Chapter Text
It has been months since a fifteen years old little girl with superpowers defeated Vecna, saved all of their asses, and then they all saved him. Eddie didn't know how exactly they did this, but he was a free man now. It turns out the ex-chief Hopper was alive the whole time and was that little girl's dad. So, he somehow acquitted Eddie.
Nevertheless, that didn't stop anyone from threatening or staring at him with disgust.
This wasn't new for him, but it lowered the chances of finding a job after graduation from three to zero. Not that he was dying to work for some assholes, but it was needed. His uncle was an old man, and they needed a new place ever since their home got fucked up. A proper place. Selling weed was a good job, but that wasn't enough now. Even after months, they still didn't have enough money to get a place to stay. Wayne was staying over at a friend's home from work since the government took their place while Eddie was on the run, and Eddie was just sleeping in his van. Of course, Wayne didn't know about this. He had told his uncle that he was also staying at a friend's place, but he didn't want to bother anyone. Eddie felt guilty for wanting more after everything they had done for him. He didn't want to be a trouble for anyone. Turns out that Carver guy and his friends broke Gareth's hand. He was still recovering and sort of blaming Eddie for this. And he wasn't very close with Buckley or Wheeler girl, and Harrington had already paid so much for them. His only options were the kids, but that absolutely wasn't okay. He didn't think Mrs. Henderson would ever let him get in their house anyways.
So here he was, in the middle of the main street of Hawkins, sitting in his van and eating a cheap burger all alone. He wasn't ungrateful, it was great to be alive and be free, but he was expecting a different life after graduation. The plan was to leave the town, make music, go on tours, and shit like that. He looked at his guitar that he didn't touch for months, lying on the back of his van. "I miss you too, sweetheart," he muttered as he took a sip from his coke.
"Eddie!" Someone shouted as they knocked on the window. Eddie jumped in horror and spilled some of the coke on himself.
"Fuck," he groaned as he turned to his side to find the grinning faces of Robin Buckley and Steve Harrington. He rolled down half of the window after putting his food on the passenger seat. "Hey, thank you for a sticky shower."
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Buckley giggled. She was wearing makeup, and her hair was longer than the last time Eddie saw her. She looked like a normal young woman in her daily life. It was weird to see them not covered in dirt or blood. "Haven't seen you around lately. You okay?"
Eddie's gaze found Harrington as he gave a smile to her. Seeing Harrington was weirder. Of course, Eddie knew him long before they shared a trauma. But he was a total douchebag back then, and now, he was looking like that douchebag again. Eddie had to admit that Harrington looked better and braver while he was covered up with blood and carrying a bat. He realized Harrington was observing the back of the van from the backside window, where all his stuff was lying in a mess. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just—"
"Are you sleeping in your car?" Harrington interrupted him.
Buckley turned to his friend with surprise and then to the point where he looked at. Her eyes got wider as she saw the mess. Eddie tried to keep the smile on his face. "Well," he said, keeping his voice reckless as he joked. He didn't want them to pity him. "Ya know, easier than breaking into someone else's house."
"What about your uncle? I thought you guys were moved in somewhere." Buckley crossed her arms on her chest. She was worried and didn't even laugh at his joke.
Eddie lied his back, clearing his throat. "Uhh, not yet. We're saving up for it. He's staying with a friend."
Harrington sighed. He put his hand on the side mirror, ruining the angle and irritating Eddie. "Can't believe you were staying here for months. Man, why didn't you say something?"
"Hey, hey! Stop right there. I'm doing pretty good." Eddie defended himself as he rolled the rest of the window down. He pushed away Harrington's hand and fixed the mirror. Harrington made an apologizing face.
"Steve?" Buckley was sounding eager.
"Listen, we can't leave you like this, Munson. You're one of us now; we will find you home if you need a home."
Eddie wasn't paying much attention to them. He was still struggling with the window. All he wanted to do was to kick Harrington's damn ass for what he had done. He didn't give them an answer until he finally fixed the window. "Nah, no way," he said angrily, straightening up and starting the engine. "You're not gonna buy me a fuckin' house, dude. See you guys later."
Buckley ran in front of the van and spread her arms widely. "No!"
"Jesus, of course, I won't buy you a god damn house, Munson. But we can figure this out together, come on. Get out of the car, man."
Eddie eyed them both. They looked so severe and had no intention of letting him go. If he tried to drive backward, Buckley would probably jump on the hood this time. He sighed as he stopped the car and slowly got out of it, leaving his almost done lunch behind. Buckley returned to their side, smiling pleasingly. And the duo led Eddie to the diner.
The place wasn't crowded; only three tables were taken. The waitress was making coffee. She smiled when she saw Eddie for the second time in a very short time period. Eddie returned the smile back at her. Then, they all sat at an empty table in the corner.
"You hungry?" Harrington asked, eyes browsing the menu.
Eddie pointed to his wet t-shirt. "I'm still wet from the coke and ketchup, if you haven't noticed."
Buckley laughed sweetly. "Eat some more. He's payin' today." She pointed to Harrington and winked.
"Alright, I guess a cup of coffee would be nice," Eddie said as he sighed.
After they ordered, Eddie started to tap his fingertips on the table nervously. He wasn't sure why he was there. What could Harrington or Buckley do to help him? Obviously, he couldn't stay with them. Neither Buckley's nor Harrington's parents would let him sleep in their house. "So," he asked carefully since they weren't bringing the main subject up. "What is your plan?"
