Chapter 1: Tear myself away from thoughts in my head
Summary:
Steve's POV
Steve has the shift at family video, alone. He can’t help but long for his person, his soulmate. He once hoped it would be Robin, but they’re not meant to be. Not in the romantic sense. Steve fears he’s going to end up alone. Hop is gone. Robin will go to university. Soon the kids won’t need him. The nagging voice inside him tells him he’s unlovable.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
self hatred, self worth issues, nightmares, neglecting parents, fear of being left behind, Stancy breakup (mentioned), images of depression
Chapter Text
Thursdays have always been slow at Family Video, even more so today since Steve has a shift by himself. Working without Robin is way worse than with her; no constant rambling to fill the lonely silence, so the days seem to drag on and on like tasteless old chewing gum.
Steve is currently trapped in an ongoing loop of taking the tapes out of their stupid, plastic boxes, rewinding them, and piling up the finished tapes onto the small shelving cart. It is monotonous and boring, only accompanied by the static of the radio playing in the background, but it is half a frequency off, so the sound is a bit scrambled.
Add the constant noise of tape rewinding on top of it and it's the perfect condition to sprout a mild headache.
He's learnt mild pressure helps, so Steve reaches up and slowly massages his temples, relieved when the recorder clicks off, indicating it's done with the rewind.
Steve sighs, finally done with the atrocious task, and adds the last tape to the pile.
Mid-March it's warm enough, due to the mild spring weather, that Steve can wear short sleeves again. He enjoys the light air caressing his skin, thanks to the small single ventilator fan on the ceiling. He can already feel dread when he thinks about the hot summer in Hawkins, can just about feel the phantom sweat roll down his neck. It will be a common sensation once the air gets stuffy inside the video store. An uncomfortable shiver runs down his spine.
Steve shakes out his limbs, trying to rid himself of the feeling. Spring is not even in full force, he should enjoy that while he can.
Steve's eyes wander down to his bare arms. Bare, not only in the literal sense of no sleeves, but bare. Without ink, but most importantly, without his soulmark.
He really thought he and Robin would spark. Not at first of course, they were barley more than coworkers before the Upside Down shit went down the year prior, but being trapped together by evil Russians, followed by torture, and nearly dying a few times set their relationship in stone. They developed a strong codependency, can now practically hear the other's thoughts. Steve can't remember being this close to someone in his life before, not even Nancy. The love he has for Robin is all encompassing. It's so grand, it sometimes feels like it will burst his heart, so full of affection and trust.
It's easy to presume they're soulmates by how close they are and how they act around each other, constantly clinging to each other, gravitating into each other's orbits like it's the most natural thing. And it feels like that - easy and comfortable. Coming home. Only home is a person and not a place.
So, yeah, in retrospect Steve feels like they should have sparked. Just one single touch. His open palm on Robin's skin and they should have been branded by destiny, triggering his soulmark. But nothing happened. His arms stayed bare and so did Robin's.
Sometimes he still reaches out to her, grazing his hand along her arm. Refusing to let the small embers of hope die. Maybe someday they can still spark. Maybe he isn't doomed to a life without a soulmate. Maybe his love is more than just bullshit.
Only that’s not how it works. It’s a first time thing. I need to stop being an idiot…
Steve swallows hard after chastising himself mentally. That's why he hates working alone most, he can't keep his mind from wandering. Can't keep his heart from longing. To have this special connection. To find his someone.
He fights back the tears before they can fall.
It feels pathetic to wish for more when he already has a special someone. Steve is certain that the only reason Robin and him didn't spark is the lack of romantic capability. After she came out to him under the influence of Russian truth serum, he understood why they didn't spark. She can't be his romantic soulmate. Some days Steve wallows over the fact that platonic soulmates can't connect like that.
Robin and I don't need a mark to have that special bond!
It's a constant reminder to himself.
No matter how much he wishes for the spark, it's not even certain he ever will.
His parents never sparked for anyone and definitely not for each other. There is no love in their relationship, not like that. It's nothing but mutual benefit. His father has the perfect image of a happy family he can throw around while fucking his way through half his staff, and his mother has more money than she can spend, doing god knows what. Somehow along the way they simply forgot they had a child they were supposed to take care of.
Steve wouldn't be surprised if he didn't spark either. Might be karma for being an asshole for most of his life before he got a hit at the back of his head. Figuratively and practically.
It's not like one needs a soulmark to have a happy and fulfilling relationship. Joyce and Hopper never sparked as far as Steve knows, and they were perfect for each other, even though it only lasted a very short time.
Steve sniffs quietly, and gently cleans up the tears which are free falling now.
Thank god no one is coming in for a video on a random Thursday afternoon.
It would have been an embarrassing moment for Steve. But he can't help himself - losing Hopper like that still hurts. He might have been an unreliable drunk once upon a time, but he really came forward for El. Kept everyone safe, including all the twerps Steve has a soft spot for. He was a great father figure, especially when it came to love and support.
Steve misses the evenings when he'd drop off El & Will, and Hop would offer him a beer. They would sit on the porch, cool drinks in hand, talking about the day, the kids, sometimes the Upside Down; sometimes simply sitting in silence.
It was a fatherly comfort Steve had never experienced before and he grew attached.
And then Hopper was gone. Not even a year ago. Just like that. Gone.
Fucking Upside Down.
Steve breaks free from the spot where he was frozen in place and stalks to the employee bathroom.
Get a grip, man.
