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headkiss · 2 years

Text

smoke slow

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

summary: inspired by the song by joshua bassett. eddie gives you a cigarette and maybe some hope, too.

word count: 3.4k

warnings: smoking, other than that it’s all fluff!

a/n: my first eddie fic!!!! i hope u guys like it and as always please let me know what you think! also switched up my headers :P

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Hawkins, Indiana. A town booming with rumours and sticky summers. For so long, you were one of the people watching news and shows about the place. Now, you were in it.

Moving was something you were used to, your parent’s work relocating your family often. You didn’t mind it so much, it was what you were used to.

This time, they told you it was for good, that this was the last move. All things they’ve said before, but it felt real for once, it felt like they meant it.

You thought maybe it could become home.

Which is why you found yourself here, at the town’s trailer park for some party that was on a flyer handed to you on the sidewalk. Usually, you would roll your eyes and throw the piece of paper away, but you didn’t know anyone yet and this was an opportunity.

You could find friends, people to talk to. It was worth a try.

You stood in the damp grass of the trailer park, a cup of whatever was being served in hand. It was nice to meet people, nice to get an idea of what your life in Hawkins could be like. It was overwhelming, though.

It was full of ‘who are you’s and ‘why haven’t I seen you before’s. A repetitive explanation of your move.

It got to the point where you needed a break from it all. As much as you enjoyed the promise of future friends and people to meet, you couldn’t take it all at once.

You pulled yourself away from the forming crowd, wandering the open space between trailers, noting the picnic tables spread out and pausing to pet someone’s cute dog.

Your head turned at the sound of a guitar, soft strums bleeding into the night air and you wanted to follow it. You stood up—not before giving the dog one last pat on the head—and went off to find where the music was coming from.

It would pause and resume every so often, like the person playing was forced to pull away before getting back to plucking at the guitar strings. You wandered around, the guitar getting louder as you went.

You eventually found the source of it, a boy sat on the front steps of a trailer. Long hair, ripped jeans, a denim vest covered in pins on top of a leather jacket. A cigarette hanging from his mouth and heavy rings on musical fingers. He was really pretty.

You were close to him now, but his head was bent, not noticing you approach. When he pulled away from his guitar to take the cigarette out of his mouth and breathe out, smoke billowing out of his lips, you took the chance to speak up.

“‘This machine slays dragons?’” You tilted your head to read the messily painted letters on the instrument, grabbing the attention of the boy holding it.

Eddie peeked over at you when he heard your voice, one he didn’t recognize. You were standing with a teasing smile on your face, a cardigan wrapped around you to fight off the evening chill. He thought you might’ve been the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.

“Sure does.”

His voice was smooth, the type of gravelly that had you walking closer, close enough that he was forced to tilt his head up at you. His eyes shining and soft as they met yours.

“What’s your name?”

“Eddie, you?” You told him, and he repeated it, enjoying the way it tasted on his lips, the way it felt natural to say. “That’s a pretty name. You’re new here?”

You thought you were tired of the question, of the curiosity that came along with being the town’s new girl, but when Eddie said it, you couldn’t find any annoyance in your body at all.

“Yeah, just moved. You have any more of those?”

Your hand motioned to the cigarette that sat loosely in his grip now, his playing paused in order to talk to you. You knew smoking was a bad habit, but it wasn’t something you could bring yourself to care about at the moment. Besides, it gave you something to say to Eddie, to keep whatever this moment was going.

“Yeah. You’re a smoker?”

“On occasion, I guess.”

“It’s unhealthy, you know?”

“Says the boy who’s currently smoking. C’mon, share?”

“Will you say please?”

“Now now, we only just met, Eddie. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

He shook his head, setting his guitar aside to reach into his pocket for his pack of cigarettes and his lighter, jerking his head towards the stairs next to him, inviting you to sit.

You took the invite, walking over and setting yourself next to him, close enough that your arms would brush if they moved the right way. It was odd, to feel like this stranger was someone who would become integral to your life despite only just meeting him. Like you were meant to find him here.

