This Year is My Year

Everything and Nothing

Eddie was making me watch The Shining for the sixth time since we started dating. He knew it so well that he was able to speak along with the movie, mimicking the actors' voices.

We were in his trailer, laying on his couch, still drunk on the "might love you's" from this morning. We had come back here from breakfast, wanting to do everything and nothing together. We settled on nothing, watching the overdue tapes from the video store and drifting in and out of naps. I buried my face further into his chest and he pulled me close, kissing my forehead.

I smiled, thinking back to this morning. Eddie had actually been kind to Steve, inviting him to sit with us, encouraging him to come on Robin's Big Adventure. I was thrilled at the potential of a friendship between the two of them, bridging the awkward gap in the group and removing Eddie's jealousy of Steve.

I could tell that Steve still had his separate issues with Eddie, but I would worry about that later. Maybe Robin could help with that.

I was drifting off to the sounds of Jack Torrance clacking away on his typewriter when Wayne entered the trailer, looking around. I smiled brightly at him.

Wayne was such a kind man. It was apparent how much he cared for Eddie – Wayne often teased him in front of me, telling me stories of a young and wild Eddie Munson, wreaking havoc throughout the Forest Hills Trailer Park. He was thrilled that Eddie's grades had recently picked up (I may have pushed on that one; I wasn't kidding when I said I wanted Eddie to graduate before Dustin) and had started coming home from shifts with new D&D and fantasy novels for Eddie. I knew he didn't understand them, but it was sweet that he still got them.

He had taken to me quickly, often inviting me to have dinner with the two of them and asking me questions about my life and experiences. He was surprised with how many questions I asked back, wanting to get to know him as well. I learned about his upbringing, his prior military service, and why he enjoyed working night shifts so much. Eddie commented once that he didn't even know some of the things Wayne had shared with me.

Wayne beamed down at the two of us.

"Boy, I am glad you kids are here, or this spitfire out here might have killed me." Robin poked her head around the door, smiling her madwoman grin.

"Buckley!" Eddie greeted her and Robin bounded in, collapsing into the armchair next to us. Wayne chuckled as he closed the door behind him. He ruffled Eddie's hair, eliciting a groan from Eddie, and gently patted my head as a hello.

I watched him shuffle to the kitchen, placing his keys on the counter and opening the fridge to start dinner.

"Freak, I can only imagine how many times you've made Y/N watch this flick since I've seen it three times since I've graced you with my friendship." Eddie belly laughed and Robin grinned. I loved how well they got along, teasing each other, and taking care of one another.

Robin was so excited that Eddie led the charge in planning her Big Adventure. Eddie joked with her about going to a country western bar, but Robin started running with it, excited at the thought of line dancing and cowboy hats. They settled on three different bars, each with different clientele and music so Robin could really experience the city.

"You excited for tomorrow night, Rob?" I asked, nudging her with my foot. She grinned wickedly, nodding her head.

"I'm mostly excited to see Munson two-step." I didn't even have to look at Eddie to know that he was rolling his eyes. I laughed and she leaned back, proud of her joke.

"How was your shift, Buckley?" Eddie asked absent-mindedly. He was the one who often got her started on her tirades, prompting her with more questions. He was always genuine in his questions, forging his own friendship with her, knowing how important she was to me.

"Oh, the usual, Munson, the usual," she sighed, picking up a tape from the coffee table and studying. "I don't know how the world would turn if I didn't show up and serve at the Family Video."

We laughed as she started her rambling, describing the different people that came in, the cute girl that had been in at every shift Robin worked.

"Steve thinks that she shows up for me, but like, he and I always work the same shift, so maybe she's there for him? Or maybe she just really loves Grease. God, and Harrington was so moody, sulking all day and making himself mad." Robin twisted her face, realizing she over spoke again.

"Why was he so moody?" I asked, confused as we had left breakfast in a good mood. She was literally biting her mouth together, not wanting to speak further.

~~~

I needed to be able to separate my work on Eddie Munson Exposure Therapy Sessions and my personal life – I was constantly oversharing things that didn't need to be overshared.

Y/N stared at me, befuddled by my uncharacteristic silence. Eddie was also confused, no longer watching his favorite movie.

"He's just Harrington, you know? What doesn't make him moody?" I tried to speed past it, not wanting to tell Eddie why Steve was upset. "Munson, do you have that sheet music you showed me today? Is it in your room?"

I stood, starting towards his bedroom. He raised an eyebrow, slowly nodding. I smiled and widened my eyes at Y/N, hoping that she would follow so I could tell her. She rolled her eyes, understanding and getting up from the couch. We walked back, and she closed the door behind us.

"Why was Steve so moody, Rob?" Y/N was concerned now. I winced and gave an awkward smile.

"You can't be mad."

"You can't ask me not to be mad about something I don't know about," she retorted. I looked at my feet.

"You know how you told me about how you and Eddie...you know?" She nodded, confused for a moment until realization came over her.

"Oh, Robin," she sat on the bed, laying back and shaking her head. "I haven't ever told Steve about that stuff. Even before Eddie."

"Oh, I realize that now, especially because of his reaction." I laid on the bed next to her, staring at my best friend. She stared straight ahead at the ceiling, thinking. "I'm really sorry, Y/N."

She patted my hand, smiling softly, still looking at the ceiling.

"It's alright, blabbermouth," I smiled as she continued, "I just don't know what to do about Steve. One moment I think he's okay, and then the next minute, he's this green-eyed monster. And the worst part is that he doesn't even tell me why he's actually upset, like I can't see through it and his excuses. I just miss the old Steve."

She was sad, and I frowned, disappointed in our best friend's behavior. I sat up on my elbows.

"Leave it to me, Y/N. I've got a plan." She looked to me, bemused.

"That's a scary thought," she teased. I rolled my eyes and stuck my pinky finger out.

"I promise I do. Trust me."

She grinned and took my pinky in hers.

"I always do, Buckley." We got up, leaving the room. Eddie lit up as soon as Y/N came back, collapsing back into his arms as he kissed her sweetly. I smiled as they situated themselves, wrapping themselves around one another and settled in to continue the movie. Eddie looked back up at me, smiling.

"Come and finish the movie with us, Rob," he invited. I smiled at the nickname and sat back in the armchair.

I was going to make sure the next Eddie Munson Exposure Therapy was the most successful yet.