Chapter Text
December 5th, 1986. That’s the day Eddie got the call.
Corroded Coffin had sent demos to anyone who would listen. It wasn’t high quality. They recorded in Gareth’s garage, for Christ sake. But someone had listened.
Eddie picked up the phone and was happily surprised by a record label based out of New York. They wanted to bring the band in and listen to more of their music.
Things went smoothly for the guys that winter. By late January of 1987, they were signed to the label.
Eddie said goodbye to his close friends, his uncle, to live in New York with the band and pursue this.
Leaving Robin and Steve was the hardest part. Eddie and Robin had bonded over the fact that they were both queer, ended up becoming great friends.
With Robin, came Steve. Which Eddie didn’t mind. The men grew close, often smoking pot together to help with the demobat nightmares.
Eddie was sad to leave his home and the people he loved, but excited to start his new career.
Summer of 1987, Corroded Coffin got their first radio hit.
Steve remembers hearing it a couple days after Eddie had called Dustin to tell everyone to listen to the local rock stations every waking moment to wait to hear their song.
It was now the summer of 1989. It had been almost three years, but Eddie was finally home. He had two weeks until Corroded Coffin goes on their national tour.
Steve and Robin were roommates now, all the kids were seniors in high school, Nancy and Jonathan were off at college, Hopper and Joyce had married. A lot had changed.
Eddie was just glad to be back.
*****
Eddie woke up, took his flight to Indianapolis and then a bus to Hawkins. Finally, he arrived at his uncle’s new cabin on the edge of Hawkins.
“My boy.” Wayne grinned as he walked out onto the front porch and smiled.
“Uncle Wayne.” Eddie smiled back, tossing his things down and going in for a hug.
“You been eating enough? You look small.” Wayne huffed, hugging back.
Eddie pulled away with a laugh. “Pretty sure I weigh the same as the last time you saw me, uncle Wayne.”
Wayne had gone to visit Eddie for Christmas of 1988. It had only been about 6 months since then.
“But yes, I’m eating plenty. Trust me.” Eddie chuckled.
The money was good. He was able to send a little bit home to Wayne every month to help him out. Wayne kept saying he was gonna pay Eddie back, but Eddie continuously refused, wanting to gift his uncle. He may have still felt bad for disappearing in March of 1986.
Eddie grabbed his things and walked inside, settling in the guest room for a few minutes before walking back out to the living room to sit with Wayne.
“Dustin called earlier. Wants you at this address at 7 tonight.” Wayne handed a piece of notepad paper to Eddie.
“Sounds like a trap.” Eddie squinted at his uncle.
“It’s a surprise party.” Wayne blurted out.
Eddie laughed. “So, a trap… Thanks for telling me.”
“I know you hate surprises.”
“I really do.” Eddie snorted. He glanced at his watch. It was almost 6.
He and Wayne had meatloaf for dinner and by the time they were finished it was nearing 7.
“This place is halfway across town. I should get going.” Eddie stood up and took his and Wayne’s plates to the sink.
“Have fun.” Wayne grinned at Eddie.
“I’ll try.” Eddie smirked, walking out of the cabin and getting in his car. He was now driving a Ford Mustang. His van broke down early the year before. For good this time.
He drove to the address and pulled up to a small apartment building. One of the only ones in Hawkins.
Apartment 101 was easy to find and he rang the bell. He saw something cover the peephole from the other side and then move away.
“Guys! It’s him! Shut up!” Eddie heard Steve whisper-yell to the rest of whoever was there.
The door opened and Eddie couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Steve was sporting the most amazing porn-stache.
“What?” Steve raised a brow.
“I’m sorry-“ Eddie spoke between laughs. “I just… I was surprised.” Eddie pointed at his upper lip.
Steve rolled his eyes, half smiling. “Whatever. Just come in. We’re glad you’re back.”
Eddie walked inside and everyone got up from where they were hiding. “SURPRISE!”
Eddie faked a yelp of surprise, and suddenly he had several people wrapped around him in a big hug.
All the best people were there. Steve, Robin, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Eleven, and Max.
“You’re squishing me!” Eddie laughed, wriggling out of the hug a little.
There was a collective “sorry” as the people backed away.
“Eddie, it’s so good to see you.” Dustin smiled.
“Yeah.” Mike nodded in agreement.
“You’re a huge rock star now!” Lucas spoke excitedly.
“I dig the new song.” Steve smiled.
Eddie smiled back, then looked to Robin. “Any chance you’ve heard it?”
“Oh, have I heard it? You kidding me? Steve won’t stop listen-“ a hand slapped over Robin’s mouth. Steve’s hand, to get her to shut up.
Eddie gave Steve a surprised look and then laughed.
“Like I said. It’s cool.” Steve shrugged, trying to play it off.
Eddie couldn’t help but notice Steve’s blushing cheeks.
Steve had known Eddie before fame, obviously. But he felt a little starstruck right now.
Everyone spread out in Steve and Robin’s living room, finding places to sit with their snacks and drinks.
Eddie told them all a couple lengthy stories. The first time he ever saw a show at Madison Square Garden, and the time he and the band met the drummer of Metallica at a gas station of all places.
