cheerfire | you are my sun, my moon

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the good timeline

you are my sun, my moon

[ When he hears Chrissy singing along, it about breaks his heart. To be able to see her so free and easy, singing a love song while pressed against his chest, he wonders how anyone could ever have looked at her and decided to treat her poorly. But he's here now, they're together now, and for he swears to himself in that moment that she'll never go another day without being reminded of how wonderful she is.

Even though the music is not to his taste, it's easy to get lost in it. He doesn't notice any looks, doesn't even realize that multiple songs have played. Despite his outward appearance and eclectic tastes, he's always been soft at the center. Chrissy is just the one who can bring that softness to the surface. Then the tempo changes and Chrissy is pulling him towards the pool table and the spell is broken. Despite that, the magic lingers. He looks lovestruck as she pulls him across the bar, and it's only when she speaks that he finally starts to come back down to reality. ]

Of course I do. [ He grins at her, already reaching to grab a pool cue and spin it between his hands. He's been playing for years, and is pretty damn good. ] I can teach you, if you want.

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I've missed you too, baby girl.

[ It almost feels silly to admit it, when they've been living and working in the same place. And they've had plenty of opportunities to sneak away together, but it's still a stark departure from what they've been used to. Still, there is something about watching existing in the world without him, just being herself and thriving among others, that has made his heart ache so sweetly. It's a beautiful thing to see her existing in a world that loves and appreciates her as much as he does. ]

I wouldn't go that far. [ He seems a little embarrassed by her remark, though she's not wrong. It's something he's still getting used to, people that look at him and see the kind, goofy guy that he is, instead of some satan adjacent freak. ] But I've been having fun myself.

[ Eddie reaches to run a hand through her hair, his fingers gliding down her face. ]

But we've got a couple of days before the next wave of kids arrive, and all my attention is on you.

[Her hands slide down his sides, settling against his hips.] I love seeing you happy like this, babe.

[She kisses him quickly, the sound of their lips meeting a loud smack. It makes her laugh, and with her hands pressing against his hips she starts to walk him backwards.]

But I thought maybe we could take off for a day? Get in the van and drive a few towns over. Get some lunch, maybe hit up whatever stores are around. See a movie, maybe? We can camp out in your van and head back tomorrow.

Chrissy Cunningham, you are speaking my language.

[ He thinks he loves this camp, would be happy to return here summer after summer. But sneaking away to some town they've never heard of, he loves that. Loves that so much, in fact, that he is already tugging her in the direction of his van. Both of them make pit stops at their respective cabins to pack a bag, but they are on the road before they know it. Eddie has the music blasting, something they both like so they can scream out the lyrics as the highway stretches out in front of them.

It's just past midnight when they find themselves in Crown Point, and Eddie pulls the van into what looks like a dive bar. It's the kind of place that doesn't care enough to card, and the two of them slip easily among the patrons. Eddie heads to the bar to get them a round of beers, and he's grinning as he passes one to Chrissy. There's loud music playing over the speakers, and even though dancing isn't really his thing, he's always happy to dance with her. ]

I think we're gonna have a good weekend. [ He's licking beer foam from his lips as he reaches for her, pulls her close so their bodies can writhe together. ] I think we could even spring for a motel room tonight, sleep in a real bed.

[She's already taken a long drink from her beer, the foam still above her upper lip before she kisses him. The fact that he's the one that's initiated the dancing this time around really makes her happy. She doesn't need him to dance with her every chance they get, but she loves dancing and thinks it's sweet he's gone out of his way to do this for her. Their bodies are pressed close, and they move together to the music. She can't stop smiling, her hands unable to stop touching at him as they writhe together to the music.]

We definitely have enough for a room. We could have an actual bed, and a shower big enough to share.

[Not that she plans on letting either of them sleep tonight. Not until they've both had their fill of one another.]

Let's do it! I think I saw a place down the road.

[ If there's one thing that can be said about Eddie Munson, it's that he's a quick learner. Despite the practiced rhythm of his fingers against his fretboard, it has never quite translated to the rest of his body. But he's danced with her enough times now that he no longer looks like an awkward jumble of limbs. It's still not quite his thing, but he enjoys it far more than he once did. ]

Perfect. [ He's got one arm looped around her waist as their bodies writhe together, downing his beer so that he doesn't have to worry about accidentally spilling it on her. He presses a sweet kiss to her forehead before grinning down at her. ] Let's get a little tipsy, then get a room and have some fun. Sound good?

[He's definitely better at dancing now, and she feels a little swell of pride and knowing she had gotten him to that point. It's nice to know that there's things they can teach one another, that they'll continue to be helping one another with little things like dancing or playing the guitar.]

