eddie psl post.

[heatmetal]

boop boop banoop

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[heatmetal]

He's gonna tell them to fuck off. You think the Hawkins Post can print the word fuck?

[ ah. The leg. It takes a second for him to remember why the leg needs a decision. ]

You still gonna think I'm pretty if I'm a pirate?

[camarod]

I think they’ll get real uppitty about it.

[Another kiss to his wrist, lips lingering over a slow pulse point.

He thinks Susan is on her way. Maybe Max, with the kids. Maybe they expect monsters, and yeah, they’d be right. ]

Yeah. I can stare into this big brown eyes all day. No leg needed.

[heatmetal]

Flattery gets you everywhere with me...

[ he glances down at the leg. Heavily bandaged now. ]

I don't wanna... Hurt people. [ to fix it. And he came so close. Nurses smelling so soft, so sweet, he'd sobbed with the effort to not bite. ] They should take it off.

[camarod]

[There’s some real heavy shit to weigh, he knows. Morals. Guilt. Billy would probably bleed the town if it would heal it.

He nods though. ] Okay. You don’t gotta make your mind now. Do - do you want me to give you and Wayne space? I can hunt down some blood bags. See if I can’t find a straw.

[heatmetal]

[ he gives billys hand a squeeze. ]

Nah... Stay with me. [ he grins dopily. ] I like looking at your face.

[camarod]

The views not so bad from here either.

[while they’re alone, he takes his chance to lean in - slow, soft kiss that lingers before anyone has a chance to interrupt.

It’s a nurse first: a sweet blond who looks at Billly’s fingers linked with Eddie’s and then politely looks away. It’s so small, so stupid, but Billy feels his dead heart racing anyway.

Next is Wayne and Billy is quiet while they talk, holding Eddie’s hand until a new nurse pops in to tell him Susan’s here - wants to see him.

He goes reluctantly; steps out and watches the disbelief, the way she doesn’t know how to react. Billy does the only thing he can: he pulls her close and tells her Neil’s dead. They can figure out a lawyer later, but he’s dead and the house is hers, if she wants it.

Max comes later, with the rest. They don’t come to Billy for a long time: gives him and Susan time to go back and forth on how she deserves the damn house.]

[heatmetal]

[ Dustin's wail rings through the hospital, nearly throwing himself on Eddie before he takes note of all the injuries and holds back. He's sobbing so hard the words won't come out, and all Eddie can do is hold him and laugh, and laugh, and laugh until they're both tearful messes on the bed.

They ask about Billy and he smiles and says Billy saved him. In the Upside Down. Billy's a hero. Protected him.

There will be questions later. But Eddie tells them very seriously he is much too high and everything hurts, and his leg will probably be coming off, but he loves them and they did great.

When Susan is done with Billy, Dustin Henderson pulls him into a hug. Mumbles into his shirt that he's a prick, and he doesn't forgive him for what he did to Max, but thanks him profusely for bringing Eddie back to them. ]

[camarod]

[Susan leaves to get him clean clothes which yes, he's grateful for. He's not prepared for Dustin Henderson - doesn't know what to do with the hug except grunt, rub his back, agree he's a prick. Max comes later, looks at him through the doorway absolutely haunted. Comes in and punches him. Screams. Billy pulls her in and holds her close, squeezes her and tells her sorry, he's so fucking sorry. Tells her he'll explain later, knows that he owes her the truth.

Later when the kids are gone, Billy slips back into the room while Wayne's doing much the same as Susan. Feels bone tired, figures no one will else will come, doesn't really know to expect Steve, or Robin, or Wheeler.]

[heatmetal]

[ it's quieted down without the kids around. the atmosphere less joyful, but also far less anxious. They're not afraid he's going to disappear.

Eddies still high as a kite. The blood and drugs leave him feeling good, boneless and relaxed. He might cry about the leg later. He tells Wayne very seriously that he doesn't want it - says it'll cost too much, ignores Wayne's protests - says it's a cost he doesn't wanna pay. He'll need less food that way.

Wayne doesn't get it. Says he'll sleep on it, but the look in his eyes says he won't be sleeping much until Eddie is under the same roof.

He was bright and delighted with the kids, but it makes in comparison to to the smile that lights up his face when billy steps back in the room. ]

There he is!

[camarod]

Oh yeah, they've doped you up real good.

[He's closing the door, pulling the curtain closed. It's already dark, dark, dark. The beds not big enough for them both, but he can sit back in the uncomfortable seat, let his own painkillers work through the worst of Neil's beating.

He's fighting off hunger, but not too bad yet. Nothing dangerous. ] The cops keep asking to talk. You seen the head nurse? She's scary, man. Never seen grown men shrivel up in fear at being told no.

[heatmetal]

So scary, dude. I asked if I could smoke and she got so pissed.

[ sooooo pissed, he murmurs again. reaching up to touch his cheek. ]

Did you eat yet, baby? [ he offers up his wrist. ] I got the good stuff... Mmm. You might get a lil fucked up.

[camarod]

Oh yeah? Do I gotta give you an IOU?

