[ Eddie could probably cry right now. Tears of joy because Gareth is okay, and he's listening to Black Sabbath and for a moment he could pretend that the world hadn't been unalterably changed.
A part of him thinks he should leave without being seen. Let Gareth go on living his life. He doesn't need to deal with something like harboring a wanted criminal, even if the town had been convinced he's probably dead. But then if he doesn't seek out Gareth's help, who is going to help him?
Before Gareth has a chance to close the window and go back to sketching, Eddie pops his head up and finds himself face to face with his old friend. He probably looks like shit, considering he came straight here, but that's the least of his worries. ]
Sorry to disappoint, but that was not the wind.
[ He can't help but flash a goofy grin, though his eyes look like they're brimming with tears and, yeah he might actually cry. ]
[ Gareth had been through enough shit, even before the earthquakes. The amount of bullshit he had to deal with from the rock for brains jocks and getting roughed up by Jason had him on edge more than usual. So when Eddie popped his head through the window Gareth's immediate reaction was to grab whoever it was, pull them into his room over his desk, and slam them to the ground ready for a fight. However his hand stalls in the air when he sees who it is.
Eddie.
His best friend.
Eddie who had been there for him through his parents divorce, Eddie who was a wanted criminal but had to be innocent. Eddie who wouldn't hurt a fly. His own eyes are wide before he's hauling the other up into a hug, not even questioning why the guy looks like shit or where he'd been. ]
Holy fuck, Eddie. You're really alive? Like seriously?
[ Pulling back Gareth is already looking the other over and taking inventory of Eddie's appearance. ]
[ It's entirely possible Eddie had not exactly thought this whole thing through. Of course Gareth would be freaked out by the sudden appearance of someone, even if that someone happened to be Eddie. Right now, there's very good reason to be spooked.
It's like whiplash when Eddie goes from being slammed into the ground to pulled into a hug within the span of several seconds, but he finds himself returning the crushing hug without a second thought. ]
Unfortunately. Though I kinda feel like death. Fuck, man, you wouldn't believe what I've been through.
[ A part of him doesn't want Gareth to know. Not because he doesn't trust him, but because he doesn't want to pull his friend into all of this interdimensional bullshit. It's a bit too late for that, though, because he expects Gareth isn't going to let him crash until he knows what has happened. ]
Hold that thought yeah? Do you need a first aid kit?
[ After taking a few minutes to breath, relaxing into the familiar presence of his friend, Gareth pulls away. Standing he helps Eddie up and pushes him towards his bed to sit down while he digs around in his stuff. ]
You're a fucking mess, dude. If you wanna find something of mine to wear you can...not that most of it will fit...
I'm gonna grab the first aid kit, just...stay there.
[ He's already heading out to the bathroom, bedroom door shut behind him, before Eddie can even say anything. Gareth is panicked but also relieved. Eddie is alive and well, he's safe for now. The teen has half a mind to call Wayne but then thinks better of it. He's lucky enough that his parents aren't home so no one is there to worry over the ruckus they had made upstairs at first. Or to question why he was grabbing a couple bottles of soda and a box of Twinkies from the cupboard before heading back upstairs to his room. ]
[ Before Eddie can even so much as answer Gareth, his friend is off to find him something to wear, and...oh yeah, his clothes are kind of wrecked. It does register that he should probably be in pain, and maybe it's the adrenaline, or maybe it's the Upside Down messing with his pain tolerance, but he feels strangely fine.
Still, he should probably change into something a little less ripped to shreds. ]
Thanks, yeah, I'd appreciate tha-- and okay, he's gone.
[ He shakes his head with an amused fondness, because damn he had missed this. He had missed Gareth, and Jeff, and jamming in the garage. He had missed bouncing ideas off his friend for his new campaign in vague enough terms that it would still be a surprise when it came to fruition.
He can't help but look around, see if anything has changed about Gareth's room since the last time he was in here, before collapsing onto the bed when realizing that his exhaustion is beginning to creep up on him. The pain, too. Maybe it is a good thing Gareth has gone to get the first aid kit. ]
Just gonna... [ He mumbles to himself as he kicks off his boots so as not to completely ruin Gareth's bedspread with the grime from the Upside Down.
And then unceremoniously, he sprawls across the bed for a brief rest. The clothes can wait, especially since he'll just need to get bandaged up before he can throw new ones on. ]
[ When Gareth returns with food, drinks, and first aid kit in hand he sets them down before moving over to the bed. ]
Don't die on me, got it? Just got you back.