He grabs a paper towel and blows his nose. Without a second thought, Steve turns on the faucet for cold water and splashes it onto his face multiple times, trying to get rid of any evidence of his emotional breakdown as well as grounding himself. He towels off the damp skin and makes his way back out to the store, still as vacant as he left it.
This is going to be a long day...
Sometimes it's just like this. He'll be alone for a bit and his mind will conjure up all these bad memories and depressing thoughts.
Without constant company, Steve can't help to feel a little lost and empty. Lonely, like the first time his parents left and decided he no longer needed a nanny at the ripe age of 12.
"A man should be able to take care of himself", his father had said; like the man didn't have a maid and secretary for every single task he had to do, and who certainly never set foot in the kitchen ever.
Lonely. It's a state he better get used to. It's just a matter of time till Robin moves on to college. Nancy is already one foot out of town. Joyce and the Hopper-Byers family had already left Hawkins behind. He has the kids, for now. But once they can drive, they won't need him either and he'll be stranded, alone, working a shitty retail store and engaging in casual sex with Heidi or Brenda or whoever. Stocking shelves in an ugly work vest, waiting for the swindling tiny unlikely chance his soulmate will just randomly show up at the doorstep of a video rental.
Maybe I should take Robin to one of the gay bars up in Indy before she leaves? What are my odds of sparking with a cute guy there?
Customers come in every now and then but it's still a slow day overall. Steve makes sure to greet everyone with the same plastered-on fake smile, offering his assistance finding specific tapes or recommending movies when asked. It’s not great, but at least he doesn't have to wear an atrocious sailor outfit.
He dusts off a few of the shelves and makes sure to stock all the rewinded tapes. Steve grazes his fingers over a few cardboard backs, considering taking a movie home to watch in the evening but nothing really speaks to him.
He sweeps the floor, flips over the "open" sign and makes sure to turn off all the lights when his shift is finally over, driving home. Well, to the house he lives in at least. It hasn’t felt like home in years.
This is what his life has become. Former golden boy and student athlete, now working minimum wage jobs with no prospects in the future.
Steve feels hollow. Carved out.
Like he's just operating the body of a once popular student. Detached.
He just follows the same script every single day. Get up, get ready, go to work at a boring ass job, go home. Sometimes he drives the kids around, playing chaperone, but that's about it.
Steve can't help but feel plain. He has nothing going for him anymore. No popularity, no status. No friends his age (if you don't count platonic soulmates).
The Harrington money is no longer at his disposal, ever since his parents had cut him off, so he has no wealth going for him either.
And that's about everything Steve had in his favor.
After he parked his Bimmer, he drags himself inside and warms the leftover potato soup from the day before. Even though he can feel the warmth of the soup and usually enjoys the grounding taste of a self-made meal, it does little to soothe him.
Steve pilots the shell of his body to the shower, listens to the constant splatter of the drops on the walls. He breathes in the scent of his favorite shampoo, trying to trigger some sort of comfort, but he can barely appreciate it right now. It's just another reminder that he crafted his image so much about his looks and appearance, he neglected working on an actual personality.
The house is eerily quiet when he steps back into his bedroom. The empty rooms are a perfect reflection of Steve's hollowness. The whole house is, actually. Looking all posh and fancy on the outside, with the pretty garden and the big pool and all the expensive furniture. Take a closer look and it's all just for show. Inside it's lifeless and still and cold.
A shiver runs down Steve's spine and he hurries over to the dresser to pick up a sweatshirt and some boxers.
He gets dressed and slips under the covers of his bed, not in the mood for TV or music.
He looks over to the window. The sun is slowly settling in the distance, coloring the sky in wonderful shades of oranges and pinks.
What would I give to be like that? To bring that warmth into the world?
The warmth and coziness of the bed slowly lulls Steve into a faint slumber. Behind closed lids, his eyes dart around. Steve takes in a shuddering breath, his hands clench into the blanket as he tosses his head. Sweat covers his neck and forehead. He lets out a pitiful whimper and a stray tear makes his way down his cheeks, effectively being soaked up by the soft pillow casing.
Only moments later Steve sits up with a startled movement, breaking away from his dream. He can faintly smell punch in the air, can feel the dampness of the shirt under his fingers, soaked with the alcoholic beverage. "We're not even soulmates, Steve. What we have, it's bullshit!" Nancy's drunk slurred voice is echoing inside his head.
It's been a while since I dreamt about that night...
Maybe spurred on by all the events of the day, this particular memory decided to make an appearance again.
Nancy and him never really got around to talk about it. Their breakup. Or the fight that led up to the end of their relationship. It shouldn't hurt as much anymore, it's been years. But even after all this time, it's still one of Steve's most painful memories. A shard that's still lodged inside his heart, not piercing in further, not threatening his life, but a constant reminder of his worst fear - that he's unlovable.
His parents never loved him, not in the way he needed. They left him behind as soon as they could.
Nancy didn't return his feelings and moved on.
Robin will move on soon enough. She's already making friends in band, and don't get Steve wrong, he loves that for her. She deserves good things, especially after all they've been through, but he can't shake the constant nagging in the back of his head telling him Robin will replace him. Will she pull away when she sparks? There is limited room for people in your life. That's the main reason why you only get branded for romantic soulmates. Destiny is telling you to get your priorities straight.
So whenever it'll finally happen to Robin, Steve will be left behind.
But he'll be left behind either way. In the fall, Robin will move to a big city with a big university and will forget all about the school bully she befriended over shared trauma.
Steve will stay back in Hawkins, take care of the twerps for a bit till they graduate too…
And then what?
