“I’m always going to take care of you.”
summary: it was your goal for eddie to have a fun night out. he deserved it, he needed to forget and to have fun. you just never thought it would end so badly for you.
warnings: this story contains sexual assault and explicit details of sexual violence. this one isn’t for everybody, so please heed these warnings and proceed carefully. this fic also includes, language, smut and alcohol, also mentions of a broken nose.
a/n: this is going to be turned into a series, as i can’t fit everything i want to into one part. again, this won’t be for everybody. it’s graphic and violent, and will deal with how the reader copes with what happened.
this is part one of ‘I’m always going to take care of you.”
“Did you hear that Nancy is having a party at her house tonight?” You called over your shoulder, putting in an earring as you stood in front of the mirror.
“No, but I suppose you’re wanting me to go.” He smirked, busying himself with cooking breakfast.
“I just think it would be good for us, you know?” You shrugged your shoulders. “It’s been awhile since we’ve gone out and seen everyone. We’ve been cooped up inside for too long.”
“I suppose.” He munched on a piece of bacon, flipping pancakes on to both of your plates. He used to be a terrible cook, but with your help, he was able to master breakfast. “Has been awhile since I’ve seen Harrington and Buckley.”
You smiled as you turned, wrapping your arms around his torso. “I love when you cook for me.”
“Do you, now?” He grinned mischievously. “Why don’t you show me?”
You both erupted into fits of laughter as you smacked his shoulder. “God, you’re terrible! Give me my damn food!”
You settled yourself in your seat at the small kitchen table, sitting cross legged as he joined you, passing you a bottle of syrup. “So you wanna go?” You said with a mouthful.
“Sure.” He shrugged. “What’s the time?”
“Eight, I think.” You replied. “I think it’ll be good for us to get out.”
Eddie always thought it was the cutest thing when you said something like that. I think it’ll be good for us. Ever since the battle with Vecna, it had always been just a little bit harder to force yourselves to go out. Some days you had just wanted to lay in bed and waste the day away. It all got easier over time, though. And it was like that with everyone, not just you two.
Eddie’s wounds had long since healed from that night, however the scares they left on both of your hearts were still being patched up. You did that together. That night left you with nightmares and a depression like cloud that followed you around on the daily. But you both worked on bettering yourselves. You had each other to get through it, you had your friends who had been right beside you that night.
His name had been cleared, though it had not been easy. He still dealt with hate when he went out, odd stares, but it wasn’t near as bad as it had been, and that too, was getting easier as the memories faded. And with the help of eleven, she was able to fix hawkins and save the town where they had grown up. Everything had worked out for them in the end, despite all the doubts they held during the final battle. Some days were worse than others, but you had each other.
“Yeah.” He said softly, his lips barely curling into a delicate smile. God, he loved you so.
“You still playing at the Hideout this weekend?” You hatred your eyelashes up to him, pouring more syrup over your pancakes.
“Yup.” He popped the p with his pink, full lips. “I think we’re actually gonna have a crowd this weekend. Can I count on my girl being there?”
You blushed at the sweet end endearment. “Of course. Your girl is always there, isn’t she?”
“She is.” He kicked back, tapping the plate with his fork, looking at you with admiration. “I just know that some of the guys there make you uncomfortable.”
“Can you blame me?” You scoffed, scooping another mouthful of food. “Everywhere I look there’s either horny teenage boys or scruffy, alcoholic truckers trying to cop a feel.”
He shook his head with a nod. “Yeah, I know. Sorry bout that. I’m sure there’s lots of other ways you’d prefer to spend your Saturday night.”
“I didn’t say that,” You tsked, playfully kicking his leg with your foot. “All I’m saying is you may have to bail me out of jail if I start up a fist fight. You know I don’t take shit from you men.”
He chuckled, taking a sip of orange juice, his lashes peering up at you through the rim. “Oh, I wouldn’t doubt it. You can get pretty feisty sometimes, babe.”
“Mhm.” You pointed your fork. “But don’t you worry, baby. Your number one fan is gonna be there, front row seat and all.”
He smiled widely at your playfulness, standing up slightly and leaning over the table to connect your lips. “What would I do without you?” He gave you a firm peck, licking his lips from the taste of syrup.