[ Helping Eddie back up he took in the sight of the torn up jacket and the shreds of cloth beneath it. He couldn't help the quiet awed sort of curse as he moved to help his friend out of it. ]
You look like you got mauled, what the hell man?
[ reaching over he grabbed the first aid kit and began patching up what he could after they had gotten Eddie's top out of the way. Dabbing at obvious open wounds that look like bites...bites that Gareth had never seen before. They didn't look like anything they had in the area, it was weird and certaintly unsettling. ]
Eddie...what the hell took a bite out of you? This doesn't look like a coyote or bear or anything...what the fuck man?
[ Safe in Gareth's room, this is the first time Eddie has felt like he can fully relax in over a week. The days that it took to get from his re-entrance into Hawkins to Gareth's house, and then before that it was a constant game of cat and mouse, with being accused of murder.
So he doesn't think too much about the fact that his wounds don't really line up with anything from this area, much less this realm. ]
You wouldn't believe me. [ He closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath, but closing his eyes just brings back the flapping of wings, a tendril around his neck, choking him, and he flinches. The mark around his neck looks like he tried to hang himself, which isn't too far from the truth considering the whole thing had felt like a suicide mission that he shouldn't have survived. ]
I wouldn't believe me. Shit's really fucked up. Like seriously fucked up, man. There's another plane of existence underneath Hawkins kind of fucked up.
Dude, this looks like it's gonna need stitches...I mean I could probably get my moms sewing shit but...
[ He trails off when he hears Eddie talk about....another plane of existence? He sort of gives a humorless laugh and rolls his eyes. ]
Sure you haven't had a bit too much of your own stash trying to fight off the pain? You sound a little delusional there bud.
[ He manages to get the wounds mostly cleaned up and bandaged properly. Thank you boy scouts, he had only been in it because his mother demanded it...but in the end it came in handy so oh well. After he gets that done he looks Eddie over more, eyes falling on the marks on his neck before softening. He can't help but think the worst, can't help but see them and think of a noose around Eddie's throat. He can't help but imagine Jason and his idiots on a witch hunt and lynching his best friend. It makes his eyes sting and he ducks his head to hide the wetness that collects before he grabs the cleaning supplies and sets to work on his friends neck next.
The irregular and random pattern of the wounds on his sides didn't make sense. Not for a mob attack. They really did look like some sort of animal but one that Gareth had never seen before.
[ Yeah, Eddie can't really blame Gareth for thinking that. He knows he sounds crazy. He sounded crazy when he recounted to Steve, Robin, and the rest of the gang what he saw, and he still sounds crazy now, talking about the Upside Down. If he hadn't experienced it himself, he would think he's crazy right now.
He can't blame Gareth for not believing him. He doesn't really have proof beyond the scarring, but at the end of the day, he would rather have Gareth not believe him than have the demobats flooding into the real world. ]
Yeah, no, I haven't smoked for a couple weeks, man. Sad to say I did not get to grab my stash before I went on the run. [ He offers Gareth a sad smile as he lets his friend continue to patch him up. It's when he reaches his neck that he flinches, and disassociates as he finds himself mentally returning back to being torn apart.
It's honestly a miracle he's here right now, and he knows it. ]
Look, you know as well as I do that there are no fault lines. The thing that killed all those people, the ones that they're blaming on me? He's who we have to thank for there being giant craters in the middle of Hawkins.
[ Eddie's right, Gareth does know better than all of that. He can't bring himself to be that surprised with what he's hearing. Eddie isn't one to make shit up. Sure he writes whole fantasy epics for his campaigns but he doesn't just make shit like that up to fuck with his friends, especially not when it's so serious like this. So Gareth listens, he sits and patches Eddie up and he listens to what the guy has to say. ]
Okay...so...that's a lot.
[ He finally gets a moment to process and it's hard. His brow is furrowed as his hands fall to rest on Eddie's knees absently. ]
So you're saying there's some weird alternate dimension and something from that other side was killing people and...what...opened like gates or something to that other side and those are the craters that appeared with the earthquakes? Do I have all that right?
[ Standing Gareth sort of ran a hand through his hair and paced a bit. ]
That's a lot of weird to take in, Eds. Even for Hawkins.
[ As Gareth manages to piece together all the weird shit that Eddie has learned to be true in the past few weeks, Eddie's eyes glaze over as he focuses on the dulling pain. He hopes that it's only dulling because Gareth has been patching him up, and deep in the recesses of his mind he can almost hear a frantic Robin worrying over Steve potentially having rabies.
