eddie psl post.

[heatmetal]

boop boop banoop

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[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.

[heatmetal]

[ he is very high on morphine and looks offended at the idea of being ignored, but. ]

Nah... What I want is on tap but I'm not allowed. [ like tapped directly into his veins. his hand on billy's grows a little softer, thumb rubbing lazily circles against the bump of his bone.

and then, like it's just occurred to him. ] Hey... Did you win?

[camarod]

[He’s laughing again, leaning forward on the bed with his wrist in Eddie’s hand, his own on Eddie’s thigh.

The morphines pretty good -] Oh shit. The fucking storms! Was that you Harrington?

[retromix]

Was what ... ?

[ He notices, then. The way Eddie is holding gently but firmly to Billy's wrist, Billy's hand on Eddie's blanketed thigh. As his words die off, he dredges up an answer and looks at Eddie to hide his momentary frown of confusion as it melts into realisation. ]

There's a lot to talk about, we should wait until you're feeling better.

[heatmetal]

'kay.

[ there is so much they need to talk about. lying to steve... feels wrong. really, really wrong. it's hard to place why. why he gives a shit when they barely know each other. ]

Glad you're in one piece, big boy.

[camarod]

Just sit, man.

[big boy. Real friendly, huh. ]

You smell real good, Harrington. Like - cinnamon. Vanilla.

[retromix]

Are you high?

[ Whatever's going on between them, his candour slips out of good intentions; if Billy is on the loopy medicine too, then ... ]

Dude, if you're drugged up just like him shouldn't you be in bed?

[ With a concerned glance at Eddie. ]

[heatmetal]

[ Eddie laughs. ]

Wild horses couldn't pull this guy away.

[camarod]

They didn’t give me the good shit, I had a little taste of Eddie’s -

[ha - ]

Sorry, man. It’s good shit - E, what is that smell. Like fucking cake, right? Harrington, c’mere.