Work Text:
A voicemail to Eddie Munson from his manager, december ‘93
“Munson, you need to come into the studio. I know you rock stars are capricious but you have commitments. Listen… I know how hard you’re taking your uncle’s death, but the record company is expecting to hear from us any day now. If you don’t sober up and return my calls by this weekend, I’m checking you into a rehab. This is your final warning.”
Excerpt of a phone call between Dustin Henderson and Eddie Munson, ‘94
“So how is everyone doing? I haven’t been able to catch up in a while since I was in - y’know.”
“Well, Max proposed to Lucas last month. I’m pretty sure El dumped Mike for good, but who knows with them. Uh, Will got a new job in Indianapolis at a museum, so he’s moving there at the end of the month. What else? Uh, Nancy and Jonathan are the same. Robin stopped renting and bought her apartment.”
“You people have been busy, huh? When’s the wedding?”
“Fuck if I know. I don’t think they know either.”
“Honestly, I’m not surprised. And, uh, Steve?”
“Yeah, he’s doing good too. I visited him a couple months back, met his boyfriend. He’s pretty cool. He loves Steve a lot.”
“…”
“Eddie?”
“Yeah, here. That’s - that’s good, I’m happy for them. Steve deserves it.”
“…oh. I mean - yeah. Yeah, he does.”
Excerpt of a phone call between Robin Buckley and Eddie Munson, spring ‘96
“I’m just calling to let you know that Steve and Levi broke up. Do with that what you will.”
“What the hell happened? I thought Steve was happy.”
“They just wanted different things in life. Levi didn’t have the guts to break it off, so Steve dumped him.”
“…is he doing okay?”
“I mean, he’s obviously sad, but nowhere near ’87-sad.”
“…”
“I’m not apologizing for saying that.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, Buckley. Seriously though, how is he doing?”
“He’s crying every once in a while, but he’ll be fine. He saw it coming.”
“Okay, well, that’s good, I guess. On a completely unrelated note, would you happen to know which flowers he likes?”
“You wanna send him flowers?”
“…”
“Eddie.”
“Just tell me or don’t, Buckley.”
“Fine. He likes dahlias.”
Excerpt of a phone call between Max Mayfield and Eddie Munson, fall ‘97
“So how are the wedding preparations going?”
“We’re almost done. We picked out a venue in Indianapolis, and we have the guest list. Jonathan agreed to take pictures, Erica is handling the caterers and the florist. We still have to print and mail invitations, but that’s about it.”
“Holy shit, you and Sinclair are finally doing this. Not gonna lie, never thought you’d be the marriage type, Red.”
“Why, are you planning to be my getaway driver in case I change my mind?”
“I mean, not planning to, but I wouldn’t deny you a ride if you wanted to make a break for it.”
“Funny, Munson. Enough about me. How is your love life, huh?”
“Meh, not as exciting as yours, I’m sure. I’m mostly living the bachelor life. You would think more people would want to date you when you’re famous.”
“You sure it’s not you who doesn’t want to date random people?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“When are you moving back to Hawkins?”
“Red, what are you on about?”
“Eddie, Steve’s not leaving. Ever. That house is the first thing he chose for himself. You know why he dumped Levi? Because he insisted they move to Indianapolis. Steve is not leaving. So either you go to Hawkins, or you spend the rest of your life without him. It’s that simple.”
“…”
“…”
“What makes you think I want Steve?”
“Don’t mock my intelligence. I’m partially blind and even I can see you’ve been in love with him for over a decade.”
“I - I don’t think it’s that simple.”
“It is! You either go to him, or you don’t. He can live without you, and I’m sure you can live without him, but do you want to?”