[CALIBRATIONS] But the memory remains

[the_freak]

Who: Eddie Munson & Open
What: Calibrations
When: June 10th to July 10th
Where: Eddie’s mind
Warnings: Violence, Bullying, Murder, Horror, Parental Abuse, Parental Death, Drugs, Drug Abuse, Bat Like Monsters, Graphic Injury



The trailer you find yourself walking into might appear dated depending on when and where you’re from. Its styling is out of date even for its own period, a bit strange and chaotic. The walls are lined with a collection of random mugs and hats, a fold out cot stashed in a corner near the door. It’s cluttered, and very lived in.

There’s an odd…stain on the ceiling of the living room. Almost a crack? The longer you look the more it seems to spread, and are those strange particles falling from it just dust? Maybe it’s best to look away.

The television is on, playing some news story, but a voice calls from the other end of the trailer, and Eddie leans out from his bedroom, encouraging you to join him in there.

There’s only one bedroom in the place, those it’s easy to tell this is Eddie space. The walls are covered in various posters, metal concerts, drawings, and a large spray-painted banner that reads- Corroded Coffin hanging a bit haphazardly. A sheet’s been pinned up to act as a curtain, and the floor is littered with clothes.

"So...this is weird," Eddie greets.

[ooc: Cheated the ‘room’ a bit, it’s fiiiine, shhh. Playing it a bit more fast and loose with memories, no bolding this time for Eddie at least, sorry if that makes it difficult for anyone. Please do look at the warnings above and let me know if there are any themes you especially don’t or…do want.

Comments

[the_freak]

Coming round the side of the house, Eddie pauses by the stupid shed, face red with humiliation, and he punches the thing, cursing before the memory fades.

There's a awkward look on Eddie's face, embarrassed by his past self's willingness to bend so easily to the advances of some who threats him like that, and he palms the back of his neck, "...I'd like to say I usually have more self respect than that, but uh..." he wavers his hand in a so-so motion jokingly to lighten the mood.

[farrahfawcetts]

Steve stands frozen for a second, horrified in himself. Horrified by what Tommy had done and what he'd just fucking helped him with. And Steve hadn't even remembered. What the fuck was wrong with him?! He hadn't even fucking remembered. He's so disgusted by his past self that he almost wants to crawl back into the memory for the sake of screaming at him. Not that it changes anything. Not that it would be good for anything.

So instead he just turns and pulls Eddie into his arms.

"I am so sorry. I am so, so fucking sorry. Eddie. I can't... I can't believe I didn't remember doing that to you. I can't believe you still can look at me or any of us. Jesus Christ."

He will spend a lifetime living down the mistakes he's made. It won't ever be enough.

"I'm sorry, Eddie. I don't know how I'll make it up to you, but I will."

[the_freak]

"..." Eddie's a bit stiff in Steve's arms, but mostly just because he's surprised and confused by just how apologetic he is.

"It's not that big a deal," he assures, "Seriously. I'm the idiot that agreed to it."

[farrahfawcetts]

"You are not an idiot. Shut the fuck up, man." Steve pulls back, holding Eddie's shoulders.

"You lived in fucking nowhereville and wanted to have sex. You're not an idiot to take the invitation of someone when you know it's rare and dangerous otherwise. You didn't do anything wrong. Tommy was a hypocrite and you... God, Eddie. You deserved so much better from everyone."

[the_freak]

Steve's not wrong, but Eddie still feels that sense of shame having watched it back, ready to get on his knees for any guy who's willing to let him. He's just grateful Steve hasn't seen the encounters that didn't get interrupted, sure he wouldn't want to carry on- whatever it is they're doing- if he saw.

"...He is a fucking hypocrite," he agrees, "Wasn't even the last time he tried. But you uh- you probably stopped me from doing something stupid. And stopped him from shoving that bottle into my face, so..."

[farrahfawcetts]

Steve blinks and can't help a small smile.

"Is that why you put one in my face later? Or is that just a happy coincidence?"

He doesn't really care about the answer. Steve strokes at Eddie's hair, pushing it back and petting at it. "The only stupid thing you would have done there is think that Tommy was ever worth your time. But I made the same mistake so..."

[the_freak]

He snorts in amusement and shakes his head, "Happy coincidence," he confirms, "And uh- officially sorry for that, by the way, not sure I ever really said."

Steve's reassurances are nice, and Eddie relaxes, expression softening. "Don't think I would've been as pissed if he'd just pushed me away with some other excuse. I would've got it, I didn't wanna get outed either. You know he had like- the hugest thing for you, right?"

[farrahfawcetts]

"Dude, you never have to apologize to me for anything ever."

When Eddie mentions Tommy and his crush, his whole head flinches back in shock. "What? No he didn't." Steve isn't sure if he is upset about the idea that he missed such a huge thing or the fact that it happened at all. But then again, Tommy apparently had liked Eddie too so he would be in good company.

"Jesus. Well. If he did, he didn't mind casting both of us off the second it was convenient."

[the_freak]

"I mean- it was pretty scary, I was ready to kill you, dude, I was not okay," Eddie argues, the particles falling from the ceiling a little more instantly now that Eddie's remembering things related to those final days.

"Yeah, I saw how he looked at you. Dude was super into you. Glad he never made a move."

