"I'm telling you, Rob - it was genuinely fun!"

"I cannot believe this."

"You're not even hearing me out!"

"They've converted you to the dark side."

Willow and Robin lean against the Family Video counter, bickering back and forth as Willow recounts to her the night she played D&D with Hellfire. Robin had been poking fun at her the entire time.

"You're so dramatic," Willow huffs, rolling her eyes as she slides a tape across the counter that Robin catches. They're doing inventory, Willow grabbing the new releases from their box behind the counter and Robin entering them into their computer.

"Says the one who spent her Friday night playing make-believe. What did you say your character name was again?"

"They kept Willow the Witch, it just made sense," Willow says as she leans down to grab another movie once Robin places the previous one she'd passed onto the cart. They were both already dreading unloading that damn cart, "Eddie had actually made me up a more 'beginner-friendly' character sheet that he offered for me to play with rather than the one I helped make. Was a lot more helpful than whatever the Hell my original character was."

It was a sweet gesture. Between everyone getting distracted with her cookies and greeting each other with enthusiasm, Eddie had slowly slid the sheet to her.

"What's this?" she'd asked, reading over and recognizing it as a character sheet immediately. They'd already filled one out for her. She didn't understand why he was handing her a new one.

"I sort of made this character for you before we made one together. I still think the one we created is bitchin' as Hell, don't get me wrong, but this one might be easier to play. The class and race I chose don't have as many rules to remember, especially the ones you were struggling with. You don't have to play her - just... I dunno. Figured we might save the other one after you've played a few sessions. If you want to after this one, of course."

She had listened intently to his ramble before finally reading over the page.

A human cleric, with a background as a pirate. She had a specific power called "Wrath of the Storm", in which she could cast a spell that featured storm characteristics like fog and thunder. She sounded pretty badass, far more carefully thought out than the elven character Willow had created.

And easier to play, as he had said. She could tell that much with one quick glance over the margins of Eddie's messy scribbles of notes. Less rules, more simple, and somehow still more badass.

Two features on the page had stood out to her beyond the obvious, though, as she had read more about this cleric.

Her flaw - when someone challenged her, she refused to back down, stubborn as the real Willow. And another unique ability - the ability to become undead .

"I still think that nickname is lame," Robin comments as she types into the computer.

Willow bites back a laugh. She used to agree, but the nickname had grown on her, especially after that night. "It's not that bad. I think I kind of like it now."

"Are you going to be playing with them anymore?"

Robin's question makes Willow recall the night even more. She wasn't lying - she had fun . An insane amount, easily becoming immersed in Eddie's storytelling and catching on to how to play easily with the help of the boys. Hellfire had been surprisingly understanding of her learning curve, nothing but encouragement each time she struggled. They even won the one-night campaign, and Willow's character didn't die. Meaning, according to Dustin, she could always use the character in another campaign if she wanted to join.

Even as she pretends to think about her answer for Robin, she already has it. They hadn't let her leave last night without a promise of her joining their next proper campaign and bringing brownies next time.

"I think I will," she admits, bated breath as she awaits Robin's judgment. It never quite comes, though.

She receives a brief shocked look from her friend, but there's no cruelty to her words when she responds. "That's cool. Maybe you can convince them to let me sit in so I can see you in full nerd mode."

"Oh my God , I am not a nerd! You're the band geek, Buckley!"

Both girls are succumbing to laughter at their friendly yet ridiculous banter when Steve walks in the door of the store. They don't even greet him, too caught up in their joking to even hear the bell.

" Wow . The customer service here is awful ," he teases, approaching the counter and slamming his palms down to get their attention, "Too busy giggling and gossiping to even greet me. What would your boss think?"

"I think he'd cut us some slack," Robin immediately pipes.

"Yeah, rumor has it we're the best employees here. Way better than that other dude that works here with very average hair. I think his name is Sam?" Willow plays along, turning to Robin and sharing a fake questioning glance.

She turns back to Steve to find a faux glare being shot her way.

