The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 61: Relationships Regrets

A/N: So, I've been away for a little way but I was not idling the time away. Instead, I've been constructing this beast of a chapter. It took a long time to write but oooh boy, am I pleased with the result. I think you will be too? There are quite a few trigger warnings, so take care to read those before proceeding.

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of blood, assault, police, trauma, toxic parents, anxiety, low self-esteem and break ups.

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"I'm worried." the brunette stated, as she chewed at her fingernails. A once long forgotten bad habit, that had decided to make a reappearance during her visit to sunny California. Not that she had the pleasure of having the golden rays dance upon her bare skin. Most of her time in the unfamiliar landscape had consisted of being cooped up in a car or stuck inside four walls. Still, there was something pleasant to say about the stifling heat. It was a nice change to the constant chill that seemed to seep into every corner of Hawkins.

With a sigh, her boyfriend leant against the kitchen counter. It had been a long night and truthfully, all he wanted to do, was bundle his exhausted girlfriend into his arms and carry her to his bedroom. They both needed sleep. The darkened circles beneath her dulled eyes concerned him more than his own dishevelled appearance but he knew it would be fruitless to tell her to rest. Until the police arrived, Nancy would be determined to stay awake and be on hand, should you need anything from her.

That was what he loved about Nancy most- her undying loyalty to her friends and he knew if the roles were reversed, you would do the exact same thing for her. He was also aware that, her stubbornness was somewhat born from guilt. She had not been there for Barb when the Demogorgons had dragged her friend into the Upside Down. In her mind, Nancy would always be seeking atonement for that one mistake. Try as he might, Jonathan wished he could tell her that it was okay, that she could take her eyes off of you for one moment to get some rest, the he and Steve would keep an eye on you but she would never listen to such reason.

So instead, he waited up with her, fighting sleep with too bitter coffee and whatever sugary snacks he could find in the cupboard. "You and me both." he agreed, following her gaze out of the wondow, that looked onto the garden. He could just about spy upon your blanket huddled figure. As long as you were in sight, Nancy would not bite her fingers down to the knuckle. Only her nails would suffer. "How bad was it when you got there?"

"I..." she hesitated in answering. How could she best describe the horror she and Steve had arrived to, when you had finally opened your apartment door to their frantic knocking? The words danced on the tip of her tongue, as she recalled the blood and...it did not matter how carefully she picked her terminology, the moment to explain had been put on an indefinite pause, when she spotted the grim expression on Joyce's face. "Are they on their way?"

"The call handler said they'll be here within the hour." she replied, already reaching for her third cup of coffee. She really should have opted for something sans caffeine but it was looking to be a long night proceeding into an even longer day. The Mother of several thought she would have been better equipped at dealing with emergencies by now but still, she found herself feeling menatlly and physically burnt out. All she wanted was a nap and maybe a microwave meal but with the police en route, she needed to keep her wits about her. You had survived long enough with unstable guardians but it was time for you to have the support of a stable parent in your life and she was more than happy to have you join the Byers family. "Is Y/N still outside?"

As the sun rose above the treetops, the settled cool shade of night began to dissipate, in favour of the familiar Californian sun, but you took no notice of the temperature change. Nothing could warm the ice cold that had made its home within the core of your very bones.