Eddie hadn't known how he would feel about being in a studio again, but it was surprisingly pleasant, almost like coming home. It felt very familiar, even if it wasn't the same one the band had used when he was there. They had upgraded to comfy couches and fancy coffee machines—no more cramped rooms with frayed wiring and rickety seats.
He felt like a teenager again, stepping foot in his first studio when he picked up a guitar and slid on some headphones to test it out. It was Steve's song that came to mind, and the soft melody reverberated around the room, echoing in the headset and filling Eddie with a sense of peace only Steve could bring him.
"Good, right?" Ronnie's voice filled his ears, and he looked through the observation window to her standing over the controls and grinning. "Not your usual style?"
"A lot has changed."
"Hi, Daddy!" The top of Charlie's head was just visible over the console, and Ronnie got a chair for her to stand on so she could see properly. Ronnie pointed at the microphone, and Charlie leaned in, her next words crystal clear. "Can you hear me?"
"Sure can, babygirl. What do you think?"
"I think it's cool. Can I go in there?"
"Later," Ronnie told her with a smile. "Right now, we're gonna listen to your daddy play a bit. He's rusty."
"Am not." Eddie stuck out his tongue and then played the opening riff of Master of Puppets by Metallica just because he could. Ronnie looked impressed when he finished, and Charlie clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Thank you, thank you. I'm here all day."
"Alright, stop inflating your ego, and come join us in the green room." Ronnie switched off the light, and Eddie heard Charlie shriek with laughter before running out into the brightly lit hallway.
Eddie put everything back first, knowing he would get grief if he left things lying about. By the time he found the correct room, everyone was already seated around the large conference table, and Eddie suddenly felt very nervous as he took the only available seat. Charlie was missing, but he knew she was close by with Steve, just not part of this meeting: business, not pleasure.
The walls were covered in photographs of the band taken all over the place and framed printouts of their albums. Eddie was surprised to see some of the older ones included him, stuff from their first tour. He didn't remember much of it now. Blocking out that part of his life for so long had rendered the tour a blur in his mind. For good reason, since Eddie had ended up in hospital after overdosing. Yeah, he didn't need to remember those days.
A thick folder landed in front of him, jolting Eddie from the darkness. He raised his eyebrows at Gareth, who only shrugged. Gingerly, Eddie turned the pages to find it was an amalgamation of all of Corroded Coffin's scrapped ideas. There was enough material for another album, he supposed, if he could make something of it. Looking up, it was to find them all watching him eagerly, so he smiled and leaned back in his seat. "It's a good thing you called me. I think I can work with this."
"Yes!" Jeff high five Michael. "I told you Eddie was who we needed. Fuck hiring a writer, we have our own genius!"
"Save the praise for when he delivers," Ronnie admonished, but she was smiling. "I'm hearing a lot of talk for someone who's been out of the game for years."
Eddie just shrugged. He knew she had a point. Sure, he could talk all he wanted, but unless he provided, it all amounted to nothing. Eddie had a lot to prove after his fall from grace, and he was lucky the band had let him off easy for leaving them. "So, who's been writing for you guys then?"
"Anyone we could convince to help," Michael sighed, flipping through the book to the back, where there was a contact list. "It's a miracle we've produced two albums since you left. This latest one was a real pain. I'm surprised people liked it."
"It's still our lowest-rated album," Ronnie pointed out.
Gareth waved her off. "So what? This next one will top them all. Wait until the fans find out Eddie's back. Oh, we should make a post!"
Eddie raised his eyebrows to the group at large as Gareth whipped out his phone.
"He's in charge of the social accounts," Jeff explained, rolling his eyes.
"Good thing, too, since I'm the reason people even liked the latest album," Gareth quipped back. "Social media is half the job these days. You have to-"
"Engage with the audience," the other's chorused in, making Eddie crack up.
"Exactly. Now group up," Gareth instructed, shooing them towards the end of the table. Eddie tried to hide at the back but was dragged to the front and center. "You're the main event, Eddie. Now shut up and smile."
He managed a grimace, which was good enough for Gareth. Well, he looked satisfied after taking several photos.
When he was finally released, Eddie slipped the folder under his arm and backed towards the doors. "I'll look through this tonight. Who knows? I might have something for you by the end of the week."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Ronnie warned him.
"Yes, ma'am." He saluted her and escaped into the hallway, blowing out a breath as the door shut behind him.
