084

Back at Elena's apartment, the first thing Eddie does is lock the door.

Then bolt it.

Then double-check both, like some overprotective action hero.

You don't say anything, just watch the way his shoulders drop the tiniest bit after. A breath let go. A tension eased.

Safe. For now.

Elena insists you two are taking her bed tonight. "It's a proper mattress, and you both need it. I'll take the couch or crash in my roommate's bed for the night."

Eddie immediately wrinkles his nose. "Wait, Harrington's been in that bed, hasn't he? Yeah, no thanks. I'll take the couch."

Elena gives him a look. "In that case, you shouldn't take the couch either."

You burst into laughter as Eddie groans dramatically, dragging a hand down his face as he leans against the kitchen counter. "So what, your entire apartment's cursed?"

"Yeah. You shouldn't lean there, either", Elena adds with a sweet smile.

You lose it. Full belly-laugh, nearly doubling over.

Eddie springs off the counter like it burned him, swearing under his breath as Elena just cackles and pours wine into two glasses. "Relax, it's fresh sheets. Steve hasn't been here in over two weeks", she explains with a grin, handing you your glass.

"Still feels like I need holy water", Eddie mumbles, kissing your temple before grabbing himself a beer and heading out to the balcony for a smoke, muttering something about needing "air that hasn't been Harrington-contaminated."

Elena and you take a seat at her tiny kitchen table, glasses of wine in hand, the room warm and cozy in the early evening light.

You sigh, twirling your glass, then glance at her sideways. "So..." you singsong, eyeing her carefully. "What's going on with Steve, mh?"

She pauses mid-sip. Blushes.

You smirk and waggle your brows.

"Oh no", she laughs, pointing at you, "Don't start."

"Too late", you grin, already leaning in."Talk."

She rolls her eyes but can't help smiling, "Okay, fine." She sighs, then takes another sip of wine. ",Bet you remember the weekend we all spent here together when your man had his gig here, right? When Steve and I met, had... some fun, all that?"

You give her an unimpressed look, nod. "You mean that weekend we two met as well? Yeah, I remember, of course I fucking do."

She cackles and smirks at you.

You raise an eyebrow. "And? What happened after you two said goodbye? I remember that very dramatic kiss he gave you".

She shrugs, all flustered and smiley. "He called me the second he got home."

You choke on your wine. "He what?"

"Called me. Said he couldn't stop thinking about me. And he called again the next evening. We started talking... like, daily. Between shifts, lectures, whatever. He'd call just to say hi. We'd talk about literally everything. Life, childhood, bad movies, music, dumb stories. He's so... ugh. He's so easy to talk to."

You're grinning now. "Oh my god, Elena."

She's still blushing, brushing hair behind her ear. "Yeah... I know. So, well... Two weeks ago, he came back. We spent the whole weekend here."

"Oh my GOD!" you squeak.

She snorts. "We barely left the bed. And, not just for sex, I mean, yes, there was a lot of sex. Babe. Like, amazing sex, but also, we just... talked. Cuddled. Watched movies. Ate snacks in bed. And it was just... perfect."

You take a dramatic sip of your wine. "I knew it. I knew it the second you two met. You like him. Like, real feelings."

Elena covers her face with one hand."Shut up."

"No! This is adorable! You're totally falling for him!"

She groans, laughing, "I thought it was just a crush. I mean, he's hot, yeah, and sweet, but we're far apart. And I've got a lot going on. But then today, at the station, watching you and Eddie... I wished he was there. Not to... you know, fool around. Just to hold me. To be there."

You nod slowly, heart melting. "Then it's real, babe."

She sighs. "Yeah. I think it might be."

Just then, the balcony door creaks open, and Eddie steps back inside. "Alright, what'd I miss? Did she confess her undying love for Harrington yet?"

Elena groans, but you're already grinning like the little devil you are.

"Yep", you say cheerfully, "She's in deep."

Eddie leans against the fridge, takes a swig, and smirks. "Knew it. He's got the hair, the charm, the weirdly soft voice. She never stood a chance."

"Shut up", Elena mutters again, but she's smiling, and Eddie just winks.

For the first time since you got here, the apartment fills with a warmth that's real. Not just physical, but emotional. Healing. Safe.

You sit there, your people around you, hearts cracked open, love spilling in all directions.

"Speaking of Steve", you sigh, taking another sip of wine and checking the time, "Think I could use your phone? I really need to call Robin.'

"Yeah, sure", Elena nods and stands up immediately. She disappears into the living room and comes back holding the most absurd phone you've ever seen. Bright pink, shaped like a croissant. She plops it into your lap like it's no big deal. "I know", she comments flatly at your wide-eyed expression, "Camila's taste is... committed. But besides that, it's great living with her, so I'm just... accepting it.''

You snort despite yourself and take the receiver, dialing Robin's home number from memory while feeling Eddie's presence right behind you as he steps closer.

A chair scrapes lightly as he sits down next to you, his hand landing on your thigh.

It rings once. Twice. Three times.

Click.

"Hello?" a tiny voice pipes up.

Your heart squeezes at the voice of Robin's smaller brother echoing through the receiver. "Hi, Thomas. It's Sam."

There's a pause, then a delighted squeal. "SAMMMM!"

You smile, eyes burning. "Hey, kiddo. Is Robin there? Can you get her for me?"

Eddie and Elena are watching you now, both grinning a little as they hear the high-pitched voice excitedly babble through the receiver, something about his new dinosaur book, and how he's still up despite his bed time, and oh! He drew a new picture of the dog you once gave him a sticker of--

"-- Okay, okay, buddy," you laugh gently. "Is Robin home? Or can you maybe put your mom on the phone?"

There's a shuffling noise, a faint yell for "MOM, PHONE!" and then a breathless, flustered voice replaces his.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mrs. Buckley", you say quietly, "It's Sam."

There's a sharp inhale. Then: "Sam?! Oh, honey. Where are you? Robin's been sick with worry! We heard someone was attacked Sunday night, was that really...? Was that you, that poor girl from the store parking lot?"

Your throat tightens. You don't answer. You can't. Your silence is enough.

"Oh, sweetheart", she gasps, and her voice softens in a way that stings like kindness always does when you're raw. "Are you okay? Are you safe? Please tell me you're safe."

Eddie's hand finds yours. You squeeze it, grounding yourself in his warmth. "I'm okay", you manage, "Safe. I swear. I'm so sorry I didn't call. I'll come by as soon as I'm back, I promise."

She exhales in relief. "Thank God. But honey, Robin's not here. She's at Steve's. They've been trying to find you."

You swallow hard.

"Said you weren't at school today either. She's worried sick about you. Says you and your boyfriend disappeared."