That sounds perfect.

[She echoes his sentiment, pausing in dancing long enough that she can down her beer in a few chugs. It seems maybe he's taught her a thing or two about drinking.

They dance for a little while, until she can see he's restless with it. And they play darts, Chrissy not trying to hustle him this time around. They have fun, and when she loses at darts they make their way toward a motel to check in and get a room. It's once they're inside that he presses her back against the door, and they lose themselves in making out before they even really step into the room.]

Can we try it against the wall?

[Her voice sweetly asks, a whisper in his ear.]

[ The motel room isn't much, but it's got a queen sized bed, a shower, and it's clean. That's all they can ask for, and after a month of sleeping in separate beds, it's perfect. While the idea of camping out in the van had been tempting, this proves far superior, and at a fairly reasonable price. Eddie thinks he might have paid anything to spend a night alone with her.

She makes her sweet suggestion, and it makes both his heart and his cock throb in unison. If anyone should have such power, he's glad it's her. Eddie gives her little more than a grin in agreement before pushing her up against the wall. They have sex there, desperate and sloppy, before moving to the shower. That proves to be a slippery, somewhat awkward affair, and when they finally stumble out they're not quite fulfilled.

It's on the creaky bed that Eddie lays her out attacks her with his mouth and hands, winds her up and sends her screaming over the edge. Chrissy, beautiful, perfect, Chrissy, makes sure that he finds his own release, and they at last collapse together on top of the sheets. Eddie fumbles for the remote, finds some late night talk show to serve as the background noise for the rest of their evening. He pulls her close, cascading kisses into her hair and down her face. ]

This summer has been amazing, and it's not even over. [ He sounds in awe of it, even though the summer is only half over. ] Chrissy, I-- I love this. More than I ever thought was possible. I mean, hell, I have a job deal with screaming kids all day, don't even get to see you at night, and I'm so happy.

[The fact that he sounds so in awe of happiness almost breaks her heart. Of course, the fact that he is this happy wins out over that. Chrissy's smile is fond as she reaches over to brush hair out of his face.]

I've never seen you this happy.

[And she's so glad that he is. Knowing the world outside of Hawkins is kind and gentle to him does her so much good. It gives her hope that a future together is capable of being something that enables him to constantly feel this content.]

You've really found your place this summer. The kids love you, and so do all of the people we work with. I love getting to see you this confident and at peace.

[It's really like Hawkins never existed for him, and she loves getting to witness that.]

[ This is what feels like a normal life, a girlfriend and a job and an unprecedented amount of hope for the future. Eddie has never experienced this before, never though he needed it. Now that he has it, he can't imagine he was ever content with a life without it. None of this would have happened without Chrissy, which is not to say that he never would have been happy without her. But she has this way of making everything better, of making him want to be his very best self. ]

Only with your help.

[ And he kisses her then, slow and ever wanting. For as much as he gets of her, it never seems to be enough. She has opened up a pit of hunger within him, one that never seems fully satisfied. Eddie grins at her, and even in the dim lighting of their motel room, they seem to sparkle. ]

You know... those kids heads are full of crazy stories. [ He laughs as he rolls onto his back. ] All month long they were talking about the camp being haunted. You see any ghosts?

[Laughing with him, she moves to rest on her stomach, elbow braced against the bed and her chin resting in the palm of her hand. Her legs kick a little, and she gives a roll of her eyes.]

I heard the stories too, but ever have seen anything. You know how kids are though. Some of them will tell you the ghosts have always just been there and other ones will tell me they're the ghosts of the kids that were murdered at camp years ago.

[The topic might've been a little creepy to her, but after her near death experience she's feeling pretty open to the idea of ghosts. And maybe even trying to find one or two, just to see if they're real.]

Did you see anything weird?

Nah, nothing out of the ordinary.

[ It's a lie, though a small one. Because he still isn't sure if the times he thought he saw a shadow out of the corner of his eye was real or not. Eddie has always loved horror movies, has always been all too eager to delve into dark and haunting topics in his D&D campaigns. In real life? That has been another story. And when he has so much else to focus on, the kids and finding time to sneak off with Chrissy, it was something easily pushed to the back of his mind.

But now, when she asks him about it to sweetly, it's enough to send a shiver running through him. ]

According to the kids, every summer camp in the country is haunted. [ He shrugs, pulls her closer to him. ] What is it about summer that manages to make people so afraid?

Hmmmm. [Chrissy hums as he pulls her in close, and her hand rests against his hip.] I think it's just the kids that are afraid, babe.