With a groan Steve flops back onto the bed, rubbing his hands over his face. He stares at the ceiling. It's still dark outside.
I really need to get out of my head. A distraction would be nice.
Not even two days later, Dustin and Max storm the video store during Steve's shift in a frantic attempt to locate Eddie. The Upside Down is back.
Not really the distraction Steve was hoping for.
Chapter 2: Sometimes what appears to be is a show
Summary:
Eddie's POV
Eddie hides at Rick’s place after Chrissy’s brutal murder. He can’t really believe what happened, so Eddie runs to the only place where he feels safe. He knows they’ll pin the death on him. Who would believe him anyway? He’s nothing but a troublemaker.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
panic attack, implied self harm, self worth issues, recalling of Chrissy’s death, short mentions of child neglect
Chapter Text
Dust covers the surfaces of the old kitchen, the windows blurry from wind and weather. The air inside the house is stuffy from being trapped for months and months. The once white curtains are stained beige from years of smoke, clearly never been washed or changed, evident by the faint smell of it even when the owner of the house isn't around. At least not currently.
Rick has at least 2 months of jail time left for drug possession and alleged distribution.
It's also the main reason the small house by the lake makes a perfect hiding spot. Barely anyone knows it's out there and even less people would come looking for him here.
Big plus, the building was like a second home growing up. The well known familiarity makes it feel safe. Feeling secure was definitely one of the most important factors in his decision when looking for a place to stay after he ran in a frenzy.
Eddie is currently on the tiled kitchen floor, back pressed into the corner of the cabinets. Even though he's been here for a few hours, his breathing is still erratic.
A handful of small bruises bloom proud on the inside of his arm, but no matter how hard he had pinched himself, he wouldn't wake up from this nightmare. He plucked out a handful of strings of dark curly hair, but no matter how it stung, he was still trapped in this horrible vision.
This can't be real!
He has seen fantasy movies and horror flicks alike, has read more novels of grand magical adventures than anyone else in this god forsaken town. It feels like he should have been prepared for something paranormal happening. But not to him. Not in rural, small town Hawkins, Indiana.
Eddie leans back, lightly bumping his head into the counter behind him, letting out a deep sigh. For hours he’s been trying to convince himself his creative mind merely came up with this crazy story fueled by a too-strong dosage of weed, or that he simply fell asleep on the couch. But the marks on his skin prove otherwise.
When he closes his eyes he can still see her bones snap, can hear the faint echo of cracking and a distant memory of his own voice, screaming and panicked. Not even after a horror movie marathon would he be able to come up with something like this.
Which leaves only one option: it really happened.
Sweet cheerleader Chrissy came to him for help, he left her alone in the room for only a few minutes, and somehow some paranormal entity decided it wanted to take the nice girl, levitating her off the ground and killing her on the spot, while Eddie could do nothing but watch.
And then he ran.
Cause how would he explain something like that to the authorities? Who would believe him? His image around town is already bad enough - the town pariah, resident freak, drug dealer, trailer trash – take your pick.
And Eddie is leaning into that behavior, normally. Gladly so. Throws big speeches on top of cafeteria tables, laying on thick with the devil horns and the grimaces. Channeling his crazy side, throwing off people with his act.
It’s not that any of these personalities or performances really are Eddie. In the end, it’s all show. The armor he puts on every morning - being over the top so the jocks and bullies won’t mess with him.
But with all of it comes even more unwanted attention, and soon after come the rumors. Kids have great fantasies, no one knows that better than Eddie, and the more well-known he becomes, the weirder the shit people make up about him.
Once every few months someone claims Eddie is drinking blood to gain more of his freakish power (false). Someone once claimed to have seen him talk to animals (cool, but sadly, also false). Circling around time after time is the fact that Eddie is a queer (very much true, but it’s not like he wants people to know that). Eddie’s favorite story to this day is still what Chase made up, telling his friends that Eddie allegedly hypnotized the guy by staring at him weirdly (too good to be true).
Piled on top of it all are the latest rumors about his club at school and D&D in general. Whispers about it being a cult filled the halls for days, with him being the big bad evil leader. For some reason people think a bunch of nerds with dice and costumes who meet up for roleplay adventure games would also go around sacrificing virgins or whatever.
No matter what the truth was, naïve small town folk latched onto the craziest figments of imagination, when told by the right people, and were easily manipulated; following their herd’s leaders like the good little sheep they are.
All it would take was one look at the scene and Eddie would be done for. ‘Shining example of a girl with a promising future found dead in the trailer of a well-known and warned off drug dealer’ - Eddie can already imagine the headline. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots there. The story for the news was practically writing itself. They would lock Eddie up on the spot, no questions asked. What would he even tell them anyway? Would anyone believe him? Would his uncle-
Shit! Wayne. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I left Chrissy there. Will he think I did- No. Maybe? Think about what it looks like. I can’t even explain what happened. I fled the scene. Didn’t even call for help – not that anyone could have helped her. Oh god!
Eddie curls up in a small ball, legs tucked under his chin. He rests his head on his knees and buries his hands in this hair, lightly pulling at the roots, hoping it’ll soothe him.
This is so messed up. Shit!
He startles awake when the birds outside the lakehouse begin to chirp, the first rays of sunshine reflecting in the glass front of a cabinet. Dust particles dance around in the stale air, clearly visible by the back light.
Somehow exhaustion must have gotten to Eddie, carrying him off to a dreamless slumber. He can’t remember falling asleep but he must have been out for an hour or two. His neck hurts and his limbs ache when he slowly gets up and stretches out.