"I know. I know. I'll explain everything soon. I'm sorry", you whisper. "I'll call Steve's. Tell her I'm okay."

Eddie's hand grabs yours tighter, your fingers interlacing with his as you shortly look at him.

"It's okay, honey", Mrs Buckley continues, "It's okay. We're just glad you're alright, that's all. Stay safe. And remember you can always come home to us if you need to, yeah? You'll always have a place here, even if it's just a small one because there's no space in this tiny house".

You smile sadly. "I know. Thank you."

Say goodbye. Hang up. Close your eyes.

Shit.

"She's at Steve's. I don't know his number", you admit, turning to Elena.

"I do", she says, already dialing it by heart like it's second nature.

You lift the receiver back to your ear, clutching Eddie's hand.

It rings. Four times. Five.

Your heartbeat starts to thump.

Elena frowns, glances at the clock. "He should be home. I usually call around now..."

Then finally, click.

"Baby, I'm sorry, I can't talk today", Steve blurts in a rush. He sounds winded, stressed, clearly thinking it's Elena who called him. "We're having a bit of a situation here, and I'm sorry but I really can't right now--"

"Steve. It's Sam."

Everything stops.

You hear him suck in a breath.

"S- Sam? Where the fuck are you? Is Eddie w-"

He's cut off by scuffling sounds. Like the phone's being yanked away.

"WHERE ARE YOU?", Robin's voice cracks, raw with tears as she sobs into the phone, "Oh my god, Sam! Where are you? Are you okay? What happened?!"

You barely manage a sound before your own tears start falling again.

"I'm okay. I'm okay now", you choke out, letting go of Eddie's hand to hold the receiver with both hands. "I'm so sorry, Robs. I'm sorry, I should've called sooner. I'm okay, I promise."

"I thought you were dead", she cries, "I thought... I didn't know where you were, there was this attack at that store, and people kept talking about that girl who was assaulted, and how bad it could've turned out, and I-- I just had that feeling when Steve and I came over to visit you two that evening and no one opened, and I-... your car was gone, and- and no one knew where you were, and you didn't come to school, and Eddie was gone, too, and I... I- was so scared I-... I called all the hospitals, I thought you're hurt, I thought something happened to you", she sobs loudly, clearly worried sick, and you couldn't feel more bad for not calling her right away after leaving Hawkins.

"I'm sorry", you repeat again and again, voice shaking, "I wanted to call. I didn't know how. I didn't want you to worry, Robs."

"Too late!" she sobs, sniffling hard, "Just... Where are you? Are you home? I'm coming over, I'm..."

"I'm not home", whisper, eyes on Eddie, who looks like he's about to cry too. "I'm sorry, I'm not home. We left Hawkins. Eddie's with me. I'm safe, okay, Robs? Nothing bad happened."

Lie.

Robin's voice cracks through the receiver, frantic and overwhelmed. "Wait, what happened? What happened at that store? Why aren't you home? Why didn't you call me? I don't understand... are you okay? Is Eddie okay? Where are you? Why would you leave town if you're okay--?"

Her words come fast, barely any space between them, like if she stops talking, the silence might swallow her whole.

"I... Robin, slow down", you try to soothe, even as your own voice wavers, "I'm okay now, I swear. Eddie's okay too. We're together. It was just... a lot."

She doesn't slow down.

"A lot? Sam, everyone at school was talking about it, about you. They said it was you in the parking lot. Someone got hurt, someone was... was attacked, and you just vanished. No one knew where you went, no one knew if you were safe."

You squeeze your eyes shut, bite the inside of your cheek. "I'm so sorry, Robs. I didn't want you to find out like that. I didn't want anyone to."

She starts to cry again, hiccuping through the line. "You didn't have to go through that alone. You always call me, Sam. Always."

You reach for Eddie's hand again. He's watching you closely, eyes wide and wet, like he wishes he could take the phone and make all of this easier for you.

"I wasn't alone", you whisper, "Eddie was with me. He... he helped me get out of there. We left town. We had to."

She sniffles hard. "Why? Why'd you leave? That makes no sense!"

"I'm at Elena's", you say softly, cutting her off, "In Indianapolis. Just for tonight. We're safe here."

That makes her pause. You can feel her brain stutter at the mention of Elena's name.

"...Wait. Elena Elena?"

Before you can answer, the phone is suddenly yanked away again.

"My Elena?" Steve's voice cuts in like a thunderclap, stunned.

You can't help the small laugh that bubbles out through your tears. "Yeah, Steve, your Elena", you say, glancing toward Elena, who's now red in the face and shaking her head like don't you dare. "Long story. But yeah. We're with her."

There's silence on the other end, like Steve and Robin are staring at each other, saying a thousand things without speaking.

"Hello?" you ask after a beat, "Guys? Look, it's really important you don't tell anyone we're here, okay? No one can know."

That sobers Steve fast.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Are you in danger?"

"No", you say automatically. Then pause. "Maybe. It's complicated. But it's better this way, for now. Just... promise me."

"You're in Indianapolis", Steve says again, slower this time, like he's trying to make sense of it, "At Elena's? With Eddie?"

You nod even though he can't see it. "Yeah. Please don't tell anyone. I just needed you both to know I'm safe."

There's a pause.

Then Robin's voice again, steadier now. "Yeah, well. I need to see that myself."

"What?"

Shuffling, the sound of movement, drawers opening, shoes hitting the floor.

"Robin-"

"We're on our way. See you later."

"Wait, Robin, you don't have to--"

But the click of the receiver cuts you off.

The line goes dead.

You stare at Eddie, blinking, still holding it to your ear like maybe she didn't actually hang up. Like maybe if you just wait one more second... but the dial tone is already there. Cold. Final.

"...She hung up", you murmur, stunned, pulling the phone away slowly. "She's coming. They're coming."

Elena's eyebrows shoot up. "Wait, what? Like now?"

You nod. "Yeah. Robin said she needs to see it with her own eyes. And then she just... hung up."

Eddie groans softly, runs a hand down his face, still pale from the emotional rollercoaster that phone call was. "Shit. That sounds exactly like something she'd do".

"She sounded wrecked", you whisper, pressing the heel of your palm to one eye, "Like she was gonna explode if I didn't tell her everything right that second."

Elena exhales, already standing and moving toward the hall closet. "Well, good thing I did laundry. They'll have clean sheets and towels at least. And Thank God Camila's not home, so we have enough beds for you all, too."

You blink at her. "You're okay with this?"

She looks over her shoulder. "I mean, I'm not thrilled about a surprise visit when I've got trauma, heartbreak, and now a goddamn Hawkins emergency hotline happening in my living room, but...", she pauses, softens, "Robin's your person. Your best friend. You needed to call her. And clearly, she needed to see you. So, yeah, I'm okay with it. I'll host a crisis center for you guys."