He supposes that's now something Eddie has to worry about as well. ]
Yeah, trust me, I wish that weren't all true, but. I saw with my own eyes. I saw these people float above me, it's. [ He trails off as he gets a distant look in his eye, the images of Chrissy floating, Patrick floating, and the unnatural way their bodies were manipulated by a seemingly invisible force. ]
I know what I saw. And I know it sounds completely insane, but I really need you to believe me. Because the only other people who do know what's going on think that I'm dead and I need them to continue thinking that.
[ His voice cracks as he speaks, and as he talks about Steve, Dustin, and the rest of the party, he looks right at Gareth with a pleading look, his eyes shimmering with frustrated tears. ]
Woah woah woah, hey, Eddie. It's okay. I believe you, it's weird as shit but of course I believe you.
[ Finishing up what he was doing, Gareth stood and moved to instead sit next to Eddie, a hand on the others shoulder gripping tightly. He's trying to be reassuring, trying to help Eddie know that he was there for him. ]
Why do people need to think you're dead? I mean, do they think you committed the murders? Because fuck them if so.
[ Gareth has always been a damn good friend to him, since the moment they met. He feels bad, that the guy had gotten roughed around all because of him, and now he's asking him to risk so much more just by being here? Harboring a fugitive, like the way he risked Steve's and Dustin's and everyone's lives just by letting them help him.
It's still taking him some time to process that it's okay to let people help them if they want to, that he doesn't have to be on the run, alone. ]
Thank fucking god, because if you didn't... [ Well, he would have probably been able to get the others to convince Gareth, but then that would defeat the whole purpose of trying to pretend he was dead. ]
Jason had the whole town after me, with pitchforks and everything. That's why it's better this way. [ Eddie's voice cracks as he speaks, and he winces at how pathetic it sounds. ]
Jason's one of those people that went missing when the earthquake hit...and I mean...at least here your safe. Mom doesn't think you did it, any of it. Doesn't think you could. Step-dick doesn't get a say in things.
[ Continuing to grip the others shoulder the drummer forces a smile on his lips, more for Eddie's sake than his own. ]
Point is you're safe here, not letting any of those idiots near you. If anyone has a problem they'll have to go through me and the rest of Hellfire. We've always got you back, Eds. But...there are people out there that are worried about you. What about your uncle? Or Henderson? The kid was frantic looking for you.
[ Eddie had been running for so long, he has almost forgotten what it felt like to have a safe haven. The grip to his shoulder was nice, it grounded him, reassured him that Gareth is here, and that he means what he says.
He takes his opposite arm and places a hand over Gareth's on his shoulder in response, patting it in thanks before curling his fingers around Gareth's and giving it a squeeze. It hits him in that moment, just how tired he really is. ]
Thank you. [ He smiles sadly as he thinks of Dustin, of his uncle. Maybe there isn't any harm in at least letting them know he's alive. ]
If there's a way we can let them know without alerting the whole town, maybe. [ It's probably safer for them not to know, but if the pitchforks were called off after Jason's "disappearance" then maybe there's little to worry about. ] I just don't want them to get caught in any crossfire if people find out I'm alive and want to hunt me down again.
I saw Henderson volunteering at the shelter in the gym, I can talk to him. No one will question me talking to him, we're friends.
[ Squeezing Eddie's arm again Gareth let's go and instead grabs for his friends hand. He doesn't really think anything about it as he holds Eddie's hand. There's so much going on right now, being able to touch and know that Eddie is safe is all that Gareth can care about. ]
You look like you might pass out but...do you want something to eat? I brought up some Twinkies and soda...it's not much but I figure a real meal might have to wait until after mom makes dinner and they go to bed.
[ Eddie opens his mouth to reply to Gareth, to thank him for going out of his way by checking in with Dustin, but suddenly he feels Gareth's hand in his and his thoughts just sort of feel like they derail. He isn't sure whether it's just from being touch starved, a general relief at knowing that he's really here, that Gareth is really here, or something else, but he knows that he doesn't want to let go of Gareth's hand anytime soon. ]
Oh, yeah, food would be awesome. [ As if on cue, his stomach started growling, and Eddie smiles sheepishly with a squeeze of Gareth's hand. ] Kind of haven't eaten in, uh, probably days by now.
