The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 64: California Dreamin'

CONTENT WARNING: Suggestive themes, mentions of Steve's parents and PSTD grounding techniques. 18+ only. Mdni.

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One Month Later.

The sun set and rose as it always did and with the morning rays, you had found yourself waking to the gentle chitter chatter of birdsong and your lover's arms wrapped securely around your waist. Through blurry eyes, you lazily surveyed the still sleeping brunet, in all his messy curl glory. Brushing away a rogue lock from his face, you realised that it had been quite some time, since you had last seen Eddie look so relaxed. Generally, most of your shared waking hours involved some kind of stressful situation. From other dimensions to high school politics- a frown was never far from marring your lover's features.

As if sensing your loving gaze, the brunet breathed in deeply, exhaling through his nose, as he stretched out his cramped limbs. As much much as he adored waking up next to you, his body was protesting against sleeping in such a cramped space. With a yawn, your sleeping beauty awoke. Eddie's eyelids fluttered open and you were greeted with a soft quirk of his lips. "Hey."

"Hey, you." you all but melted at the sight. You had missed these gentle mornings together but having him here now, made it easy to forget the hollow ache in your chest, when he had to leave again.

"What time is it?"

"Not sure." your watch lay in arms reach on the coffee table but the effort to make the short trip was not an effort you possessed at that time. "Did you sleep okay?"

As if you really had to ask, Eddie thought, musing at the polite courtesy you had paid him. Your mere presence alone kept the nightmares at bay. No monsters lurking in the dark recesses of his mind, just you, your smile and the lingering memories of kisses, grilled cheese and swimming at Lover's Lake. "Mmm, better than okay." the metalhead's fingers gently traced patterns against your back. At first, they were random squiggles. Then, he drew the words he longed to say out loud. "I've missed this."

"Me too."

"I wish I didn't have to leave tomorrow." more accurately, he wished not to leave you behind in that godforsaken town. Hawkins, he was always very happy to see disappear from view, as the greyhound bus drove further and further away from Indiana and towards sunnier climes. Only, each time he longed to have you nestled in the seat next to him. The sooner he graduated, the sooner he could spirit you as far away as he could from being in such close viscinity to the those cursed labs.

"I know, baby." you murmured, snaking your arm around his waist to draw him in closer. You relished in the warmth that emanated through the material of his Hellfire t-shirt. You yourself had stolen his AC/DC shirt during his previous visit. Now the familiar smell of his cologne and that distinct herbal scent, that seemed to permanently linger on his clothing, had long since faded, you had concocted a plan to switch out yoir current attire for one of his other clothing items. You thought yourself akin to James Bond, that your beloved was none-the-wiser to your antics, when in reality, he knew exactlg what you were up to. In fact, he made sure to pack a variety of shirts each time, so that you'd have dealer's choice, when you decided which of his shirts to steal next. "Still, I'll be travelling to see you in a few weeks. You'll get to have me all to yourself again then."

He could hardly wait. California suited you. Especially when you had a support network of people who cared about you, making sure you were fed and had a roof to sleep under. The warm sunshine seemed to bring out a carefree side to you, that Eddie wished you could indulge in more, while you were stuck in the hellscape that was your shared hometown. "Yeah, in a proper bed too." the metalhead grumbled, a wicked gleam in his eyes. That knowing smirk of his quickly overtaking his features, as your boyfriend leaned in to whsiper, "And a door with a lock-"