The Freak and His Queen [Eddie Munson x Chrissy Cunningham]

A Deal in the Woods

Trigger/Content Warning: Mention of drugs

Chrissy couldn't remember the last time she had laughed. Really laughed. It had been so long since she'd felt good enough to laugh like this. If she was being honest with herself, she worried she couldn't even remember what good felt like. But here it was — a tiny crack of light in the dark. Eddie Munson was making her laugh. And for a moment she felt better than she had in a long, long time.

But the moment didn't last and Chrissy's mind was drawn back to the fear gnawing at her insides. The looming sense that she was losing her mind. "Do you have anything... maybe... stronger?" she asked, pushing the words out. When she raised her eyes Eddie was looking at her. Was it surprise on his face? Or concern. Don't, she wanted to say. Don't look at me like that. Not you. And, as if he could hear her thoughts, he stopped looking at her quizzically and his smile came back. He's trying to make me feel better, she realized.

"I have some Special K," he said. "That's stronger. But I don't have any on me."

"Oh," she said, quietly. She could feel the hopelessness closing in.

"I can get it though," he hurried to say. Somehow he must have seen her heart sinking. "It's just at my place."

"Can we go?" she asked, only a little bit too eagerly.

"Yeah." He laughed gently. "But... won't they need you at the game soon?"

"Oh shoot!" Chrissy rubbed the side of her hand against the picnic table again, thinking. "Could you take me to your place... after the game?"

"Sure, I can do that," Eddie said. She saw a flash of that look on his face again. Surprise? Concern? But it quickly disappeared and he asked, casually, "You're ok to ride in my van? You're not worried about someone, you know... seeing you with me?"

Chrissy hadn't really thought about it. It didn't matter, she decided. Everyone would be busy after the game, win or lose. And besides, she didn't know who else to go to for help. "It's fine," she said. She stood up. "I guess I should get going." She paused, feeling shy. He'd been so nice to her. "Thanks, Eddie."

Eddie stood too. "Hey, it's my pleasure." He clasped one hand over his heart and gave her a silly little bow, surprising a giggle out of her. "I'll see you after the game," he reassured her.

"Ok." She smiled at him and started to turn away, but as she looked into the growing shadows in the forest she felt the icy hands of fear holding her in place. She couldn't shake the feeling that something awful was out there, waiting for her.

Eddie cocked his head, still smiling, though his brow was furrowed slightly. He looked like he was trying to figure something out. Maybe it was her. "Hey, uh, do you want some company? I've got to head back to school anyway," he said, tentatively.

A strong feeling of relief swept over Chrissy. Whatever was out there couldn't get her if she wasn't alone. She nodded her head vigorously. She was so tired of feeling afraid.

Eddie grabbed his lunchbox then he leaped onto the table and jumped off, landing in a puff of leaves and dirt next to Chrissy. She stepped back, startled, and laughed. "I don't really like the woods," Eddie said, making a face. "They give me the creeps. You're doing me a BIG favour, letting me walk with you." Chrissy smiled. He was doing it again, trying to make her feel better. And it was working. 

Author's Note:

My name is Oatmeal! This is my first time writing fanfiction! Eddie and Chrissy were just too sweet not to inspire a story like this one.

I'll try to post a chapter a day. I hope everyone likes it! Feel free to comment — good, bad, anything!