(This was precisely why he had called Dean. There was something undeniably dependable about the man as he stepped in with all of the control that Eddie never had in any situation. It just felt good, plain and simple, to have an adult show up, ready to believe him, ready to help him. It's not a luxury he was used to. And Eddie picks up on the soft tone instantly. That was new too.

Eddie doesn't anticipate the invite for burgers. It catches him off guard mostly because adults didn't usually want to just hang out with him. Maybe it was a theoretical question. Eddie's been staring for way too long either way and he shakes himself out of it.)

Oh. Oh- yeah. I love burgers. I practically went vegetarian a few years ago but it's not a strict thing. It's been a while since I've had a good old fashioned beef burger.

(Dean wasn't wrong anyway. Something meaty was probably exactly what he needed. The urge to hug is even more intense, and he bites his lip before caving in. He gives Dean a quick, tight squeeze around his midriff.)

Thanks for coming over. (It's December though. This means the moment he's got Dean in a hug, he's flooded with that intense calm and reassurance Deerington seemed to infuse into every touch lately. It makes him relax almost completely, and he holds on for longer than he had planned to because good lord, how could he not? Hugging was so dope this month.)