You offer a wobbly smile. "Thank you."

Eddie's takes a sip of his beer. "Wait, back up", he then, says, raising a hand, "Did Steve actually say, 'my Elena?'"

Elena rolls her eyes. "Don't even start."

"Oh, I will", he grins faintly, his voice still hoarse from the emotional whiplash, but there's a hint of life returning now, "You're so screwed. That man's hooked."

You let out a watery laugh, scrubbing a hand under your nose.

"I can't believe it", Eddie says, shaking his head, "I leave town for like two days and suddenly Harrington's emotionally invested and romantically entangled."

Elena lifts her middle finger in his direction.

He just chuckles and snakes his arm around your shoulder, pulling you into his side as you're rubbing at your eyes.

"What do we even do now? They'll be here in a couple hours, right? It's like a two-and-a-half-hour drive", you mumble, glancing at the time.

They won't be here until 10 pm earliest. It's a two and a half hour drive.

Eddie kisses your temple, presses his face into your neck. "We order food", he murmurs against your skin, "Prepare the beds. Wait. And we tell them the truth. The parts we can. And we let them in."

You swallow thickly, leaning into him.

"And until then", Elena adds from the kitchen, popping the fridge open, "we get drunk. Because holy shit, what a day."

You nod slowly. "Yeah. What a fucking day."

You try to relax.

The wine helps. A little.

So does the weed.

Elena rolls a joint with practiced ease, like it's the only thing she's done all day, and passes it between the three of you in slow, quiet turns.

You sit on the floor in front of the sofa, with your back against Eddie's legs, his fingers carding through your hair lazily while Elena lounges in the armchair, feet tucked up, talking about anything but Hawkins.

Anything but Sunday night.

You laugh once or twice. Real, soft laughter that bubbles up and surprises you.

It feels strange. Good.

A reminder that your body still knows how to make the sound.

A little later, Elena gets up and says she's calling the Thai place down the street. "Best in the city", she promises, phone cradled between shoulder and ear while she rattles off an order that sounds more like a feast than dinner for five.

"You'll want leftovers. Trust me."

She orders so much the guy on the other end of the line laughs, calls her by name, says something in Thai that makes her grin.

She tells him she'll come pick it up.

"I'll go with you", Eddie says immediately, standing. "It's getting dark."

Elena stops, gives him a soft smile. "Oh, sweet Eddie." Her voice is warm, but firm. "I've lived here for years. I do this every week. I'm fine. You stay with her."

You look up as she grabs her keys, purse already slung across her shoulder. "I'll be back in ten. Fifteen tops if there's a line."

And with that, she's gone.

The door clicks shut.

You blink toward it like it might open again. It doesn't.

Just you and Eddie now.

The warm hum of a mellow high settling in your limbs, your thoughts fuzzed out and loose, wine coating your blood with a soft heat.

Eddie stretches his arms above his head, groaning like a cat waking from a nap. "Fifteen whole minutes of silence", he mutters, flopping back on the couch and patting the space beside him, "It's a damn miracle."

You wander over, a lazy little smile tugging at your lips. "You saying you didn't enjoy all the emotional breakdowns and Hawkins drama hotline vibes?"

"Oh, totally", he snorts, reaching out to tug you into his lap, arms winding around your waist as you curl into him. "Best getaway ever. Ten outta ten. Trauma, heartbreak, surprise visitors, and wine that tastes like... what does this wine taste like?"

You snort, head resting against his shoulder, warm and content despite the ache behind your eyes. "Fancy juice that got left in the sun too long."

Eddie chuckles into your hair, soft and genuine. "Perfect. Let's get a bottle of it for our wedding."

You pull back just enough to raise an eyebrow. "Our wedding?"

He grins, all crooked teeth and mischief, "You know. Someday. When I'm not running from cops and you're not carrying enough emotional baggage to fill a damn bus."

Your face heats, but you don't pull away. Instead, you slide your fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck, fiddling with the curls there. "You're getting soft on me, Munson."

"Blame the wine", he murmurs, eyes flicking to your lips, "and the weed. And the fact that you're wearing my shirt and looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you wanna make out with me and cry at the same time."

You burst out laughing, head falling against his chest. "Jesus Christ, you're right."

"I'm always right", he mumbles, pressing a kiss to your temple. "But seriously. You okay?"

Your laugh fades into a breath. "I don't know. I think I will be. Eventually. Maybe. I just... I feel safe here. With you. With Elena. With Robin and Steve on their way. Like I'm not gonna explode."

Eddie holds you tighter. "Then let's not explode tonight, okay? Let's just... chill. Eat too much food. Sleep in a stranger's bed. Tell our friends the truth. Some of it."

You nod, closing your eyes. "Yeah, okay."

For a while, you stay like that. Wrapped in each other, warm and safe and just high enough that the worst of the world feels far away.

Eddie's lips press to your hair first, the gentlest thing in the world. Like he's trying to calm the parts of you still rattling. Then your temple. Then your forehead. A trail of warmth blooming in each place he touches.

You shift slightly, tilting your head, and his mouth finds your nose.

You giggle.

He grins.

"Missed", you murmur.

"Did I?", he murmurs back, but this time when he leans in, he kisses your cheek. Then the other. Then, finally, your lips.

It's slow, at first. A gentle brush.

A second one.

The third lingers, deepens.

His hand slides up your back, fingers tangling in your shirt while the other settles low on your waist.

You sigh into his mouth, curling closer, your arms draping over his shoulders like you're melting into him.

The kiss shifts. From soft and tentative to something warmer, deeper.

You feel his tongue trace your lower lip, seeking permission, and you part for him without hesitation. He groans quietly when your tongues meet, one hand sliding from your back to the curve of your ass, squeezing gently through the fabric. You shiver, a soft sound escaping you, and press in harder, chest flush to his, rolling your hips the tiniest bit without meaning to.

"Fuck", Eddie breathes against your mouth, voice thick and low.

You smile into the kiss, dizzy from the weed, the wine, the heat of him under your hands. One of your hands slides up into his curls again, fingers tightening slightly.

He kisses you deeper, lips a little messier now, more insistent. Your breathing turns into shallow little gasps between kisses, your body pressed so tight to his you can feel every point of contact. His thighs beneath you, his chest against yours, his arms around you and hands roaming now in lazy passes.

"Okay", he whispers, breaking the kiss for a breath, his lips brushing your jaw, your ear, "This is starting to feel like more than making out."

Your laugh comes out breathless, threading your fingers into the hair at the base of his neck again as your lips find each other again, moving in a deep, passionate kiss.