“Not sleeping with anyone else, I’d hope.” You grinned up at him, his dark curls ticking the sides of your face.
“Oh?” He raised a brow, his nose nudging against yours. “Is that jealousy I detect?”
“Jesus, Eddie!” You giggled, patting his chest. “Why are you so easy to turn on this morning?”
“I can’t help it.” He said nonchalantly. “Everything you do turns me on. Besides, I’m really horny today.”
You snickered with a look of audacity. “You don’t say.”
He hummed out a vibrant chuckle as he kissed you again, his hand cupping the back of your head as you both deepened the kiss. He brought his knee up on the table to steady himself. When his tongue sneakily slipped into your mouth, you moaned happily. “I’m trying to eat, Eddie. You’re making me go hungry.”
You didn’t even comment on the sexual remark this time. Fuck it. “Yeah, for you.” You breathed, breaking apart from his lips. “Do me a favor and fuck me before I have to go to work.”
His eyes narrowed into lustful slits as he groaned. “Yes, ma’am.”
You giggled excitedly when he pulled away and rounded the table, scooping you up into his arms and tossing you on the couch. You both immediately resumed your passionate kissing as he collapsed atop of you, kicking apart your legs with his knee. Your frail little arms wrapped around his neck as your legs went up around his waist, your lips moving fluently in love sick dance moves.
You moaned softly when his lips attacked themselves to your neck, sucking along the gape of your throat as his hands squeezed your breasts. Your hips bucked up into his, and he immediately groaned at the friction, leaving a slobbery bite mark against your collar bone. His hands worked to pull down your jeans, and you lifted your hips as he pulled them down and kicked them off to the floor. He fumbled with his belt as you tugged away your panties, and he melted into your mouth when you took his length in your hand. It was speeding by quickly, but it was full of passion and love.
You rubbed the tip of his cock up and down your slick, your lips creating little wet, slapping sounds from the roughness. “Oh- you call me bad for being horny, but- fuck, you’re so wet.”
You looked up to him with lustful eyes. “Looks like you’ll have to punish me then, won’t you?” You smirked at the whimsical groan he let out at your kinky words, and you hurriedly wrapped around his torso as he quickly thrusted into you. “Oh-” You let out a gasp as your back practically smacked against the arm of the couch, and you had to hold on tight to him as he fucked you.
His face was buried in your shoulder, hands digging into your hips as he grunted loudly. He was shameless when it came to the noises he made, just like when he played with his band. It was quick and sharp, his cock plummeting into you and dragging out pitiful, choked noises.
“Fuck, fuck, oh god!” Your cunt squeezed around him with a tight stomach, your bodies rocking together as he bit your shoulder. You bucked your hips higher, yelping at a particular hard thrust he gave you, and you were sent over the edge.
You cried as you came, body shaking and trembling under his grasp. He followed soon after you, cursing under his breath as he struggled to not drop his full weight on you. You were both left in heavy pants, a tear falling down the corner of your eye from the intensity of your orgasm. His lips came up to kiss your cheek, and both of you panted wildly against each other.
“Don’t worry about this weekend,” He breathed, his hand combing through your hair. “Or the party tonight.”
You blinked tiredly as sweat dripped down your face, turning your face to rest against his cheek.
“I’m always going to take care of you.”
You both nearly changed your mind when you pulled up to Nancy’s home, flashing lights pulsing out the windows and people piled up on top of each other. Mike and Karen were gone for the week, so that left the kids to themselves. Nancy wasn’t exactly the type to throw a party, and neither was Mike, but she was doing it for the same reason that you were going for. It was good for her and her brother to socialize.
There was a big inflatable scooby doo out in the front yard, along with a bouncy house. Why did they have these, hell if you knew, but Eddie was all about it. And as soon as he found Dustin and Mike, they disappeared off into the bouncy castle, roleplaying some scene from dnd. You had busied yourself with catching up with your friends. Robin and Steve were both happy to see you, and you listened to them fill you in about their jobs at the video store.
“Everyone having fun?” Nancy popped in, and you smiled widely.