Eddie passed you a cigarette, and flicked his lighter to life to let you lean close and burn the tip of your smoke to life. You looked at him as you inhaled, his attention on your mouth and how it pouted ever so slightly around your cig, the way the plume escaped your lips.

“What were you playing before? On your dragon slaying guitar.”

“Dunno, really. Whatever came to mind, I guess.”

“It was pretty.”

“You think so?”

Eddie hadn’t had someone describe his music as pretty. He’s been complimented, sure, but none of it seemed to mean as much as the one that came from you. The fact that you didn’t even know him and yet you seemed to care about his art really stuck out to him. It was sweet, and it was genuine.

He wished he could stay in this moment, slow it down so it could last a little longer. The world melted away and it was just him and you. Two strangers who would probably become so much more than that.

“Yeah. Will you play it again?”

He stubbed his cigarette out on his steps, deciding that he’d just share with you instead of having to pause from his playing. He figured you’d let him, since it was him who gave it to you. Eddie was intrigued by you the moment saw you, a magnetic pull holding his attention and refusing to let go. It was confusing to meet someone and immediately feel an effect from it, from them.

“Sure, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart. The nickname mixed with his voice had butterflies swarming in your stomach. You tried to shrug it off, to pretend like it was nerves instead of being flustered. You thought maybe you could make him your friend, a good one. That maybe he felt the same, like he’d known you for much longer than a total of five minutes.

You thought Hawkins really would become home after all.

He plucked out a melody, humming along softly despite it not having any lyrics. While he wanted to impress you, to leave an impact big enough to get you to want to see him again, he wasn’t really worried about what he was playing.

You watched his hands move with nimble fingers and expertise. You watched his face with focus as well as ease painted across it, like it was effortless for him to simply pick up his guitar and play. He was really pretty. Someone who might look intimidating at first glance, but was kind and welcoming.

“You’re really good, Eddie. How’d you learn?”

“My uncle, mostly. He’s taught me a lot.”

“Will you teach me something on it?”

“Sure thing, Sweetheart. Here ya go.” He handed you his guitar, letting you set it in your lap the way he had it just moments before and grabbing your cigarette to stub it out. Eddie didn’t know why he decided to move so he sat behind you, his thighs on either side of yours, his chest against your back. He didn’t know why he felt so inclined to do so, but he was.

When you felt Eddie behind you, your senses went wild. The heat of his body against your back, the smell of his shampoo and his cologne in your nose, strands of his hair tickling your neck when he leaned closer.

It was intimate, especially considering this was your first meeting with him. But you had no complaints at all.

His hands trailed down your arms to grab yours, the cool metal of his rings sliding down until they were pressed against your fingers. He moved your hands to place one on the neck of the guitar, the other sitting flat against the strings. You were pliant for him, letting him guide you.

“‘Kay, so you’re just gonna put your fingers here, here, and.. here.” He moved them as he spoke, placing them on the right string and fret to create a chord. A sense of pride swelling when you strummed and it sounded right the first time.

Eddie wasn’t used to having a connection to people so quickly. No, he was used to judgemental looks and constant avoidance because he was a ‘freak,’ someone to stay away from.

You, however, had no knowledge of his reputation, you only knew the sweet boy sitting on his porch playing guitar. You only knew his soft touch and comforting smell.

“That’s really cool. That music just works like that.”

“Where the hell have you been all this time, sweetheart. Are you even real?”

He held one of your hands in his, squeezing it like he was making sure you were solid, a real person. He felt like he might’ve made you up, the previous drinks and smoke clouding his brain because there was absolutely no way you were there, being nice to him, and smiling brightly because of him and his guitar.

When you looked down, focusing on his hand holding yours and feeling flustered, then feeling it even more because you didn’t know him, not really, and it felt like you did and he had an effect on you that you’d never felt before. Ever.