Still groggy he takes in his surroundings. The tiled floor, the dusty cabinets – familiar and comforting but obviously not the trailer.
Then the events of the night prior come rushing in. Like a tidal wave Eddie is hit full force. His head is reeling and he has to grip the counter so he doesn’t tumble over. He can feel his stomach churn, his mouth becomes dry, his swallowing heavy. In the last few moments of clarity he manages to get over to the sink, just in time for bile rising up his throat.
Eddie dry heaves and coughs. His hair falls forward and he can see the outlines of his locks blurrily through his watering eyes. His stomach convulses, throwing him into a new fit but nothing comes out. Distantly Eddie recalls throwing up in the woods the night before, so there is nothing left.
He's shaking all over. Not feeling stable on his legs, Eddie slowly moves over to the dust covered table and slumps into a chair there.
He needs a plan! And he needs to figure out what the fuck happened!
First, he has to calm down. Eddie grips the rings on his fingers and turns them while getting his thoughts in order. He takes a few deep breaths.
Whatever got Chrissy is not out for me. If it was, I'd be dead already. And I'm not floating, so that's a good sign…
Skipping town is out of question. The police are probably looking for me already. Fuck.
It had probably been a good idea to ditch the van in the woods the previous night and run the rest of the way to the lake house. Even though it has been crazy risky to leave the safety of a vehicle. But Chrissy had not been safe inside his house either, so location probably didn't matter. At least now Eddie has a head start on hiding from whatever it was. And the authorities.
No one ever comes out here, especially not this early in spring. He can't really see hitching a ride and getting out of town. And he can't leave Wayne behind like that either. His uncle has sacrificed everything so he could take Eddie in. Going as far as cleaning out his only bedroom and settling for a folding bed in the living room, so Eddie can have his privacy. “It's enough for me, boy. I'm only sleepin’ when I'm alone anyway. It's ‘kay.” he'd said.
And Eddie? Brought him trouble after trouble, bad grades, capturing all the mean looks by the ‘righteous’ people on the streets, starting expensive hobbies and asking him for money all the time.
That's the main reason he'd asked Rick to help him out - to get him some stuff he could sell on the downlow. Eddie started out as a customer back then, when he was feeling anxious and needed something to calm his nerves. But the extra cash would make it a bit easier on Wayne, who was so kind to him, even after all the shit that Eddie had pulled. Somewhere deep down his uncle probably regretted taking him in. He never said it, but some treacherous part in Eddie knows.
Wayne did his best to welcome Eddie but it somehow never felt completely right. The old man was just so hard to read.
Rick was the complete opposite. Eddie first met him when he accompanied his uncle to get his uncle’s car fixed by Rick and the man and he immediately clicked. Goofed around and joked. He even stuck around after his mechanical work to play tag with little Eddie.
Who knew a local drug dealer could make such a great babysitter?
Rick was a weirdo, living out by the lake. Rumors were true, he was selling weed. Other stuff too. But for some reason Rick took a liking to Eddie. Maybe because they were both alone. Maybe because the town condemned them both as freaks. And Eddie liked Rick too. The man was weird but caring, a bit like Wayne. When Eddie skipped school or needed a place to stay, he'd walk all the way out to Lover's Lake and hang out with Rick - who taught him how to swim when Eddie showed up constantly during summer once it got too hot in the trailer.
Rick - who helped Eddie cut his hair when some mean kid stuck gum into his long locks, who held his hand afterwards, when Eddie was crying after seeing his buzz cut in the mirror.
Rick - who sometimes had cars parked in front of his house that probably did not belong to him, where he taught Eddie how to tinker and short-circuit on different makes and models.
Yeah, he was a weirdo, but Rick made him feel safe. He was probably the closest thing Eddie ever had to a father.
Sure, his uncle provided the money and the house, but working the night shift at the plant left little time to actually be a family or do things together. Wayne never even wanted a family to begin with. He was just Eddie's next of kin when his parents fucked off to hell knows where and he was picked up by CPS at a gas station in freaking nowhere. So they put him with his uncle as guardian, springing a hyperactive child on the man he'd maybe seen twice before.
So even with all the crazy shit going down, Eddie's mind was clear enough to lead him to the only place he felt safe, besides the trailer.
But sooner or later people will realize where I’m staying. Or maybe the creepy paranormal thing will come for me first?
He needed to get some strength back, find a place to lay low while he’s trying to figure out what he’s going to do, and most importantly, find something to protect himself.
With new vigor, Eddie raids the kitchen of the vacant house. There isn’t much left but he manages to find a handful of chocolate bars, a bottle of Coke and another bottle with no label that smells somewhat alcoholic after cracking the lid.
Oh fuck it! I'm a dead man walking anyway.
Eddie throws back his head and swallows the drink. It burns down his throat, not really helping with his upset stomach or his nerves.
He combs the house for some sort of weapon, anything that could provide a bit of safety, but Rick doesn't own any guns, isn't allowed to either with his criminal record.
Eddie finds an old umbrella, but it doesn't scream “dangerous” so he deems it unfit. Nothing else stands out either.
When Eddie looks through the bedroom closet, his gaze shifts outside to the lake. Glistening peaceful in the morning light. His eyes wander over the shoreline.
The shed!! Of course! Man, I hope Rick keeps some useful shit there.
Not to mention the boathouse makes a great hiding spot too. Even if someone would show up at Rick’s, would they bother checking the shed? It’s Eddie's best bet. He snatches the snacks and drinks from the counter, locks the door behind him and sneaks over to the boathouse.