“Hey, Nance!” You sat up to hug her, rubbing her back softly. “Great party! Honestly surprised you would throw one as big as this.”
It really was too. You all were parked on the big sofa in the corner of the room, speaking loudly over the speakers that blasted tears for fears. Everyone was nearly plastered drunk or high, hell even both, bumping into each other and belching like truckers. “I know.” She settled herself beside you. “But I thought it would be good for us, you know?”
“Where’s Eddie?” Nancy noticed his absence.
“Oh,” You smiled, gesturing toward the window. “Him and the boys are out in the bouncy house. Where else would you expect them to be?”
“Inside with all the adults, honestly.” Steve chimed in, Robin tucked in by his side, her ringed fingers cradling a beer bottle.
“Since when did we consider Eddie an adult, Stevie?” Robin smirked, slapping his knee.
“There’s a lot of people here.” You noticed, gulping at the unfamiliar faces.
“I know.” Nancy nodded with a sigh. “But I thought maybe everyone could benefit from having a night out. Everyone’s been shaken up since…the earthquake.”
Her words made everyone still, and your eyes focused on the carpet as you immediately thought about Eddie, anxiety creeping in your stomach.
“Sorry.” Nancy swallowed. “Didn’t mean to bring down the party.”
“No, it’s okay.” You shook your head with a smile. “I’m gonna go find Eddie, okay? I’ll catch up with you later.” You bid your friends a goodbye with a wave, awkwardly making your way through the crowd.
You knew she hadn’t meant it, but Nancy’s comment had brought you down, and you wished it hadn’t. You really did try your hardest not to wallow in sorrow, for both your own sake, and for Eddie’s. It was hard for him to move on from that night, so you tried your hardest to be strong for him. But all you wanted was him right now. Just to see him. “Excuse me.” You muttered as you past a couple of people in the hall, cringing at the way they practically fucked each other against the wall.
You wound up outside by the bouncy house, bud Eddie and the kids were not there. You sighed anxiously as you searched for him, calling out his name that was muffled by peoples cheers, mixed with drunk singing. You stepped through the gate that led to the backyard, and your lips pulled into a smile when you found him, canon-balling into Nancy’s pool.
They were all splashing and playing around like children, and you smiled deeper when you found Gareth and Jeff in there too, trying to drown Mike and Lucas. Eddie’s poofy hair was not pin straight from being soaked with water, sticking in crazy designs across his back. You walked over to his pile of clothes, picking them up to place them neatly on a lawn chair. You sat down, pulling your knees up to rest your elbow against them, your chin in your hand. Your heart swelled at the sight.
“Down you scoundrel!” Eddie shouted dramatically, dunking Dustin down into the water. “Make way for your king!”
Mostly everyone was inside, so they had the pool to themselves. It was moments like these where you realized just how much you loved him. He was so carefree, so passionate, and you just couldn’t understand why people gave him such a hard time. Sure, it was better now that his name had been cleared, but he would always be associated with vecna’s murders. He would always be the freak who plays dnd and plays in a devil worshiping metal band.
But not to you. To you, he was your entire life. He was your future and everything in it. Your life had been turned upside down that night when he had been attacked. He could have been gone within a blink of an eye, and even when you dragged him out of the upside, with the help of Dustin and Steve, the doctors as the hospital struggled to get his heart into rhythm. It was the most terrifying, traumatic moment of your life.
Your eyes teared up at the faded memories, watching as the love of your life played like a kid. You knew he had insecurities, despite how he liked to pretend he didn’t, but you truly wished that he knew how perfect he was. Because he was. He was absolutely perfect.
“Hey, sweetheart!” Eddie finally caught your eyes, shoving Dustin under the water as he stood, the water resting at his waist. “You wanna come in?”
“No, thanks!” You shook your head with a smile, blushing at his toned chest. “I’m enjoying the show.”
He chuckled at you, mouthing something to his buddies as he waded toward the ledge, lifting himself up and making his way offer to you. “You okay? You seem kinda down.” He squatted down to your level, his hair dripping water down to your bare knees.
“No, I’m alright.” You squeezed his hand, your other coming up to trace his jawline. “Just thinking.”