" Average hair? You've taken it too far now, Jenkins," despite his words, he's still cracking a smile her way.

It's laced with affection that flies right over her head, "At least I gave you the grace of not calling it awful . Could've hit you harder there, Sam ."

He ignores her threat of an insult, leaning his entire weight onto the counter across from the two girls, "So, what are we gossiping about?"

"Willow has officially become a nerd," Robin answers before Willow gets the chance, "And it's all your children's fault."

"They're not my children," Steve corrects as he looks at Willow, "Why are you an official nerd?"

She sighs dramatically. She actually doesn't care about being called a nerd, it's hardly a price to pay when she considers it meant spending more time with Eddie, more bonding with Eddie. "I joined Hellfire for Friday night and now Robin thinks it's the end of the world."

"It is the end of the world!" Robin argues, finally turning completely away from the computer before crossing her arms and pouting, "What if you decide you like them more than us? Then what?"

"Kind of impossible, Robs. Besides, I was just being a supportive girlfriend. Sue me for having fun with it."

If Steve bristles at the reminder of Willow being a girlfriend , of being Eddie's girlfriend , she doesn't see it.

"Fine. In that case, you'll be hearing from my lawyers," Robin huffs. Willow narrows her eyes at her.

Steve is visibly reeling still from the reminder of Willow's relationship, and is quick to change the subject, "I have an idea for Halloween," both girls break their staring contest to look at him, "A party. We should have a party Saturday night."

Willow can't control her grimace. It's automatic, memories of the last time they threw a party still haunting her. She already hadn't been fond of them before the entire ordeal, but that night had finally given a valid reason to her aversion.

"A party ?" Robin questions slowly, glancing at Willow, clearly thinking the same thing she was.

"Nothing big. Just... I don't know. An excuse to have fun, I guess?" Steve defends his idea. He's not looking to Robin for approval; his stare is focused on Willow.

She can feel him burning holes into her temples as she glances away and down at the floor, keeping her breathing even before responding, "Sounds great, except for the fact that I, uh, don't have the best track records with parties, if you recall."

Code for: the last time we threw a party, we got into a screaming match that nearly ended our friendship.

"It won't be like next time," Steve's words are sure and unwavering, a quiet promise in his eyes as Willow finally lets hers meet him. He says it with a conviction that she believes.

"And who exactly would be attending?" Robin squeaks. Willow catches on quickly - she's really asking if there's a chance that Nancy will be there. They still haven't discussed that entire situation, and Willow makes a mental note to bring it up soon. Before this party, if she gets the chance.

"Just us, maybe we can invite Nance and Eddie. Hell, the kids can even join us for a few hours before we send them home at curfew. I swear it won't be like last time."

That eases Willow's nerves a little, although it does have Robin bouncing on the heels of her feet at the mention of Nancy.

"So a get together, not a party," Willow says, moreso for herself than her friends. If she convinces herself it isn't a party in any sense of the name, then maybe she can convince herself to agree.

"Yes, exactly!" Steve excitedly agrees, clearly desperate for at least one of the girls to get on board with his self-believed genius, "My folks are out of town, so anyone who needs to stay over, can. I'll provide the alcohol, food and entertainment. All you would need to do is show up. Maybe wear a costume."

Steve Harrington is convincing when he wants to be. He knows just the right timing to break out the puppy dog eyes, all the right words to say, the perfectly sweet tone to beg with. It's always been infuriating, but especially at this moment. Especially when Willow Jenkins' gut tells her to swear off any sort of parties, big or small, for the rest of her life.

But she doesn't have it in her to say no. So she doesn't.

"Fine," she finally groans, shocking both Robin and Steve, "But it is not a party. Just a get together."

"Just a get together," Steve parrots her, eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he nods eagerly.

"And we have to invite Eddie. And Nancy," she adds on Nancy for Robin's sake, which finally gets her to nod along with Willow's agreement.

"Yep. Absolutely," Steve is agreeing without a single complaint, "We invite Eddie and Nancy to the not- party."

