Papa, Part 8

3rd Person's POV

Eddie's small gesture towards Dustin only added to the already existing paranoia Valerie had been trying to keep under wraps.

But she wouldn't admit that to him.

So she stood there in silence, with her arms crossed, unwilling to look him in the eyes.

"I have the feeling you're about to break up with me," Eddie started speaking once he realised Valerie wasn't about to budge, "But you can't really do that, considering we aren't even dating."

That seemed to have finally gotten her attention, because she snapped her head towards his direction, a glare set upon her features. She wanted to tell him how he couldn't be more wrong, she also wanted to kiss that stupid grin off of his face.

She didn't do either.

"There she is." He smiled, as if he had her all figured out.

"What?"

"I've already told you, you look hot when you're mad at me Val." He leaned down until he she could feel the warmth of his breath against her ear, "So don't look at me like that, not when we're alone in this van together."

She sucked in a breath, but she wasn't about to falter so easy, "Is that why you've failed highschool twice, Munson? Got a thing for Mrs.Clark and her ear-piercing lectures at eight in the damn morning?"

That woman alone made her want to be a highschool dropout back in the day.

"What can I say?" He pulled back with a knowing smirk, "I like my women angry."

"Women?" The word came out as a natural reflex, and Valerie wanted nothing more than to take it back.

"Woman, actually. There's only ever been you." He tilted his head, all previous signs of playfulness gone.

There was that look again. Sincere. Like he fucking adored her. Like he wasn't sure if he'd get the chance to say it again, because time was fleeting.

She felt her stomach twist, the previous bit of anxiety starting to make a reappearance. Suddenly the confines of the vehicle seemed too small for just the two of them.

He recognised that look, he could see her retreating back into her shell again so he quickly looped his arms around her waist, "You said you wanted to talk, Val. Talk to me."

Truth be told, he was nervous as well. He was just better at hiding it than her.

They'd kissed three times now, she had even initiated one of them. But he couldn't help the sinking feeling that maybe she didn't mean it, maybe she wanted to take it back and just didn't know how.

"Nevermind." She rested her cheek against his chest and mumbled, "Forget it."

"You alright?" He raised one of his hands to slowly play with her hair, trying to get her to relax, "Are you sure you're ready to face Vecna or One or whatever the fuck- cause I'm just about ready to shit myself."

"God, stop talking like Steve." Came her muffled voice, which then let out a sigh, "It's why I'm here actually."

"You're here because of Steve?" Eddie pulled back with raised eyebrows.

"Deja vu, huh?" She let a smile finally relax her features.

"Did he send you here to kiss me?" He asked, a teasing smile forming on his face.

"Not exactly." She rested her chin against his chest, looking up at him through her lashes.

"Not the answer I was hoping for, but do tell." He trailed a finger along her jaw.

"Well, he thought I deserved a break, after all the hell I've been through. One with a certain Munson." Her voice got quiet, a bit nervous about the direction the conversation was headed.

"And?" Eddie replied without missing a beat, blushing afterwards because he didn't want to sound too eager.

"Yeah, I mean, I think you're uncle is exactly the man I need at the moment. Exactly the man to get me through-" She bit her lip, trying not to burst out laughing at the equal parts disgusted and disappointed expression he had on.

He groaned and lightly shoved her away, "Don't ever make me picture that. Don't you picture that either."

"Jealous?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, "No." He then walked past her all the way to the back, and plucked his electric guitar off a seat, "Because I've got this."

"And what's that supposed to do?" Valerie crossed her arms over her chest.

As far as guitars went, his was pretty hot.

"The ladies go crazy over this thing." He held it up against his chest, pride dripping off of his words.

"And you think you can win me over with a guitar?"

He could, in fact, win her over with a guitar. That is, as if, he hasn't already. But she wouldn't admit that to him, atleast not at the moment.

"Remember how I said I'd play for you?" He plopped down on the ground, perching the guitar on his lap, "Well today's your lucky day, Henderson."

She lingered on her feet unsure of what to do for a few seconds, before sitting down cross legged in front of him.

"Any requests?"

"Surprise me."

So as he began playing a softer version of the intro to Sweet Child o' Mine, Valerie tried to keep her gaping mouth and awe in check.