His hands roam up your back, down your spine, fingers brushing skin and pulling a soft gasp from your mouth.

"Ten minutes", you murmur against his lips, barely able to say it, your brain so fuzzy with heat and weed and wine, "We have ten minutes."

"Shit", he breathes, his voice dark with need. "Better make 'em count."

He pulls you tighter, your thighs pressing around his hips now, the way you're sitting in his lap leaving very little space between you. Your hips roll against him, and he curses again, the sound low and broken.

"You're not helping", he groans.

"I'm not trying to", you whisper, kissing along his jaw, down his neck, biting softly at that spot you know drives him a little crazy.

He hisses, hands flexing on your ass, dragging you down a little harder against him. You rock in his lap again, slowly, teasingly, just to feel it, feel him. His grip on your hips tightens like a reflex.

"You keep doing that", he mutters, "and I'm gonna ruin whatever little underwear you're wearing underneath this."

You gasp, giggling, biting your lip against another soft moan, "You're such a menace.''

"Oh, baby", he grins, pressing kisses to your neck, your jaw, your cheek again, "you have no idea."

You bury your face in his shoulder, dizzy with him, the way he smells, the heat of him, the way he talks to you like everything you do is his favorite thing in the world.

"Eds..."

"Yeah?"

"We should stop", you whisper, feeling his lips wandering up to yours again.

"...Yeah"

His mouth curls into a smirk, teeth nibbling your bottom lip as he grabs your ass again.

Neither of you stop.

You kiss him again instead, grinding again, not even subtle this time, and he lets out a low, needy curse. You feel his fingers slide under your shirt again, skim over your bare skin, rough fingertips grazing your waist, your back, just enough to make you melt into him with another breathless sound.

Eddie's mouth moves against yours like he's starved for it, like he's missed this version of you, soft and laughing, needy in the best kind of way. His hands are everywhere, greedy and warm, slipping beneath your bra like he's done it a thousand times and still can't get enough.

"Jesus", he breathes into your mouth, grinning as you giggle and shift in his lap again, "you're killin' me, baby."

"You're the one groping me like a teenage boy", you whisper, lips brushing his jaw as you grind slow and deliberately into the bulge under his jeans. "I'm innocent."

Eddie lets out a broken, low laugh, head tipping back for just a second like he's trying to hold onto his last shred of dignity.

He doesn't stand a chance.

"I'm gonna die", he mutters dramatically, cupping your ass, squeezing hard enough to make you gasp."Right here. On this couch. With a boner. In my favorite pair of jeans."

You burst out laughing, pressing your forehead to his shoulder as he buries his face in your neck, groaning dramatically.

"We're so bad at this", you mumble, fingers threading into his curls as he kisses up your throat. "This is supposed to be chill time".

"It is chill", he counters between kisses, "Chill. Sexy. Arousing. Slightly dangerous..."

"Eddie...", you smirk, trying to pick a daring tone.

"What? I'm coping."

You roll your eyes, laughing again, and his grin only gets wider.

His mouth finds your jaw again, then your throat, warm and open, nipping gently just to hear the sound it pulls from you. He's laughing, barely, but it's breathy now.

"Would you please stop turning me on? I have zero self control and I'm this close to ruining my jeans."

You laugh, tangled and warm and buzzing. "Then stop grabbing my ass."

"No", he says, so fast and serious it makes you giggle again. His fingers slide under the band of your bra, palm heavy and greedy against you, and you gasp softly, burying your face in his neck. "Jesus, Munson..."

"I know", he sighs, grinning like a devil, "I'm incredible."

You swat his arm, he swats your butt, and now you're both half-laughing, half-breathless, kissing again between teasing groans and whispered nonsense.

He pulls back for just a second to look at you, flushed, lips kiss-bitten, pupils blown wide. "I forgot what it feels like to just... be like this with you. Stupid and turned on and totally obsessed."

You don't say anything. Just kiss him again.

He shifts under you, bulge pressed firm and undeniable beneath your thighs. "This is a problem", he breathes, forehead against yours, "Elena's gonna walk in and I'm gonna be fully disgraced."

"You should've thought about that before pulling me in your lap."

"Have you seen you?"

You bite your lip and grind once more.

His breath hitches, his hands squeeze. "Baaaabe", he whines, somewhere between pain and praise.

"We've got five minutes, maybe", you whisper, tracing his jaw with your fingertips, "and I'm not gonna stop kissing you. So figure it out."

Eddie exhales hard against your mouth, like he's trying to get it together, but then you shift again, slowly rolling your hips against him just to be a little shit, and he whines. Full on whines. Low and desperate and dramatic, his fingers digging into your waist like that might help.

It doesn't.

"Okay", he says, breathless, grinning like a lunatic, "okay, that's criminal. That's... there should be a law."

You laugh against his jaw, kissing it. "You'd break it."

"Yeah", he whispers, eyes fluttering as your teeth graze just below his ear, "but I'd look damn good doing it."

You press a kiss to his pulse point, feel it jump under your lips. "You'd look alright."

He huffs a laugh, hand sliding under your shirt again, up your side, until his palm cups your breast over your bra.

You arch a little into his hand, biting your lip.

His thumb brushes over your nipple, circling slow.

You can feel how hard he is beneath you, the thick pressure of him under his jeans as your hips shift again.

"You're actually trying to kill me here, I fucking feel it", he mutters, nose brushing yours, his breath warm and wine-sweet, "You want me to die. Right here. On Elena's couch. With your handprint on my soul."

You giggle, breath catching in your throat when he squeezes your tits gain, gentle but so hungry. "You're so dramatic."

"You're so hot", he counters, grinning, "and sitting on my dick."

"Not my fault you've got a praise kink and no self-control."

He chokes on a laugh, hand flying to his chest. "Oh my god. You're evil."

"I'm an angel", you murmur, kissing him again, slow and deep, moaning softly.

He groans into your mouth, head tipping back like he's ascending. "No. Nope. This is heaven and hell at the same time."

You roll your hips one more time, slow and firm, and he physically bucks beneath you, hands flying to your hips like he needs to hold you down before he combusts.

"Okay, okay, that's it. You gotta stop. I'm gonna disgrace myself in front of all our friends and die with a hard-on. You don't want that on your conscience."

You laugh so hard you collapse into his chest, arms around his neck, giggling like a maniac.

He wraps you up tight, rocking you side to side, breathless with his own laughter. "I'm serious", he says into your hair, "You keep going and I swear, the second we're alone somewhere with a door that locks, I'm gonna--"

"What?" you murmur, lifting your head just enough to meet his eyes, pupils blown, lips kiss-bitten and smug. "You're gonna what?"

