This Year is My Year

We Depart at Sundown

Alan handed Helena the cigarette he had lit as he continued to tell us stories.

"There's no fucking way that happened," Eddie interrupted, incredulous at what Alan had told him.

We were all around the campfire that Steve had built, sharing beers as the little ones were exploring the creek that fed into the lake. Eddie was perched on a log and had placed me between his legs so I would remain close to him. He had one of his hands on my shoulder, absentmindedly tracing my neck with his thumb. Helena and Steve mirrored our position, but Helena had her arm snaked around Steve's calf. Robin and Cristina were set next to each other, Cristina's hand on Robin's knee.

"I shit you not – that cute serial killer came into the shop and bought an Iron Maiden album last week," Alan laughed. He was talking about Jason Carver – apparently, he had driven out of his way to Alan's music shop as to not be caught by anyone he knew in Hawkins. He hadn't recognized Alan from the party. Alan crossed his legs as Helena handed him his cigarette back. "He was wearing that cute little basketball jacket and everything."

"Maybe Jason would want to come to one of our shows?" Jeff joked, punching Eddie in the arm. Gareth was sitting right next to him, giggling at Jeff's question.

"That's not funny," Eddie sniped. "We can't have people like Jason Carver listening to our music."

I smiled at Eddie's morality around his metal music. I wrapped my arm under his thigh, placing my hand on his knee as he started on a tirade.

"It's music for the outcasts and freaks! Not preppy jocks who are assholes," Eddie was vamping, making us laugh. He looked at Steve. "Present company excluded, Harrington."

This made the entire group laugh as Steve's jaw dropped. He threw his bottle cap at Eddie – though it was new, I enjoyed their friendship with one another. Eddie laughed as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, crossing them across the top of my chest.

"Maybe Jason's just trying to bridge the divide," I joked before kissing his forearm. He squeezed my shoulders.

"Any way to copy me to get closer to you, I guess," he teased before kissing my cheek. I know he was joking, but it made my stomach drop – I hated the idea of Jason trying to get close to me. Robin grabbed the small stereo Steve had brought along, tuning to a radio station. Steve bobbed his head once she settled on the station, pulling Helena close to him before kissing her on the top of the head.

"Eddie! Eddie! Eddie, you won't believe it!" Dustin was running back towards us, followed closely by Lucas and Mike. I stood, worried something had happened to one of them.

"Are you okay?" I shot over to Dustin, checking him all over to ensure he had all of his limbs.

"We're fine!" Lucas panted. They all stopped, breathing heavily, keeping us all on the edge as we waited for an explanation.

"Are one of you runts going to fill us in?" Robin snapped, annoyed with how long it was taking. Steve flicked her ear, frustrated with how rude she was. She was incredulous, couldn't believe that everyone wasn't as impatient as she was.

"Basketball team. By the lake. Already drunk." Mike explained between breaths. I looked at him quizzically, unsure of what they meant. Eddie stepped in front of me, hands on his hips.

"And we are sure of this?" He was suddenly like a general, asking questions of his soldiers. I watched him, even more confused.

"Positive," Dustin affirmed. Eddie turned to us, suddenly smug. He held his hands out.

"Intrepid adventurers – it appears that we have an opportunity to execute the campaign we have discussed for many moons," he explained, looking to each member of Hellfire Club. I smiled at how dorky my boyfriend could be.

~~~

"I want to go on the record stating that I think this is stupid, and you shouldn't do it," Y/N remarked from behind me. Hellfire was lined up in front of me, waiting for their marching orders.

"And I would like to go on record stating that this is official Hellfire business, and does not concern you," I replied, turning on my heel to face her. Her jaw dropped and I winced. I scampered over to her, taking the back of her neck in one of my hands and pulling her in for a quick kiss. I pulled back as she looked up at me, bemused. "Sorry, dove. Normally, your statement would carry much heavier weight. But we are at war."

"Honestly, this is kind of exciting," Alan commented, leaning into Y/N. I smiled graciously at him, and Y/N smacked his arm.

"Don't encourage him, Alan!"

"I'm with Alan – Jason and his lackeys are dicks," Robin stepped into line with Hellfire, winking at me. I was thrilled by this development, turning back to Y/N. She had her hands on her hips.

"Buckley, you're joking."

"He slammed Victor Hutchins into a locker last week – Victor has a broken arm and leg, and Jason slammed him into a locker!" she explained, crossing her arms. Y/N and I turned to Steve, the last holdout. Steve scratched the back of his head, looking nervous.

"I'm sorry, Y/N, but I think I've got to go with Eddie on this one. This is a pretty perfect opportunity to pull this off, and Jason really sucks."

"So, we stoop to his level?" She was incredulous, stunned at her friends for going with my plan. I smiled as I leaned close to her face.

"No – we go much lower, dove."

"That's worse, Eddie."

"All's fair in love and war, fair maiden," I retorted before kissing her forehead. She was trying to stay mad, finding it harder to do so as she recognized the ridiculousness of the situation.

"Okay, fine!" She finally conceded, making everyone cheer. She rolled her eyes, smiling as I kissed her again. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, facing my army.

"Okay – my fair maiden will be in charge of our camouflage and will remain at the campsite during the campaign with our newest adventurers," I gestured to Alan, Helena, and Cristina, "As they are our allies, but this is not their battle."

I pointed to Steve.

"King Harrington will lead a faction to sneak up from the left flank, and I, Eddie the Brave, will flank from the right. We will determine the two different factions before sundown."

I then focused on Robin – who had often accused me of leaving her out or giving her lame things to do – and smiled at her.

"And Robin, our Bard. She will be the distraction."

Robin's face lit up.

"Seriously? That's, like, actually cool!" she chittered, looking to Cristina who laughed at her excitement.

"Seriously. Your role is the most critical to our success, Chatterbox," I replied, nodding my head. I snapped my fingers. "Intrepid adventurers – prepare yourselves! We depart at sundown."

The group dispersed, chattering on about the prank we had planned to pull. I turned to Y/N, who was still in my arms. Her look of bemusement was still etched across her face.

"What?" I asked. She shrugged before leaning up to kiss me.

"I just might love you, Eddie the Brave."