Everyone visited for another hour before Steve announced it was time for the kids to get home.
“Does anyone need a ride?” Eddie asked.
“We drive now, dude.” Max laughed. “Well, some of us.” She eyed Lucas with a smirk.
“I’m gonna pass this time! I know it!” Lucas defended himself.
“We will take Max’s van.” Eleven spoke for the group of younger people.
The kids all got up and said their goodbyes before leaving.
“Now, the fun stuff.” Robin announced.
“What’s the fun stuff?” Eddie waggled his eyebrows.
“Shots. Duh.” Robin laughed, getting up and walking to the kitchen. She returned with a bottle of vodka and three shot glasses.
Robin and Eddie were sat on the couch, parallel to the coffee table. Steve was in the chair at the end of the coffee table.
They each took a shot, not reacting much. Not like when they were younger. They’d gotten used to alcohol by now.
Eddie was the oldest of them, now at 23, almost 24. Steve had recently turned 23. And Robin would turn 22 in a few months time.
“So, any boyfriends to tell us about?” Robin prodded.
Eddie laughed. “Uh, there was this guy I saw for awhile but he was only in it for the money.” He frowned a little.
“Aw.” Robin frowned along with him. “Don’t worry. The right guy is just around the corner.”
“Yeah, totally.” Steve agreed, pouring them each another shot.
They took them, the second one burning a little more than the first. Especially without a chaser.
“Thanks, guys.” Eddie smiled weakly. He’d done a lot of hooking up. Had the one relationship, which ended terribly. He was ready for something real. He wanted to feel something with someone.
“When did you guys move in together?” Eddie raised a brow.
“Last summer.” Steve smiled.
“Steve gets annoyed by me sometimes, but, we love each other.” Robin laughed.
Steve nodded with a goofy grin.
“I’m happy for you guys.” Eddie hummed.
There was an awkward silence.
“Um, you can stay here tonight, if you want.” Steve looked to Eddie.
Eddie nodded. “Yes. Yeah. That would be great.” He smiled.
“Well then I say we do one more shot.” Robin grinned as she poured.
“Definitely.” Eddie smiled.
They took their shots and leaned back.
“So, Steve, I gotta ask…” Eddie motioned to his upper lip. “Why, uh- why?” He tried not to snicker.
Steve rolled his eyes.
“He thinks he looks cool.” Robin smirked.
“I mean, it’s not terrible. But you do look like you’re 40.” Eddie laughed a little.
“Shit, seriously?” Steve frowned.
“Yeah.” Eddie and Robin answered in unison.
“Robin!” Steve shouted, laughing with embarrassment.
“What?!”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Robin chuckled. “I didn’t want to bruise your ego too much.”
“Oh whatever. You think it’s funny.” Steve shook his head at her.
Robin shook her head back at him, rolling her eyes.
Eddie was barely able to control his laughter.
“I’m shaving it off in the morning.” Steve put his head in his hands.
Robin and Eddie continued to laugh for a minute.
“Aw, come on, it’s- like I said, it’s not that bad.” Eddie reached over and out a hand on Steve’s knee.
Steve perked up a little. “Whatever.” He laughed.
“I gotta sleep, guys.” Robin blinked slowly at the men.
“Yeah. I should too.” Eddie nodded before yawning.
They all got up, Robin supplying Eddie with blankets and pillows to use on the couch.
“Thanks.” Eddie smiled. “Night, guys.”
“Night.” Steve and Robin spoke at the same time, leaving to go to their separate rooms.
Eddie settled in on the couch. It was pretty comfy. Better than the first few couches he crashed on in New York. He thought about how far he’s come as he fell asleep.
*****
The next morning, Eddie sat with Steve in the kitchen drinking coffee.
“So where are you working now?” Eddie asked.
“Uh, I’m a car salesman.” Steve smiled awkwardly.
“I bet you sell pretty easy with that Harrington charm.” Eddie winked.
Steve looked away. “Ha. I do okay.” He shrugged.
Eddie looked Steve up and down, noticing his mustache was gone as Steve had promised.
“You’re cuter without it.” Eddie smiled.
“Huh?” Steve looked back at Eddie.
“The mustache. You’re cuter without it.”
“You flatter me, Munson.” Steve laughed and got up to refill his mug.
There was a small silence before Robin walked in. “Hello, boys.” She smiled and opened the fridge, pulling out the milk and pouring herself a glass.
“Hey.” Steve hummed.
“Morning.” Eddie smiled at her.
The three ate breakfast together before Robin left for work around 9:30.
“You work today too?” Eddie asked Steve.
Steve nodded. “Yeah. At 12.”
“I should head out. Let you get ready and stuff.”
“You don’t have to-“ Steve began.
“No, it’s okay. I wanna get home and shower.” Eddie smiled.
Steve nodded. “Alright. Well, don’t let it be too long before we see you again.” He smiled.
“Don’t worry, Harrington. You’ll be seeing plenty of me.” Eddie smirked, getting up and heading for the door. “Bye.”
“See ya.” Steve waved and Eddie left.