You didn’t want to be cheesy, and you blushed awkwardly as your lips pulled up. “How beautiful you are.”
His eyes twinkled at you, and he grinned, grabbing your chin to peck your lips. “That’s my line.”
You hummed against him, his body cold against your warm one, his forehead pressing along your own. “Sure you’re okay? We can leave if you want to.”’
“I’m alright, Eddie.” You chuckled, his nose pressing against yours. “I’m having fun.” Really, you supposed you did want to go home. You were down in the dumps now about what Nancy had said, and just wanted to take a nap and cuddle with your lover, but he was having fun. And it was important for him to have fun. It was important for him to forget. He needed to move on.
“Alright.” He pulled away to look at you, tilting your chin. “Promise?”
“Hey, Eddie, come on!” Mike shouted, tossing a football over to Lucas.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming, Wheeler!” He said over his shoulder, a fake tone of annoyance.
He grabbed your hands in his. “Promise?” He repeated.
“I promise.”’You kissed his knuckles, playfully shoving his shoulder. “Go play. I’m gonna go get a drink.”
He snickered at your childish term of go play, and kissed you farewell before he canon-balled back in the pool. You chuckled as you opened the gateway to the front yard, straightening your little black dress. You didn’t care much for dressing up, but boy Eddie loved it, and he especially loved your little black dresses. It clung to you tightly, your height adding a few inches from the heels you wore. Your hair curled and hung low against your back, and even you had to admit that you felt pretty.
“Excuse me.” You pushed passed a group of people as you made your way inside, eyes scanning the crowd for your friends. You giggled when you seen steve and robin, obviously drunk, who were singing there hearts out on some random coffee table.
Your throat burned pleasantly at the sips of alcohol you allowed yourself, tapping your fingers to the beat of the music. You really did want Eddie to have fun, but you hoped you wouldn’t have to stay for much longer. You could see everyone from where you were standing. The basketball team was there, all apart from Jason Carver. You sighed at the memory, but couldn’t really bring yourself to mourn over him. He was horrible to Eddie, after all, and even though his death was sad, in some way or another, you didn’t miss him, and you didn’t feel guilty about it.
Then there were the cheerleaders, all apart from Chrissy Cunningham. You hadn’t ever really spoken much to her, but she was always nothing but nice to you, and you knew how much her death effected Eddie. You knew how much everything effected him. You smiled deeply when you found Max and Eleven together in the corner, obviously trying to hide away from the swarms of people.
She wore a cast on her left arm, the bones still trying to properly heal. El had been able to cure most of her injuries, minus a few. Her eyes were red and a little swollen, the veins around them angry, but she was alive and that’s all that mattered. That night could have been completely different for everyone.
Eventually you needed to use the bathroom, so you scooted your way around everyone and darted up carpeted stairs of Nancy’s home. You counted the doors in remembrance to try and find it, and raised your eyebrows in a cheer when you opened the right one. It was pink and bright, and your eyes nearly burned at the sharp lighting. You took a look at your appearance in the mirror, adjusting the straps of your dress and the corners of your mouth that smudged your lipgloss.
You jumped when a loud knock pulsed it’s way on the bathroom door, and you sighed out an exhale. “Just a second, please!”
You went to pull down your panties to pee, but stopped when the knocking continued. “Uh, hello? Tryin to take a piss here, man!”
It continued, louder and louder that made you grow angry. “Okay, the fuck is your problem?” You fixed your dress and flung open the door, and that was all it took.
Your heart had dropped down clean to your toes. You didn’t know who it was, never seen them before in your life, but it was clear they were completely wasted, and that you were knee deep up shits creek. When the door had opened and slammed against the wall, he was on you.
Your back slammed against the wall so hard that it sent an electric shock up your spine and up into your head, a scream vomiting it’s way out of your throat. You felt the need to pass out, but you knew you couldn’t. You had to fight. Large hands had gripped your arms, foreign lips on yours as you were lifted off the ground. You kicked your legs at him, the feeling of white hot, raw panic flushing through your system.
