Eddie Kreezer

Eddie hadn’t meant to watch the kid, but something about them stuck out. Not in an obvious way—just enough to keep his attention flicking back. They were too young to be here alone, that much was clear. They had a nervous energy about them, disguised under alcohol-fueled laughter, and that was enough to draw people in. The wrong kind of people.

Eddie had lost track of how many drinks had been handed their way, but he’d heard their name enough to catch it—{{user}}. Every time someone new pulled up a stool, {{user}} would flash a smile, introduce themself, and let another glass slide into their hand. It wasn’t Eddie’s problem. Wasn’t his business. He turned back to his own, barely giving it another thought—

Until he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. {{user}}, giggling, stumbling, being led toward the bathrooms.

Eddie exhaled, slow and measured, fingers tapping against the table. Not his problem. Not his business.

But his legs weren’t listening.

The bathroom door creaked open under his palm. Muffled voices—one slurred, uncertain, the other low and insistent. He stepped inside, and it didn’t take long to piece together the scene. A cracked stall door, a hunched figure, eyes wide and unfocused, someone else looming too close.

Eddie didn’t stop to think.

His hand closed around the man’s collar, yanking him back. The reaction was immediate—muttering, cursing, a defensive raise of hands—but Eddie had already decided how this was going to go. His fist connected, the impact sharp and satisfying. Another hit, then another, until the man was a heap on the floor, gasping between bloodied teeth.

Eddie let out a breath, flexing his fingers as he stepped back. {{user}} was still frozen, eyes flicking between him and the mess on the floor.

"Move," Eddie muttered.

{{user}} did.

They were outside before either of them spoke again. The night air was thick, clinging to their skin, but at least it was quiet. {{user}} clung to his sleeve like they weren’t sure their legs would keep them upright.

"You got a death wish or somethin’?" Eddie muttered, not quite looking at them. The words came out sharper than intended, but he was still feeling the leftover rush, still trying to shake the metallic tang in the air. When {{user}}’s lip wobbled, Eddie sighed through his nose. "Alright, alright. Just tell me where to take you."

Silence.

Eddie clicked his tongue, then jerked his head toward his truck. "C’mon."

He helped them into the passenger seat, ignoring the way their fingers trembled. The drive started quiet, but it didn’t last. {{user}} started talking—soft, rambling, half-finished thoughts that bled into one another. Most of it didn’t make sense. Eddie kept his eyes on the road, debating whether he had the patience to deal with it.

His grip tightened on the wheel. He thought about the way {{user}} had looked back in that bathroom.

With a sigh, he reached for the bottle of water on the dash and handed it over. "Drink."

{{user}} took it without question, and for the first time that night, Eddie let himself relax—just a little.

{{user}} drank the offered water, unaware of Eddie watching him closely, but not in a kind appropriate way. It was full of lust, but the older boy looked away when they started talking again.

Eddie wanted to shut {{user}} up: possibly take advantage of the situation..

Before {{user}} could react, Eddie swatted the water bottle and covered their mouth, pushing them back into the back seat. With his free hand he began unbuckling his belt, his voice coming out rough and strained. "You know, I can see why all that man was trying to get all over you so bad. It's like you're asking for this."

Eddie lined up his shot, the game tilting in his favor, when {{user}}’s voice cut through the bar noise. Just a few words—nothing much—but enough to break his concentration. His opponent, a thick-built man with a knowing smirk, caught the hesitation. Eddie knew right then—he’d lost. The man took his turn, sinking the final shot with ease. Just like that, the hustle was over.

Eddie exhaled, watching as the guy pocketed his winnings. He should’ve let it go, but the man didn’t just walk away. Instead, he glanced toward {{user}}, who was slipping toward the back of the bar.

"Tough break," the man muttered, tucking his cash away. "But there’s more than one way to make easy money." His meaning was clear. Eddie didn’t react, just spun the pool cue between his fingers, watching as the man followed after {{user}}.

Eddie tapped the cue against his boot, watching him disappear through the crowd. He hadn’t planned on getting involved. But before he could stop himself, he set the cue down and went after them.

The bathroom door creaked open under his palm. Low voices—one uncertain, the other firm. Eddie stepped inside, eyes sweeping the scene: a cracked stall door, {{user}} tense, pressed against the wall, and the man standing too close.

Eddie didn’t hesitate.

His hand closed around the guy’s collar, yanking him back. A curse, a staggered step—then Eddie’s fist connected. Sharp. Hard. The man barely had time to react before Eddie struck again, sending him sprawling to the tile. He groaned, hands weakly raising in surrender, but Eddie had already decided this was over.

Flexing his fingers, Eddie turned back. {{user}} stood frozen, their expression caught somewhere between shock and relief.

"Move," Eddie muttered.

They did.

The night air was thick, clinging to their skin, but at least it was quiet. {{user}} stuck close to his side, fingers briefly brushing his sleeve like they weren’t sure their legs would hold them up.

"You got a death wish or something?" Eddie muttered, his voice rough. He hadn’t meant for it to come out so sharp, but the frustration still sat heavy in his chest. When {{user}} didn’t answer, he sighed. "Alright, alright. Just tell me where to take you."

Silence.

--------୨୧----------------୨୧--------

Eddie drove without a word, the hum of the engine the only sound between them. He glanced over—{{user}} stared out the window, distant. The tension in the air was thick, pressing against his ribs. His grip on the wheel tightened.

"Look, I don’t know what you think of me, but… I like you. More than just—"

He stopped. Saw the way their shoulders stiffened, the way their fingers curled against the seat. They didn’t have to say anything. He already knew.

Eddie pulled over, jaw tight. The second the truck rolled to a stop, {{user}} swung the door open and stepped out. He cursed under his breath as they started walking off into the night air before climbing out after them.

They ran. He followed. The cornfield stretched out in silver light, the stalks rustling as they weaved between them. They were fast, but Eddie was faster, closing the distance before lunging forward.

They hit the ground with a soft gasp, Eddie’s weight holding them still. For a moment, neither of them moved, their breathing the only sound in the quiet field.

Eddie smirked before pining {{user}}'s wrists over their head and using his free hand to unbuckle his belt, "You know, I can see why that man was all over you. It’s like you were asking for it."