Y/N x Eddie Munson

Chapter 19 - Bardic Inspiration

Steve drops me off at the trailer park after school, "I'm giving you an hour and if I haven't heard anything I'm knocking the door down" He warns from the idling car. I had practically begged him to give me the lift. He had reluctantly agreed after Robin and me had worn him down in art class.

"Okay Steve, I promise to call if I'm here longer than that. Thanks again for the lift" I lean down to smile at him through the passenger side window before waving him off and heading for the trailer.

I thought I had been worried before but it's not until I approach the familiar home that I start to really get knots in my stomach. What if he doesn't want to see me? My mind swirling with indecision as I knock on the door. I hear shuffling from inside before the inner door swings open and an older man looks at me confused through the screen one. "Can I help you miss? You look lost." He asks in a gravelly yet friendly voice.

"Oh. Ermm...Is Eddie In?" I ask tilting my head at him before remembering my excuse to come over "I... I have his homework" I add sheepishly holding up my rucksack. Thankful that I had thought up some sort of ploy to lean back on. To cushion my heart just in case he didn't want to see me.

Wayne's eyes soften a little "He's sick darlin' or I'd let you come in" He looks over his shoulder briefly towards the warm lamp lights in the living room before looking back at me, lowering his voice, "Poor kid's having a hard time...but thanks for coming to check on him...."

"Who's at the door?" He calls from the living room, his voice sounds off.

"Eddie?" I call through the screen door.

"Y/N?" the concern in his voice echoing mine. He sounds shocked to hear my voice. Wayne rolls his eyes and opens the screen door to let me in.

"Better come in then miss, that's the most interested I've heard him in anything all week." the warmth of their home inviting me in. "I'm going to go out and buy some smokes, don't leave him alone okay?"

"Okay" He pats me on the back as he exits and I make my way into the living room. Gasping softly when I finally see Eddie's equally sheepish face. His face was puffy and bruised on one side, complete with a cut to the cheek and although I couldn't see the rest of his body under the blankets, I could tell from the way he was awkwardly propped up, that his face wasn't the only thing that was bruised. "Oh Eddie! What happened?" I coo as I cross the room to kneel in front of him. Looking up into his sad brown eyes. He looks conflicted.

"Oh this?" He motions to his face, "tis but a scratch" he laughs, but his eyes show a telling wince of pain behind it.

"Don't you try to brush this off as a flesh wound Munson" I warn, lifting my hand to softly cup his injured face. He presses the weight of his head against my palm, closing his eyes. We stay like that, peacefully, for a few seconds before he lifts his hand up to hold mine. "I'm sorry Eddie..." I start but he cuts me off.

"No, you have nothing to apologise for Sweetheart. I'm sorry I kicked off, you didn't deserve it at all. I'm so sorry I did that to you. Left you out there alone. Please forgive me?"

My eyes can't help but scan over his being, taking in everything as I tear up a little. "I forgave you the second you turned around to come find me, I just wish I'd waited longer and not got in the car with Billy." I look over his bruises, "Is this why you didn't come to Hell Fire?"

"Well yes...kind of. I also wanted to give you the space you asked for..." His eyes drop away from mine as he shuffles to sit up on the sofa, patting the spot next to him inviting me to sit. I don't let my hand lose contact as I do, leaving it to rest on his blanket covered thigh. "Ged asked me to give it a miss because of our fight and I couldn't really argue with him on that one" He shrugs, not looking up from his hands. Even sick he was wearing his rings, he had taken one off and was twirling it in his fingers.