Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 21

"I found some frozen peas," Eddie says, holding the bag in his hand. "This is a gnarly bruise, sis." He gently presses the bag against her left eye, already swelling again.

"Yeah, I know," she murmurs, taking it from him. "But it'll heal."

"I just can't believe those bastards came to the house," he mutters, running his hands through his hair. 

Angie notices— it's something Steve does all the time. 

She hides a smile behind the peas, feeling the echo of his lips on hers from the other night.

"I don't get how you're so calm about this," Eddie continues, momentarily pausing his cooking to gesture wildly.

"Let's be honest," Angie says, her throat dry, needing water, "I probably deserved it — the shit I've given them over the years." Her gaze drops to the tile.

"Don't say that," Eddie says without looking up, flipping eggs onto a plate. "Tommy and his goons deserved every bit of it. You? You were standing up for people who couldn't."

"But doesn't that make me just as bad as Tommy?" She shrinks into her grey sweatshirt.

"No," Eddie says, stuffing a bite into his mouth. "You were being a shit to someone who bullies innocent people. That cancels out."

She considers this logic, unsure if it eases her guilt.

"Sure, bro," she says, taking her plate. "You're gonna be late for work."

"I've got a little bit," he shrugs, glancing at his cheap wristwatch. "Work doesn't start until 7:30."

She plants a playful kiss on his head. "It's 7:15."

"No, it's only—"

Angie points to the clock on the wall. "Are you sure?"

He looks between the clock and his watch. "Shit! My watch is broken again!"

Eddie shovels food into his mouth, grabbing his coat. "Bye, sis. Love you!"

"Wait!" she calls, nearly tripping over a chair. "Give me the watch."

"But I need it to tell time!"

"It's broken, dipshit. We always knew I was the smart one."

"Yeah, yeah," he groans as she ruffles his hair. "I'll give it to Uncle Wayne if he gets back tonight."

They part, but Angie adds one last thing.

"Hey, Ed!" she yells, "Check a mirror before you see those pretty ladies at the theater. Your hair could use some touching up."

"You're face could use some touching up, you little shit!" he calls back, speeding off on his bike.

Angie settles onto her bed with her plate, taking a bite of bacon, when there's a knock at her window.

She sets the plate aside and tiptoes over. Pulling back the curtains, her cautious frown melts into a wide smile. Steve is there, grinning as brightly as she is.

"What are you doing here?" she whispers.

"You haven't been at school this week," he says, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I guess I just missed this face."

Her cheeks heat instantly, but she teases him anyway. "Is that so? The great Steve Harrington missed me?" 

She wraps her hands gently around his neck, fingers tangled in his hair.

"Mhm," he murmurs, leaning into her touch.

For a moment, they just stand there, silently testing each other, a habit born from months of hate-turned-affection.

Steve can't hold back. 

His lips crash sweetly onto hers. 

She wraps her arms around his neck, and the kiss deepens, tender and sure.

When they pull apart, Angie's cheeks burn. 

"I'm never getting used to that," she whispers.

Steve only smiles, taking her in.

"What?" she asks, ducking her head.

"Nothing," he lies, pressing a peck to her forehead. "Just noticing how tall you actually are."

"What? I'm not even that tall."

"You literally are, Ange," he says, roughly measuring the space above her head. "Five-seven?"

"Five-eight, actually," she corrects, giggling. "And you?"

"Six foot."

"You liar. I'm not buying that."

"It's true."

"I'm the smart one," she teases.

"Oh really?" he flops dramatically onto her bed. "She cuts me to the heart with hateful words."

"I've defeated the oh-so-brave knight! Now no one can protect the city!" she declares, playfully.

"But alas," he grabs her, pulling her onto the bed, "the knight refuses to be beaten by his enemy!" 

He tickles her sides, eliciting her real, unrestrained laughter— a sharp cackle, more than a giggle.

"I will only show mercy if my enemy begs for it," he teases.

"I will never," she replies, squirming beneath him.

Eventually, he wins.

"So," Steve says, hesitantly, "what does this mean for us?"

Angie hesitates, caught off guard. "I... I don't really know. What do you want it to mean? What do you think?"

"I'm not sure," he admits, voice low. "A lot went down this past week. Tommy and the team are already on edge. I can't risk your safety again. And I don't want to make things worse by being with you. Not publicly, not when I can't protect you properly."

"Oh," she whispers, fidgeting. "So it's about popularity, huh? You don't want to be seen with a freak."

"Angie, no—no, that's not it at all!"

"It's fine," she says, forcing a small smile. "I get it. It's important to you. I'm okay with that."

She moves to stand, ready to ask him to leave, but he gently grips her shoulders.

"I'm not done," he mutters, voice heavy. He notices her hands fidgeting — something she does only when she's lying or hurting. "There's still more I want to say."

"But I don't want to hear it," she admits, fighting tears.

"You don't want to hear that I... desperately want to keep you safe, but I also can't keep myself away from you?"

She freezes. "W-what?"

Steve sighs, debating. "What if... we still get together, but don't tell Tommy or anyone else? He doesn't need to know. You'd be safe. I'd be happy. If you want to do it... if not, that's okay too."

Before he can retreat, she tugs him around by the sleeve of his jacket and kisses him— deep, urgent, everything they've held back spilling out.

When they pull apart, she whispers, "I'd do anything just to be with you. I can't stay away either."

He grins, brushing hair from her face. "You have no idea how much I care about you, Angelica Munson."

"I bet it's about as much as I care for you, Steve Harrington," she teases.

Steve presses a peck to her forehead. "You know..." he smirks, eyes scanning her, "...you should wear my clothes more often. They look good on you."