Your eyes were wide as tears leaked out of them, your screams now muffled as the stranger clamped his hand over your mouth, turning you around. He threw your body down to the floor, lifting you up to bend you over the ledge of the tub. It was happening to quickly for you register what was really happening. Your hands had flung out trying to grab ahold of anything to protect you, anything at all, and you sent things scattering off to the floor in a loud heap of a mess, his hand still against your mouth.
You thought maybe you’d broken a rip at the rough contact of the tub, your nose practically breaking as the attacker shoved your face against the aluminum tub. But when you felt his fingers crawl up between your legs and rip down your panties, it clicked in your head what was really happening. You had stilled for just a fraction of a second, the realization paralyzing for what was about to happen. Then, your body went in a frenzy, an absolute panic that was damn near the same as the dreadful night in the upside down. You were kicking your legs as hard as you could, flailing your arms back behind you, but it just didn’t do any good. His hand was still on your mouth, making your terrifying, agonizingly terrified screams sounding weak and muffled. You were sobbing through his fingers, hyperventilating as you clawed at him to let go.
It was only worse at the sound of his belt buckle being undone, but it was too quick for you to do anything, whoever it was behind you was just too strong, almost triple your size and strength. And then when your body lunged forward, your forehead smashed against the tub as he forced himself inside you. The pain was something you’d never get before, and you screaming, screaming out noises that were only found in nightmares. It felt like a sword had punctured it’s way inside of you, thrusting in and out and drawling blood down your thighs. It felt like you were on fire, all your muscles clenching and tightening unwelcomely at the stranger. Who was he? What was going on? Those were the signals your body was sending off, the cells inside you communicating to understand why your body felt the way it did, why you were in such pain and such fear.
And you hated yourself for it, but your mind had sent itself into shock, your screams had stopped and were replaced by whimpers and small grunts, your hands twitched and fingers spasmed. Your mind floated off into a safe place, a place to keep you alive, and you laid there as he had his way with you.
Nancy wasn’t really enjoying herself. She was trying, don’t get her wrong, but the party scene just wasn’t for her. It was too loud and mess with her claustrophobia. She didn’t like to be that close to people. Steve and Robin were having the times of their lives though, and she watched from afar as they laughed and stumbled over the next lyric to the song they sang.
She wished she could tell everyone to go home, that the party was canceled, but that would make her the worlds biggest pussy known to man. Truth was, she really was just trying to do some good for the people of hawkins, knowing that something fun and eventful was what everyone needed. Just because she couldn’t get her head out of the upside down didn’t mean she had to ruin it for everyone else.
What she really wanted was a nap. A big one. Just because she threw the party didn’t mean she needed to be present, right? She tossed her bottled water into the trash, yes she was drinking water, someone needed to be sober, and decided to ditch the party. Giving her friends one last glance and a small smile, she made her way upstairs, ignoring the loud moans of someone fucking their brains out in their guest bedroom. If she had more energy, she’d kick them out, but decided she didn’t give a shit.
The hallway was littered with plastic cups and the stink of beer, and she knew it would be hell to clean up in the morning, but once again, she didn’t care, only needing her nap. She opened the door to her bedroom, hand tracing the wall to find her light switch. She flicked it on, not having any idea with what she was about to find.
“Shut the door!” She jumped at the whispered shouts that came from the corner of the room, sending her back to the wall as she gasped.
“Y/n?” Her eyes widened at you, hunkered down behind a bookshelf to remain hidden.
“Shut the door!” You repeated so urgently that she had to obey, slamming it closed and locking it just as quickly. She did so, but she could not take her eyes of you, muttering your name under her breath in complete disbelief.
It was you, but it didn’t look like you. You looked like a terrified child, hiding from a monster that was hidden under your bed. Your hair was an absolute reck, wild and frizzy and pulled apart out of the roots. Your makeup was now practically non existent, mascara tracks all over your face. The amount of tears you cried had stained your face with hundreds of lines, and a deep crimson red leaked from under your nose and into the crevice of your lips, mixing with snot that dripped from your nose like a leaky faucet.
“You have to help me!” You whispered shouted, holding on the ledge of the bookcase for dear life. You lifted yourself up off the floor, crying deeply at the pain it sent through your abdomen. Nancy’s puppy dog eyes only widened further when you stood, mouth gaping open at the dried blood that stuck to the insides of your thighs and slipped down to your bare feet.
