Rosie still didn't feel calm. Her nerves were on fire, weeks later. She tried to talk to Dustin about it, and Eddie. They were just so casual about what they'd experienced. Like they'd been on a field trip together or something. Dustin's friend Steve dropped by once, too. To Rosie's surprise, Claudia invited him to dinner. After, they sat outside, and the two of them answered her questions for the millionth time.

"You guys aren't scared?" She asked. "That it'll come back?"

"The Mind Flayer?"

"Or Vespa -"

"Vecna."

"Him. Any of it?"

"I mean if it does we'll just kick its ass again." Steve boasted.

Rosie leaned back against the wall. How could they be so chill?

"We could show you some of it." Dustin offered. "The house, the Lab. After school tomorrow."

"No. I don't want to see." She shuddered. "Besides, I'm driving out tomorrow."

"Oh right! The show!"

"Show?" Steve said. "You have a show?"

"Eddie's playing. It's like a competition."

"Great. Eddie."

It was actually a relief to get out of town. Since she'd found out, Hawkins had seemed tainted. Danger seemed to lurk around every corner. She walked around wondering what might be beneath her feet. Eddie called her almost daily, probably worried that she'd have another attack. Truth was she was equally terrified for him. Terrified of demons, and clock chimes, and everything unknown.

They had left in the afternoon this time, and arrived in Indianapolis at 4:36pm, with plenty of time to spare before the gig. Rosie was relieved to see that the motel they'd booked this time was slightly cleaner, though she secretly hoped Eddie hadn't broken his budget.

His bag flew across the room and landed in a velvet-backed armchair. "I'm starving!"

"I think I saw a Burger King across the street."

"Fuck that!" Eddie sneered. "We're in the city, Babe. Pick something. Anything."

"I don't know…"

"What's something you can't get in Hawkins?"

"Everything."

"True. Something you're missing."

"Well," She considered it. "I haven't had Thai food in a while."

He grinned, throwing up his arms in triumph. "I've never had Thai food."

"Bullshit."

"Never."

"Really?"

"Ever."

"I'll get changed."

He looked down at his clothes. "Do I need to change?"

"Here." Rosie opened his bag and picked out unripped jeans and a sweater. Eddie watched unabashedly as she took her jeans off in favour of a blue skirt and leggings. She put on the lipstick he'd got her, too.

They were more or less in the centre of the city, so left the car in favor of walking hand-in hand down the main strip. It was still cold, with patches of snow on the ground and salt in the roads, but it remained crisp and dry.

The restaurant they found wasn't anything spectacular; just a few round tables covered in white cloths. Eddie gaped at the decor.

"This is fancy." He said meekly.

"Pretty standard, actually."

She helped Eddie order, but didn't need to help him eat. They ended up sharing everything, though hers was a little spicy for him. Towards the end of the meal, he outsmarted her by claiming to need the restroom, and Rosie caught him walking away from the till.

"You did not pay for all of this!" She scolded.

"I did. No!" He pointed a finger sternly as she went for her purse. "This is on me."

"Just half!"

"Rosie, you are aware we've only been on one proper date?" He said. "That you paid for."

"I wanted to pay."

"And now I want to pay. End of discussion."

She prodded at a pepper. "You know that doesn't bother me, right?"

"What?"

"The date thing. The money."

"I guessed you wouldn't stick around, if it did." He stated grimly.

Rosie took his hand. "I would have been just as happy with a TV dinner."

"Now you're just lying."

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are. I know you hate TV dinners."

Eddie took a nap when they got back to the motel. Went unconscious the instant his head hit the pillow. Hand folded across his bloated belly. Rosie tossed the blanket over him and went to take a shower.

"Move."

"I thought you were asleep?"

"I was. Move." He nudged her over.

"For five minutes."

Eddie snatched the soap from her and started to lather. "Let me."

"You can't just wash my boobs, you know."

"I'm getting there."

"Hey!" Something was brushing against her thigh.

"Hmmm?" He wrapped her hand around it.

"No soap there!"

"Oops, sorry."

He tried to pin her to the wall, but Rosie squealed at the cold tiles.

"Bed!"

