[ That just makes Eddie pause, and he puts the Twinkie down so he can really get a better look at Gareth, and at their joined hands. It's the nickname Eds, the hand holding, the deep concern.
He's not even sure Gareth realizes he's doing any of this, tells himself it's just because he thought he'd lost Eddie and needs that connection, to make sure Eddie really is here, alive. ]
Yeah, wouldn't that be terrible, survive demonic bats only to die by processed sugar. [ He shoots Gareth a sly smile before eating the rest of the pastry, a little more slowly this time so as not to give himself too much of a sugar rush. ]
Dude, you're not gonna die because of processed sugar.
[ Rolling his eyes with a quiet laugh Gareth pulled his hand back after a bit, finally satisfied that the other wasn't going anywhere, and meandered over to his shelf of terrariums. Specifically turning off his 'day lights' before checking the pump on one with a water fixture before moving back to his desk to clean up the mess he had made pulling Eddie through the window.
When he heard his mom call from downstairs he froze, eyes darting to Eddie before calling back that he'd be right down. ]
Stay here, I'll bring up some food as soon as I can. I'll just...I'll tell her I'm not feeling up to being at the table....with things the way they are she's been pretty cool about it.
Hey, you never know, [ Eddie replies with a wild grin, which fades slightly as he thinks of all the things that could, in fact kill him, and almost did. But he is still standing, and that has to count for something, right?
He can't help but watch as Gareth starts inspecting his terrariums. It's something so painfully normal, which Eddie needs right now. He needs a distraction from the reality that's lurking just outside, in the cracks that have effectively carved up Hawkins and gave Vecna a way into their world.
It's only a matter of time.
He's jolted out of his spiraling thoughts by Gareth's mom calling him down for dinner. He frowns with a nod. ]
Yeah, no, of course. Just. [ He's not sure why he even wants to tell Gareth to be careful. It's just going down to dinner, making up an excuse to bring food up for Eddie. It's not like there's the danger of the Upside Down, or that he's going to ruin his relationship with his family by harboring a fugitive or anything.
Shit, he needs to stop panicking before he does something stupid like try to slip out of Gareth's house while he's still clearly healing. ]
Huh? Oh yeah, no worries. I'll be back as soon as I can.
[ Giving Eddie a reassuring smile, Gareth dipped out the door and headed down for dinner. It took a bit of convincing but before long he was able to talk his mom into letting him take his dinner upstairs. He hated lying to her but with his stepdad in the house he really couldn't tell her that Eddie was in fact alive and well and hiding out in his bedroom. Instead he waited until she was sitting down and grabbed his plate, adding more meatloaf and mashed potatoes, siting that he was really hungry, and slid an extra fork up his sleeve before heading back up. ]
Tadaa~
[ Stepping in and closing the door, Gareth made his way over holding out the extra fork as he set the plate down and plopped down on the other side of it from Eddie to start digging in. ]
[ Even though the thought does occur to him to slip out while Gareth is occupied, he couldn't do that to his friend. He had just revealed to Gareth that he's alive, and confided in him what really happened, he couldn't saddle him with all this pressure and then disappear. Not only would that not be fair, it wouldn't remove Gareth from any danger.
He should probably have thought of the possible consequences of dragging Gareth into this before he decided to bother him in the first place.
Before he could think any further, though, Gareth reappears, and a small smile creeps across Eddie's face as he accepts the fork and tries his best to eat at least somewhat slowly. ]
Your mom still makes the best damn meals.
[ Which isn't a surprise, given that Eddie doesn't have much to compare it to. Wayne usually works nights, so he prepares his own meals, usually from a can. Before he lived with Wayne, his mom died when he was young, and his dad hardly tried to cook, usually supplying him with TV dinners. So, more often than not, Gareth's mom was the one who made sure he was eating somewhat healthy. ]
[ Smiling Gareth just shrugged. It was nice to know that his friend was eating, something he always feels better about. He'd always blame his mom for why Eddie got sent home with food or invited over for dinner when part of it was him. He worried and wanted his best friend to have something more than canned foods or tv dinners. ]
You can tell her once we figure all this bullshit out. Because fuck those guys, my best friend isn't a killer.
[ It's said with the confidence of someone who knows that without a doubt he's right. There's no way Eddie could hurt a fly in real life. He may be able to absolutely decimate them in dnd but that was different. ]
[ Eddie shrugs right back, but he can't help the tiniest hint of a smile that worms its way onto his face. He's missed this, the light bantering, the hanging out and just dicking around. It's almost enough to let him forget what had brought him onto Gareth's doorstep in the first place.
