𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐬

FOURTEEN: liquid courage.

RHYS AND EDDIE. For Rhys, it felt as if they fit like two puzzle pieces. No trying to force them to fit together like jamming them forcefully out of frustration to finish the puzzle. He couldn't say that, no, it'd sound totally crazy when it's the first night they'd been together so intimately, but honestly, nothing about Rhys or Eddie seemed normal at the same time.

They were always sort of flirty even when they were younger, but Rhys never did anything because he knew Eddie was sort of smitten for some kid named James. Rhys always liked Eddie, probably since the first time that they've ever met. And that was a long time. He properly met Eddie when he was 15 and Eddie was 13, he kind of thought he was cute. But nothing about it seemed "normal".

All his life, Rhys has been told to do the following: graduate top of his class, check. Apply to a good college, nope. Find a nice girl, not even close. Get a good job, sort of but not the ideal one they had in mind. Get married, no. Have kids, never in a million years because 1, kids are annoying, 2, he can't even take care of himself properly some days and 3, he mostly swings towards men. Live a long happy life with a happy family. Yeah. Right. Like follow into their footsteps. Exactamundo.

He's embraced liking Eddie at this point.

At some point he's thought to himself why embrace the norm? Rhys was so sick of it. That's why he gave in the moment Eddie kissed him, he let go of the thoughts and worries he had when he first ever thought of liking Eddie in a more than yeah-he's-my-bro kind of way. It was definitely way stronger than the friendship he feels for Nora, Avery and Silas. Because when his younger self would be around Eddie, it'd feel like he can't breath and his mind would be practically running 100 miles per minute. And he'd get nervous.

And even now, he still feels that way. Which is why he freaked out later that day he was supposed to hang out with Eddie. He downed like three shots and wrote up a text he then deleted. Took three more shots and wrote another text he deleted. Again. He really was trying his best, he really was. But then he passed out on the couch.

And kept doing the same routine until Friday night when he finished typing the text and groaned, about to delete it when Avery snatched his phone and sent it. "Ave!" He had shouted at her. "You're welcome. You'll be sucking dick tonight thanks to me." She slides his phone back over and he just scoffed.

"Shut up!" He said but his face is full on red at that thought. "It's just Edster. Right?" Avery said and continued to shuffle the deck of cards so she can play something with Nora and Silas before they were off to the Hideout for their shifts. A side bonus of working at a bar, landing a gig because you have a sweet band that plays actual good music than the other musicians in this sad, little town.

She had a point of it just being Eddie. It's weird to be so freaked out over it. It's an old friend. This was what Rhys had repeated over and over when he walked all the way from the Hideout, (three shots = liquid courage), to Scoops Ahoy and waited outside, by Eddie's vehicle. And now here they were, all tired out and laying side by side in Rhys' bed.

"Should've taken me to dinner first." Rhys murmured and Eddie just laughed, rolling his eyes. "But honestly though, I'm usually not so easy." The blond moved to lay onto his side and the brunette follows his actions. "Really?" He says and Rhys quickly nods. "I only kiss on the first date, get handsy on the third, maybe hand or blow job on the fourth, then I go all the way on fifth dates." He says and Eddie nods. "Hm... well, we can go on those dates." He said, grinning widely at Rhys.

"Really?" The Campbell asked in a quiet tone and the Munson nods. "I--I really like you. I'd like to go on a date with you. I'm sorry I sort of jumped you." He says, chuckling and Rhys just shakes his head. "Don't apologize... I've been wanting to for a long time." He says and Eddie looks up almost instantly at that. "Really? Like... how long ago?" He whispers and Rhys just smiled, looking away.

"Uh, remember that time... you came by with Silas and we were all taking hits from a bong? I remember watching you and you looked up and it kind of looked like--" "oh, my God. Stop!" Eddie covered Rhys' face with his hands and the blond laughed, pulling the brunette's hands away. "It was so hot. I've always been very attracted to you, Eddie." He says and the younger's face went full red, rolling his eyes slightly as he glanced away. "But... I always figured you were like in love with James." He shrugs and Eddie looks up.

"I--I wasn't in love..." He mumbled but that's a lie. "It's okay. I have you now." Rhys is grinning as he leaned down and pressed kisses all over Eddie's face. The Munson squirmed and smiled big, his arms around Rhys' shoulders before the blond stopped completely. "Is it weird to say you're beautiful?" He asked and Eddie's face turned red as he smiles.

"No it's not weird... because you are too." He murmured and Rhys basically attacks him with more kisses but this time also on the lips as he got on top of Eddie, falling perfectly between the Munson's thighs as the two of them touch all over one another while they kiss. Rhys pulls back slightly, keeping his face close to Eddie's, "where do you wanna go on that date?" He whispers and Eddie just thinks about it, holding his hands on the blond's lower back as Rhys leans in to kiss his neck now.

"I really... like picnics."

Rhys pulled back, furrowing his brows. "Picnics?" He asked and Eddie nods. "The whicker basket with fruits, sandwiches and like soda, all of it. The white and red checkered blanket and everything." He's smiling and Rhys finds it so cute because of how genuine Eddie sounds while talking about it. "A picnic it is." He leaned in and pressed one more passionate kiss to the Munson's lips.

authors note
them on a picnic 🥹
all while hoppington makes 0 progress 💀 lol dirty munson is more like rushing into things and literally like falling in love at first sight while hoppington are literally Slowburn, 25k words, Enemies To Lovers 😭