"She's got a smile that it seems to me, reminds me of childhood memories, where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky." His deep voice came out in soft whispers, only for her to hear.

"Now and then when I see her face," His gaze flickered up to meet her eyes, "She takes me away to that special place, and if I stared too long I'd probably breakdown and cry."

When he turned back to his guitar again, Valerie let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding.

She could count on Eddie Munson to take her breath away and leave her speechless every damn time.

She'd never heard him sing before, and now that she had, she didn't know what to do with it.

"You're gawking at me." He interrupted her spiraling train of thoughts, and that's when she realised he'd stopped singing after the chorus ended a couple seconds ago.

"Were you expecting applause?" Valerie tried brushing it off, although the red on her cheeks spoke otherwise.

"Yes?"

"How'd you... know how to play that?" She asked to stop another silence from enfolding them.

Her brain short circuited and she forgot ways to compliment a person.

"I've played enough years to pick up a song easily if I've heard it enough times." He shrugged, but then his eyes lit up with an idea.

"Can I teach you?"

"Uh, I'm not sure-"

"Please?" He stuck out his bottom lip.

"...Okay."

With a triumphant grin, although there was no competition to begin with, he stretched his legs apart and patted the space in between.

Valerie crawled over and and sat down, with her back turned to him as he placed the guitar on her lap.

"Handle her with a little care, will you?" He shifted closer to her, enough to press his chest against her back.

"What, you think she can't take me?" Valerie snorted.

But Valerie understood why he was protective over it. It was a beautiful specimen of a guitar, and she would personally destroy somebody if they dared to put a scratch on it.

"Oh she can take you alright." He wrapped his arms around her body and took ahold of both of her hands, "And I'm teaching you a different, much simpler song."

"Why?-"

"Because, that song is complicated by your standards," He guided her hands into position, "and I'm guessing you've never touched a guitar a day in your life."

"I haven't." She pouted.

"Now I'd start off by teaching you all the strings and chords and shit, but I don't wanna bore you away on the first day. Not that we have the time anyway-"

He couldn't bore her away, ever, Valerie found herself thinking. She really was whipped.

"Just follow my lead and let muscle memory take over, just for today." He leaned forward and placed his chin on top of her head.

He made the fingers of her left hand press on certain strings, and the fingers of her right strum on others.

She had missed out on a third of the lesson daydreaming and distracted. He had skilled fucking hands and Valerie was glad he couldn't see her flustered disaster of a face.

They didn't realise it, but an hour had gone by a long time ago, and by then Eddie was confident Valerie could play a verse and a chorus all by herself.

He never said she wouldn't make any mistakes.

"Mmkay, you're ready." Eddie stated, letting go of her hands.

"I am nowhere near ready what are you talking about-"

"Are you seriously questioning my abilities as a teacher?"

"No I'm just...nervous about butchering a song in front of you." She mumbled the last part quicky in hopes that he wouldn't hear them.

But he did.

"I think I'll be too distracted by the sight of you holding my guitar to account for any errors." He let out a chuckle, "So you're good.

He wasn't lying. It really was a wet dream come true.

"Okay... um," She straightened up her posture and took in a few deep breaths before playing.

His usually fired up Valerie now reduced to a tense ball of nervousness because she was too scared to fuck up in front of him, was probably the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

All while playing his guitar, wearing his jacket.

She was actually doing quite well, Eddie noted, being the perfectionist that she was.

He felt a surge of pride go through him, so he wrapped one arm around her waist and with the other, tugged the jacket and T-shirt away from her shoulder.

He placed his chin on the now exposed skin, resting his cheek against hers, taking in the way her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration.

Despite her nerves, she was performing a bit too well, so he decided to turn the difficulty up a notch.

Valerie let out a silent gasp at the feeling of his lips pressed against her neck.

"Am I distracting you?" He trailed kisses down to her collarbone.

"No."

"Good."

Another searing kiss on the shoulder.

"Because I didn't say you could stop playing."

"Son of a bitch." Valerie cursed underneath her breath, but it all seemed worth it when she felt his lips curve into a smile against her skin.

That must've been her new favourite feeling.

[A/N: Enjoy the fluff while it lasts, we all know which episode is coming next]