His smile turns into a much more visible frown, although he does appreciate Gareth's vote of confidence. ]
I will. [ He has his doubts that the court of public opinion will ever change, though. The truth is too impossible to explain. It's much easier for everyone to believe he's a vessel for Satan than to accept that there's a psychic serial killer on the loose that's determined to make his way back into Hawkins. ] Though, to be perfectly honest? I'm not sure I'm gonna be sticking around much longer after all of this is sorted out.
[ He always did have plans to leave Hawkins behind, even before he had been accused of being a murderer. He just wish leaving Hawkins behind didn't also mean leaving everyone else. ]
[ Gareth will just blame the mouthful of food for the way he stumbles on his words. Eddie doesn't need to know how his words make Gareth's heart sink. He knew it was going to happen eventually. He knew that Eddie would graduate and be out of Hawkins, he just hoped it happened at the same time as him so they could go together.
This was different though, this wasn't graduation...this was Eddie going on the run. ]
Indianapolis? I mean I know we always talked about you getting a place out there.
[ He pointedly ignores the slight shake to his hand and instead shovels more meatloaf into his mouth before downing more soda. ]
[ It doesn't escape Eddie's notice the way Gareth reacted. He kind of expected it, after all. He doesn't like the idea of leaving the rest of the band, the rest of Hellfire behind, but he knows even if his name gets cleared, he wouldn't be able to look at Hawkins the same again.
The way everyone rallied to the cause of tracking him down, that's just not something he's ever going to forget. ]
Yeah, or maybe even further. If I can wrangle enough cash together.
[ He's not sure how he's going to make this work without finishing high school, but it's not like he'd survive the rest of high school. He wouldn't trust his teachers not to fail him again simply because of what happened, too. ]
But, um. Let's take it one step at a time, yeah?
[ Because there's no point in looking that far ahead when there's no guarantee Eddie will even be able to get his name cleared. And if he doesn't, then he's going to have to tread very carefully to get the hell out of Hawkins without being caught. ]
[ Of course Eddie of all people would pick up on the fact that Gareth wasn't happy about everything.]
Right, I mean sure.
[ Gareth sets about finishing his portion of the food and his soda before he finally says something again. Cleaning off his fork to set on his bedside table before scooting back to rest against his pillow, pulling his knees up to his chest, he stared at Eddie for a bit. ]
So...what's the plan from here? I wanna help, Eddie. And don't sit there and tell me I can't because I'll be damned if I'm not allowed to help my best friend escape an angry mob of idiots.
[ Even after all he's been through, Eddie still has known Gareth for way too long to not pick up on that. He wishes he could reassure Gareth that he'll still stay in touch, but he doesn't even know if he can promise that.
A part of him just wants to disappear, become nothing more than a memory. While the other part just wants everything to go back to normal, so he can go back to pretending he didn't just almost die in an alternate dimension. ]
I don't know. [ His voice sounds strained. He doesn't want to put Gareth in any more danger than he already has; it had already been bad enough, the damage Jason Carver did while seeking out Eddie and Dustin. ] If we can get a message to Henderson..
[ But even that feels like it's risking a lot. Dustin is awful at keeping his mouth shut, and even worse at lying convincingly. He can't put all of that on the poor kid. ] Or, I don't know. Think you could get to Buckley or Harrington?
[ This was a bad idea. A really, terribly bad idea. But at least he can count on Steve to keep his mouth shut, and to drive him out of town safely. And Robin, he feels a surprising amount of kinship with, after everything. If nothing else, they deserve to know he's still alive...right? ]
[ Gareth sighs a bit as he leans back and looks at the ceiling. He could easily get ahold of Henderson, he had the guys number. Harrington and Buckley might be a bit harder, granted he could go to the video store and use that as a cover? Might work so long as Keith wasn't there. ]
I can try at least? I've got Henderson's number so I can call him but I'd have to like...go to Family Video or something to talk to Harrington or Buckley.
[ Picking at his sleep pants Gareth thought on it more before snapping. ]
Or I could look them up in the phonebook. There's no way the Harrington's aren't in there.
[ It's risky, but Eddie is pretty sure Harrington's parents aren't home. He doesn't trust that the phones aren't being listened into somehow, but maybe they can get to him in person? ]
No phones. Coded messages only. Though Henderson's probably smart enough to get the idea, not sure about Harrington.
[ He frowns at the mention of Family Video. It would figure that life would go on as usual despite the fact that the town is broken. Eddie can't help but wonder if Robin and Steve even felt the weight of Eddie's supposed death at all. ]
I'd, um. I'd like to see them in person, if we can get a hold of any of them. It might be stupid and dangerous, but I don't care. The world might end fucking tomorrow, anyway.
Seriously Eddie? Okay I can see about getting them over maybe? I'll call Dustin tomorrow and tell him to bring Harrington and Buckley over?
