This Year is My Year

Kiss It and Make It Better

"I'm serious, Eddie," I insisted as I swiped my thumb across his cheek, leaving a dark mark of mud across it. He smirked at me before setting his hands on my hips, scooting me closer to him.

"No, you're Y/N," he teased. I rolled my eyes as he grinned wildly. We were sitting on the floor of our tent, waiting for the sun to set. He cocked his head to one side and his smile made my heart catch.

"Eddie," I warned, glaring at him. He took his hands that were on my hips and pulled me onto his lap, wrapping my legs around his back. He kept his arms around the small of my back, looking up at me as I continued to mark his skin for camouflage.

"Hey, look at me for a second," he asked since I refused to look him in the eyes. I looked down at him as he squeezed me. "We're going to be fine. It's going to be fun."

"Jason's an actual sociopath."

"And we're actual warriors."

"Eddie," I groaned. "He wouldn't have a second thought about hurting you guys. Especially because of how he's acted the last couple of weeks."

"I'm not going to let anything happen to Dustin, dove."

"I also don't want anything to happen to you, Eddie," I said softly, placing my hands on his face. His eyes glistened through the mud on his face, his expression softening.

"I'll be fine, dove." He was firm, wanting to assure me. It didn't make my anxiety go away. I continued to watch him, studying his eyes. He started kissing my neck, trying to distract me from my nerves.

"Eddie –" I was trying to stay focused, but then he bit my earlobe, making me gasp.

"And when I'm back from a successful mission," he was kissing my neck between his words, "We can put our tent to good use again."

This made me laugh and I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. I put my lips to his ear.

"You better be safe, Eddie Munson," I warned. "I'm not interested in bandaging your wounds tonight."

He pulled back, grinning wildly.

"But what if I want you to kiss it and make it better?"

I leaned close to his face, staring him right in the eyes.

"You don't need wounds for me to do that."

He laughed maniacally before setting me on the floor of our tent, kissing me. I shrieked with laughter as he started rubbing his muddy face on mine. I begged for him to stop as he tickled my sides, kissing my neck as I laughed.

"You guys are gross."

We were surprised, turning our heads to the entrance of our tent. Dustin stood there, framed by Robin and Steve.

"You'll understand when you're older, little one," Eddie insisted, pulling me up with him, deftly. I kept my arms around his neck in spite of the stares. He kissed my temple, keeping his face pressed to the side of mine.

"I echo Dustin's thoughts," Robin teased, waggling her eyebrows. "You guys ready to do this thing?"

I nodded as Eddie pulled me up, keeping his arms around me. We walked back out to the campfire, the group huddled around the fire and chattering wildly. I looked over the lake, watching the sun finally set. Eddie pulled me close to him, kissing my neck. I turned back to him, still full of nerves. He beamed down at me.

"We're going to be fine, dove," he continued to assure me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him to me. I started kissing his neck, making his face flush.