[ Without letting go of Eddie's hand, Gareth grabbed the box of twinkies and soda he handed them over to Eddie with a small smile. ]
Just don't fill up on them, I think mom is making meatloaf tonight. So there will definitely be enough for me to snag you some later.
[ And he wasn't going anywhere until he had to grab them food, something told him his best friend needed him so he was there. Running a thumb over sharp knuckles and cold rings, Gareth waited quietly while Eddie dug into the junk food. ]
[ Maybe Eddie is a little touch-starved. He can definitely admit that much, and so is more than happy to keep a hold of Gareth's hand for this long. But he half-expected to be the one to have to seek out that kind of attention.
He wonders if Gareth is even aware he's doing it. ]
Shit, meatloaf? Definitely have to save some room for that, then.
[ Considering the mostly "real" last meal he had was Spaghetti-O's out of a can, he will eat just about anything at this point. Still, he gives Gareth's hand a squeeze as a sign that he's teasing at least a little before he started in on a twinkie.
And shit, once he starts, it's hard to eat politely. He hadn't realized how ravenous he's been feeling until now, and practically shoves the rest of the pastry into his mouth. ]
Sorry, you are definitely not seeing me at my best. [ He doesn't have a free hand to pull his hair in front of his face and hide behind, so the blush he's currently sporting is on full display. ]
[ Gareth sits and watches as the other devours the pastries, a soft look passing over his features as he sighs. ]
Eds, don't worry about it, okay? You know you don't gotta pretend around me.
[ Instead of judging the other, Gareth just snags one of the yellow confections for himself and sips at his soda.
If he looks conflicted it's because he is. On one hand he wants to tell his mom that Eddie is there so that he can just bring the other up something to eat without having to eat downstairs, he wants to make sure the other gets what he needs instead of letting him devour a bunch of empty calories and sugar. But at the same time he knows he can't, not yet. Not with how much of a dick his stepdad is and not with Eddie still wanted for murder. ]
[ 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. ]
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A part of him thinks he should leave without being seen. Let Gareth go on living his life. He doesn't need to deal with something like harboring a wanted criminal, even if the town had been convinced he's probably dead. But then if he doesn't seek out Gareth's help, who is going to help him?
Before Gareth has a chance to close the window and go back to sketching, Eddie pops his head up and finds himself face to face with his old friend. He probably looks like shit, considering he came straight here, but that's the least of his worries. ]
Sorry to disappoint, but that was not the wind.
[ He can't help but flash a goofy grin, though his eyes look like they're brimming with tears and, yeah he might actually cry. ]
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Eddie.
His best friend.
Eddie who had been there for him through his parents divorce, Eddie who was a wanted criminal but had to be innocent. Eddie who wouldn't hurt a fly. His own eyes are wide before he's hauling the other up into a hug, not even questioning why the guy looks like shit or where he'd been. ]
Holy fuck, Eddie. You're really alive? Like seriously?
[ Pulling back Gareth is already looking the other over and taking inventory of Eddie's appearance. ]
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It's like whiplash when Eddie goes from being slammed into the ground to pulled into a hug within the span of several seconds, but he finds himself returning the crushing hug without a second thought. ]
Unfortunately. Though I kinda feel like death. Fuck, man, you wouldn't believe what I've been through.
[ A part of him doesn't want Gareth to know. Not because he doesn't trust him, but because he doesn't want to pull his friend into all of this interdimensional bullshit. It's a bit too late for that, though, because he expects Gareth isn't going to let him crash until he knows what has happened. ]
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[ After taking a few minutes to breath, relaxing into the familiar presence of his friend, Gareth pulls away. Standing he helps Eddie up and pushes him towards his bed to sit down while he digs around in his stuff. ]
You're a fucking mess, dude. If you wanna find something of mine to wear you can...not that most of it will fit...
I'm gonna grab the first aid kit, just...stay there.
[ He's already heading out to the bathroom, bedroom door shut behind him, before Eddie can even say anything. Gareth is panicked but also relieved. Eddie is alive and well, he's safe for now. The teen has half a mind to call Wayne but then thinks better of it. He's lucky enough that his parents aren't home so no one is there to worry over the ruckus they had made upstairs at first. Or to question why he was grabbing a couple bottles of soda and a box of Twinkies from the cupboard before heading back upstairs to his room. ]
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Still, he should probably change into something a little less ripped to shreds. ]
Thanks, yeah, I'd appreciate tha-- and okay, he's gone.
