind of glad for that.

Because thirteen felt the way that twelve did. It felt the way eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, and four did too.

Thirteen sucked.

By the time he got out of class and back to the trailer park, it was getting hard to hold back the tears pressing at his eyes. He lept into the trailer and shut the door with a bang, hitting his back against the door and sliding down. He collapsed onto the floor in a heap, sniffling and pressing his palms against his eyes, trying to make them stop before they started.

Eddie had always been a crybaby. It was something his father had absolutely detested about him, something he had tried to beat out of his son time and time again. Those attempts had only made Eddie cry more, which made his father angrier, which started a vicious cycle, which led to scars and nightmares and all of the things Eddie just wanted to forget about.

This wasn’t how Thirteen was supposed to be. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about the bad things, he wasn’t supposed to be upset.

“Why’re you cryin’ kiddo?”

Eddie immediately startled at the unexpected voice, jumping with a gasp and accidentally smacking his head against the metal door. Now he was really crying, holding the back of his head with both hands and choking on cut off sobs.

Wayne shot up from his easy chair and dashed over. He lifted his arm, probably only intending to help Eddie up, or check the back of his head for a lump.

That wasn’t what Eddie saw. Eddie saw a hand raised his way, and tears on his cheeks, and knew he was about to get punished again for being a stupid crybaby. He flinched back, ducking his head between his legs and waiting.

But no hand ever came. No screaming, no pain. Nothing. Hesitantly, Eddie lifted his head up, watching his uncle with fearful eyes.

Wayne was still as a statue, his arms at his sides. There was a funny look on his face, a strangled kind of shock that looked uncomfortable. Eddie uncurled from his ball, lowering his arms and wrapping them around his knees loosely.

“‘M sorry,” He mumbled, humiliated. This was really turning out to be his worst birthday ever. Wayne chewed on the inside of his cheek for a minute before slowly lowering himself down to the floor, groaning as his knees cracked loudly in the quiet trailer.

“You don’t got to apologize,” Wayne said once he was on the ground. Eddie knew that was true. This wasn’t the first time they had done this particular song and dance, but it was the worst time. Wayne told him the same thing every time- he didn’t have to apologize.

Eddie still felt the need to.

“Sorry,” He repeated, cringing as the word flew out of his mouth. Wayne sucked a deep breath in and let it out in a long sigh, looking around as he contemplated his words.

“Does it help you if I say I’m not angry with you?”

Eddie paused, considering. Whenever Wayne said he didn’t have to apologize, Eddie always felt like he needed to apologize for apologizing. It was silly, and confusing, and made his heart race.

But the thought of knowing that Wayne wasn’t upset made his heart beat just a little bit slower, so Eddie nodded hesitantly. Wayne nodded back, clicking his tongue once and looking Eddie right in the eye, forcing him to look back.

“Then I’m not angry with you. Not even a little bit, Eds,” Wayne said carefully, making sure every word was heard.

It was the little nickname that really made Eddie’s shoulders start to relax. Wayne had started calling him that the third or fourth day after his arrival, and, every time he did it, Eddie felt just a little bit safer.

Wayne let Eddie calm down a bit more, watching him brush away any lingering tears and take long shaking breaths. Then, when he was sure Eddie wasn’t going to fall apart again, he repeated his initial question in a soft, unexpectedly gentle, tone.

“Why were you cryin’?”

Eddie’s cheeks flushed, and he ducked his head. Now that it was over, he felt ridiculous for falling apart like that. It was such a silly thing to get so upset over, and Wayne didn’t need to know.

“I thought you had a shift?” Eddie said, changing the subject while smoothly avoiding the question.

“Got Gordie to take the last three hours. I wanted to be home to surprise you,” Wayne replied.

A blinding rush of hope stabbed Eddie directly in the chest. He despised it for still existing, for not being beaten down by the reality of the life he had lived. Through all of it, he still had hope, he still wanted to believe something better was coming.

Maybe that was stupid. Maybe it was brave. Maybe it was the only thing keeping Eddie alive at this point. He dropped his gaze to the floor between them, trying to gather up his courage.

“Why?” Eddie whispered, unable to look up in case he was wrong.

It was quiet. It was quiet for a long time. Eddie didn’t move, didn’t dare to even breathe too much. He couldn't until he heard the answer.

“...It’s your birthday, kiddo,” Wayne said, each word coming out slow and measured, “You know that, right?”

Wayne knew.

Wayne knew, and he had taken time off, even though they needed the money badly. He had given up those precious few hours just to be here for him. Just because he wanted to.

The lump that had begun to ease out of his throat grew three times as big.

“Then why’re you so surprised that I’d wanna be here?” Wayne wondered, sounding confused, but also sad. Guilt began to bloom in his stomach, but Eddie couldn’t bear the thought of lying right now.

“Didn’t think you knew,” Eddie mumbled, feeling his lashes starting to stick together. The unspoken ‘didn’t think you cared’ sat heavy in the air between them.

Eddie dropped his head between his knees again, hating himself for thinking badly about Wayne. His uncle had done nothing but care for him this entire time, making sacrifice after sacrifice, and Eddie had really thought he would do something as terrible as this? What kind of person was he?

Wayne, unaware of Eddie’s internal battle, spoke slowly, taking his time with each word the way he always did.

