This Year is My Year

Clearing Things Up

"Well, now I understand where you are getting your wrong information," Jason sauntered over to us, gesturing vaguely at me, and smiling that dead smile at Y/N. I wrapped my arms around her tighter, and tried to maintain my composure.

Jason had always bullied me – even though I was older than him, I was smaller than him until I turned seventeen. Once I finally grew taller and applied the lessons that I had learned in the trailer park to fight back, he started backing off. Or he would have his lackeys come after me – he never, ever fought fair.

The first time I had defended Dustin from Jason, I had surprised myself with the venom I had for Jason. When I saw him ripping up a copy of the Advanced Player's Handbook, I saw red. I saw so much of myself in that kid at that moment, and I refused to let Jason squash his spirit.

"Not sure what you mean, Jason," I tried to be cordial. Y/N gripped my side harder, and I put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. I returned Jason's cold smile.

"Y/N had it in her head that I 'tormented' her baby brother," he turned to Dustin, cocking his head. "You don't feel that way, do you, bud?"

Dustin was uncomfortable and he stepped behind us. I tried to appear larger to hide him better. Jason turned back to us, fixating on Y/N. I didn't understand his angle.

"Y/N, I just want to clear things up – I think some folks have told you the wrong thing, and I think if you spend all of your time with Eddie, you'll definitely hear the wrong things."

"I'm good, Jason," Y/N was cold. Her tone surprised me – even when she had redirected people she disliked in the past, she still maintained her kind spirit. Jason brought something entirely different out in her.

Jason scrunched his face, frustrated that his normal tactics weren't working. He chuckled and smiled again. The party was still pulsing around us, music loud. No one had noticed us yet.

"I really don't want you or Dustin to have the wrong idea about me –"

"She said she's good, Carver," I interrupted him, wanting him to leave her alone.

"I'm not talking to you, you fucking freak," Jason was not able to maintain his façade with me. His eyes widened, and we locked eyes.

Suddenly, Y/N darted out of my grasp, sending her fist directly into Jason's symmetrical face. He fell backwards, crashing into a group of dancers before hitting the floor. My jaw dropped as Y/N shook her hand in pain.

"Don't fucking call him that!" She was still shaking her hand, and I could see it swelling from the punch. Jason was getting up, fury plastered on his face. Y/N's back was turned to him, still in pain. He started after her, and before he could get to her, I lunged forward seizing him by the collar. I grinned down at him, delighting at his bloody nose.

"I think it's time for you to go, Jason," I dragged him to the front door, Dustin tailing me. Dustin swung the door open for me, and I threw Jason out onto the lawn. A crowd had formed around me, and his minions filed out around me, lifting him off the grass. Jason's perfect hair was messed up, and his nose was pouring blood now.

"Fuck you, you fucking freak," Jason was full of venom, finally giving in to who he really was. I smiled brightly.

"Get home safe, you hear?" I slammed the door in his face, turning to an excited Dustin.

~~~

I watched Eddie slam the door, and I held my hand to my chest, still reeling from the pain of the punch. Dustin turned to me, beaming, thrilled I had just hurt his tormentor. I smiled, feeling a sense of relief from finally being able to defend Dustin. I looked to Eddie, who was making a beeline to me. My relief was replaced with guilt. I put my hands up apologetically.

"Eddie, I'm sorry, I know you said no fist fights—"

Eddie pulled me in, kissing me deeply. I was shocked, sure that he would have been angry with me. I held my hand between us gingerly, wincing when Eddie pulled me closer. Eddie pulled back, guilt flashing across his face when he realized he had hurt my hand with his embrace. I smiled up at him, weakly.

"I'm sorry," I offered, again. He brushed the hair out of my eyes and traced the sides of my face.

"I should have known better than to try to tell you what to do," he kissed my forehead and took my hand, studying the swelling.

"That was one of the coolest things you've ever done," Dustin was at my side, wrapping his arms around me for a hug. I smiled and kissed the top of this head.

"Anything for you, buddy." The Hellfire Club was gathered around us, chattering about the punch, how I yelled at Jason, Eddie throwing him out. Eddie started laughing and tried to quiet them down.

"Adventurers, calm down, calm down!" They quieted and he looked at me, smiling.

"I'm going to take care of the fair maiden's hand – you guys have fun, and we will be back in a bit."

Eddie guided me to the room by the small of my back; I smiled at the party guests who noticed my hand, some congratulating me on punching Jason. He opened the door and kissed me on the nose.

"I'll be right back with ice – sit down, Mike Tyson."

I smiled at this joke, watching him leave. I sat on the edge of my bed, wincing at my swelling hand.

I shouldn't have punched him. I knew better. I knew that Eddie was right – Jason was going to be even worse to not only Dustin, but probably the entire Hellfire Club. My heart sank at the thought of Eddie with black eyes, coming into the diner while trying to smile through bloody noses.

The door opened, and Eddie came in with towels, an ice pack, and bandages. He grinned as he sat next to me, setting his supplies next to him on the bed. He took my legs, pulling them on top of his thigh, my legs dangling between his knees. He pulled me close to him, making me giggle.

He took my swollen hand, gingerly stretching my fingers out. He pressed his forehead into mine as he set the ice onto my red knuckles. I took a sharp breath in as he pressed the ice down, and he brought my hand to his lips.

"Not broken – just bruised," he answered the question that had been rattling in my brain since I had punched Jason's stupid face. He looked up at me, still smiling. His stare made my stomach flip flop and I blushed.

"How do you know?" I asked. He put his arm around my waist, pulling me further onto his lap. He kissed his spot on my neck, making me smile.

"I, unfortunately, have more experience in healing from fist fights, fair maiden," he kissed my temple, and I closed my eyes, leaning into him.

"I shouldn't have punched him," I said this quietly, apologetic to Eddie. I kept my eyes closed as he kissed my forehead. I opened my eyes, and he was smiling, waiting for me to look at him.

"No, you shouldn't have." I winced, guilty again. He kissed me, pulling me close. "It was one of the hottest things you've ever done, though."

I laughed and smacked him on the chest, wincing when I stupidly hit him with my swollen hand. He laughed with me, wrapping me tight in his arms as he fell backwards onto my bed, pulling me on top of him. I kissed him and pulled back, staring at him. He tucked my hair behind my ear and traced my lips with his thumb.

"Thank you for taking care of my hand. And for not being mad at me for the fist fight," I said softly. He smiled up at me and nodded. I nuzzled closer to him. "I might love you, Eddie Munson."

This made his smile grow even more – he normally said it to me first. He rolled on top of me, ensuring he did not hurt my hand. He kissed me deeply.

"I might love you, too, Y/N Henderson." I smiled and pulled him back to my lips. He started tracing his hands all over my body, pulling my dress up. I smiled and started pulling at his shirt. He sat up, pulling it off of him, throwing it to the side of my room.

"Who knew it would take a fist fight for us to get a real shoe adventure?" he was teasing as he came back to my neck, making my hair stand on edge.

I couldn't even register the pain from my hand as Eddie kissed me, pushing the memory of the fist fight and Jason Carver far away.