[ Looking confused Gareth just sighed and shook his head. ]
This shit is weird, Eds...and you are so not going to waltz right into fucking Family Video when you're still wanted. They are like...lynch mob mentality here with you. I'm still surprised the rest of us haven't been targeted.
( Eddie raises an eyebrow at Gareth's response and deflates a little bit, curling in on himself. He had hoped that with him being assumed dead the town might have backed off a little, but he supposes if it turns out he's alive after everything, the town would be right back to wanting to hang him. )
I'm just a scapegoat. It's, uh. Jason's fault that you all were targeted in the first place. Without him leading the mob I guess it's a little harder to stomach targeting kids.
( He shrugs, just looking tired more than anything else. )
But fine, I'll stay hidden until we can figure all of this out.
[ Shaking his head Gareth just watches the other before nodding again. ]
For now just rest up, like I said I'll take care of it. You can lie low here, either up here or in the garage. Hell we might be able to make you a crash pad in the crawl space above the garage. No one goes up there because it just has a bunch of dads stuff he left here.
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He's not even sure Gareth realizes he's doing any of this, tells himself it's just because he thought he'd lost Eddie and needs that connection, to make sure Eddie really is here, alive. ]
Yeah, wouldn't that be terrible, survive demonic bats only to die by processed sugar. [ He shoots Gareth a sly smile before eating the rest of the pastry, a little more slowly this time so as not to give himself too much of a sugar rush. ]
no subject
[ Rolling his eyes with a quiet laugh Gareth pulled his hand back after a bit, finally satisfied that the other wasn't going anywhere, and meandered over to his shelf of terrariums. Specifically turning off his 'day lights' before checking the pump on one with a water fixture before moving back to his desk to clean up the mess he had made pulling Eddie through the window.
When he heard his mom call from downstairs he froze, eyes darting to Eddie before calling back that he'd be right down. ]
Stay here, I'll bring up some food as soon as I can. I'll just...I'll tell her I'm not feeling up to being at the table....with things the way they are she's been pretty cool about it.
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He can't help but watch as Gareth starts inspecting his terrariums. It's something so painfully normal, which Eddie needs right now. He needs a distraction from the reality that's lurking just outside, in the cracks that have effectively carved up Hawkins and gave Vecna a way into their world.
It's only a matter of time.
He's jolted out of his spiraling thoughts by Gareth's mom calling him down for dinner. He frowns with a nod. ]
Yeah, no, of course. Just. [ He's not sure why he even wants to tell Gareth to be careful. It's just going down to dinner, making up an excuse to bring food up for Eddie. It's not like there's the danger of the Upside Down, or that he's going to ruin his relationship with his family by harboring a fugitive or anything.
Shit, he needs to stop panicking before he does something stupid like try to slip out of Gareth's house while he's still clearly healing. ]
Come back soon, yeah?
no subject
[ Giving Eddie a reassuring smile, Gareth dipped out the door and headed down for dinner. It took a bit of convincing but before long he was able to talk his mom into letting him take his dinner upstairs. He hated lying to her but with his stepdad in the house he really couldn't tell her that Eddie was in fact alive and well and hiding out in his bedroom. Instead he waited until she was sitting down and grabbed his plate, adding more meatloaf and mashed potatoes, siting that he was really hungry, and slid an extra fork up his sleeve before heading back up. ]
Tadaa~
[ Stepping in and closing the door, Gareth made his way over holding out the extra fork as he set the plate down and plopped down on the other side of it from Eddie to start digging in. ]
no subject
He should probably have thought of the possible consequences of dragging Gareth into this before he decided to bother him in the first place.
Before he could think any further, though, Gareth reappears, and a small smile creeps across Eddie's face as he accepts the fork and tries his best to eat at least somewhat slowly. ]
Your mom still makes the best damn meals.
[ Which isn't a surprise, given that Eddie doesn't have much to compare it to. Wayne usually works nights, so he prepares his own meals, usually from a can. Before he lived with Wayne, his mom died when he was young, and his dad hardly tried to cook, usually supplying him with TV dinners. So, more often than not, Gareth's mom was the one who made sure he was eating somewhat healthy. ]
I'd say give her my regards, but, well...
no subject
[ Smiling Gareth just shrugged. It was nice to know that his friend was eating, something he always feels better about. He'd always blame his mom for why Eddie got sent home with food or invited over for dinner when part of it was him. He worried and wanted his best friend to have something more than canned foods or tv dinners. ]
You can tell her once we figure all this bullshit out. Because fuck those guys, my best friend isn't a killer.