“Oh, my god, y/n!” She rushed to you then, realizing she hadn’t moved for several seconds. “What happened! Oh, god, what happened to you!”
“Shh, shh!” You panicked, holding her elbows for support as she held yours. “You have to be quiet! Eddie can’t find us! He can’t Nancy, he can’t!”
She was listening, she was, but her eyes were glued to your body, especially your legs, because she didn’t need you to tell her what happened. She was smarter than that. “Who did this!” Her voice had broke into tears, and you shook your head violently.
“No, no! Nancy you have to help me!” You sobbed, eyes wide with terror. Your legs shook underneath you, and if it wasn’t for the adrenaline that coursed through your veins, you would have been sent to the floor. “Eddie can’t see this! He can’t know! Please, please, help me! I need clothes and-”
“Wait- what?” She cried, grabbing your shoulders. “Y/n, w-what! Eddie- we need-”
“No! No- no! Nancy, no!” You shook her in hysterics, your body folding as you grew more pained. “He can’t know, Nancy! You don’t understand he- he just got his name cleared and I can’t- he can’t get into trouble over me! He can’t, please Nancy you can’t say anything!”
She was having a hard time understanding you at how violently you were sobbing, blood and snot dripping down with a hoarse voice. She was crying with you, her brain now fried with what she knew was going to be more fuel for her nightmares. But she needed to pull it together, because you were crumbling, literally. She could ask questions later. “Okay, okay, sit down.” She said shakily, pushing you gently into a sitting position.
You were crying in hushed hysterics, trying your best to be quiet, but you were in horrible pain. You couldn’t sit straight, and you curled up on your side as you watched her hurriedly search for a change of clean clothes. Your dress was tore in the back. You don’t remember it happening, but hell, there was a lot to remember. You didn’t even give a shit about yourself though, not at all. You were petrified, however, about Eddie finding out.
You hated the reputation he had, hated how much bullying he got for it. His name had just been cleared, barely. And over time, yes, the rumors about him was simmering down, but god, if he found out about this? You couldn’t image what he would do. You didn’t know who the attacker was, but you did know what Eddie would find out. He’d find out, and he would kill him, then go to prison. You couldn’t have that for him.
Your world had been turned upside down, and truthfully, you felt like you might die laying there. You felt like your soul had been sucked out of you, and your skin was burning with white hot panic that wouldn’t stop making you tremble. Eddie was the only person you wanted right now. You loved Nancy, but you wished for him more, but it couldn’t be.
And Nancy, that poor girl was damn near stroking out trying to keep from having a panic attack. She kept looking back at you to see if you were okay, even though she knew you weren’t. She pulled out clothes that would cover you, sweat pants and a sweater, and tossed them to the bed as she hurried off to her bathroom. She gathered towels and her first aid kit, her senses coming together. She needed to take care of you.
“Okay, ca-can you sit up?” She said gingerly. You didn’t want to, you just wanted to lay there. But this wasn’t about you. This was about Eddie.
You nodded with a choked sob, and she watched you wince as you sat up. You cried as she washed the blood off your legs, your knees covered in soon to be bruises from being smacked against the floor. You kept grabbing your stomach, and she debated calling an ambulance without even telling you, but decided against it.
Then she came up to your face, examining your nose that obviously looked broken, or at least fractured. She cleaned it as carefully as she could, not wanting to cause you more pain. You winced and cried, but you did your best to keep it quiet and not weep in her face. When the blood was finally off your body, she wanted to help you out of your clothes, but drew her hand back.
“Y/n?” She said gently, watching as your eyes fluttered closed. “What…what happened to you?”
You only whimpered in response, but she had to know. “Y/n,” Her voice broke, setting her hand softly on your sore knee. Her eyes were shining with tears, lip trembling. “Please, I- I’ll keep your secret, but I’ve got to know what happened to do it properly.” She felt dirty for wording it like that, like she was blackmailing you, but it was the truth.