“Got it out of the paperwork your social worker sent me,” Wayne said, hesitating for a second before lowering his voice into a whisper before asking his next question.

“Is that what got you all upset?”

This is where it would be smart to lie.

If it was his father, Eddie would have lied.

If it was mother, Eddie would have lied.

If it was anyone but Wayne, Eddie would have lied.

Instead, he gave the tiniest nod he possibly could, taking the risk of falling and hoping his uncle was serious about wanting to catch him.

Wayne sighed heavily, and Eddie raised his head just enough to watch as his uncle shook his head and got to his feet, only walking a few steps before coming to sit next to Eddie by the door.

“I’m sorry. I thought about wakin’ you when I left, but I wanted to let you sleep. I should’ve done that, and I apologize,” Wayne said, lowering his arm around Eddie’s shoulders and tugging him in for a sideways hug.

It always amazed Eddie how quickly Wayne would apologize for things. He had never heard his father say he was sorry, but Wayne did it all the time. If Eddie’s toast was too crunchy, if he was late coming home, every time he thought he misstepped, he said he was sorry. For all the little things, and all the big things too.

It was strange, but it was probably the thing he liked most about living with Wayne. With Wayne, Eddie wasn’t always the one who had done the wrong thing.

“But I had a plan, if you wanted?” Wayne offered, and Eddie nodded his head against Wayne’s shoulder, still not ready to talk.

“Well, I figured we could grab a slice or two, ‘n go to the movies. See that new one you were talkin’ about? Salem’s Somethin’? Thought you might like to see your first official PG 13 movie together,”

“That sounds nice,” Eddie whispered, the smallest trace of a smile gracing his face as Wayne grinned when he spoke.

“Yeah, then after I uh I got you a cupcake? You said you like red velvet, so I tried to get a cake, but the bakery only did cupcakes. I got a chocolate one for me, but I have a candle you can put in it.” Wayne continued, pointing over to the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. There was a pink box sitting there, tied tightly with white twine that came together in a pretty bow on the top.

Eddie couldn’t even remember talking about his favorite kind of cake with Wayne. But Wayne remembered, and the thought of that flooded him with warmth from the top of his head to the tips of his toes.

He let his legs slide out straight, sitting right next to his uncle’s. His feet only reached about three quarters of the way down his uncle’s calves, but Wayne swore that would change soon. He liked to call Eddie a ‘bean pole in the making’ and that always made him laugh.

“Oh, and I got a present for ya,”

“A present?” Eddie wondered aloud, amazed. The movie and pizza was already so much, and the cupcake was even more. Weren’t those his presents?

“Yeah. Go wait on the couch and close your eyes, alright? Didn’t get a chance to wrap it,” Wayne instructed, briefly stopping to ruffle Eddie’s curls before walking down the hallway to their room.

Eddie stood on slightly shaky legs, walking over to the couch in a daze and sitting in the corner. He closed his eyes, letting the darkness take his vision as he waited, unable to guess what his present might be.

He heard Wayne walk back over, and something heavy was placed in his lap. It was big, really big, and Eddie’s leg began to bounce in anticipation.

“Okay, you can open ‘em,” Wayne said, and Eddie’s eyes flashed open.

There was a guitar case in his lap.

A real life, genuine, honest to god, guitar case.

Eddie stared at it with big bug eyes, every single thought rushing out of his head as fast as they could go. He lifted one trembling hand and put it on the hard plastic, feeling the scratches and grooves with his fingers as he stared down at it.

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

He lifted it out of his lap, and stood up. Wayne stepped back, and Eddie kneeled down, feeling for the latches and lifting them. The guitar was somehow even better than the case. It was a soft amber wood acoustic, with a few stickers adorning the bottom, and strings that were just starting to fray at the top.

It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“Dean, my manager at the plant? He said he was lookin’ to get a new one, so I convinced ‘im to sell me this one. ‘S a little old, and he said it’ll be finicky, but it’s a good starter guitar. Thought you might like to make some music, seein’ as you listen to so much of it,” Wayne explained.

That was a lot more talking than he was used to from his uncle. When Eddie looked up with a wide eyed expression, still unable to speak, Wayne’s strange bout of nerves vanished.

“I know it ain’t much,” Wayne started, hunching in his shoulders, “But-”

“I love it,”

That was Eddie’s voice, but he didn’t think he had spoken. The words weren’t good enough. They would never be good enough. No words would ever be able to even start to explain how Eddie was feeling. He stood up and wrapped his arms tight around his uncle’s middle, burying his face in the man’s chest and trying to hide the treacherous tears that had escaped once more.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Eddie whispered endlessly, wishing that there was something better to say.

Wayne seemed shocked, but he recovered quickly, patting Eddie on the back.

“C’mon now,” Wayne muttered, probably embarrassed by the outburst. Eddie didn’t care. He squeezed even tighter, trying to convey everything he could with a hug, because words were pale in comparison.

Wayne finally resolved to just let Eddie get this out, sighing and wrapping his arms around the boy’s shoulders.

“Alright. You’re alright now,” Wayne whispered, putting his chin on the top of Eddie’s head, knowing he couldn’t do that for very much longer.

And Eddie believed him. For the first time he let himself think things were going to get better without being afraid.

103 notes · View notes