[ It's said with the confidence of someone who knows that without a doubt he's right. There's no way Eddie could hurt a fly in real life. He may be able to absolutely decimate them in dnd but that was different. ]
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His smile turns into a much more visible frown, although he does appreciate Gareth's vote of confidence. ]
I will. [ He has his doubts that the court of public opinion will ever change, though. The truth is too impossible to explain. It's much easier for everyone to believe he's a vessel for Satan than to accept that there's a psychic serial killer on the loose that's determined to make his way back into Hawkins. ] Though, to be perfectly honest? I'm not sure I'm gonna be sticking around much longer after all of this is sorted out.
[ He always did have plans to leave Hawkins behind, even before he had been accused of being a murderer. He just wish leaving Hawkins behind didn't also mean leaving everyone else. ]
no subject
[ Gareth will just blame the mouthful of food for the way he stumbles on his words. Eddie doesn't need to know how his words make Gareth's heart sink. He knew it was going to happen eventually. He knew that Eddie would graduate and be out of Hawkins, he just hoped it happened at the same time as him so they could go together.
This was different though, this wasn't graduation...this was Eddie going on the run. ]
Indianapolis? I mean I know we always talked about you getting a place out there.
[ He pointedly ignores the slight shake to his hand and instead shovels more meatloaf into his mouth before downing more soda. ]
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The way everyone rallied to the cause of tracking him down, that's just not something he's ever going to forget. ]
Yeah, or maybe even further. If I can wrangle enough cash together.
[ He's not sure how he's going to make this work without finishing high school, but it's not like he'd survive the rest of high school. He wouldn't trust his teachers not to fail him again simply because of what happened, too. ]
But, um. Let's take it one step at a time, yeah?
[ Because there's no point in looking that far ahead when there's no guarantee Eddie will even be able to get his name cleared. And if he doesn't, then he's going to have to tread very carefully to get the hell out of Hawkins without being caught. ]
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Right, I mean sure.
[ Gareth sets about finishing his portion of the food and his soda before he finally says something again. Cleaning off his fork to set on his bedside table before scooting back to rest against his pillow, pulling his knees up to his chest, he stared at Eddie for a bit. ]
So...what's the plan from here? I wanna help, Eddie. And don't sit there and tell me I can't because I'll be damned if I'm not allowed to help my best friend escape an angry mob of idiots.
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A part of him just wants to disappear, become nothing more than a memory. While the other part just wants everything to go back to normal, so he can go back to pretending he didn't just almost die in an alternate dimension. ]
I don't know. [ His voice sounds strained. He doesn't want to put Gareth in any more danger than he already has; it had already been bad enough, the damage Jason Carver did while seeking out Eddie and Dustin. ] If we can get a message to Henderson..
[ But even that feels like it's risking a lot. Dustin is awful at keeping his mouth shut, and even worse at lying convincingly. He can't put all of that on the poor kid. ] Or, I don't know. Think you could get to Buckley or Harrington?
[ This was a bad idea. A really, terribly bad idea. But at least he can count on Steve to keep his mouth shut, and to drive him out of town safely. And Robin, he feels a surprising amount of kinship with, after everything. If nothing else, they deserve to know he's still alive...right? ]
no subject
[ Gareth sighs a bit as he leans back and looks at the ceiling. He could easily get ahold of Henderson, he had the guys number. Harrington and Buckley might be a bit harder, granted he could go to the video store and use that as a cover? Might work so long as Keith wasn't there. ]
I can try at least? I've got Henderson's number so I can call him but I'd have to like...go to Family Video or something to talk to Harrington or Buckley.
[ Picking at his sleep pants Gareth thought on it more before snapping. ]
Or I could look them up in the phonebook. There's no way the Harrington's aren't in there.
no subject
No phones. Coded messages only. Though Henderson's probably smart enough to get the idea, not sure about Harrington.
[ He frowns at the mention of Family Video. It would figure that life would go on as usual despite the fact that the town is broken. Eddie can't help but wonder if Robin and Steve even felt the weight of Eddie's supposed death at all. ]
I'd, um. I'd like to see them in person, if we can get a hold of any of them. It might be stupid and dangerous, but I don't care. The world might end fucking tomorrow, anyway.
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[ Looking confused Gareth just sighed and shook his head. ]
This shit is weird, Eds...and you are so not going to waltz right into fucking Family Video when you're still wanted. They are like...lynch mob mentality here with you. I'm still surprised the rest of us haven't been targeted.
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I'm just a scapegoat. It's, uh. Jason's fault that you all were targeted in the first place. Without him leading the mob I guess it's a little harder to stomach targeting kids.
( He shrugs, just looking tired more than anything else. )
But fine, I'll stay hidden until we can figure all of this out.
no subject
[ Shaking his head Gareth just watches the other before nodding again. ]
For now just rest up, like I said I'll take care of it. You can lie low here, either up here or in the garage. Hell we might be able to make you a crash pad in the crawl space above the garage. No one goes up there because it just has a bunch of dads stuff he left here.