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

The First Time

Trigger/Content Warning - Sexual content

Chrissy was quiet on the drive to Eddie's place. She knew it worried Eddie to see her that way, but she was still processing their confrontation with Jason.

"Do you want to stop and get some snacks? For the movie?" Eddie asked, somewhere along the way.

"Sure," Chrissy answered absently, but when Eddie pulled into the gas station just outside the trailer park she looked at him in alarm. "Oh, Eddie, we don't have to go here," she said quickly.

Eddie, who had parked, sat staring straight ahead and didn't say anything for a moment. The Robinson's gas station had closed for a few weeks, after Heather's death on the premises, but since it had reopened Eddie hadn't gone back. He'd seen Mr. Robinson around the trailer park a few times, and he'd offered him his condolences, but he hadn't been able to bring himself back to the scene where he'd watched Heather die.

"It's ok," he said quietly. "I've just got to get it over with."

"I'm right here..." Chrissy reached over and touched Eddie's shoulder gently.

***

A white, wooden cross and flowers in various states of freshness and decay were arranged against the front of the small store. As they walked past the display, Chrissy took Eddie's hand. Inside, a young man around Eddie's age was working the till and a few customers were waiting in line to pay for their gas. Eddie held her hand tight as they perused the aisles of snacks and drinks. When he stopped and stood shaking in front of the exact spot where Heather must have died, Chrissy put her arm around his waist and held him until he was ready to move on.

They bought pop, popcorn, and Twizzlers to recreate the theatre experience they were missing and when they left the store Chrissy could feel the tension leaving Eddie's body with every step they took towards his van.

"Do you want to drive?" Eddie asked her.

Chrissy looked at him, surprised. "Are you sure?"

He looked back, smiling, but she could see the sadness in his eyes. "Yeah," was all he said.

So Chrissy drove them the rest of the way to Eddie's. When she pulled up in front of his trailer, Eddie was quick to jump out. He ran around the van to her side and yanked the door open for her, offering his hand to help her down. When she landed on her feet in front of her he scooped her into the most ferocious hug.

"Eddie," she laughed, "what are you doing?"

"Just... I'm grateful, you know... for everything," he mumbled into her hair. He nuzzled her and squeezed her even tighter, lifting her up onto her tip-toes. Chrissy sighed and relaxed in his arms. She knew how he felt.

"We better go or we'll miss the movie," Eddie joked when he finally let her go. He pulled her up the steps in mock urgency and Chrissy followed him, laughing. When he stepped inside his trailer he flung his arms wide to take in the living room. "Welcome to the Munson home theatre experience! Take your seat and I'll be back with an assortment of viewing options in just a minute."

Eddie shooed Chrissy towards the couch and she sat. "I have a bunch of tapes from the store in my room," he said, smiling at her. "There should be something you'll like, I'll just go get them." He turned and jogged out of sight down the hallway.

Chrissy sat in the living room, waiting. She could hear Eddie crashing around in the back of the trailer, looking for his tapes. Looking around, she felt a creeping sense of déja vu. The room was dimly lit, like it had been that night. The curtains in the trailer were drawn to keep the sun and the heat out. In her mind she could hear the clock chime and her heart started to pound. She didn't like being alone in this living room. "Eddie? Did you find them?" she called, nervously.