And you knew it too, that’s why you cried harder, and it shocked her when your hand came up to grab hers. “Oh, god, Nancy.” You inhaled sharply, loudly, your hand clutching your stomach. “I don’t- I don’t know w-who it was,” Your eyes looked into hers, shining like stars. “I don’t understand- I, oh, god, I don’t know what happened!”
Nancy couldn’t help but sob, she just couldn’t, because she’d never seen anyone as upset as you were.
“He raped me, Nancy.” You pushed it out of your throat despite any protests, your face contorting like puzzle pieces as you wailed out another broken, choked sob that made your chest heave. “I was so- so scared and- and I, it hurt so b-bad! Please, please, Nancy you can’t tell him!” You said the last sentence more seriously, urgently again without pausing.
“I won’t. I won’t.” She rushed, her hands coming up to hold your face. “I promise, I won’t, but y/n, why? Why can’t he?”
“Because!” You gripped her wrists. “You know what this town thinks of him, Nancy! If he- god, if he finds out who it was he’ll kill him! He’ll kill him and- and, please, please, Nancy, please!”
“I promise, I promise.” She rushed, moving to sit beside you. She pulled you into her side and wrapped her arms around you, and moved to lay your head in her lap, not able to sit up anymore from the pain between your legs. She held you tightly as you cried your heart out in the fabric of her dress, pulling at it with your bruised little fingers.
You knew you needed to hurry and change, make yourself look presentable, but Nancy felt so good to be close to. Her arms were so welcoming, just like a blanket. Right now, she was the only thing in the world you needed.
Nancy cried with you, but her brain was storming up a plan, because she knew that the both of you were going to have to come up with a damn good lie.
“Dude, I’m so fucking hungry.” Eddie chuckled, tugging up his black jeans as Lucas tossed him a towel.
“Me too.” Mike nodded. “Mom stocked up the fridge before they left. Help yourself.”
Eddie hummed happily, running the towel over his wet torso and hair, shaking it through his dark curls. He looked around the yard as people started to flood in, trying to see if he could spot you. It had been about an hour since you had went inside, and he felt a little guilty for not following you, but you had been adamant about him having fun, so he stayed with his sheep.
“You guys go ahead.” He tugged on his black Motörhead shirt, raking a hand through his wet hair as he nodded. “I’m gonna go find my girl.”
The boys nodded in response as Eddie took off toward the gate to the pool, trampling through the yard and awkwardly making his way through the crowd. He didn’t feel as insecure as he used to feel though, and having his name cleared especially helped with that. People still stared, and he figured they always would, it would just be something he’d have to live with. He didn’t feel as embarrassed, though. He had battle scars that proved he was a hero. He had his princess by his side to prove that he was a prince. A king.
“Aye, Harrington!” He looked down to a drunk Steve, who was on the floor on his hands and knees, Robin on his back as they trudged around the floor. “Buckley. You seen my girl?”
“Nah, metal man!” Robin screamed in his face, making him recoil. “Onward, pretty boy!” The girl tugged on Steve’s hair as they both cackled loudly, and she screeched when he quickly crawled across the floor. Maybe it was sad, but both Robin and Steve had started drinking a lot more after everything went down. Well, actually everyone did, they just didn’t have a high tolerance for it, and they always put on more of a show. He scoffed and continued on, sighing when he couldn’t find your smiling face.
He spun around at the sound of his name, a grin spreading across his lips at the sight of the eldest Wheeler. “What’s going on, Wheeler? Sick party, even for you.”
“It’s y/n.” Nancy gulped. “She fell. I think she broke her nose.”
His smile dropped immediately. “Holy shit. Where is she!”
Nancy grabbed his arm and pulled him up the stairs, ignoring his million questions as her heart remained in pieces. She couldn’t even allow herself to feel guilty for lying, because she had a serious part to play, and she swore to you. He pushed passed Nancy and quickly ran into her room, exhaling at the sight of you.
“Oh, shit, babe!” He rushed to crouch down below you, voice soft as his fingers tilted up your chin ever so softly. “Are you okay? What the hell happened?”