"Oh, I'm gonna do everything", he whispers, cupping your ass and dragging you against him again, making you gasp. "I'm gonna ruin you in the best fucking way. Slowly. With snacks and breaks for water."

You giggle into his mouth, kissing him hard. "You're such a nerd."

"You're such a tease", he shoots back, but he's grinning, his hands all over you again, "And I love it."

You kiss him once, twice, letting it linger, your forehead pressed to his.

Both of you flushed, hearts racing, warm and tipsy and floating somewhere in that sweet space between laughter and lust.

The sound of a key rattling in the lock makes you both jolt.

"Shitshitshit", you laugh and scramble off him, smoothing your shirt, your hair, trying to remember how to look normal.

Eddie groans and tries to adjusts himself with the saddest noise you've ever heard a man make, mumbling something about being too old for sneak-around-makeout sessions.

The door opens. Elena walks in, arms full of steaming takeout bags. She pauses, glancing between you two, your flushed faces, the couch pillow Eddie yanked into his lap to cover his bulge, the haze of something definitely-not-innocent still hanging in the air.

She arches a brow.

"Edward Munson, are you using one of my throw pillows to hide a boner?"

Eddie's entire body tenses. He blinks at her. "No."

"Are you sure?", she asks, already smirking, pulling the door close behind her. "Because it does look like it. And you two look... caught. Suspicious. Like maybe you used your ten minutes wisely."

You giggle into your wineglass.

Eddie gives you a look, then sighs dramatically and hauls himself off the couch, pillow still very much in place. "Me and this pillow, we need a second", he mumbles, awkwardly shuffling toward the bathroom, still covering his crotch like some sort of sad, flustered Roman statue.

You raise your glass to him, grinning as he flips you off over his shoulder without looking back.

Elena howls with laughter, carrying the takeout into the kitchen like she's seen it all. "You two are so gross", she calls over her shoulder, already unpacking the mountain of food like she's building a feast for ten.

You trail behind her, plucking a spring roll from an open box and taking a bite with a pleased little hum. "This is insane. You ordered, like, everything."

"That's because I know what a Hawkins emotional crisis requires", she says, pointing a chopstick at you, "And it's dumplings. Lots of dumplings."

You nod, chewing, listening out of the corner of your ear for any sign of Eddie.

The bathroom door stays shut.

A smirk curls your lips.

You excuse yourself for a second and wander over to knock lightly on the door.

"Babe? You okay in there?"

A muffled laugh. "Go away."

You knock again, a little faster.

"You sure? I could come in there. Help you cool off."

"Woman", he groans, "I swear to god".

You're grinning full force now.

"You were the one moaning about wedding wine and calling me dangerous."

"You are dangerous. And I'm very, very, sensitive right now. Please. I'm begging."

You lean your head against the door, laughing softly. "Okay. I'll be good."

There's a beat, and then the door creaks open.

He steps out, flushed and a little sheepish, but soft all over again. Like... all over soft.

His curls are even messier somehow, his shirt still rumpled, lips pink.

You try to kiss him, but he turns with a dramatic flourish and side-steps. "Nope. Too risky. Don't tempt me, Satan."

You clutch your chest, laughing again, following him as he beelines straight for the kitchen like a starving man.

He shoves a dumpling in his mouth, chews, then groans like it's the best thing he's ever tasted.

Elena raises an eyebrow. "Better than the makeout?"

He gives her a deadpan look. "Don't make me choose."

Elena cackles and tosses him a pair of chopsticks like she's just crowned him the king of surviving horny hell.

The three of you place all the opened containers on Elena's dinner table, set down five plates, glasses, cutlery and chopsticks, along with more wine, beer and soda.

Steve and Robin should be here any minute now. The traffic on a Monday night won't be an issue, at least.

You grab your wine glass and settle beside Eddie, who continues to sneak spring rolls into his mouth, apparently starving only half a day after he inhaled half the breakfast dishes the diner had to offer.

He's still a little pink, still visibly struggling not to look at you like you're dessert.

You're nudge his knee under the table, grinning at how he rolls his eyes while sipping your wine.

Elena chuckles, watching you two, shaking her head in amusement.

No one makes you laugh and smile as much as Eddie does. And blush, apparently, at least according to the look he just gave you, and how you reacted to it.

She grins, and besides the horrible incident that lead you back to her city and that weird case of fate, maybe, that made you two run into each other again just on time, that brought you to her apartment and now caused Steve to be on his way here - she can't wait to see him.

This isn't her trauma, this isn't her story.

But what happened within the last hours after she left her university classes for the day, completely unaware how this day will turn out, that drained her, too.

She misses him.

And she can't wait to see him again.

Even if it's just for a moment.

It's weirdly domestic now. Peaceful, almost. For a second you three forget everything else. You chat about the food, hum and mumble and nibble on it like this is what you do every Monday.

But then, footsteps. Quick, heavy ones, stomping up the staircase outside the apartment door like whoever they belong to ran up all four flights.

A knock. Two. A third, frantic.

You freeze mid-pour.

Elena blinks toward the door. "That's gotta be them."

Eddie straightens, wiping his hands on his jeans while Elena stands and heads over to pull the door open.

Robin barrels through it like a hurricane, eyes already glassy with tears, her face flushed from running. "Sam", she chokes, "Oh my god, there you are."

You stand, unable to even open your arms for her when she's already pulling you in, crushing and shaking and clinging like she's afraid you'll disappear again.

Your breath catches, tears welling up all over again as your hands clutch her back. "It's okay, Robs, I'm okay. I'm okay."

She nods, holding you so tight it hurts. You feel her worries, her fear sleeping from her chest, her skin.

Behind her, Steve appears in the doorway, panting slightly, hair windblown and cheeks flushed. He stares at you for a beat, eyes flicking over your face like he doesn't believe it. "You're really here", he says, voice quiet.

You nod, still holding Robin, and offer him the smallest smile. "Hey, Harrington."

He exhales shakily. "Jesus Christ."Then he steps in, crosses the room and joins the hug, his arms wrapping around both of you at once, sandwiching Robin between your bodies.

You let yourself be held, let yourself sink into it. Warm and trembling and overwhelmed.

Robin pulls away just enough to hold your face between both hands, her brows knit so tight it looks painful. "Are you really okay? Did someone hurt you? What happened?" Her voice breaks, you just nod, watching her eyes fill with tears again. "Oh my god, I'm so glad you're okay", she whispers, still holding your face.

You nod through the tears, breath hitching as you try to speak, but nothing comes out. You just bury your face in her shoulder again and hold tight.

Steve lets go of you, sighing deeply, running a hand through his hair. "You scared the shit out of us. Both of you."