[farrahfawcetts]

Steve shakes his head, letting the Tommy thing go. He cups Eddie's cheek again, grieved.

"I can't believe you were able to forgive me for shit like that. No wonder you hated me. I was such shit to you. And you weren't doing anything except being honest..." Steve glances back at the yearbook and feels sick.

"You said you were never in a relationship. Is it because...that was all you ever thought you'd get?"

CW slurs

[the_freak]

"People did a lot worse," Eddie offers with a quirked lip, knowing that's not exactly comforting to Steve, "I didn't forgive you til I saw you'd really changed and it wasn't just Henderson being crazy."

He nods faintly, half shrugging as if to say- 'well it's true'. "Hook ups and experimentation. Which are fun and all, but yeah...hard enough to get a date as the Freak, let alone the Fag Freak."

[farrahfawcetts]

"Don't. Don't call yourself that."

Steve feels then the injustice of it all. How Eddie was presumed guilty while Tommy was never suspected. Just because he had the popularity to use as currency with those that spread the rumors. And Steve... he was able to benefit from that, too.

"When this is over," he says firmly, "You and I are going on a date. A real date. So prepare yourself, dude. The full Harrington experience."

[the_freak]

Eddie gives an amused laugh, head tilting. Obviously Steve doesn't mean a date date. He means like...friends, right?

"What, like a super friends date? We could do that," he allows, "What's the full Harrington experience entail?"

[farrahfawcetts]

Okay. He can do this. He wants to do this. Steve takes a deep breath and smiles.

"Well. First step is to drop the 'super friends' thing. As long as...you know. You're okay with that? Because I am, if you are. But only if you are." He exhales. God, he wasn't even smooth for a whole minute.

Let's try again.

"I, Steve Harrington, am asking you, Eddie Munson, to go on a date with me. A real date.

"If you accept."

[the_freak]

"..." Eddie blinks, not sure he's heard him right. Only...this is all in his head, so of course he has.

"Wh- seriously?" he manages, not nearly as composed as he always imagined he'd be. He gives a breathless laugh, glancing away with a flush and belatedly nod, "No- yeah, I uh- I would definitely...accept," he fumbles lamely, wincing a little at his butchery.

[farrahfawcetts]

Steve beams and raises Eddie's hand to his lips so he can kiss the back of it. "Awesome," he says, honestly excited at the idea this was really happening. "Okay. So...let me figure out how to do it really perfect for you. Might take a day or so, but I am gonna make sure it's the best date ever. Totally worth the wait and all the bullshit you went through before it."

The blush on Eddie's cheeks is so sweet. Steve can't help but kiss each one.

[the_freak]

"Seriously you don't have to- it's fine-" Eddie protests, but he can't help but grin at the thought of Steve planning anything for him, let alone trying to make it perfect.

He laughs and the flush deepens. "...you're gonna have to tell me this in the morning so I know I didn't just dream it."

[farrahfawcetts]

Steve snorts a laugh. "Yeah, your dream come true is the asshole from school asking you out on a date. Nice one."

Still, he likes the color on Eddie's cheeks and the smile on his face. It makes him feel giddy and reckless. Enough to share a secret of his own in this place. "You know... My favorite part of being with someone has always been their reactions to things I do. Blushes and shit. You're like a neon sign, dude. I'm getting spoiled being with you."

[the_freak]

"..." Eddie gives him a look and just smirks.

At least until Steve goes and says that. Then he's rolling his eyes and giving Steve a playful shove, "I am not," he protests, way too pink at the thought.

[farrahfawcetts]

"LOOK! Look at those cheeks! Look at those rosy fucking cheeks!"

Steve lunges for them, pinching both softly, wiggling Eddie's face. "You are so fucking cute. The eyes. The blushing. The shit you say. I feel like you're acting as like my romance dealer right now. Really making sure I get my fix. It's amazing."

[the_freak]

Eddie might actually die. He can't stop grinning, even as he groans and squirms, making a show of trying to free himself without actually trying to free himself. "Staaaahp," he laughs, "I am not. And you are SO going to OD if I am."

[farrahfawcetts]

"I'll die happy then," Steve continues, giggling now as Eddie tries to fight him off without really meaning it. He opens his arms and loops them around Eddie's waist to reel him in against him. This close, he can continue nuzzling into Eddie's hairline and peppering kisses wherever he pleases. One might even find the tip of his nose.

"If you want me to stop, you need to stop being adorable. And I don't know, man. You seem pretty shit at that, so you're probably screwed."

[the_freak]

"I'm a big scary Satanist, don't you watch the news?" he protests, giggling and giving up his faux fight to melt against Steve, nose screwing up as he's covered in kisses, managing to return a few of his own.

"You better not tell anyone. I've got a reputation to uphold."

[farrahfawcetts]

"Not with me, you don't." Steve kisses his nose again, enjoying the way it scrunched up. "I'll cover it with everyone else though. Tell them how you put me under your evil, blood magic, satan spell. I can pretend to be like, your love zombie too or whatever. I got your back, sweetie."

[the_freak]

"Mmm, Love zombie, I like that," Eddie says with a considering hum, beaming and guiding Steve pointedly back away from the split in the ceiling.