“I fell.” You muttered weakly, swallowing against your rough throat. You half wondered if you’d be able to play your part correctly and convincingly, but you couldn’t risk not to. Eddie depended on it, even if he didn’t know it. You were sat upright, even though it hurt you, wearing Nancy’s comfortable clothes. They fit you perfectly. Your hair was now clipped back by one of her clips, a few strays framing your face.
“Jesus, how?” He was afraid to touch you, because your nose looked gnarly. He kept his hand on your knee, his other cupping your cheek. You felt like crying all over again at the feeling of his skin, but you had a part to play, and kept your tone and features serious.
“My ankle gave way.” You forced a humorless chuckle, and Nancy frowned from behind, seeing right through it. “Fell face first against her bathroom door. I know, I’m a klutz.”
“I’m gonna have to start bubble wrapping you.” He shook his head, cringing at the crusted blood that built up around your nostrils. “How bad does it hurt? You think we should go to hospital?”
“No- no.” You rushed, shaking your head. The last thing you wanted was to spend hours in the emergency room. “It may not even be broken. I’ll be fine.”
He nodded, but stopped as his eyes narrowed slowly. “What’s wrong with your voice?” He hadn’t noticed it at first, but you were hoarse. Like, really hoarse. It was cracking and sounded painful, like you had just recently recovered from having the flu or something.
Your face flushed red for a moment, eyes flashing up to Nancy for help. “I uh- well, I was crying a lot. You know, cuz’ it hurt?” You shrugged your shoulder, watching as his eyes sunk.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” He kissed your knuckles, and a deep feeling inside you cringed at the feeling of lips on your skin, but you ignored it. “I shouldn’t have left you. I’m so sorry, I-”
“No, don’t be sorry.” You forced a small smile. “It’s not your fault. I’m just- I guess I just drank too much. You know I’m a lightweight.
He scoffed playfully. “Yeah, I’m aware. Fuck, you’re gonna give me gray hair, babe. What do you- tell me what to do. Do you need anything or-”
“I just want to go home.” You closed your eyes tiredly. “Please, just take me home.”
“Alright, sweetheart, sure.” He went to pull you up, but Nancy intervened. “I got her.” She pulled him back, gaining an odd look from him. She ignored it, knowing he could accidentally hurt you. You didn’t say anything as she wrapped her arm around your waist and carefully helped you up, and you bit your lip in pain.
“Thanks.” You said heavily, cursing yourself at the emotion you were giving away.
“Okay, you guys are scaring me.” Eddie looked between the two of you, stepping closer to you. “Baby, are you sure you’re okay? I can take you to the hospital if you want to go.”
“I’m alright, sweetheart.” You tried comforting him, grasping as his forearm. “I just..I’m just tired, okay? Can we go home?”
He still didn’t feel right about it. Something in his gut was screaming at him. The way Nancy had pushed him out of the way to help you, the way your eyes looked…unnatural, traumatized, like they did that night. It freaked him out the more he thought about it, but he gave a nod.
“Yeah. Yeah, of course, baby.” He put his arm around your waist and helped you out of the room, Nancy trailing behind. It’s not that he didn’t believe you about your nose, because obviously you’d injured it, but you weren’t acting right. You were timid. Too slow. But he didn’t question it, and he helped you down the stares at the pace you wanted to go, asking you over and over if you were okay.
When you got to the porch after what felt like years, you felt your heart pull emotionally again. You didn’t want to leave Nancy. You turned slowly, and made eye contact with her, Eddie watching you carefully from the side, his wet hair dripping onto the fabric of your sweater. Nancy was reading your mind, she felt the same way. Eddie had no idea what had happened, had no idea what was going on. She was scared for you, and for him, too. “Thank you, Nancy.” You pulled at her wrist to bring her close, and she wrapped her arms loosely around you.
“Take care of yourself, okay?” She said meekly, eyes looking up to lock with Eddie’s. It was obvious that he knew something wasn’t right, and it made her nervous for you. He was going to pry, ask questions, and almost thought about sneaking into his van just so she could go with you.
You both pulled away, your bottom lip quivering as Eddie’s arm wrapped around your back, leading you out to the door. Your stomach tensed as the door closed, nerves bundling together. As much as you wanted to go home, you were scared. Because now, you were all on your own.