You sniffle hard into Robin's coat, wiping your eyes with your hand, and she does the same with her jacket sleeve, her face blotchy and wet. "You really scared me, you asshole", she whispers, voice wrecked, a tear slipping off her jaw.

You manage a watery smile, taking her hand in yours. "I know. I'm sorry. I just... I had to leave."

"Next time", she whispers, "you take me with you."

Behind you, Steve moves closer to Eddie, who's been lingering just out of the way, shifting from foot to foot like he's not sure if he's allowed to exist in this moment.But Steve doesn't even hesitate. He steps right into Eddie's space and claps a hand on his shoulder. "You good, man?"

Eddie lets out a breath that sounds like it's been stuck in his chest for days. "Yeah. Yeah, man, I'm okay. As long as she's okay, I am."

Steve nods once, then pulls him into one of those brief, awkward but earnest bro-hugs, all back pats and tight grips.

"Thanks for coming all the way", Eddie murmurs, and Steve just nods.

"Anytime."

Elena stayed back and just watched, leaning against the closed front door, sniffling quietly, clearly emotional from seeing you all so raw and deeply concerned about each other.

Steve's and her eyes finally meet through the emotional mess, and both of them start to head towards each other.

Without a word, he pulls her into his arms so tight it nearly knocks the breath out of her. One hand slips up in her hair, the other around her waist. He whispers something you don't catch, and she nods, eyes glassy. Then he kisses the top of her head, then her temple, then her lips. Gentle and sure. His fingers are in her hair, brushing it back like it's instinct. Like he's done it a thousand times. She's clutching his jacket like she's scared to let go. He's murmuring  to her between more soft kisses, his voice too low to catch, but whatever he says makes her eyes soften, and she smiles through the tears.

You, Robin, and Eddie are all just taking it in for a second. This quiet, beautiful moment between two people who've clearly been missing each other in ways they haven't even figured out yet.

There's a lightness in it, something warm that cuts through the heavy emotions.

It makes all of you smile. Like maybe everything's not so terrible after all.

Eddie exhales softly beside you, then tugs you close, his arm curling tight around your waist. He presses a kiss to your cheek. Then your temple. Then your hair. Each one more grounding than the last. "You okay, my love?"

You nod, leaning into him, feeling Robin's fingers still laced with yours. You glance over at her, her eyes shining softly, full of love. You give her a little smile through the lump in your throat. "Yeah", you whisper, "I had no idea all I needed was my family with me to feel whole again."

Robin presses her eyes close. "Stop, or I'll cry again.''

Steve and Elena finally part just enough to rest their foreheads together, eyes still closed, still holding on. She sniffles and chuckles quietly, her hands smoothing down his chest. "You always show up in the middle of chaos", she teases, voice watery.

"Yeah", Steve murmurs, smiling faintly, "Kinda wish it was for better reasons."

She nods. "Me too. But I'm so glad you're here."

"Alright, lovebirds", Eddie calls, light and teasing, a smirk tugging at his mouth, "you're killing us with all the meaningful gazes and forehead touching. Come eat before Buckley steals all the dumplings."

Elena laughs, and Steve blushes a little but doesn't let go of her hand as they come over.

Finally, you all settle at the table.

The food's still warm, the wine still flowing, the beers are cracked open.

There's laughter again.

Real, tired, grateful.

It's the first time you've all felt like yourselves in days.

Eddie reaches for more noodles. Robin swipes an egg roll. Steve digs into a curry dish like he hasn't eaten in a week. Elena refills everyone's glasses, leaning against Steve's shoulder. You nibble on some fried rice, Eddie's thigh pressed against yours, his hand still brushing your leg now and then like he needs to make sure you're still here.

You all eat like you haven't in days.

For a while, it's just chopsticks clinking, mouthfuls of food, little moans of satisfaction.

Eventually, the plates are scraped clean and most of the cartons are emptied. The clutter of takeout boxes and chopsticks and half-sipped wine is cleared away.

Elena pulls out a bottle of cheap whiskey, lines up glasses and pours. No toasts, no speeches, just the clink of glass and the silence of shared history and exhaustion.

Only your drinks and an ashtray are left on the table now.

You, Eddie, and Elena light up, Robin waving a hand at the smoke but not complaining.

Steve's still got his arm around Elena, his mouth kissing her hair every time she shifts, like a reflex he can't break. She leans in closer every time, like she doesn't want him to.

Eddie's arm is draped lazily over the back of your chair, smoke curling up from his cigarette, his fingers occasionally brushing your shoulder, casual and intimate. He wiggles his brows at Steve across the table. Steve rolls his eyes, flips him off behind Elena's shoulder.

But then Robin looks at you, and the mood shifts the second she speaks, her eyes filled with worry, and the need to finally know. "You wanna tell us what happened?", she asks quietly, fingers wrapped around her drink.

Your eyes flicker to Eddie next to you. He didn't come upstairs earlier when you told Elena everything. He stayed downstairs, pacing, smoking, avoiding the details like they might burn him.

You knew it wasn't because he didn't care, it was because he cared too much.

Because hearing what happened to you, what Neil Hargrove did, made something inside him short-circuit.

He couldn't take it, listening to it again.

But now, in this dim-lit apartment, surrounded by people who love you, people who need to understand, you reach over and take his hand.

"Babe", you say quietly, so only he hears you at first, "you wanna go outside for ayour smoke?"

He looks at you, eyes tired and knowing.

You're giving him an out. An escape.

But he just exhales smoke, shakes his head once.

"I'll stay", he mumbles. His voice is rough but sure. "This time, I'll stay."

You search his face. "You sure?"

His fingers squeeze yours. "I'll stay right here, baby. You gotta tell it over and over again", he murmurs, gaze locked with yours, "and the least I can do is be there."

Something tightens in your chest, something warm, despite everything.

You nod, thumb brushing the back of his hand. Take a breath. Slowly, you lift your eyes to the table.

Robin's watching with quiet intensity, her fingers curled around her glass like a lifeline. Steve has his forearms on the table, leaning forward, jaw tight. Elena's leaned back, arms folded, whiskey untouched for now.

They're all waiting.

And so, you begin. Again.

"It was Sunday night", you start. Voice a little shaky, but steady enough. "After my shift at the record store."

Eddie doesn't let go of your hand.

You go on.

"I stopped at the grocery store. It was supposed to be just a quick stop. In and out."

They're listening. No one interrupts.

"It was dark when I came back out. I put the bag in the trunk, turned around, and Billy's father was right behind me.''

You see the way Robin's knuckles whiten. Steve blinks slow and deliberate.

"He was drunk. Angry. Said I ruined everything, I'm ruining Billy's life. That I needed to go back to the station. Take back my statement about Billy. About what he did. About what we caught on tape."