[Her smile is amused as she nuzzles up close to him, and she tiptoes her fingers up along his side. It's great for them to get away from the camp and have this little break to themselves, but she has to admit that a part of her misses the kids and misses being back at camp with them. If leaving their vacation home had been hard, she doesn't want to know how much of a challenge it will be to leave this summer behind.]

Maybe it's all the scary movies that are out there. Like Friday the 13th?

Yeah, you might be right.

[ As though directed by her words, Eddie disentangles himself so that he can creep over towards the tv. As he had hoped, there's an assortment of tapes in the console below. Eddie glances back at her before thumbing through them. In his defense, almost all the videos in the box are horror movies, which is why Eddie finally plucks Poltergeist from among them. He's quick the return to the bed, quick to tangle his limbs with Chrissy's. ]

Kids have crazy imaginations, I know. [ The movie begins and he tries to focus on the fact that he has Chrissy here with him instead of what he may or may not have seen back at camp. ] That's probably all it was.

[They lay together and watch the movie, cuddling and lightly kissing every so often. It's about halfway through when Chrissy taps his cheek with her finger, getting him to turn his head toward her. Unable to resist, she steals a quick kiss, before shifting to sit up. She looks like she has something on her mind.]

Maybe we should head back early and check it out.

[Her face shifts into something concerned, and she finds herself nibbling at her bottom lip.]

That thing that attacked me could have followed us out there. And I don't want him attacking you or any of the kids.

[It's been a long time since they've talked about her trauma. She was still in casts when they spoke about what happened. But it's still on her mind a lot, and now she's increasingly worried that it's her fault some bloodthirsty monster is loose at camp.]

[ There are times when Eddie feels like the only one in the world that finds peace and comfort while a horror movie plays on. That seems to be case as Chrissy shifts into a sitting position. Eddie is quick to follow her, keeping an arm loosely wrapped around her shoulders. ]

We definitely don't need to do that.

[ There's no denying that it's said completely because he wants to keep her right here for their weekend break. For this weekend, he wants to believe that it's all just stories. ]

That.. [ He looks serious, tries to think of an appropriate answer. It seems like centuries ago that he watched her bones break in his trailer. ] We left that behind in Hawkins, Chrissy.

[ There's no way of knowing that's true, but Eddie needs it to be so. ]

It's just kids talking, that's all.

[It's the first time she's really stopped and allowed herself to think about what had happened. Back right after the incident, she had nothing but time in the hospital to dwell on what happened. The weeks after she was released were spent trying to focus on healing. And then this phase, the good phase, her focus has been on moving on and being happy with Eddie.]

You're right, [She agrees, eyes turning back toward the tv. There's a feeling she can't shake that makes her question, what if it isn't just kids talking. But that's her being paranoid. She hasn't been anxious or jumpy in a while now, and she doesn't need to go back to being that person.

So she takes in a shaky breath, and instead anchors herself to the reality of the situation. They're here, in the hotel. They're safe. No one is hurt. It's been months since she was attacked. He didn't follow them here.

Still, her hand reaches over to take hold of his. And when he gently guides her to lay back with him, his arms are securely around her. He won't let anything happen to her. Not at long as he's here.]

Sorry. I guess maybe I'm not as over everything as I thought.

[ There are times when they feel so wrapped up in their happiness together, that what happened to Chrissy seems like a lifetime ago. But the reality is that it's only been a few months, and she has every right to still be dealing with that. Eddie can't help but feel a little selfish, for having allowed himself to forget so easily. ]

Chrissy, whatever you're feeling... you have every right to feel that way.

[ He can't imagine what that's like, to still have it in the back of her head, waiting for any moment to emerge again. Eddie wants to protect her, knows that he'll do anything in his power to do so, but he's powerless to fight wars that happen in her head. ]

Look, when we get back if-- I don't know, if you start feeling weird about anything, I want you to talk to me about it, okay?

Of course I will. I wouldn't keep something like that from you.

[Chrissy reassures him, frowning a little at the thought that he might think she'd keep something like that from him. She doesn't ever plan on keeping anything from him. A soft kiss hopefully reassures him further, and Chrissy finds herself smiling as she pulls away.]

Nothing weird happened last session. I doubt anything will the next one, either.

[She much prefers to be wrapped up in happiness with him, only crying tears because she's so reluctant to leave the little homes they keep making for themselves. The monster that hurt her has no place here, in these special places that are just for them.]

I know you wouldn't. I just mean... no matter how crazy you might think something is, I'll always hear you out.

[ He smiles at her, presses a kiss against her forehead after she kisses him. He'll do everything he can to keep her safe. Whatever is going on at camp-- and he tells himself that nothing is going on-- they'll figure things out. Ghosts are something that should be behind them. ]

Like I said, it's probably just kids telling stories.

