Eddie before the birthday gala....
Sep. 20th, 2023 06:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
batteryacidA frequent topic of town chatter since Eddie had arrived was Ms. Dahlia Leeds's birthday gala. He had roughly half a month's notice and anything dress code appropriate was firmly out of his means. Even though Eddie was well aware, thanks to the local tailor(s), that Ms. Leeds had opened a tab for people to rent clothing for the event... he hadn't felt right doing so.
Maybe a single meeting during Parade Day was a poor justification, but just attending the party would give him a chance to speak with her more. He could apologize for getting killed when he should've had her back, for one thing, and find out more about her without the possible distortion of the gossip chain, for another.
Then Angel approached Eddie with a request to be his 'plus one' as offered in an official, personalized invitation from Dahlia to Angel... and Eddie attending the gala event became a certainty.
Eddie winced his way through the display of couture options -- listen, his formative years were spent in the United States in 1950s and early 1960s, there were some Very Definite ideas of masculinity that got shoved down his throat -- just absolutely not used to all the fanciness and frilliness available in menswear as well. Luckily, the shop assistant was patient, and they managed to find something appropriate yet understated.
(The darker reds, like maroon and burgundy, are some of Eddie's favorite colors to wear, and he is willing to put up with the weirdly large buttons in exchange for the shiny embroidered embellishments not taking over the entire look. And if he has to shave his legs for the tights, it's not like he's unfamiliar with the process. The things one does for bike racing...)
****
Dress code aside, a fancy party for a rich person's birthday is not unfamiliar to Eddie. Most of his experience with it has been driving celebrities to the parties of their compatriots, but Myra also has some well-off friends. When Eddie and Myra were married, he'd put in a fair number of appearances at such gatherings.
On September the 20th, Eddie took care of all his farm-related duties early in the day (including lavishing Bobbin and Thread with attention and treats so they would -- probably, maybe, hopefully -- not wander). He did all of the washing and grooming necessary to be presentable after preparing Missy for the trip to the Leeds Estate, and then set off on a leisurely pace across the island.
Eddie stops by the townhouse that Angel picked out to live in -- upon officially joining the fire brigade -- and presents him with a boutonnière of cloth flowers. The white rose buds are made of satin, and the leaf embellishments of velvet. (Being on friendly terms with the owner of a clothing shop has its perks.)
"I figured you'd like it," Eddie says to Angel, as he fastens it in place, "and it will last longer than real flowers."
Afterward, the pair swing by Grace Holloway's home since Eddie offered to give her a ride to the gala. It'll be good for Angel to have some socializing time with someone else!
****
Maybe a single meeting during Parade Day was a poor justification, but just attending the party would give him a chance to speak with her more. He could apologize for getting killed when he should've had her back, for one thing, and find out more about her without the possible distortion of the gossip chain, for another.
Then Angel approached Eddie with a request to be his 'plus one' as offered in an official, personalized invitation from Dahlia to Angel... and Eddie attending the gala event became a certainty.
Eddie winced his way through the display of couture options -- listen, his formative years were spent in the United States in 1950s and early 1960s, there were some Very Definite ideas of masculinity that got shoved down his throat -- just absolutely not used to all the fanciness and frilliness available in menswear as well. Luckily, the shop assistant was patient, and they managed to find something appropriate yet understated.
(The darker reds, like maroon and burgundy, are some of Eddie's favorite colors to wear, and he is willing to put up with the weirdly large buttons in exchange for the shiny embroidered embellishments not taking over the entire look. And if he has to shave his legs for the tights, it's not like he's unfamiliar with the process. The things one does for bike racing...)
****
Dress code aside, a fancy party for a rich person's birthday is not unfamiliar to Eddie. Most of his experience with it has been driving celebrities to the parties of their compatriots, but Myra also has some well-off friends. When Eddie and Myra were married, he'd put in a fair number of appearances at such gatherings.
On September the 20th, Eddie took care of all his farm-related duties early in the day (including lavishing Bobbin and Thread with attention and treats so they would -- probably, maybe, hopefully -- not wander). He did all of the washing and grooming necessary to be presentable after preparing Missy for the trip to the Leeds Estate, and then set off on a leisurely pace across the island.
Eddie stops by the townhouse that Angel picked out to live in -- upon officially joining the fire brigade -- and presents him with a boutonnière of cloth flowers. The white rose buds are made of satin, and the leaf embellishments of velvet. (Being on friendly terms with the owner of a clothing shop has its perks.)
"I figured you'd like it," Eddie says to Angel, as he fastens it in place, "and it will last longer than real flowers."
Afterward, the pair swing by Grace Holloway's home since Eddie offered to give her a ride to the gala. It'll be good for Angel to have some socializing time with someone else!
****
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 01:39 am (UTC)Angel doesn't mind the darkness, even though there's a lot to fear in it, here. He's always felt more comfortable at night, when shadows hide his oddness and he can pass for just another tired bum. But something about following the light to Eddie is different. Is...like coming home.
What a strange fucking thought.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 01:56 am (UTC)Once inside, he pulls off the suit coat and drapes it over one of the kitchen chairs. He leans against the kitchen table tiredly and just sort of... stares at his hands where they brace him upright. It's not until Angel opens the door again that Eddie even moves -- he looks up into Angel's face, manages a smiles, and declares,
"Next time there's a party, I vote we stay home. I'll bring some books over to your place and we can have an evening in."
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 02:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 02:46 am (UTC)"Ugh. I don't even know if I can relax enough to sleep. Maybe we can just... sit together for a while?"
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 03:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 03:21 am (UTC)"Good. 'Here' is more important than 'soft' anyway." Eddie sits down, and tugs at Angel to sit beside him.
Once Angel does, Eddie basically flops sideways into Angel's nearest shoulder. More to himself than anything, Eddie mutters, "Never really liked soft. Ma was soft an' smothering... Myra could be the same..."
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 03:30 am (UTC)"I'm here. I'm here. Here I am." It's almost a promise, but not in the future tense. He can't swear to always be here, but he's here now, and perhaps that would be enough. It would be enough for tonight.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 03:51 am (UTC)It's all true, and for the moment that's the part that matters. Eddie is too tired to analyze his feelings or overthink why Angel's presence is restful and makes him happy.
The accusatory hiss of 'sick, sick, sick' that sounds like Pennywise and his mother is silent for once.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 03:55 am (UTC)"You should sleep, Eddie. You're exhausted." He'll just. Stay up and keep watch, keep the monsters away.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 04:01 am (UTC)...and eventually, the silence in the room is broken by a soft snore.