[ He shakes his head with an amused fondness, because damn he had missed this. He had missed Gareth, and Jeff, and jamming in the garage. He had missed bouncing ideas off his friend for his new campaign in vague enough terms that it would still be a surprise when it came to fruition.
He can't help but look around, see if anything has changed about Gareth's room since the last time he was in here, before collapsing onto the bed when realizing that his exhaustion is beginning to creep up on him. The pain, too. Maybe it is a good thing Gareth has gone to get the first aid kit. ]
Just gonna... [ He mumbles to himself as he kicks off his boots so as not to completely ruin Gareth's bedspread with the grime from the Upside Down.
And then unceremoniously, he sprawls across the bed for a brief rest. The clothes can wait, especially since he'll just need to get bandaged up before he can throw new ones on. ]
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Don't die on me, got it? Just got you back.
[ Helping Eddie back up he took in the sight of the torn up jacket and the shreds of cloth beneath it. He couldn't help the quiet awed sort of curse as he moved to help his friend out of it. ]
You look like you got mauled, what the hell man?
[ reaching over he grabbed the first aid kit and began patching up what he could after they had gotten Eddie's top out of the way. Dabbing at obvious open wounds that look like bites...bites that Gareth had never seen before. They didn't look like anything they had in the area, it was weird and certaintly unsettling. ]
Eddie...what the hell took a bite out of you? This doesn't look like a coyote or bear or anything...what the fuck man?
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So he doesn't think too much about the fact that his wounds don't really line up with anything from this area, much less this realm. ]
You wouldn't believe me. [ He closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath, but closing his eyes just brings back the flapping of wings, a tendril around his neck, choking him, and he flinches. The mark around his neck looks like he tried to hang himself, which isn't too far from the truth considering the whole thing had felt like a suicide mission that he shouldn't have survived. ]
I wouldn't believe me. Shit's really fucked up. Like seriously fucked up, man. There's another plane of existence underneath Hawkins kind of fucked up.
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[ He trails off when he hears Eddie talk about....another plane of existence? He sort of gives a humorless laugh and rolls his eyes. ]
Sure you haven't had a bit too much of your own stash trying to fight off the pain? You sound a little delusional there bud.
[ He manages to get the wounds mostly cleaned up and bandaged properly. Thank you boy scouts, he had only been in it because his mother demanded it...but in the end it came in handy so oh well. After he gets that done he looks Eddie over more, eyes falling on the marks on his neck before softening. He can't help but think the worst, can't help but see them and think of a noose around Eddie's throat. He can't help but imagine Jason and his idiots on a witch hunt and lynching his best friend. It makes his eyes sting and he ducks his head to hide the wetness that collects before he grabs the cleaning supplies and sets to work on his friends neck next.
The irregular and random pattern of the wounds on his sides didn't make sense. Not for a mob attack. They really did look like some sort of animal but one that Gareth had never seen before.
But there was no way Eddie was serious right? ]
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He can't blame Gareth for not believing him. He doesn't really have proof beyond the scarring, but at the end of the day, he would rather have Gareth not believe him than have the demobats flooding into the real world. ]
Yeah, no, I haven't smoked for a couple weeks, man. Sad to say I did not get to grab my stash before I went on the run. [ He offers Gareth a sad smile as he lets his friend continue to patch him up. It's when he reaches his neck that he flinches, and disassociates as he finds himself mentally returning back to being torn apart.
It's honestly a miracle he's here right now, and he knows it. ]
Look, you know as well as I do that there are no fault lines. The thing that killed all those people, the ones that they're blaming on me? He's who we have to thank for there being giant craters in the middle of Hawkins.
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Okay...so...that's a lot.
[ He finally gets a moment to process and it's hard. His brow is furrowed as his hands fall to rest on Eddie's knees absently. ]
So you're saying there's some weird alternate dimension and something from that other side was killing people and...what...opened like gates or something to that other side and those are the craters that appeared with the earthquakes? Do I have all that right?
[ Standing Gareth sort of ran a hand through his hair and paced a bit. ]
That's a lot of weird to take in, Eds. Even for Hawkins.
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He supposes that's now something Eddie has to worry about as well. ]
Yeah, trust me, I wish that weren't all true, but. I saw with my own eyes. I saw these people float above me, it's. [ He trails off as he gets a distant look in his eye, the images of Chrissy floating, Patrick floating, and the unnatural way their bodies were manipulated by a seemingly invisible force. ]
I know what I saw. And I know it sounds completely insane, but I really need you to believe me. Because the only other people who do know what's going on think that I'm dead and I need them to continue thinking that.