At least he had something to work with. The things he'd been working on in his spare time didn't fit Corroded Coffin's style, so he doubted it was useful. Maybe one day he could create his own album, but that was too much to think about currently. One job at a time, no need to get overwhelmed.
It didn't take long to find Steve and Charlie, a half-open door near the exit leading him to them. Charlie was engrossed with drawing something, papers strewn across a desk, but Steve had his back to the door, and surprisingly, he had headphones on, the sound of muffled music barely audible through them.
Coming up behind Steve, Eddie put his hands on his shoulders, and the headphones slipped off his head when he jumped violently. "Eddie!"
"Sorry," he chuckled, kissing Steve's cheek in apology. "What are you listening to?"
"Well, it's uh, you," Steve admitted sheepishly. "Corroded Coffin's first two albums. Figured I'd see what all the hype was about."
"And?"
Steve smiled, pulling Eddie down into a kiss. "Tortured minds. You can almost feel the pain in your words."
It never failed to surprise Eddie how clearly Steve saw him. But then, they both had shitty upbringings. He nudged Steve's nose and whispered, "Takes one to know one."
"I'm not a writer or famous."
"No. You're an amazing teacher, and I couldn't ask for better." Steve's blush was beautiful, and Eddie couldn't help kissing him again. Not that they got long to enjoy it because Charlie made herself known, throwing a crayon at them, and it clattered across the table to land in Steve's lap. "Hey, no throwing," Eddie told her, sliding it back. "Close your eyes if you don't want to see us kissing."
"I don't care if you kiss," Charlie rolled her eyes. "But you promised to take me in the music room."
"Did I?"
"Yes!"
Eddie caught Steve's eye, who shrugged. "You did promise."
"You're both filthy liars." Still, he picked Charlie up with a groan. "Come on then. You got the doors, Steve?"
He did, leading the way back to the recording room. Sitting on a stool, Eddie slid the smallest headphones on Charlie and had to fight back a grin because they were comically large. He settled them over her ears, picked up one of the guitars to hold in front of her, and helped her position her hands. She strummed enthusiastically, the jarring sound making Eddie wince, but he let her play, trying and mostly failing to help her produce a real tune. She was happy, though, and that's all that mattered.
Steve had gone behind the control board and watched them through the glass, smiling softly when he caught Eddie's eye. "She's a natural," he told Eddie, voice loud and clear despite Charlie's playing through his own headphones. "Wonder where she gets it from."
Eddie just shrugged, fighting back a wide grin. Pride was swelling in his chest, threatening to break out and smother Charlie in kisses, but he restrained himself. After a couple of minutes, he saw the control room brighten as someone else entered but was too focused on teaching Charlie the tune to her favorite Metallica song, Nothing Else Matters, humming along.
"Eddie?" Steve asked softly. "Gareth wants to take a photo."
Only half listening, Eddie nodded. They managed to get through most of the song with his guidance, and Charlie let go as they finished, pulling off her headphones. "Can we get ice cream?" She asked so loud that Eddie heard her clearly.
"I dunno. What do you think, Steve?"
Steve smiled and leaned into the mic. "I suppose she's earned it."
It was bright outside, and it took a while for Eddie's eyes to adjust as they walked down the street. Steve recovered faster, it seemed, because he took the lead, holding one of Charlie's hands as Eddie had the other, and she swung between them, laughing when they lifted her off the ground.
"Do you think they have a Scoops Ahoy?" Charlie asked Steve.
"I'm sure there is somewhere, but I didn't bring my card today. We can search for one another time. How about this place?" Steve stopped outside a small store called Sweet Freeze. It was relatively quiet and colorful, so Charlie was immediately enamored. "I think we have a winner."
The tables were a riot of swirls, sprinkles, and rainbows, the plastic seats a bright red. Choosing a table near the windows, Charlie swung her legs back and forth as she told Eddie about the elf and dragon drawings she had been working on before he'd interrupted them.
A few minutes later, their server appeared. She was a young girl, maybe in her late teens, with cropped blue hair and a bright smile. "Hi, my name's Amelia, and I'll be your server today. Here are your menus. We have a special today on our sorbets which you'll-" She stuttered to a stop, eyes wide, and her face flushed almost as red as the seats when she looked at Eddie. "Oh! I'm sorry, where was I?"
"The menus, I think," Eddie prompted gently, but she jumped like he'd snapped at her.
"Of course! Here you go. I'll be back to take your orders soon." She got halfway across the room before hurrying back to add, "It's sorbet special day, so they're half-price. Cool. I'll be back soon."
