The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 35: Upside Down Revelations (+17K Views!)

A/N: Hmmm, this a bit of weird chapter. Thoughts?

Thank you so, so much for the 17K views! I can't believe The Break has hit another milestone so soon!

Content warning: unsafe drinking and discussion about trauma.

*****

Nancy knew it had not been her place to tell him. She should have just lied, made up a story to explain why as a group, you were all so bonded by trauma. But in the aftermath of seeing horrors that now only occupied the mind, rather than a physical presence in reality- Eddie had had so many questions. All of them valid. Spilling from hims lips, tongue tripping over the sheer amount of concern had had for your wellbeing. He had been beside himself with fear. The sight of your rolled back eyes and limp form, now permanently burned into his retinas. Just as you dreamed of demogorgons, the brunet would now suffer night terrors of you lying motionless in his arms.

So, when he had demanded- no, begged- practically on his knees, imploring her for an answer, as to why you were scared of the dark and why such a circumstance of miscommunication, had resulted in the mental decline of generally level-headed Steve Harrington, Nancy had told him the truth. About Eleven, and the Upside Down, about Will, and Barb, and the Demogorgons, and Bob, and the mindflayer, and Billy, and what truly occurred at Starcourt Mall and led to Hopper's passing- all of it. She spoke until her voice ran hoarse and her cigarette was nothing more than a useless, unsmokable stub, which she carelessly tossed aside into the mud and snuffed out the failing amber glow, beneath the sole of her boot.

When she was finally finished, Nancy felt a dizzying sense of relief. While she knew that you would probably never forgive her for corrupting Eddie's perception of reality, she knew that in the long run, it was best if he was told now rather than later, when a Demogorgon was threatening to rip out your throats.

And Eddie believed her. There was no doubt in his mind that she was telling the truth. While he should have been questioning her sanity, laughing incredulously at her fantastical story of good versus evil, he believed Nancy because she was the most pragmatic person in your friendship group. If she was going to lie to him, she would not have opted to weave a tale of parallel realms and monsters. And so, upon learning the reasoning behind your darkest fears, Eddie vowed to himself to do everything in his power to keep you safe. From this reality and the next.

You had always worried that upon learning about the Upside Down, he would at best, think you were unhinged or at worst, run for the hills. Well, Eddie was resolute on never leaving your side, unless you asked him to and he did not think you crazy. In fact, he thought you were a fucking hero. You had faced the unimaginable and while you had not escaped completely unscathed, you were functioning better than most people would in your circumstance. While the people of Hawkins heralded the likes of Jason Carver, they had no idea what ferocious entities you had faced, in order to preserve their suburban landscape. You were the most metal person Eddie Munson had the pleasure of knowing and he wished the whole world knew just how amazing you were.

Which was why, when Eddie'a gaze finally fell upon you, you who was finally awake and none the wiser to his newfound information, he did not ask irrelevant questions, such as 'are you alright?' but instead, he gathered you into his arms and held you close. The sweetest of nothings fell from his lips, as he pressed his lips to your temple, continuing to thank his lucky stars that you were still with him. Still breathing, alive and irrevocably you. If Eddie had known that your problems went beyond your toxic parents, he would have worked even harder to ensure that you had a future beyond Hawkins. A town that did not deserve your valiance. There was no way you were staying a minute longer than you had to in that forsaken place.

"Let's, uh, let's not do that again." you joked weakly, your voice muffled against the coarse material of his denim vest. Eddie felt cool to the touch, the chill from the outside atmosphere still clinging to his skin.