Chapter 3: We walk into the flames
Summary:
Eddie's POV
Eddie is hiding in the boathouse but the group find him. In his fight or flight response, he pins the biggest threat to the wall but accidentally creases his skin, sparking his soulmark.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
light pictures of panic, internalized homophobia, past bullying, self worth issues
Chapter Text
His heart is beating loudly in his chest, and his shallow breathing is echoing back from the tarp he has pulled over him when he hid in one of the boats. Eddie lies as still as he can, his right hand gripping the handle of the broken bottle so hard, for a second, he’s worried he might burst it. Muffled screaming is coming from outside. There are probably people at the house looking for him.
They can’t find me here. Fuck.
Please leave.
What if the cops already know I’m here?
The boathouse is a good hiding spot. Maybe the people will just leave once they realize Rick’s place is vacant?
But luck is not on Eddie’s side. It never has been. The old floorboards creak under the weight of people entering the shed. They whisper to each other but he can’t make out anything they say. The blood is pumping through his system, his erratic heartbeat echoing in his ears. Eddie presses his free hand to his mouth to keep his breathing as quiet as possible.
There is some commotion and Eddie stiffens automatically. Plastic rustles again and again, as someone continues to prod at the tarp. The voices draw nearer.
They are definitely looking for me! Shit!
Do they know I’m in here? Will they lock me up?
I need to know what’s going on!
Eddie strains his ears and tries to focus, to make out something the voices are saying. “Hey, look… ove.. ..re.” The person sounds young. Maybe they started a search party for him?
Or maybe they started a witch hunt for the satanic murderer who left Chrissy’s mutilated body behind?
“Someo… …s …ere.” The voice is muffled through the plastic sheets but Eddie hears enough to piece it together.
‘Someone was here.’
They won’t give up now.
They’ll keep searching.
There is no way out.
Shit.
Get it together.
You have to fight your way out.
The woods are close. Just get out and run.
Shit!!
Fu- -
The tarp dips right beside him. The quiet rustle is deafening in the silence of the boathouse. Eddie’s breath hitches and he’s glad he has his hand still pressed against his mouth to suppress the sound. The crackle of the plastic covers up any noise that might have escaped him.
Two people are arguing right beside the boat Eddie is hiding in. They’re obviously distracted.
It’s now or never.
Come on Eddie!
He channels all his courage, feels the adrenaline buzz in his system. If he wants a chance to escape, now might be his only chance. He has the element of surprise still on his side.
In a swift motion he gets on his feet, popping the tarp off him.
He registers two people right in front of him. Someone is screaming but his brain doesn’t register who. Eddie simply focuses on the main threat in front of him - a tall guy with a long weapon in his hand. He has to eliminate this guy first!
Eddie grabs the man at his collar and pushes him back. In a swift motion he brings the sharp glass edge of the bottle to the neck of the man, immobilizing him.
They tumble two small steps back until the guy is pinned to the metal wall of the shed. Eddie fastens his grip, pushing his hand against the man’s exposed collarbone while simultaneously shifting the glass edge of the bottle to threaten to draw blood at any movement.
If it wasn’t for the dim light in the shed, he might have seen it.
If it wasn’t for the adrenaline and the fight-or-flight response, he might have felt it sooner.
If it wasn’t for the situation, he might have never done something so thoughtless.
But it’s too late.
He walked right into the flames.
It starts small, like a candle lit in a dark room. Comforting.
Then the flame licks further. It happens fast. A sheet of paper lighting up. Dry leaves.
It’s spreading like a wildfire. A campfire in the woods growing faster and faster. Crackling of burning branches and trees. The feeling is all encompassing, lighting Eddie on fire from the inside. It was wrapping around him like a strong warm embrace that will never let go.
A shiver runs through his body, even though he doesn’t feel cold, not even on a cold spring night in a boathouse with barely any sleep. Small embers burn inside of him, filling him with a warmth he hasn’t felt since his parents had left him behind.
It feels like cuddling up under a bunch of blankets with hot cocoa on the trailer couch while someone is holding him tight. And oh so warm.
Safe and sound.
When the burning sensation flares up at his arm, he barely manages not to flinch. He doesn’t need to check under his long sleeves. Knows what he will find there. Can feel the lingering sensation of the burn. His spark.
He grits his teeth to suppress a hiss due to the pain. Eddie can’t afford to move. Cannot hurt the man in front of him. His soulmate.
Eddie instantly clocks where his hand touches the small sliver of skin. His open palm pressed against the man’s neckline. He can feel the heaving of the man’s chest.
Multiple flashlights come up in Eddie’s peripheral vision. Slowly his hearing comes back to register the person talking - a kid with curly hair and a hat.
“Eddie! It’s me. It’s Dustin.” He talks slowly and in a hushed voice, so he doesn’t spook Eddie any further. Eddie takes a deep breath when he finally registers the freshman. One of his friends. He’s safe for now.
Dustin carefully gestures towards the guy Eddie still holds against the wall. “This is Steve. He’s not gonna hurt you. Right? Steve?”
Eddie turns back to the man in his grasp when he huffs out a low, “Right. Yeah.”
And then everything comes to a screeching halt.
Illuminated by the flashlights he can finally make out the guy’s features and Eddie feels his guts plummet.
As if he needs any introduction to Steve Harrington?!
Golden boy of Hawkins High, jock, and douchebag supreme. Material of wet dreams (including Eddie’s) and resident straight homophobe.
The licking flames and small embers inside of Eddie turn to ice.