[He's not going to say no. He takes it, presses his tongue against it and then bites down slow, hums softly as his mouth is filled sweet, slightly chemical-like. It doesn't hit right away - takes him a bit to notice because the feed is always a high in of its own. He pulls away with hooded eyes, grins bloody and a little stupid: leans up, drunk and warm and kisses Eddie just as slow.

Doesn't care really if anyone walks in. Let them. What are they gonna do? Give him more drugs to put him down?]

[retromix]

[ The story spun for the police's benefit is clearly bullshit. The older teens and the kids agree not to say anything at the hospital, even if it means waiting until Eddie is out and feels better (Steve privately wonders how the fuck Hargrove survived a sixteen-inch tentacle busting through his chest cavity, but whatever), and it feels kind of appropriate for Steve to approach Eddie alone. Robin wants to come but he refuses, it's hard to explain but between themselves and Henderson there's some kind of link there that Steve doesn't want to share with the masses. Eddie got it, before.

He knocks on the door, calling ahead. The nurse said the patient may be sleeping, he's on intensive painkillers for his leg, and Steve vividly remembers Dustin describing it in gory, awe-struck detail. ]

Eddie ... ?

[heatmetal]

... Steve?

[ He lifts his head off the pillow, peering in the direction of the voice. The curtains block his line of sight but he can...

He can smell him.

There's a painful little twinge of hunger. Desire. The same pull he'd felt when he'd bitten Billy that first time, starving and desperate. He huffs a breath and sinks back against the pillows, bringing his wrist to his mouth to try to both sait his hunger and stem the blood flow. ]

[camarod]

[He freezes. Has his nose pressed to Eddie's cheek, mouth bloodied, eyes darker than they should be. He swallows, pulls back slow, scrubbing at his mouth with the back of his mouth and fuck, yeah. He's a little out of it. Can't help the way he sniffs, smells Steve Harrington and finds his teeth aching. ]

Is that Steve Harrington? [voice low; a strange tone. Probably for the best if Eddies holds him in place, after he's straightened up. ] As I live and breathe?

[retromix]

[ Those moments behind the curtains afford them just enough time to wipe away any immediate evidence as Steve rounds the drapes, halting when he spots Hargrove. Steve glances at the guy's chest, flicking away when there's nothing but a shirt there, and then his attention swings to Eddie. ]

I, uh — oh my god, is your wrist bleeding? What is that?

[ Stepping closer to the bed, Steve unknowingly brings with him a wealth of hot blood anxiously pounding around his veins, all inside freshly laundered clothes that carry the scent of the flowerbeds outside the hospital. ]

[heatmetal]

[ his hand goes to billy, grabbing his wrist to steady the both of them. ]

I'm covered in bites, man.

[ and bruises. A cracked rib or two. Deep tissue bruising. Billy did a number on him. ]

Don't ask questions we can't answer okay?

[camarod]

[He stills. Goes pliant real easy, slowy, slowly takes a step back to sink back into the chair. ]

Wasn't expecting you, Harrington. Didn't know you and Eddie were friendly.

[retromix]

[ Bites. Right. More? Open ones? Aren't they healing? He nods to Eddie, questions we can't answer reminds him that for now at least they all have to act like there's nothing else weird going on. His gaze slides over to Billy, still getting used to seeing him up and about. Alive. Less than gunning for a fight. ]

The girls are coming up this afternoon but I wanted to see Eddie without them.

[ His guilt over Eddie's death has Steve wide-eyed at his bedside as he draws near, lips a thin line of a grimace. ]

I told you not to be a hero.

[heatmetal]

[ ah... he gives billy's wrist a little squeeze. ]

We got joint custody of Henderson.

[ is the best way he can explain when prying ears could be about. ]

I know... [ but he can't explain antmore. Not yet. He just nods to the blonde. ] Billy saved me. In there. Got us out. I'm a shit hero, he's the real deal like you are.

[camarod]

[He's retreating a little, watches Steve intently, like he's sizing up a threat. Like he's not sure Steve is real, too. He smells real; smells like flushing blood and cologne and anxiety, relief. Billy swallows. ]

Saved's a strong word. [He glances at Eddie, expression carefully neutral. ]

[retromix]

Uh huh.

[ Dustin's account of Eddie dying in his arms is difficult to discount but, yeah. Later. For now Steve looks doubtful but holds his tongue. ]

I'm glad you both got back okay.

[ That's with a significant look at Hargrove too, since Max is so happy to have him back. He lays a hand lightly on Eddie's shoulder, frown vanishing with a smile. ]

Do you need anything? Do not say a six-pack.

[heatmetal]

[ who let Steve Harrington small so good? Eddie wants to cry. ]

Dunno, man... I'm pretty parched.

[camarod]

[Billy’s laugh is abrupt; shocked out of him so fast he leans forward and sort of chokes. He shoots a look at Eddie that says stop it. .]

He’s high on morphine. Ignore him.

[retromix]

[ He twitches when Billy barks a laugh like that. ]

It's fine. [ Steve swivels his concerned gaze down on Eddie. ] Want me to go grab you some juice? I can do a snack run.