"Bed." Eddie lifted her round the waist and deposited her on the floor, then slapped her ass. "Go."

She ran, trying not to turn to ice as she went. Eddie scampered behind, wet feet pat pat patting across the tiles. He dragged her under the covers. Squeezing and kneading greedily. Rosie lapped at his mouth, shoving his hand between her legs.

"Aah!"

"Someone's horny." He remarked, impish little smile. He wasn't gentle, the way he reached up into her. She didn't need him to be. She was already eager.

Rosie jerked slightly at the crook of his fingers. Seeking his kiss again. "Don't tease me."

"It's my job, Honey."

Eddie knew to push his palm flat against her, to let her wriggle against it as he stroked. He knew to nibble her neck, too. And to let her feel the press of his cock against her. Part of her wanted him to just take her like that, but neither of them was that dumb.

"Do you have…?"

"I do." He looked over his shoulder, at the leg of his jeans peeping out from the bathroom. "Take over."

"Huh?"

He cupped her face in his hands and commanded: "I want you to touch yourself. Like I'm not here to do it for you."

"O-oh" Rosie laid flat, replacing his hand. It wasn't the same, really. But Eddie moved her leg aside to see better, and let out a groan of approval.

"That's hot."

She kept it up while he fished in his pocket. When Eddie knelt on the bed, stroking himself, she obligingly opened her mouth. He laughed, placing his hardness to her hanging tongue.

"I swear, sometimes you're just a greedy little bitch."

"Mmmm?" Rosie sucked happily.

Eddie was fixated on her. "Keep touching yourself."

She really wanted him to do it. But continued. Eddie caressed her instead. Kissed her legs as he pushed her thighs further apart. Watching.

"Eddiiiie." She complained at last. "I'm greedy."

He tilted his head. "You are?"

Nod.

He pushed her away from his cock and wrapped it. Rosie sat up. Took his cue when he rested back and straddled him. He cheekily put his arms behind his head.

"Show me how greedy you are."

Rosie grinned. Leaning on his chest as she sat on him. Eddie's eyes fluttered shut for a second. Nostrils flared. He didn't move a muscle. Instead, he expected Rosie to take care of herself. The way he stared demanded it. She gathered herself and began to rock her hips, hitching at the sensation of him buried inside her. At the mound of his pelvis at her clit. She moaned.

"That's it. Ride it." He rasped. "Take what you want."

"Unh!" Rosie bit her lip, tilting forward, then back rolling her hips in all directions, not letting him go. His face twisted with the strain of holding back, those expressive eyes looking slightly desperate. He kept wonderfully still, even while she felt ready to fall apart.

"You need some help, Baby?" He purred, hands reaching for her hips.

Rose was currently holding herself up by the headboard, trying to guide herself along him. "Please."

He raised to meet her. "So polite, when you want something."

"Please." She picked up his rhythm, trying to match him. He guided her with his arms, some of the tension in his face dissipating.

"Lie here." He took her hands down and folded her on top of him. All the better to angle up into her.

Rosie thought she would go feral, burying her face into his neck. Her legs no longer worked. He held her like that. Didn't stop.

"You're gonna cum." It wasn't a guess. He could feel it. "Aren't you?"

"Yes!" She threw one arm back up against the headboard.

"That's it, Princess." He slapped her ass again, making her cry out. "Cum on my dick. Good. Good."

She shook to pieces, all strength in her limbs forgotten. "Eddie…Eddie…"

He slowed a bit when she finally finished, nudging her head up and laughing. "Hey. You ok?"

Rosie could only nod. He laughed again and gently deposited her on the bed. Picked up the pace and moaned with her. He couldn't hold on, either. It was her turn to laugh.

"Eddie?"

He leaned over and asked politely: "Can..um… can I go on your tits?"

"Of course, you may."

Grunting and groaning, he whipped off the condom and jerked himself. Rosie sat back up, pushing her breasts together and sticking her tongue back out. Eddie choked, spilling onto her chest. Letting her clean off the last few drops. He fell back on his knees, sweat trickling down his chest. Hair standing at all angles. He lifted her chin to look at what he'd done.

"I'll get a towel."