[ He shrugs a little, disentangling himself from her so that he can switch out the movie they're watching. When he returns to the bed, The Breakfast Club has replaced Freddy Kreuger. Eddie settles comfortably beside her, pulling her close to him once more. ]

Let's just enjoy our little break now.

Yeah, yeah.

[Chrissy pretends to grumble, but her laughter gives her away. She's not actually bothered by him putting off the whole ghost story business, but does appreciate the fact that he's turned off the horror movie for something light and fun.

And given that The Breakfast Club is one of her favorite movies, she falls silent and still as they relax together and manage to make it through the entire thing without really talking. It's a great reset switch for Chrissy, who promptly lures him in for a lengthy make out session as the credits start to roll.

They wind up ordering a pizza and spending a few hours in the little motel pool, and Chrissy seems to easily forget all about her attack and the ghosts that still haunt her.

It isn't until they're out eating breakfast at a diner the next morning that her thoughts seem to cycle back around to the matter.]

You know, with everything that happened to me, I bet there's a lot of other weird things out there that happen. Just think about it. I can't be the only one.

[She has a point that she's getting at here, but had to interrupt him talking about Molly Ringwald in order to try and get at it.]

[ The change in movie seems to do the trick, and Eddie tries to relax with her and push the thoughts of ghosts from his mind. He's always had an inclination for horror and the macabre, a fascination with things that go bump in the night. That has changed since learning there are things like that out there. He turns over thoughts of ghosts and haunting in his mind as Chrissy settles against his chest and he wraps an arm around her.

But the rest of the night goes well, and he works to make sure his troubled thoughts don't show on his face.

The next morning he feels like he's left those thoughts in the darkness. But he's rambling, a nervous habit, as he drowns pancakes in syrup. Eddie breaks off abruptly when Chrissy speaks, looking at her curiously from across the table. ]

You think so? [ The question is tentative, unsure of where she's going with this. It's an interesting thought, though he isn't sure how he feels about it just yet. ] I guess there's no way Hawkins is the only place with creepy shit going on.

[She tries not to smile when he agrees with her, because she can hear the uncertainty in his voice. And she hates that she's still harping on this when it seems to bother him, which makes her almost shrink back and change the subject. But she's grown so much the past few months that she's not afraid of taking up space with Eddie. She wants him to know her thoughts and her ideas, and if he tells her he'd rather not talk about then of course she'd back down.]

I don't think so either. [She pauses, idly pushing around the food on her plate. Eating is far less appealing when she feels she has a good idea.]

What if we could help people who have to deal with weird things like we did?

[ In the moment, Eddie isn't entirely sure how he feels about what she's saying. But a strange feeling runs through him, something like pride, at the fact that she's saying it at all. He knows she's struggled with speaking her mind before, with letting people know what she's really thinking. He likes to think that he's helped in that endeavor, but so much of it has been her. He had watched her physically get stronger, after her incident, but this is somehow more satisfying. ]

Going around in a van solving mysteries... I feel like I've seen that before. [ He flashes her a smile, lets her know that his teasing is gentle, not directed at what she's said. He can't imagine ever making real fun of something she's said, but humor is his way of dealing with things. ] That could be--

[ He breaks off mid sentence, because he isn't really sure what he thinks of it. Exciting? Meaningful? Terrifying? ]

I could be into that.

[The teasing is well received, and even makes her giggle. She abandons the idea of even picking at her food, and instead sips at her half touched glass of chocolate milk.]

Really?

[The question comes out an excited squeak more than anything, and she grins even as she's sipping from a straw. It's rare that she gets an idea for something so out there, and this is really weird. She knows that. But the fact that he's at least appeasing her really means a lot.

It definitely helps her feel validated in getting her thoughts out there more often.]

We could even name your van The Mystery Machine.

[ Eddie isn't really sure how they'll do it. The world is so much bigger than Hawkins, Indiana. There could be all manner of insane things happening, and he has no idea of how they'll find any of them. But that, somehow, doesn't strike him as entirely important. Chrissy has laid out the skeleton of what their lives could be, and Eddie has to admit he likes it. ]

That might get us in trouble. [ Eddie is still smiling, turning his attention back to his breakfast. The idea sounds crazy, stupid, but something in him likes it, wants to make it happen. He slices his pancakes into pieces, begins shoveling them into his mouth bite after bite. ] We'll come up with something better, though. Maybe Eddie and Chrissy's ghost-be-gone solution?

[ It's silly and stupid, and whatever they might come to call themselves, Eddie is sure it won't be that. But that doesn't keep him from laughing, reaching across the table to clasp his hand over Chrissy's. ]

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