You didn’t have time to reply to his sweet, wonder-filled words because you caught a glimpse of the numbers on his watch and gasped.

“Is that really the time?”

“Shit, yeah.”

“I'm so sorry, I have to leave.”

He hated the disappointment he felt, the longing for you to stay. He hated it because it was new, it was scary, and it was more amplified than anything he’s ever experienced before.

He didn’t say any of that, though, he only let your hand go and stood, helping you up along with him. He didn’t hug you close like he wanted, he didn’t kiss you like he had the urge to do. He only smiled at you and spoke quietly.

“It was really nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”

“Yeah. Bye, Eddie.”

You were quickly walking off before he could ask you for your number, for anything. Gone as if it really had been a dream.

Eddie couldn’t stop thinking about you.

Ever since that night that seemed to get further and further away as the days passed, his mind has been stuck in a loop of you and your pull and your mystery. He wanted to know more about you, he wanted to know everything, really. The only problem was, he couldn’t seem to find you.

He’d go walking on main street, go to the grocery store even if his uncle had gone the day before, go to random parties he heard about in hopes to find you there. Eddie found himself in public much more than he used to, and he found that distracting himself with trying to find you often blocked out the looks he’d get or the whispers he’d notice.

Lately, all he cared about was talking to you again.

He wasn’t discreet about it, either. He asked Nancy and Robin if they met you, even asked Steve if he knew of anyone with your name. They teased him, of course, but they did try to help. It wasn’t often Eddie was this encompassed with someone.

He found himself hanging out at Family Video with Robin and Steve as they worked, hoping that maybe today would be the day you decided to rent a movie.

“This is getting sad, Munson. Why don’t you just go door to door? That might be more productive.”

Steve and Eddie gave each other shit all the time, but that was simply their friendship. They bonded over time, getting over their Dustin jealousy and finding common ground there instead. They complained about the younger boy’s attitude, they loved him like a brother.

“Shut it, Steve. I’m gonna see her, I swear.”

“Aw, come on, it’s sweet. But, are you sure she lives here? Maybe she was just visiting.”

Robin was trying to help, as always, she just said what she thought was best. She hoped that you were real, because she could use another female friend in her life and by the way Eddie spoke about you, she could tell you’d be a great one.

“No, no. She said she just moved here! You guys believe me, don’t you? I didn’t even smoke pot that night!”

“Calm down there, we believe you. It’s just.. it’s been like a week and Hawkins really isn’t that big.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know, Robin. But maybe it’s just like the wrong places at the wrong time. Right?”

She simply shrugged, not really knowing what to say because she wanted to keep his hopes up, she wanted him to be happy and excited about you like he has been since he saw you.

“Maybe you should’ve stayed in the same place every time like Dustin said. Higher percentage of meeting her or whatever the little shit said. It was too much math for me.”

“Thank you so much, Steve. I really appreciate it.” His voice monotone and void of actual gratitude, a deadpan.

The bell above the door rang, signaling the entrance of a customer, and Eddie’s heart pounded with the possibility of it being you. His mind conjuring up everything he’d say to you, the unrealistic expectations that you’ve been looking for him, too.

But, you knew where to find him. Wasn’t it obvious the trailer was his?

When he turned to look at who walked in, he sighed. Disappointed because it definitely wasn’t you and kicking himself for getting so worked up over a fucking bell ringing.

He left the store after that, going back home and picking up his acoustic guitar once more to play the tune he remembered from that night. He couldn’t get it out of his head.

You couldn’t stop thinking about Eddie.

Something about the way his hair fell and the dreamiest eyes. The way his rings felt against your skin and his chest felt against your back. The way he spoke and the way he made you feel.

You were close to losing it.

Of course, you thought about going to his trailer to see him, but always backed out because you felt like it would be weird. He would totally be creeped out if you just showed up to his house unannounced after meeting once.