They shared a look with each other before Harrington started to talk with a sigh. "You can stay at my house until you get a new place with your uncle."
"Yeah, as if either your mom or your dad wouldn't kick my ass out." Eddie leaned back, rolling his eyes. He was disappointed because staying indoors rather than in a fucking van was naturally amazing. Of course, he didn't have high hopes, but it still bothered him.
Harrington bit his lip. "Well, don't worry about that. They're... out of town."
"Do you really think I can find a house in like.. what? A week?"
"No. They're out of town for a month and a half. Then, probably for a month again. I dunno. They're never home. So, it's basically just me." Eddie's eyebrows raised with surprise. He didn't know about this. In fact, the only thing he knew about Harringtons was that they were wealthy people. He stared at Harrington, not knowing what to say. Fortunately, he added, "It's cool, Munson. We have a pool house with all the furniture you'll need, except for a bed. But I have an air mattress. You can stay there as long as you need."
Buckley was smiling at her friend. She seemed really happy. And proud? On the other hand, Harrington's face was blank. Eddie wasn't sure if he was sincere or doing this under the pressure of Buckley or, worse, doing this for charity. He cleared his throat. "Well, thank you. I'll think about it."
Buckley glared at him, then turned back to Harrington. "Um, correct me if I'm mistaken, but I don't think we give him an option. Right, Steve?"
"Yeah, Robin is right. That's the final decision, Munson." He shrugged.
Eddie was feeling weird. Nobody has ever done something like this for him. Of course, Wayne had opened his home to him, but that was a different case. These people weren't his legal guardians or even his friends. Why did they care about him so much? Not that he didn't care about them, it was just something he wasn't used to. Nobody ever cared about him, not even when he wasn't accused of someone's murder. Especially Harrington, who had never talked to him in high school, he was way cooler for someone like Eddie The Freak Munson. Even after the whole thing, it was still unbelievable.
"Uh, alright then... I guess?" He muttered in confusion.
*
He parked his van on the driveway and got out. The house was huge. Even though he already knew Harrington was rich, seeing his house was the thing that proved it was true. He knocked on the front door, and Harrington opened it in a second as if he was waiting right behind the door.
"Hey, man. Come on in." He stepped aside to give Eddie space to come inside. "I made dinner. You hungry?"
At that moment, Eddie noticed Harrington was wearing a kitchen apron with flowers. He blinked a couple of times as Harrington left him to go to the kitchen. Eddie followed him inside, trying to suppress his laughter. "Yeah, like a wolf."
"Cool. The bathroom is over there," he said while gesturing to the end of the hallway. "I'll set the table."
Eddie washed his hands in the bathroom and returned to the kitchen. He observed the house on the way. The place was spotless and settled. It was unexpected, obviously, since it belonged to a twenty years old man. Though, Eddie didn't expect Harrington to cook either. He thought they'd have maids. Or maybe they had; that would explain the neatness.
He found Harrington in the kitchen, carrying two plates to the dining room. He watched him as Harrington carefully placed them on the table. "Great wife energy, Harrington," he teased.
"Shut up," he said in response, laughing a little. "C'mere. Eat before it gets cold."
They both ate in silence. After that, Eddie helped him with the dishes and the cleaning. When they were finished with dinner, Harrington showed him the backyard. There was a pool as big as the town's pool, and there was a pool house right next to the house. It was almost big as his old trailer. They got inside together, and Eddie gasped involuntarily.
Inside, there was a seating group in front of a television placed on top of a fireplace. There was also a bar which got him excited. Also, the air mattress was already there with a cover set and a couple of pillows. A big drawer was beside it. He saw an open door in the corner, and there was the bathroom. There wasn't a shower, though.
"Well, about that... Apparently, my parents thought that wasn't necessary. So, you have to use other bathrooms for a shower. But I use my own one. I don't bother you. Also, you can eat anything from the kitchen." He explained.
"You have your own bathroom?" Eddie couldn't help himself from asking.
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing," said Eddie. He wondered how many rooms and bathrooms they had in the house but didn't ask this time. "This place is perfect."
"Do you need help with settling?"
"Nah, thank you, Steve. You really are a good guy." He patted Harrington's shoulder with a smile on his face. Harrington smiled with this, too.
"Anything for Henderson's second favorite guy. I'm trying my best to keep my place as the first." Eddie laughed at his words. "You can put your clothes and stuff in the drawer. It's not that big, though. I also put towels, a new toothbrush, and other stuff in the bathroom cupboard. If you need anything else, my room is upstairs, the second door on the left. Did I forget anything?"
"I'm not sure, Harrington. You seem like you thought everything." Eddie said, amazed.
He grinned. "Yeah, as I said, I'm trying my best. Anyways, I don't have keys to give you, but I'll ensure you get one in a few days. Until then, I won't lock the back door, and you can use it to get inside."
"Thanks, man. I owe you."
"No, I owe you. You saved my ass, dude. Count this as a payback."
"Well, couldn't do it without Wheeler girl or Buckley."
"Yeah, and if they ever need a place to stay, you're gonna have to share this place with them." He joked.
"We could have slumber parties together," said Eddie, grinning. "See you in the morning, Harrington."
Harrington tapped his arm before he walked away. "Good night."
"Good night."