This Year is My Year

A Disaster

"The dress was a one-time thing, just for you, Munson!"

I was laughing as he followed me out of the bathroom. I had my towel wrapped tightly around me, my wet hair dripping onto my collarbones. I rummaged through my dresser as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my back close to his chest. He was shirtless, changing for the party I had been wrangled into hosting. I felt my skin flush against his, vulnerable at how exposed I was. My hair stood on end as he kissed his spot on my neck.

"Maybe it could be a two-time thing? Still just for me?" He was tracing up my arm, making me weak. I pulled the towel tighter to me, trying to ground myself.

"You think you could handle that, Man-With-A-Raging-Jealousy-Problem?" I was teasing him, trying to gain control. He was too good at making me flustered – so confident, touching me all over, making my hair stand on end with every kiss. He grinned, Confident Eddie again.

"Maybe I just want to show you off?"

I twisted around, his arms still around my waist and tugging on my towel.

"Maybe I don't want you to get into a fist fight for once?" I kissed him, feeling him smile into my mouth. He pulled me close as I tightened my grip on the towel.

"Only for you, Y/N Henderson," he kissed my nose.

I loved dating Eddie Munson.

I wriggled out of his grasp, making his face fall. I went back to my bathroom, changing into my favorite sundress, and scrunching my hair with the towel to dry it. When I came back to my bedroom, Eddie was pulling on a Metallica t-shirt. I leaned against the frame of the door, smiling as he started preening himself in the mirror, not noticing I was watching him.

"I think you look great," I offered. He jumped, turning to me. His face split into a smile.

"I really like that dress, too," he smiled at the memory of the date in the woods – me in this dress, drinking wine together, and talking about everything and nothing. He crossed to me, kissing me again. I placed my hand on his chest.

"Can you go help Robin set things up, so she doesn't kill Dustin?" I asked. "I need to do my makeup and hair, but I'll never forgive myself if my baby brother is murdered before his first real party."

Eddie laughed, nodding before kissing me on the forehead. I watched him go to the hallway, my heart skipping at the knowledge that he might love me as much as I might love him.

~~~

I was grinning as I went to find Robin and Dustin, dizzy at the thought of Y/N in her sundress. It might not have been The Dress, but it was my favorite dress – the dress from our night.

"Robin, it is a cool shirt!"

"Henderson – it is a Crocodile Dundee shirt!"

They were yelling at each other, and my good mood was suddenly drained and replaced by the panic from earlier in the week. I wouldn't be able to bear it if Dustin was made fun of tonight. I quickened my pace to the kitchen.

The kitchen counters were covered in alcohol Robin had managed to pile into my van earlier in the day – she panicked and bought almost every kind of liquor in the store. She didn't know what Cristina drank – "I was also drunk that night, Munson!" – and didn't want to risk not having the right drink for her.

Dustin was gesturing as wildly as Robin was, the two of them yelling over one another.

"Henderson, what was the point of me talking to your stupid club if you aren't even going to listen to anything I said?"