- RETROMIX + HEATMETAL

[camarod]

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[retromix]

Better get used to it, it's all the action you're gonna see around these parts.

[ Turning his back on Billy to go check his phone it doesn't cross his mind that his ass is now on full display, jeans crunkling with Steve's annoyed hip shifting his weight.

He texts, "Where are you???"

Eddie must have passed out. He really isn't the best without company to keep his spirits up right now. Shit. ]

[heatmetal]

[ he was, in fact, very passed out. when he's not distracting himself with shopping and steve, eddie on his own is a somewhat depressing animal. lamenting the life he'd wasted in hawkins, worrying if he'd ever get back - worrying about potentially landing in jail for the rest of his life if he did, and wondering if he'd ever figure out just what the hell his superpowers were. unless the mere fact he was alive was meant to be his power.

it's a dark and winding road and if he lets himself think, he walks it. and he's not always certain he'll find his way out of those thoughts.

so weed and beer have been used medicinally.

and unfortunately this makes him The Worst and Shittiest - what, boyfriend? friend with benefits? bro? to steve, because he's sleeping off a session of binge drinking when he gets the text.

when he finally rolled over, the message was enough to scare the piss (and booze) straight out of him. billy hargrove was an asshole, and from what steve had been telling him, one who didn't fully grasp the idea of boundaries. there's a mutter of shit and then a louder shout of FUCK as he grabs for whatever is closest to the bed and then he's up and grabbing his switchblade just in case as he books it to steve's room. there's no real announcement to his presence, a cursory knock before he's throwing the door open and skidding in on socked feet. he takes stock of the situation - no blood, there is actual pizza, pizza wasn't a codeword for violence that's good, and rests his hands on his hips. ]

Well! [ he is slightly out of breath, and stinks of weed and day-old drink. what a hero he is. ] Isn't this a fun little Hawkins Highschool Reunion.

[camarod]

[It’s a sight: Billy’s half laughing into his knuckles, eyes glued to Steve’s ass. The pizza is halfway done, there’s still beer and Billy, to his credit doesn’t start. He takes his time acknowledging Eddie with a look, and when he does it’s -

it’s with amusement in his eyes. ] Wow, what a coincidence.

[retromix]

[ Startling as the door bursts open, he lowers a defensive arm (fighting Vecna makes you twitchy, okay) and gives Eddie a look hopefully conveying Nice, real subtle. The glance Billy gets is far less fond; no point denying Eddie was texted.

Steve folds his arms and leans back on the kitchen counter, jerking his chin to the spread on the coffee table. ]

Like I said: beer and pizza. [ Sniff. ] Maybe go a little easy on the former.

[heatmetal]

[ steve gets a look in turn, hands slightly raised in a shrug. I thought you were in danger? I wasn't going to waste time if you were getting stabbed, or worse, Vecna'd. before he turns his attention back to Billy, the leering not escaping his notice.

There's his own little irrational flutter of jealousy. He quickly shoves it aside, smoothly stepping back into the role of Eddie the Freak, untouchable, confusing and unknowable. ]

Nice to see you back in the land of the living, Hargrove. [ he'll go ahead and help himself to a slice. ] And extra nice you brought a little treat to break the ice. Once I get back in business I'll be sure to give you a nice little discount for being such a good little guest. [ he winks. ]

[camarod]

Munson you sweet talker, you’re speaking my language. [There’s an ancient back and forth he can slip into, however brief the encounters were. He nods to the table, nudging the box with his foot.]

I brought some of the legal merchandise, but it lacks that Hawkins bleachers flavour - and Harrington’s nose is sensitive.

[retromix]

[ The back and forth takes some of the focus off Steve, for which he's intensely grateful. There's something about having Billy lounging around in his own space, open as all hell about wanting to have sex, that makes Steve's fight or flight go into overdrive (and he isn't entirely sure anymore that the sentiments stem from a purely heterosexual point of view). Eddie is a great buffer, he knows how to do that flawlessly.