"You owe me," she says to Steve earnestly, before turning and sending a look Robin's way, waving a threatening finger in her direction, "So do you."

Robin starts to nod with the infectious enthusiasm between the three, before a puzzled look crosses her features. "Wait, me? Why do I owe you-"

She doesn't get to finish her scoff of a question as the bell rings from the front of the store once more, followed by loud shouting.

"Holy fuck !" None other than Eddie Munson comes bounding in, looking wild and lively as he nearly runs into the store. He catches sight of Willow and shouts again, " Red !"

"Uh, Eddie? Hi?" She slowly walks around the counter, but she's barely brushed past Steve when Eddie has made it to her and grabs her up. His arms wrap around her waist and she's lifted into the air, the boy spinning her and causing her to shriek, "Eddie! Put me down!"

"Look at this! Fucking look at it !" he nearly rips the paper he fishes out of his pocket as he puts her down, still absolutely beaming with electrified happiness.

She's confused as he thrusts it into her hands, smoothing out the wrinkles and trying to figure out what it is. And then she realizes; it's their project. From O'Donnell's.

"Holy fuck!" She's screaming as well now, looking delighted between Eddie and the paper that has a bold 'A-' written across the top in red ink, "Holy shit!"

"Holy shit!" he echoes. Her cheeks sting from her genuine smile for him.

O'Donnell had made the decision to grade the partners separately when they finally turned in the project before break. Willow had already received her grade that morning, and as expected, she'd gotten an A. But O'Donnell had asked Eddie to come back and see her after school.

"I thought for sure she was flunking you, Jesus Christ , Eddie!" Willow looks back to the paper in disbelief.

"Um..." Robin breaks the moment, her and Steve sharing a look before turning back to the couple, "What are we shouting about?"

"We are shouting about this ," Eddie takes the paper back from Willow, surprisingly gentle as if to preserve the proof that he had in fact not been flunked. He turns to the counter and slams the paper down to face Robin. Steve leans over to catch sight of the proudly presented A-.

"Holy shit," Robin whispers, looking up at the two of them and then Steve, turning the paper so he could see more clearly, "I never thought I'd see the day Eddie Munson got an A."

"Well, the day has come, Buckley," Eddie waves his hands in a jovial manner before he's turning back to Willow, "And it's all thanks to this beautiful girl here."

She's taken off guard when his hands are suddenly cradling her face, bringing his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. She has to lean up onto her tippy-toes to return the fervent, balancing herself by placing a hand on each of Eddie's shoulders. Neither can keep from smiling for long, though, leading the kiss to melt into their teeth barely clashing and their breathy laughs of happiness being exchanged.

Willow hasn't even considered it's the first time they've kissed in front of Steve until he clears his throat.

Willow leans back down quickly, settling back onto the heels of her feet and looking at him with wide eyes. Eddie's hands don't fall from her face.

"Congratulations, man," Steve says awkwardly, nodding with a tight-lipped smile in Eddie's direction.

"Thanks," Eddie breathes out. He's looking at Willow again before he even finishes exhaling the syllable, pulling her face in close as he whispers, "And thank you ," his glee is radiant, falling off of him in waves that makes Willow's heart ache in the best way. She can't get over how happy he looks, "Fuck, Red. You should have seen O'Donnell's face. I think this is my first A, ever . All because of you."

"I'm so proud of you," she gushes, lifting her hands up to his on her aching cheeks, curling her fingers around his wrists and stroking them in a naturally soothing manner, "I mean, I always knew you were capable, but this... this is nice."

Proud is an understatement. In the months she's properly known Eddie, she's always known that he was smarter than he let on. His mind was brilliant - it was the fact that no one took the time to believe it that had always hindered him. He had just needed someone in his corner, someone who would sit with him for long hours and force him to put the pen to paper. The look he wears now tells Willow it was worth it to be that person for him, no matter how many times he'd frustrated her impossibly so during their study sessions. This was worth the vexation; Eddie Munson was finally being recognized by others for his brilliance, and it was terribly worth it.

