Not for the first time, Dustin wondered what he had been thinking. Rosie was happy. Eddie was happy. He was happy, just seeing them. Of course, he still tried not to think about the two of them together - he shook it out of his head, pudding churning in his gut - but all the animosity he had created definitely looked dumb now.
"Isn't it kinda weird?" Will asked while they cycled home. "Eddie dating your aunt?"
"Sometimes. Isn't it kinda weird having your mom dating Hopper?"
"Yeah. Sometimes. But Hopper's cool, and Mom's happy, so -"
"Right."
"Does you mom still hate Eddie?"
"Erm. She doesn't hate him. Just doesn't like him very much."
"Has she ever really met Eddie?"
"No, not really."
"Maybe that would help?"
Dustin blinked over at him. Will the Wise. "That's not a bad idea."
Will grinned. "That's why I said it. Bye!"
His friend veered off into the night. Sometimes, as Dustin watched him cycle away, his thoughts drifted back to years ago, when they had raced to his place. Occasionally he fought the urge to chase after him, swallowing the fear that a demogorgon might be waiting in the woods again, and Will might not be so lucky.
Rosie was already home; she and his mom sat in the living room, his mom talking to the TV and Rosie with her nose buried in a book again. She had cooked, and told him there was a plate in the oven. He heated it up and was on his way to join them when the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Henderson?"
"Eddie! Why are you calling me? What's wrong?"
"Does Rosie not live there any more?"
"Oh. Right. You're looking for Rosie." He called round the door. His aunt's head popped into view.
"Is she there?"
"Yeah. Hey, Eddie -"
Rosie appeared at his side, snatching the receiver and firmly steering him into the living room. Dustin didn't even get to say his part.
"Who's that?"
"Hm?" Dustin grunted around a chicken leg.
"Who's Rosie talking to on the phone?"
He hesitated. "Eddie."
His mother scowled. "Not that disheveled hooligan again!"
"Eddie's a good guy, Mom."
"Hmph."
"Besides, I think Rosie really likes him."
"No accounting for taste."
Dustin was really getting annoyed at her. It was rare, but it happened. "I don't think you're being fair."
His mother sat up, Tews leaping off her lap. "Oh I'm not?"
"No. You've never even spoken to Eddie!"
"I don't need to. I know he's a weirdo."
Time for a trump card. "People call me that too, you know."
Claudia's expression shifted. "Who?"
"Doesn't matter. My point is: if you don't think it's right for people to say that about me, why would you say it about Eddie?"
That shut her up. She reclined again, coaxing Tews out of his corner. After over an hour Rosie joined them again, still pink in the cheeks. Dustin gave her a knowing smile. He fidgeted a bit, not focusing on the TV, then ventured:
"Rosie?"
"Yeah?"
"My mom and I were talking."
Claudia gave a warning glare.
"And she agreed."
"Uhhh…."Rosie glanced between the two of them, sensing disharmony. Tews cowered back into his corner.
"Why don't you invite Eddie over some time. For dinner?" Dustin suggested cheerily. "Mom would really like to get to know him."
"Dustin…"
"Great idea, Dust." Rosie put an arm around him, probably for solidarity. "I was actually thinking of that, too."
"Dinner? With your mom?" Munson's face screwed up in distaste. "Not on your life, Henderson."
"I swear she's nicer than she seems!" Dustin urge, rounding the table and bumping part of his setup onto the floor. "The two of you just need to get to know each other."
"She was part of a mob that tried to hunt me down and kill me."
"Because she thought you were an agent of the devil!"
"Fantastic!"
"Look: Vecna is gone. The deaths have stopped. The police cleared your name."
"People here are idiots, Dustin!" Eddie slammed a fist on the table. "You think Hopper shaking my hand really convinced all of them?"
"I mean -"
"It didn't! There's still people out there that think I murdered Chrissy. That think I'm just biding my time waiting for another victim."
"Like who?"
"They come into the bar and make accusations right to my face. They yell at me in the streets. Some of those basketball douchebags still come round to vandalize my trailer whenever they feel like it!"
He had known about some of the graffiti. They had all helped him to clean it of at one point. The rest… "I didn't know, Eddie. I'm sorry."
"Doesn't matter." He lowered his voice. "What does matter is: your mom probably thinks I'm luring Rosie like some kind of psycho. And I don't think she'll keep her mouth closed about it."
Dustin had to admit, he had a point. Come to think of it, he was surprised she hadn't said something already. Or maybe she had and Rosie didn't mention it. "I'll be there. And so will Rosie."
Munson slumped against the table. "Rosie."
"Wait. You don't think she'll believe her?"
"You never know."
A rapping on the door made them both start, and Dustin quickly resumed shoving his stuff into his backpack. Rosie appeared and shuffled up to Eddie. He tried to ignore the sound of their mouths… yuck.
"Oh, Rosie. I talked to Eddie about the thing."
Munson gave him daggers.
"Thanks, Dust." She played with the collar of his jacket. "What do you think?"
"I think Henderson's mom is going to eat me alive."
"We won't let her."
"We won't!" Dustin chimed in, forcing a grin.
"You really don't have to," Rosie pouted. "But I'd like if you could get along."
"Ughhhh."
"Just try?"
Eddie sighed. "I am willing to try."
Wow. She really had him wrapped around her little finger. Dustin never knew Munson to fold so easily. Now Rosie just walked in and batted her lashes a little, and he was willing to face his mom. Dustin nodded at his aunt. Kudos.
"You're the best."She said sweetly, kissing him again. Dustin covered his eyes. "Tell you what. I'll drive over to yours after work tomorrow. Help you find something to wear -"
"What's wrong with my clothes!?"
"Nothing!" Dustin added.
"Nothing. Claudia would probably just like you a little more…dressed up."
"Ugghhhhh!" He stomped his feet petulantly.
Rosie leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Dustin turned away. Whatever she'd suggested, it ended in. "Promise."
"You…you promise?"
"Uh-huh."
Huffing again, Eddie kissed her forehead. "Fine!"