Steve melts into the background as much as he can, leaning on the breakfast bar with a hip, arms folded as he watches the back and forth. ]

I've done marijuana before, dude, I just don't want the place I sleep to reek of it.

[heatmetal]

Rich boy sensibilities or something. [ classy in this case being 'not a stye' ] But! I don't give a shit. If you want a smoke we can use my room. [ Eddie settles for standing, munching on a sizable slice of pizza. ]

[camarod]

I was smoking out the window like I was twelve - [is this uncomfortable? Is he a big, horrible elephant in the room? Good. He spreads a little further, jeans stretched tight while he sips the beer.

Then, absolutely like they are best friends:] Where have you been hiding Munson, by the way. I almost forgot we had the pleasure of your existence.

[retromix]

[ This is my bedroom-come-apartment he doesn't say, but he thinks it hard enough that it narrows his eyes. As if it doesn't smell like your cologne already. Also, "rich boy sensibilities" gets an eyeroll. ]

Eddie got here first.

[ Then, because he's still kind of hungry, he gives Eddie a nod, ] Hey, pass me some of that?

[heatmetal]

Me? [ he grabs a slice and hands it in over to Steve. ] Harrington's right. I showed up here first, made myself at home, and once I was sure no freaky extra dimensional monsters were going to start framing me for murder again, I started drinking off the worst week of my tragically short life and learning all this kickass modern metal.

[ and getting real soft on a certain ex-jock. And given that's not public knowledge, Eddie is doing his very best not to be obvious... But what billy is doing surely is. He can't help where his eyes drop.

Though with his back to billy, offering the pizza, he tries to do a temperature check. His gaze flicks between Steve and the man on the couch, a question in his eye. Do you need me to get him out? ]

So. Y'know, the ushe.

[camarod]

Shit, for real? You a wanted man, Munson?

[It’s close enough to a double entendre for now, but, you know, this does make Eddie more interesting. Three peas in a monster pod etc.

Over Eddie’s shoulder, he lifts a brow at Steve, the corners of his mouth morphing into something devious.]

You’re full of surprises. Steve was just telling me you two were tight. Colour me shocked you’ve been surviving listening to Wham. You’ve got my deepest sympathies.

[retromix]

[ He glances away from Billy on the couch (with his stupid thighs) as Eddie hands him the pizza slice, giving him a slight shake of his head. No, he's fine. His cheeks and ears are flaming but Steve shoves his mouth full of pepperoni and makes the conscious decision to be silent.

That doesn't stop him firing back a Can you not? look at Billy's smug face. ]

[heatmetal]

Certified cult leader, if you listen to the petrified townspeople.

[ satisfied that steve's probably fine here, he spins around on his heel and grasps his chest with his free hand dramatically. ]

Corrupting the hearts and minds of the youth! Sacrificing innocents to appease my hellbound master with my great supernatural prowess. Dungeons and Dragons has warped my mind and soul in ways that cannot be undone. I thought it'd be the dealing that got me in the clink, not the dice rolling.

[ he drops into a chair. ]

He's alright. Godawful taste in music aside.

[camarod]

Jesus, they’re a bit slow. I’ve been saying that since you sold me that acid before spring break. Three days I was a goner.

[He’s still looking at Steve for the first half. Silent goading, before he turns to Eddie. He examines his face through half-lidded eyes, a faint high finally creeping on him. It’s pleasant, softens the meaner edges of his personality.

His fingers tap idly on his thigh. He supposes Eddie Munson is pretty. A square jaw that could cut glass. Kind eyes that are so expressive, and Billy can’t imagine Eddie’s ever been able to hide his emotions. They take over his whole face. The hair, he guesses, is easy to grab.

He and Steve are like oil and water, two pieces he can’t quite fit together in his own mind.]

God awful music aside, just what do you two talk about? Harrington’s hair care?

[retromix]

I'm still in the room, if anyone cares. No? Cool.