He just sparked.
With Harrington?!
A guy who frequently laughed when outcasts like Eddie were pushed into lockers while being called “queer” or worse.
The universe really has it out for him, doesn’t it?
First a girl dies in his trailer by some paranormal phenomenon, then he’s on the run, he gets found out, and then it turns out his soulmate is the straightest man Eddie has ever had the displeasure of meeting.
The whole word has shifted on its axis.
Eddie is not sure if he wants to laugh or cry or maybe do both.
His head is reeling. His mind conjures up a picture of Steve smashing Jonathan’s camera with a sneer on his lips. In Eddie’s ears rings the echo of the breaking glass.
Pervert
Queer
Freak
Eddie’s breath grows more and more erratic, cold sweat runs down his spine, and he has to clench his teeth to fight down the bile rising up his throat.
He sees Tommy Hagan slamming him into the locker, accompanied by Steve’s cruel laughter in the background. Billy Hargrove tripping him in the cafeteria, his tray slipping from his fingers.
Freak
Freak
Freak
It’s no longer an armor protecting Eddie, it’s a curse, running through his veins, dark and unnatural.
He sees the disgust in the eyes of his parents before they turn their backs on him for good.
Freak
Frea- -
A loud clatter rips Eddie out of his thoughts when the wooden oar lands on the floor. Instinctively Eddie tightens the hold against Steve, who draws in a harsh breath.
The glass edge of the bottle pierces through, drawing a bit of blood. Steve quietly groans at the pain.
“He’s cool! He’s cool.” Dustin frantically tries to reassure Eddie, waving his hands in front of him in a pacifying manner.
Eddie is close enough that he can hear Steve grind his teeth, then the guy wheezes “I’m cool, man. I’m cool.”
And isn’t that the truth? Steve is cool.
But he’s not so cool with gay people if Eddie remembers, so he’d rather not take any chances. He turns to face Dustin, not loosening the hold on Steve.
“What are you doing here?” He asks.
“We’re looking for you.” Dustin responds, desperately.
“We’re here to help.” A girl with a brown bob chimes in. She seems familiar.
Dustin steps forward and continues to explain. “Eddie, these are my friends. You know Robin, from band.”
Ah, right! Robin!
The girl does a very nervous imitation of playing the trumpet. It looks so absurd, Eddie nearly laughs, despite the whole predicament he's in. Dustin points to a redheaded girl on his other side who reluctantly gives Eddie a small wave. “This is my friend Max. The one who never wants to play D&D. Eddie. We’re on your side. I swear on my mother. Right, guys?”
All of them affirm Dustin’s statement in hushed voices. Eddie studies all their faces but no one seems threatening. Even Steve just looks scared. The jock hasn’t tried to get away or hasn’t made any move to attack Eddie, yet.
I could really use any help I can get right now…
Hesitantly Eddie lets go of Steve who grunts as he slumps back against the wall, muttering a small “Jesus Christ…”
Eddie tumbles a few steps away from the group. The adrenaline is leaving his system fast. At this point he is so tired and confused. He holds onto the boathouse wall for support but his legs feel like jelly, so Eddie decides to sink down against the wall, sitting on a plank.
The events of the last 24 hours come crashing down on him. He feels so lost.
Dustin comes to kneel by his side. “Eddie. We just want to talk. Okay?”
The boy reaches for the broken bottle in Eddie’s hand, but Eddie shies away. It might not be a good weapon against the paranormal thing that’s levitating people, but it does a good enough job with real people. Eddie’s eyes instinctively flick over to Steve.
“We want to know what happened”, the girl with the bob chimes in. Robin, right. She crouches down so she’s on Eddie’s eye level.
What am I supposed to tell them?
I was there when it happened and I don’t believe it. Why would they?
Every fiber in Eddie’s body is screaming. The cold from the spring night is finally catching up. Eddie’s clenched fingers tremble and he’s shaking all over.
He feels so helpless. Even though he’s finally not alone.
Eddie sniffles quietly. He can feel his eyes starting to burn as tears are threatening to spill.
“You won’t believe me”, he manages to croak out.
The redhead steps forward and crosses her arms. She cocks her head to the side and says “Try us.”
And Eddie does.
He spills it all.
For some weird reason, they believe him.
Apparently this is not the first paranormal incident in Hawkins?
By the time Dustin finishes explaining, Eddie’s head feels like it could explode. Eddie feels heavy, his eyelids start to droop. Exhausted from the onslaught of information, tired from the events the past couple of hours.
At some point Steve takes mercy on him and ushers the others out, which opens up a whole other jar of emotions, because since when is Steve so perceptive and kind?
Not now, Eddie.
They all make Eddie promise to not leave his hiding space and hand him one of the walkies. They assure him they will check in as soon as they can, and come back for him when it’s safe. Just like that they're off and he’s alone again.
With the quiet come two realizations.
Firstly: Monsters are real.
And secondly: Steve seems surprisingly unbothered by it all. Neither by the (what did Dustin call it?) Upside Down, nor by the fact that he has a queer soulmate.
But then he’s struck by an earth shattering conclusion: Steve hadn’t touched him. Sure, the guy patted his shoulder when they were leaving, but Eddie had his jacket on, so no direct contact.
Which means Steve didn’t spark.
Maybe it can stay that way.
Maybe Eddie doesn’t need to face the disgust if Steve never finds out.
Maybe he can pretend it all never happened.
Maybe if he never talks about it, it’s not real.
Maybe he’s not a…
Freak.