[ His voice cracks as he speaks, and as he talks about Steve, Dustin, and the rest of the party, he looks right at Gareth with a pleading look, his eyes shimmering with frustrated tears. ]
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[ Finishing up what he was doing, Gareth stood and moved to instead sit next to Eddie, a hand on the others shoulder gripping tightly. He's trying to be reassuring, trying to help Eddie know that he was there for him. ]
Why do people need to think you're dead? I mean, do they think you committed the murders? Because fuck them if so.
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It's still taking him some time to process that it's okay to let people help them if they want to, that he doesn't have to be on the run, alone. ]
Thank fucking god, because if you didn't... [ Well, he would have probably been able to get the others to convince Gareth, but then that would defeat the whole purpose of trying to pretend he was dead. ]
Jason had the whole town after me, with pitchforks and everything. That's why it's better this way. [ Eddie's voice cracks as he speaks, and he winces at how pathetic it sounds. ]
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[ Gareth sighed as he shook his head. ]
Jason's one of those people that went missing when the earthquake hit...and I mean...at least here your safe. Mom doesn't think you did it, any of it. Doesn't think you could. Step-dick doesn't get a say in things.
[ Continuing to grip the others shoulder the drummer forces a smile on his lips, more for Eddie's sake than his own. ]
Point is you're safe here, not letting any of those idiots near you. If anyone has a problem they'll have to go through me and the rest of Hellfire. We've always got you back, Eds. But...there are people out there that are worried about you. What about your uncle? Or Henderson? The kid was frantic looking for you.
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He takes his opposite arm and places a hand over Gareth's on his shoulder in response, patting it in thanks before curling his fingers around Gareth's and giving it a squeeze. It hits him in that moment, just how tired he really is. ]
Thank you. [ He smiles sadly as he thinks of Dustin, of his uncle. Maybe there isn't any harm in at least letting them know he's alive. ]
If there's a way we can let them know without alerting the whole town, maybe. [ It's probably safer for them not to know, but if the pitchforks were called off after Jason's "disappearance" then maybe there's little to worry about. ] I just don't want them to get caught in any crossfire if people find out I'm alive and want to hunt me down again.
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[ Squeezing Eddie's arm again Gareth let's go and instead grabs for his friends hand. He doesn't really think anything about it as he holds Eddie's hand. There's so much going on right now, being able to touch and know that Eddie is safe is all that Gareth can care about. ]
You look like you might pass out but...do you want something to eat? I brought up some Twinkies and soda...it's not much but I figure a real meal might have to wait until after mom makes dinner and they go to bed.
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Oh, yeah, food would be awesome. [ As if on cue, his stomach started growling, and Eddie smiles sheepishly with a squeeze of Gareth's hand. ] Kind of haven't eaten in, uh, probably days by now.
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Just don't fill up on them, I think mom is making meatloaf tonight. So there will definitely be enough for me to snag you some later.
[ And he wasn't going anywhere until he had to grab them food, something told him his best friend needed him so he was there. Running a thumb over sharp knuckles and cold rings, Gareth waited quietly while Eddie dug into the junk food. ]
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He wonders if Gareth is even aware he's doing it. ]
Shit, meatloaf? Definitely have to save some room for that, then.
[ Considering the mostly "real" last meal he had was Spaghetti-O's out of a can, he will eat just about anything at this point. Still, he gives Gareth's hand a squeeze as a sign that he's teasing at least a little before he started in on a twinkie.
And shit, once he starts, it's hard to eat politely. He hadn't realized how ravenous he's been feeling until now, and practically shoves the rest of the pastry into his mouth. ]
Sorry, you are definitely not seeing me at my best. [ He doesn't have a free hand to pull his hair in front of his face and hide behind, so the blush he's currently sporting is on full display. ]
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Eds, don't worry about it, okay? You know you don't gotta pretend around me.
[ Instead of judging the other, Gareth just snags one of the yellow confections for himself and sips at his soda.
If he looks conflicted it's because he is. On one hand he wants to tell his mom that Eddie is there so that he can just bring the other up something to eat without having to eat downstairs, he wants to make sure the other gets what he needs instead of letting him devour a bunch of empty calories and sugar. But at the same time he knows he can't, not yet. Not with how much of a dick his stepdad is and not with Eddie still wanted for murder. ]
Just don't make yourself sick, yeah?
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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. ]
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[ 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?
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[ 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. ]
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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...
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