[ Steve tears his attention off the two of them and takes himself to the bed on the other side of the open-plan apartment, putting his back against the headboard and crossing his ankles. Playing with his phone. ]

Can you shut up insulting my music and hair? Talk about how the both of you could use haircuts.

[ He said it, even to you Eddie. Dead ends!! ]

[heatmetal]

Oh no. That's a well kept secret.

[ it's on the top of his tongue to say something else. about knowing just how much steve likes to play with his hair. but mixed company, mixed company with clear interest and uncertainty about how much steve wants anyone to know about them, is nixing that being said. ]

What about you, Hargrove? What are you getting up to in this strange new world?

[camarod]

- Sensitive. [to Steve.]

I got a job. You two should try it. [This is also especially thrown at Steve who has, fuck his life, decided to lie on the bed. Stupid rich boy. ]

You know. To afford that hair routine.

[retromix]

Fun as getting blasted is, I actually want to go out tonight so, you know what, I'm having a shower.

[ Puffing hair out of his eyes, he tosses his phone aside and heads into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Through the door as an afterthought, Steve shouts, ]

Don't outdo Vecna and kill each other!

[ God. He feels too exposed, his skin is crawling. ]

[heatmetal]

[ okay, well. now its his job to wrangle this asshole. get him away from steve, and... make sure that the door locks behind them when they go. eddie grabs another slice of pizza and hops up. ]

Come on, let me show you to my lair.

[camarod]

[Maybe he is a little offended that Steve has the audacity to have Eddie come and what, save him??? From his very normal visit? There's a brief shadow over his face; a trace of annoyance that passes quickly.

Whatever. ] Lead the way. [He leaves the beer behind. A little parting gift and a petty little fuck you Eddie no beer for you. ] Please tell me your room smells better than you, Munson.

[heatmetal]

Wish I could.

[ that's fine and fair, he sure did just play a hell of a cockblock there. but eddie has a spring in his step (that his head will surely regret) as he leads the way to his room.

that is probably really only clean because steve spends so much time there. ]

[camarod]

Living fast and loose with the cleaning service in this joint Munson. [There's really no expectations for Eddie to shatter or live up to. The lingering stink smells like parties of Hawkins, a smell which they're all practically noseblind to. He's just glad it doesn't smell like sex too, because he might have an episode For Real. ]

Tell me you've got hooch buried under this shit, at least. The way this days goin' I need something stronger.

[heatmetal]

Now tell me, what's the point of an unlimited credit card if I'm not blowing it on the good stuff? And why would I let someone come sift around my room when I've got it?

[ he's got something a lot stronger than beer squirreled away. some illegal things here and there. he's fucked if anyone ever comes to search his room. he reaches into the back of the fridge and yanks out a bottle of Skull Vodka, dropping it on the counter. Then he's up on his tiptoes to figure out where he hid the less Steve Friendly things.


The room does actually smell better than Eddie does. The window is open, there's incense burning. The hotel room has been slathered in posters and memorabilia, like it's a real place to live rather than just a hole he's hiding in. ]

How are you actually holding up? [ he drops some glasses on the counter top, pulling some mix from underneath the cupboard in case they want to pace themselves. ]

[camarod]

Sick - [To the Skull Vodka because actually it is sick, and the future is okay sometimes. He makes himself at home on Eddie's bed, spreading and resting back on his elbows. Is he more comfortable here? Probably. ]

- Fuck, I don't know. It's just me, like a dream come true. [and it is true. It is a relief, even if he starts at every little creak or noise, expecting his dad to have appeared. He's easing out of it. Locks his door at night, sleeps with his face to it. He shrugs. ] It's the space age but I'm still doing the same shit I did when I was alive. Wake up, work, sleep.

[Death had been painful, at first. Then there had been cycles, rotating through the better years with his mom. Sometimes there would be Henry, a stranger in memories that Billy knew he didn't belong. You don't question it when you're dead. You don't know how to. ] Everything feels a little too good to be true, y'know?