Chapter 4: They follow with their spirits high
Summary:
Eddie's POV
He finally has time to check his newly acquired soulmark, but it’s not what he expects. Then Jason shows up at his hideout at Rick’s. Eddie is on the run again. Then things are happening fast as Patrick dies and Steve is suddenly pulled through a gate under water. And all that’s left is for Eddie and his friends to follow.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
hunger, fear of abandonment, Jason, Vecna's attack, minor character death, canon typical violence, self-deprecating thoughts
Chapter Text
Eddie slumps down in the corner of the boathouse, tucked away from sight just to be careful. Exhaustion is creeping through his bones. Eddie can't even remember when he last slept, actual sleep, not just a short nap laced with nightmares.
He dozes off.
It's that curled up position that makes his limbs and back ache the next morning when Eddie heaves himself up. No one is around, so Eddie takes a quick leak and washes his hands and face in the lake. He considers drinking some of it since his throat feels like sandpaper, but the slight muddy color of the water makes him reconsider.
Since he promised to stay out of sight, he goes back to his hiding spot. In the quiet, his mind latches back onto Chrissy's gruesome death and the fact that apparently there's a whole other dimension right under Hawkins. Images pop up from the funeral of Will Byers who then emerged quite lively, Barb Holland going off the grid, the mysterious gas leaks, newspaper articles of police chief Hopper and Billy Hargrove, who allegedly died in a mall fire when the sprinklers malfunctioned, even though the shopping center had just opened.
What did they even do there after hours?
Didn't Harrington have a busted face after the fire?
How much bigger is this?
What else don't I know?
Eddie is ripped out of his head when the door to the shed flings open with a bang. He screams in surprise as his heart plummets and he instinctively grabs the broken bottle from the table, holding it out towards the intruders.
“Jesus!”
In walks Dustin, holding up a plastic bag, grinning innocently at Eddie, like he didn't scare the shit out of the metalhead just now.
“Delivery service!”
His sing-song voice and cheeky grin lets Eddie deflate since Dustin is clearly not a threat. Steve smirks at him from the doorway, amused that they made Eddie jump. Then Steve catches himself and gives Eddie a little wave, wiggling his fingers.
Adorable.
What?
Eddie is letting out a relieved sigh as the others all enter the boathouse. Eddie drops down unceremoniously onto one of the boats as the others gather around him. Shamelessly he snags the bag from Dustin and instantly tears through the box of cereal, only now becoming aware of his hunger.
Dustin takes the seat closest to Eddie and explains their situation while Eddie stuffs his face with Honeycomb. “So we got, uh, some good news and some bad news. How do you prefer it?”
Eddie sends the kid a look and mumbles with his mouth full “Bad news first, always.”
As if it wasn't an obvious choice.
His voice is scratchy so Eddie grabs the bottle of YooHoo from the bag and takes a sip while Dustin goes on.
“All right. Bad news. We tapped into the Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro, and they’re definitely looking for you. Also, they’re, uh, pretty convinced you killed Chrissy.”
“Like, 100% kind of convinced”, Max chimes in from the side.
Not great but not unexpected. But there is more.
A little hopeful Eddie asks “And the good news??”
Only there isn’t really good news. Just that his name has not gone public yet and they don't really have a plan besides finding and killing Vecna to then prove Eddie's innocence before it escalates into “Hunt the freak”.
According to Robin, the whole squad has multiple prior experiences with the Upside Down; she tries to reassure him. But they have no actual plan for the current situation and Eddie doesn't feel convinced they can do anything. Apparently it shows, since Dustin once again tries to pacify Eddie that they can figure it out.
“There… there’s nothing to worry about.”
When Steve, leaned against a pillar, scoffs, Eddie can't help but look at him once more. Harrington smiles and shrugs his shoulders, but when he reads Eddie's insecurities he gives him a small but encouraging nod.
It feels like a private moment, and even though Eddie's anxiety is still going strong, he's convinced he can trust Steve. A nice warmth is emitting from his arm.
Eddie breathes in, about to ask about the girl with superpowers Steve just mentioned, when the police sirens pierce the quiet of Lover’s Lake.
Someone hisses “shit” while Robin gestures wildly, emphasizing her “tarp, tarp” chorus and Eddie dives under the boat cover. The noise outside is muffled but the sirens move away again.
“Air is clear,” Max states, as they pull the tarp off. Blood is still rushing in Eddie's ears, his heart beating wildly.
“They just drove by. I wonder why?”
“There's something else going on. We're gonna check it out. Stay here.”
Eddie nods as they hurry out to Steve's car and follow the police down the empty road.
It's only after Eddie makes sure Steve's Bimmer is out of sight and none of the cops cars stop anywhere near that he finally feels himself relax a little.
His brain is still buzzing with all the new information the four had dumped on him, along with the lingering feeling of hopelessness.
What are the chances of defeating this dark evil wizard?
His normal life feels like he's left it behind him ages ago, not that it has ever been completely normal, but in hindsight, with all the new revelations, it seems pretty basic.
Eddie lets out a wistful sigh and rubs his face. The whole situation still seems like a wild dream brought on by a bad trip. He presses his knuckles into his closed eyes until he sees bright spots of color. When he releases the pressure and blinks them open, he's still in the dusty boathouse.
Eddie glances at his side. The broken bottle is still within arm's reach. It's not the best weapon, especially considering there are a bunch of oars lying around, but he loves how dangerous it looks. How powerful he felt while holding it.
An image flashes through his mind of Steve, with wide eyes, pinned against the metal wall with the sharp glass edges at his throat. His delicate skin there was so exposed.