You pause. Your throat tightens.

"He said if I didn't, he'd make me regret it. Threatened me. Said I have to tell them I wanted it, I was lying."

You swallow.

"When I said no... he grabbed me. Twisted my wrist. Pushed me against my car. Cornered me. Told me what he was going to do if I didn't listen. Said he'd...maybe come back to... f-finish what Billy couldn't do at the motel."

You feel Eddie's hand tremble slightly in yours. He's quiet. But he's here.

"I fought him. Managed to knee him. Screamed so loud a couple that came out of the store saw me. He ran. They stayed with me. The woman caught me when I collapsed. The man went after him, got a partial plate off the truck."

You take a shaky drag from your cigarette.

"His description of the truck and the parts of the plate matched the one Neil Hargrove drives."

Steve mutters something under his breath.

Elena puts her glass down harder than intended.

Robin just covers her mouth, eyes shining.

You close your eyes for a moment, the memories of that night popping up in your head.

You can feel the woman's coat against your face again, smell her perfume again.

Feel the sheer panic in your bones.

Eddie squeezes your hand.

You open your eyes.

"The cops came. Hopper came. I was a mess. In shock, probably. I was just crying for Eddie. A cop drove away to get him. The second they pulled up, he ran to me. Pulled me up. Put me in my car. And brought me away to keep me safe. To put distance between all of this and me".

You glance at Eddie. His jaw is locked, eyes wet.

"He raced home, packed our bags, sold the rest of the drugs he had stashed away to make some cash. And we just... left. I don't even remember most of the drive. I think I slept? I dunno, I was just... gone. Not even in my body anymore."

Elena reaches across the table, covers your other hand.

"We stranded here, in Indy. Stayed in a motel last night. I talked to Hopper. He said I needed to give an official statement, that I could do it anywhere in-state. We checked out, planned to leave the city after breakfast and the statement at some station. To hide somewhere else, to get even further away, maybe."

You feel how Eddie tenses, how he stubs out his cigarette only to immediately light another one.

"We stopped at a diner downtown", you glance at Elena, soft smile barely there, "and we ran into her. Total coincidence. Or fate. I don't know."

Elena smiles faintly back.

"She brought us here. Took me to the station where her sister works to give my statement. It's all in now. Everything's recorded. Official."

You let out a breath. Exhausted. Spent.

"He's still out there", you add quietly, "That's why I'm not going back to Hawkins yet. Not until he's locked. That's why I asked you two to not tell anybody where we are. I'm scared he'll find me. I know it's stupid, but I just... can't go back yet."

The silence that follows your last words is thick. Like the room itself is holding its breath.

Robin's crying again, but it's different now, quiet, steady tears slipping down her cheeks as she reaches for you with her free hand. Her fingers wrap around your wrist gently, grounding you. "It's not stupid", she whispers, voice cracking, "It's not. You're not stupid for being scared. You're fucking brave for surviving that."

Steve's eyes are locked on the table, his jaw clenched like he's chewing on a scream. His hand curls into a fist around his glass before he sets it down slowly. "If he comes near you again", he says lowly, voice vibrating with restrained fury, "he won't make it back to his fucking truck."

Eddie's still beside you, holding your hand. You feel the tension radiating off of him, the way his knee bounces under the table, the way he's barely holding it together.

But he doesn't let go. He never does.

Elena wipes at her eyes and lets out a breath that sounds like it's been sitting in her lungs for days. "You're safe here. You're both safe here. For as long as you need."

Steve doesn't say anything, but he nods once. His arm tightens around Elena's shoulders and he presses another soft kiss to her head, eyes still on you.

"I should've guessed", he mutters, "I knew that bastard was dangerous. I just..."

"We all knew", Robin mutters softly, "Just not how far it would go. Not how far it already had gone.''

You let your head fall back slightly, the weight of the moment settling deep into your bones.

It's too much, and not enough, all at once.

But they're here. All of them.

And so are you.

"What can we do?", Robin asks, letting go of your hand to take a sip of her drink.

You look at her.

"What can we do?" she repeats, "Because I'm not just gonna sit here and wait for the cops to maybe do their job."

You glance at Eddie, then at Elena. "I... don't know yet", you admit, "Right now? Just being here is everything."

They all nod in silent agreement.

Robin wipes her face with both sleeves, sniffles, then lifts her glass in the air. "To surviving assholes", she mutters, "To taking down monsters.''

Steve clinks his glass against hers. "And to making it out."

Eddie raises his. "To fucking finding each other when it matters."

Elena smiles faintly, glass lifted last. "To keeping each other safe."

And you raise yours. "To ramming your knees into every man's crotch who fucking comes too close. And to the best friends, the best family I could ever ask for. I love you, guys."

They laugh real, breathless, startled laughter.

Robin nearly chokes on her whiskey. "Hell yes!", she gasps, wiping her mouth, "To crotch-kicking and chosen family!" She slams her glass back against yours with a satisfying clink.

Steve smirks, nodding approvingly. "Can't argue with that one."

Eddie leans in, eyebrows raised, mock-serious. "I will personally fund a 'knee-first, questions-later' campaign. Full support. Hell, I'll print t-shirts."

Elena giggles into her drink, cheeks flushed, eyes shining. "You'd wear that to a PTA meeting.''

"I'd wear that to my wedding", Eddie grins, then looks at you with that soft, melting expression he only ever saves for you. "You'd totally marry me in a knee-the-patriarchy t-shirt, right?"

Robin slaps the table, grinning. "Please say yes!"

You snort, trying not to choke on your sip of whiskey. "Only if I get to walk down the aisle with steel-toe boots under my dress."

"I'll make it fashion", Elena jokes, "Rhinestones. Combat chic, baby.''

The room dissolves into giggles again, everyone riding that strange, perfect high that comes when pain and love exist in the same breath. The laughter burns away the fear, even if just for tonight.

An hour, a few more drinks and a shared joint later, tiredness settles into the room like a weighted blanket.

Warm, a little too heavy, but safe somehow.

The kind of tired that lives in your bones, deeper than sleep can reach.

No one says it out loud, but the way Steve's arm stays around Elena, the way she leans into his side more than she moves, the way Robin yawns and lets her eyes flutter shut even while sitting up, it's clear.

The night's done its work.

"Guys, I'm gonna crash", Robin yawns, stretching until her joints pop.

Elena nods, tiredly stands, Steve's eyes following her as she moves into her bedroom, rummaging through a drawer. "Here. Got some shorts and a shirt for you", she murmurs sleepily, tossing them Robin's way. "Toothbrush should be in the cabinet. Fresh one. I'll grab you some sheets and blanket."