She knows that Eddie can read her thoughts as he looks into her shining eyes, sharing a private and knowing smile. Finally, his hands drop from her face before he reaches out to grab her and tug her into his side.

"We've got to celebrate," Eddie announces, finally acknowledging Robin and Steve with his full attention. Since he had entered the store, he had only really had eyes for Willow. He didn't care what anyone else thought of his achievement - he only cared what she thought.

Willow nods before glancing at Robin, who's already looking apologetic as if she could predict Willow's next words, "We do. But I've still got an hour of my shift left."

"Go," Steve says suddenly. Eddie and Willow both whip their heads in sync to look at him, "Go ahead, celebrate. I'll cover the rest of your shift."

"Steve-"

"Don't argue, Jenkins," he smiles softly at her, already walking around to take her place beside Robin, "You two crazy kids go enjoy yourselves. I'm sure Buckley doesn't mind, right?"

Robin is already nodding encouragingly, "Definitely don't mind. Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Got it, so no celebratory bungee jumping," Willow jokes around, leaving Eddie's side to shrug out of her vest and toss it Steve's way. As he catches it, she leans forward on the counter, "Thank you, Harrington. I owe you."

"Call it even," Steve assures as he puts on the vest. It's a bit tighter on him than it is on Willow, "For the get-together."

"For the get-together," she agrees before turning to Eddie, "Alright, boy genius, how shall we celebrate?"

—

They catch Wayne as he's preparing to leave for his shift that night when they arrive at the trailer. Eddie's knee had bounced in excitement the entire drive, talking animatedly to Willow about how this was a sign - '86 was going to be his year, he knew it. He was finally going to graduate, and he was positive it would be with Willow at his side.

"Wayne!" Eddie shouts as they enter the trailer, making the older man standing at the kitchen counter jump slightly over his cup of coffee he was finishing off.

"Christ, boy," Wayne grumbles once he sees it's just them, "Keep your voice down. We can't have another noise complaint from the neighbors."

He shares a look with Willow when Eddie continues to nearly run over to his uncle, never wiping the grin off his face as he clutched the paper behind his back.

"What's gotten into him?" he asks, directing the question at Willow rather than Eddie. She can't even muster a sarcastic reply or gesture, finding herself smiling widely at her boy. She doesn't realize just how carefully Wayne is watching her, taking note of just how much care is shining in her irises for him. It's the kind of warmth for someone that's impossible to hide; everyone in the room can see it.

The jab doesn't dampen Eddie's mood in the slightest as he flings his arm around, holding his prized grade out for Wayne to see, " This is what has gotten into me. I got a goddamn A , old man. I told you I was going to graduate this year!"

Wayne's eyes widen at the red penmanship, hands tentatively reaching out and grabbing the paper from Eddie. He releases with surprising ease as his uncle sighs out under his breath, "Well I'll be damned."

"This bumped me up to a goddamn B overall. O'Donnell was ready to accuse me of cheating, even. Had a talk with me after school and everything."

There's a boyish air to Eddie right now that makes Willow's heart clench. He's rocking on his feet, excitedly drinking in his uncle's happy reaction. It's a sensitive and vulnerable moment despite all the excitement, one showing a side of Eddie she isn't sure most people get to see. It's the side that comes out when he's with the people he's comfortable with, the side that has always been familiar to Willow. He's like a little kid who's bursting at his seams, too big of emotions to simply stand and stay still. They have to bleed out into the air around him, and they're infectious.

The scene before her is trudging up the same wistful feeling that she had felt when she watched Eddie in the kitchen with her mother. That overwhelming longing of a future of domesticity with Eddie. A million afternoons of bursting into the Munson trailer, nearly giving Wayne a heart attack as Eddie lets all his guards fall from him completely, flash through her mind.

She doesn't think that even a million afternoons of these kinds of moments would calm this felicity that has her heart racing and her cheeks aching.