Peanut Butter Without the Crust -

Ch.3 Touching Hands

When the Munson's entered the police station everyone knew it. There was no mistaking Eddie Munson and his uncle Wayne for anyone else. The younger of the two men had long brown almost black hair, what looked to be home done ear piercings lining each ear. Wore his infamous raglan shirt with the Hellfire emblem on it. Denim vest over his leather jacket, both which had seen much love and better days. His combat boots thudded against the floor as he walked behind his uncle. 

Wayne led the way going straight to the office of the chief, his old flannel half tucked in and his jeans looking worse for wear. His old work boots would have thudded more if he'd put for force into his steps like his nephew did. Knocking on the door quietly the old Alpha sighed softly, prayed to whatever god he still believed in that Eddie wouldn't terrify the poor kid or get into a fight with Hop. Even if it was good natured when he wasn't in handcuffs. 

The door open slowly and Eddie the less experienced Alpha recoiled from the strong pheromones leaving the office "Damn Chief, territorial much?" 

"Shut it Munson, I'm not in the mood to fight with you right now. I'm keeping the pup calm" Glaring to show his seriousness he pushes open the door more before moving to lean against his desk, keeping his full body exposed so Steve didn't feel threatened. 

Entering the office one after the other, Eddie being the last on in and shutting the door his usual happy go lucky grin fell when he saw the teen. He was small, frighteningly so. Eddie had been a sophomore when King Steve had arrived to highschool, middle school popularity following him like a kings court but then one day he'd just vanished. It was so close to Christmas break everyone had just assumed he'd gone on a trip with his parents, how wrong they were it seemed. 

Steve was curled up on the couch clinging to the police bomber jacket, eyeing the two new men like they might hurt him. Wayne was the first to start letting off his pheromones, it was stronger than even Eddie had ever witnessed. Saw dust and beer mingled with Hop's whiskey and gunpowder. 

Curling further into the jacket the teen on the couch stays calm, eyes trained on the metalhead before him instead of the two Alpha's trying to keep him calm.  

Taking a step forward Wayne smiled softly "Hey pup, I'm Wayne. Did Hop here mention you'd be coming home with me?" Receiving the barely there nod he continued to speak, the usual calming effect of his voice amplified as he turns to see what Steve is looking at "That's my nephew Eddie" 

Getting a nudge on the shoulder from the older Alpha, Eddie took a step towards Steve. He wasn't waving out his scent like the other two, knowing being younger his scent was naturally overpowering as it is. Taking small steps at a time till he's right in front of the couch the older of the two boys crouches down so he's level with the other. 

"Hey there Pretty Boy" He could feel the glare from Hop on the back of his head after he spoke though it didn't deter him. Half listening to the adults in the background talk about information that didn't concern him at the moment, too drawn into the sort of bubble that had encased the other. 

Steve had no scent of his own which intrigued Eddie beyond anything, even unpresented pups had scents. Granted they all smelt of milk and honey till they were scented properly by their pack but still, they had a scent. Eyes focused on the teen in front of him who shifted forward gently just barely entering Eddie's personal bubble and sniffing. "I smell good huh Pretty Boy, hey now you don't have to back up it ain't a bad thing" 

The two sat like that for a while, just barely into each other's personal space. Eddie was surprised the other could stand being so close, not even some of his friends could for long. The strong scent of leather and fresh guitar strings pleasant but overwhelming since even when he had it controlled it was still over powering. The strong scent of a virle Alpha. 

"Alright pups" Hopper spoke first, breaking the small bubble and causing Steve to jump slightly. "Sorry son, Eddie and Wayne are going to take you home now alright?"

"Home?" His voice cracked from lack of use, still sounding so small. It broke all their hearts, no one had ever seen or even heard of an abuse case this bad in Hawkins. Ever. 

Reaching forward with slow hands Eddie gently grabbed the smaller boys in his own. "Yeah Sweetheart, Home. We're going to stand okay? Can you walk?" 

With very little effort he pulled Steve to his feet. Eddie didn't have many muscles to begin with, mainly chub with his only true muscle strength being the ones given to him by his genetics, and of course the arm strength from his guitar. Steve was light, he had figured that much, but much lighter than Eddie thought he would or should be. He wasn't completely malnourished, still had some fat to his body but it was clear he hadn't eaten in at least a week's worth of time. 

Eddie didn't like it, but he pushed his thoughts of disapproval to the side so he could focus on keeping the other on his feet. Frowning as he watched the younger boy shake and stumble, he moved one of his hands from its place holding Steve's to placing it on the smaller boys waist.

 "Stevie, you're unsteady, I know you wanna walk I see that look in your eye. But the truck is a ways away ok? Let me carry you m'kay? You can walk around the trailer all you want Pretty Boy how does that sound?" With a shaky nod and his free hand reaching up to wrap around Eddie neck the taller leaned down and gently scooped the boy into his arms. "Chief, you can get your jacket later" 

"Nah keep it, I'll have Beth order me another one." Placing a hand on Wayne's shoulder Hop waved them off, keeping the older Munson back so he could speak to him without the prying ears of the others. 

Watching Eddie carry Steve out of the office then out of the station door the pair exchanged a look. Reaching for his cigarette pack the chief let out a soft chuckled sigh "That nephew of yours sure is something alright" 

"Yeah? Why you say that?" Wayne was curious, naturally. Eddie and Hopper we're at odds with each other most times yet playfully fighting and bickering the next. Never had a compliment, or at least something that sounded like one, been given so openly. 

Sitting in his desk chair with more of an umph than needed the old chief let out a half smile "Since I found that boy an hour and a half ago he's been skittish, scared and any other word you could use for it. You're pup walks in here and with in minutes he's in Steve's personal space then with a blink Steve's all up in his. Hell he used more pet names than most teenagers out on lovers lake before he even considered using a nickname for him yet the boy drank it up like it was water" 

"I'll admit it was unusual and all but hell Ed's always been unusual. 'Sides Jim, if that pup's truly been lock in that house for three years he's prob'ly so touch starved that Eddie's touchy feely nature is blowin' his poor little brain" Chuckling warmly Wayne picked up the box of supplies that had been picked up for Steve and nodded to Hopper "You have a good night now Chief"