Robin catches the clothes, sleepy gratitude in her eyes as she pads into the bathroom first. "Thanks. You're the best."

Steve finally pulls himself upright, gathering the empty glasses from the coffee table and disappearing into the kitchen.

You and Eddie glance at each other, silently agreeing to help him clear things up.

Sleep's definitely calling, but you're not rude.

Once the table's clear, you grab your duffel bags and step into Elena's room.

"You sure you're okay with us sleeping in your bed?" you ask, half-turned toward her.

Elena's just finished making up the couch for Robin. She waves you off, eyes half-lidded. "Yeah, totally fine. Camila would actually kill me if anyone but me slept in her bed."

Steve appears in the kitchen doorway, brow furrowing. "Wait, what?"

It's very clear he was expecting to be in there with her.

Elena just smirks. "You're my secret for tonight."

His whole face lights up. That stupid grin spreads wide and fast.

She throws him a loaded look that's all spark and mischief, and yeah... there's no way he's sleeping on the couch.

You and Eddie smirk at each other.

Robin comes out of the bathroom looking cleaner, comfier, and like she might fall asleep standing up. She flops onto the couch with a content sigh and throws the blanket over her legs.

Steve walks over and plants a kiss on her forehead like he's tucking in a little sister.

"Gross", she mutters, but she's smiling, "Actual parental behavior. Disgusting."

Steve laughs, heads toward the bathroom with Elena in tow.

"Damn, man, already got a toothbrush here?" Eddie asks, eyebrow raised.

Steve doesn't even look at him as he grabs his from the cabinet. "Yep.'

"That's domestic as hell", Eddie teases.

"I prefer prepared", Steve shoots back, shoving his toothbrush between his lips, leaving the door open to flip Eddie off.

You go after them, leaning into the doorframe, mumbling to Elena who's wiping off her makeup. "Can I get another toothbrush for him? He used mine this morning."

"Babe", Eddie sighs, all fake betrayal, "we make out. I don't see the problem."

"It's disgusting", you reply flatly.

"She's right", Robin chimes from the couch, eyes closed, voice muffled by the pillow, "There's kissing, and then there's plaque exchange. Very different things."

Steve snorts around his toothbrush. "Even I wouldn't share one, and I've done some shit."

Eddie rolls his eyes, dramatically offended. "We literally lick each other's sexes, I mean--"

"Ew!" comes a collective chorus from the other room, followed by laughter.

You can't help but giggle, leaning up to kiss him quick. "You can still lick me everywhere, if that cheers you up, babe, but we won't share my toothbrush again."

He smirks at you, hand grabbing your ass. "I guess I'll survive".

A minute later, Steve and Elena reappear, handing out water bottles like it's a sleepover.

"Anyone need anything else?" she asks, already moving toward Camila's room.

Everyone murmurs some version of "I'm good" and "thanks", and then she disappears behind the door with Steve. It closes, and immediately, there's giggling, a thump, and the unmistakable sound of kissing.

Robin groans loudly, grabs her pillow, and drags it over her head. "I hate it here", she mumbles.

You and Eddie grab your toothbrushes and slip into the bathroom next. He opens his fresh one, still pouting. "You really outed me like that in front of everybody."

"Oh, cry me a river", you smirk around a mouthful of foam.

He leans in, presses his lips to your cheek.

You bat him away.

He kisses you again. Then right on the mouth, ignoring the toothpaste.

"Eds", you protest through a mouthful of minty suds.

"I'm getting my dignity back, babe."

You snort, laughing as you finally rinse and spit. He's grinning now, all traces of fake sulking gone as he spits too, and follows you out through the living space.

"Night, Robs."

"Godspeed", she calls back from under her pillow.

Through the wall, Steve and Elena are still giggling - and definitely moaning.

You and Eddie exchange a look of pure horror. "Nope", you mutter, dragging him into Elena's room and slamming the door shut behind you. He immediately strips out of everything but his boxers, tossing his clothes onto the chair.

"Not a bad bed", he muses, stretching out like a satisfied cat, turning on a bedside lamp.

His meds are already on the nightstand, ready for the night. He grabs a bottle of water and takes them, sighing when he lies back again.

You start peeling off your jeans, and he whistles low, appreciation in his gaze."Shut up", you grin, turning your back to him, take off the shirt, unclasp your bra and throw it on the chair with your clothes, before slipping the shirt back on.

He groans. "That's evil. I didn't even get a peek, babe, come on. I miss the twins."

While dramatically rolling your eyes, you turn back to him and actually catch him pout. So, you lift your shirt just enough for a flash, just a tease, and Eddie lights up like it's Christmas morning.

"Hell yes", he grins, eyes wide, hand over his heart like he's been spiritually moved, "Blessings upon this house."

You snort, shaking your head as you tug the shirt back down. "You're an idiot".

"Your idiot", he mutters, already scooting to the far side of the bed to make room for you, "A very lucky idiot."

You kill the bedside lamp, the room plunging into soft, grainy darkness, only the streetlights from outside spilling slanted gold across the wall. You climb in beside him, his arms immediately wrapping around you like they've been waiting all day.

"You warm?", he mumbles against your shoulder, his hand splaying across your belly.

"Mmhm", you nod, pressing back into him, the weight of his body so familiar it makes your bones ache a little less. "Warm, tired, a little high, and still vaguely annoyed you wanted to use my toothbrush again".

He laughs into your skin, the vibration low and comforting. "Listen, desperate times, desperate measures. And, let me remember you of that insane sex we had this morning after you caught me with it. Was just hoping to get that again."

"Oh, my god."

He grins against your skin. "Besides that, you love me. Sharing is caring, baby."

"Debatable."

"You showed me your tits, it's not debatable."

You elbow him gently and he lets out a soft oof, followed by a sleepy, delighted chuckle.

You let the silence stretch a little, the kind that isn't heavy or awkward, just peaceful. The kind that only happens when you've survived something. When you've finally exhaled.

And just as everything quiets down again, through the thin wall, there's a breathless little yelp followed by a loud thump, and then Elena's unmistakable giggle and another moan.

"Oh my God", Robin groans from the other room, "I will kill you two!"

You snort, moving deeper into Eddie's body, snuggling into him. He hugs you tighter, kisses your shoulder, his voice low and gravelly with exhaustion.

"We're okay now, yeah?"

You nod. "Yeah"

He's quiet a second.

"I love you."

Your hand finds his on your stomach, fingers interlacing softly. "I love you too, baby. More than anything."

It's not the most poetic moment in the world. You're both kind of buzzed, your hair's a mess, he still smells like smoke, and your body's sore from the inside out.

But it's real. And it's safe.

And for tonight, that's everything.