Instead of sitting around daydreaming about a certain boy, you decided to use your free time to apply for a job. It would be something to do, and you did need the money. You figured as you made your way around the town with applications in hand, you just might run into Eddie.

So far, nothing has panned out, though it’s only been a couple of days. The last stop on your list was the local record store, full of vinyls both used and new. You stood in front of the old building, gathering the courage to go in and hand in your application.

When you walked through the door, you saw shelves upon shelves of music, bins and crates stood all around filled to the brim with things to listen to. The lighting was warm, inviting, and the song playing softly throughout the store added to the calming atmosphere.

Eddie’s head snapped up from where he was sorting through new arrivals when he heard the front door open and close, his attention drawn to the customer he was meant to look after.

When he caught a glimpse of the person there, he swore he felt his heart stop for a second. Maybe even a minute.

It was you.

You, who he had almost convinced himself he had imagined. Who still looked as pretty as the first time he saw you. You with your same cardigan and bright eyes. He couldn’t believe it.

You walked up to the counter, shaking out your nerves one last time before taking a couple steps and looking up. The last person you expected to see was Eddie, but you definitely weren’t upset about it.

You’d been waiting ever since you left that night to see him again, and here he was.

“Eddie?”

He ditched his vest and jacket, now left in his ‘Hellfire Club’ shirt which you’d ask him about later. For now, you were just ecstatic to see him. His hair was still long, still sat in its charming waves. His eyes still shining, like that was their natural state.

“Oh my gosh! Sweetheart, hi!”

His smile was beaming, so bright that you couldn’t help but smile, too.

“So, I’m actually here for a job,” you set your application on the counter in front of him. “But this is a lot more fun. Hi.”

“Shit, really? I can get you in, easy. The boss likes me, can you believe it!?”

He was so upbeat, so animated, and it felt like it was because of you. Whether that was true or not, you still felt special. He was able to do that without even trying.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. We’re gonna have so much fun as coworkers, trust me. The best time.”

“Well, okay. If you want to, then that would be great. Thank you, Eddie.”

He thinks hearing his name in your voice would never get old.

“No problem at all, sweetheart.”

“Do you like working here?”

“I like music, and it’s easy enough. I think you joining the team would make it a lot better, though.”

“Stop it.”

You could feel your face heating, your hands coming up to cover your flustered expression. Somehow, Eddie managed to say certain things in a certain way to make you feel warm. His gaze strong and his effect even stronger.

“It’s true! Come on, stop hiding.”

He gently reached out to grab your wrists, urging you to drop your hands from your face, and when you did, he didn’t let go.

“It’s really good you’re here, sweetheart. I’ve wanted to find you ever since you left that stupid party.”

“Me too. Must be fate.”

Though your tone was slightly teasing, you really did think this was fate. The universe bringing two people together and all of that.

“Must be. So, I have a question for you.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

His hands squeezed your wrists in his grip, cool rings against heated skin. It was like he was both reassuring you and gearing himself up to say what he wanted to.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met, and I think that’s rare. I, um.. I wanted to know if you’d wanna go out with me sometime? Soon, maybe?”

“Like on a date?”

“Yeah. I mean, if that’s what you want. Doesn’t have to be.”

What Eddie wants to say is that he thinks he’d take you into his life in any way he could, that he’d be okay with being nothing more than your future coworker if it meant you’d be around. He doesn’t, because he thinks that’s a lot for someone he’s spoken to twice.

“I’d really like that, Eddie. I’ve thought about you ever since, too.”

He only drops his hold on you to grab a pen and spare piece of paper, sliding it towards you.

“Leave me your number this time, yeah? So I don’t have to search the town again.”

“You looked for me?”

You started writing your number down for him, signing with your name and a heart and handing him the paper. He took it and tucked it into his pocket right away, not wanting to ever lose it.

“‘Course. Told you I was thinking about you.”

“Well, now you can call me.”

“Oh, I will. You’ll get sick of me.”

To be honest, you don’t think you could get tired of him if you even tried.

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