Her eyes lingered on Eddie for a second before she ran off, and when he chuckled, turning to Steve, he was surprised to find him scowling. "What?"
"She was staring."
Eddie chuckled and opened the menu to look down the list of ice creams. "Yeah, she's definitely my type."
"Shut up." Steve hid behind his menu, but Eddie caught a glimpse of his red ears before they vanished.
"What's wrong, Steve?" Charlie asked in concern, too young to understand, which only added to Eddie's amusement.
He leaned down to whisper loudly, "He's jealous."
"I am not!" Steve's menu hit the table with a thwack, his glare startling them into laughter. He caught Eddie's eye and said threateningly, "You're paying."
It was so worth it.
A different server came to take their orders, and he, too, looked at Eddie longer than was strictly necessary. He was beginning to think something was on his face and rubbed his cheek self-consciously as the server walked away.
"You're fine," Steve told him reassuringly. "Honestly, I think she recognized you."
"What?" Eddie laughed. "That's ridiculous. She's barely twenty!"
"So? You make fun of me for liking Tears for Fears."
Eddie almost made another jab but had learned the hard way not to tease Steve about his music. The last time, Steve had climbed into his lap and kissed him stupid, only to get up and leave him hard and aching. It was not an experience he wanted to repeat, so he kept his mouth shut. Steve's smile was a little too knowing when he caught his eye after a moment.
Thankfully interrupted by the arrival of their ice cream, Eddie was glad to find it tasted good despite the… odd service. Charlie definitely agreed, getting more on her face than in her mouth. Until she got brain freeze and buried her face in Eddie's stomach to try and hide from it. Eddie could practically see the hearts in Steve's eyes as he watched.
Ice creams demolished and stomachs full, Eddie was thinking longingly of his new soft bed and taking a nap when their original server returned.
"Here's your bill and- I'm sorry, but are you, Eddie Munson?" She laughed nervously, handing him the paper with a shaking hand. "It's just you look like him, but I didn't think he had a kid."
Charlie beamed at her, ignoring Steve, trying to wipe cream from her face. "He does!"
"He does," Eddie agreed. "Uh, yes, that's me."
"Wow. I mean, I'm a huge fan. I love Corroded Coffin." She pointed at one of the badges on her suspenders, and Eddie could faintly make out two large C's superimposed over the band's logo. "I've been to their concerts, and they're amazing, but I never thought I'd get to meet you since you left the band. I can see why now." She smiled back at Charlie and then seemed to remember herself, going red again. "Sorry, it's just great to meet you, is all."
Eddie felt more than a little stunned to not only be recognized but also admired by this girl. She couldn't have been more than a kid when their first album was released.
"Sorry. I'm bothering you, aren't I? God, you're out with your family, and I'm harassing you. Such an idiot."
She had just turned away when Eddie snapped out of his stupor. "No! I-I mean, no, it's fine." He laughed, nervous, too. "I'm not used to being recognized, that's all. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad you like the music." He held out his hand, and she stared in awe for a second before shaking it.
"C-can I have your autograph?" She blurted out and then smiled shyly. "And maybe a photo?"
"I'll take it," Steve said quickly before Eddie could object. He took her phone as Eddie got to his feet, unsure what to do, but smiled nonetheless, a little surprised when the girl hugged him. Unsure, he put an arm around her shoulder, quickly letting go when Steve held out her phone. "There you go."
"Thank you so much." Flustered, she patted her pockets before handing Eddie her serving pad and pen.
"Amelia, right?" Eddie asked, and she nodded. He quickly scribbled a note and handed it back.
'Thank you for being a longstanding fan, even when I'm not there.
Eddie x'
Maybe the kiss was overboard because Amelia hugged the pad close to her chest, looking close to tears. "It was great to meet you, and uh, I hoped you enjoyed the ice cream?"
"It was delicious!" Charlie told her emphatically.
"Oh, good. Well, when you're ready." She held out the card reader for Eddie to pay and, with one final smile, ran off. Even across the room, they could hear her excitedly talking to her colleague behind the counter.
"Ready to go?" Eddie asked, making sure Charlie's face was clean before they left.
Charlie was quiet, taking both their hands to walk down the street. After they turned a corner, she looked up at Eddie with a frown. "She liked you daddy. I think she had a crush on you."
"I think she did, too," Steve agreed with barely contained laughter.
Eddie could feel himself blushing, and he hated it. "Shut up."
Steve's grin only widened. "Whatever you say, rockstar."