Steve.
My soulmate.
Fucking hell that’s weird.
Eddie's eyes wander down to his arm. If he focuses, he can still feel the warmth running through his veins.
Eddie crumples up his jacket sleeve to finally expose the dark mark running up from his wrist all the way up the inside of his inner arm. The bunched up fabric doesn't comply easily, and Eddie mentally curses the thick material. He wrestles it a bit so he can gain access to the whole picture painted across his skin.
Most prominent is a big baseball bat with long sharp nails through the wood. Dark vines wrap around it and the image looks slimy and gross, almost as if it was alive, clinging to the bat like an infection, dark goo dripping from the vines, leaving Eddie feeling uncomfortable. The vines reach out towards the sky, where a small bird tries to flap its wings, but it's being pulled down. Scattered on the ground are pieces of a broken crown that looks suspiciously like the one the prom king always wears. Eddie thinks the material was supposed to look metallic and shiny but it's also partially covered in the dark ominous substance.
Eddie takes a deep breath and swallows past the bile, willing it to go down.
Sure, the nail-bat looks metal and tough, but the rest just leaves a foul taste behind.
Constricted.
Bound.
Shattered.
Dark.
It's not at all what he would have expected.
Maybe a basketball or Steve's infamous car.
Eddie doesn't see the warmth that ran through him when he sparked represented in the mark on his skin. It just looks... broken.
A deep sadness latches onto his heart. With nimble fingers he carefully traces the outline of the dark ink. The edges are frayed and a little red and sensitive, since they branded themselves onto his delicate skin.
Eddie can't help feeling off. Something about it is wrong.
Even more wrong than the universe trying to tell him that "I laughed at queer people getting shoved into lockers" Steve is supposedly the epitome of romantic partner for Eddie "the Freak" Munson.
The soulmark is supposed to be a representation of oneself, one's interests or things that are essential to one. Often there are links to one's upbringing and close connections like family, loved ones or pets.
But all Steve has is darkness and shattered pieces of the persona he once was. Maybe it's a sign - the broken crown. Eddie should just let go of his prejudice and give Steve an honest chance. Maybe the universe is right and they're it for each other.
Highly unlikely.
They might not be compatible and they might not end up together, but if the mark says anything about Steve's mental state, the guy could definitely use a friend.
Hell, Dustin is friends with Steve. He can't be that bad.
When Dustin and the others rushed off that morning, they didn't say when or if they would be back. Eddie has to keep the last bit of remaining strength up, especially if they're supposed to fight interdimensional wizards or whatever.
He rubs his eyes and lets out a sarcastic laugh.
Me? Fighting anything?
His noodle arms won't stand a chance. As established, he can't run away either, not without getting caught and convicted. He's trapped at Rick's place, and, not for the first time since he hid out here, Eddie hopes the man would come home. He misses the easy comfort he always provided. He misses Wayne. Is his old man at work? Or did he get interrogated by the police?
The stale air feels like sandpaper when Eddie sucks in a harsh breath to will away his guilt.
And then he's running again.
Jason and his goons show up that evening.
Luckily Eddie saw them pulling up, being on the lookout for Wheeler or Harrington but the jeep pulling up was all too familiar. In a bad way.
“Hey Dustin. You there? It’s Eddie. You remember me, right? Hey, if anyone’s there, I really think I might be in a bit of trouble here. Okay? Wheeler?” He glances back out the window as the basketball lads hop out of the car. When he gets no response he slams his hand against the walkie if it would magically strengthen the connection or get Dustin on the line. The feedback echoes crackle. Frustrated and nervous, he pushes the talking button again and asks “Anybody?!”
Getting away and hiding in his safe spot are the only options left for Eddie, so he sneaks back out to the boathouse. In the distance he can hear Jason bark out orders.
With trembling hands he gets his walkie out. His voice is shaking when he radios his friends.
“Dustin? Please. Are… are you there?”
The quiet fizzing of the static is deafening. He's on his own. Not only did they leave him hanging these past couple of days, fending for himself, no one is coming for him now.
Alone. Just like he was before. Just like he always was.
“Nevermind.”
Eddie's chances against Jason, accompanied by fellow jock idiots, are non-existent. So, he grabs one of the boats and quietly paddles out to Lover's Lake. He only makes it a few yards from the shoreline when Jason bursts out of the boathouse, roaring after Eddie.
Goddamn it!
Suddenly Jason starts getting undressed. He's about to get into the water to swim after Eddie's boat.
That crazy asshole.
Eddie grabs the oar and paddles like crazy. Between wheezing breaths, Eddie curses and grumbles.
When Jason gets dangerously near, Eddie readies himself with the oar. “Hey, stay back, man!” He swings the paddle clumsily. “Stay back!”
But Jason is busy calling for Patrick, who's swimming closer quickly, but then he suddenly stops. Still drifting in the middle of the lake, halfway between the shore and Jason. With a loud splash, his body is pulled under water. Eddie watches the scene unfold with increasing uneasiness.
“Patrick? Patrick?” Jason's obnoxious voice echoes over the dark water of the rippling lake.
And then Patrick is floating. Levitating, like Chrissy.
No! Not again. This can't be happening!!
Eddie tumbles back and plummets overboard into the water, luckily submerged and disoriented enough so he doesn't hear Patrick's bones crack.
When he comes back up, Jason is screaming. Eddie's head is ringing.
The cold water soaks through his clothes, clinging to him like invisible claws, reaching out to pull him under next. If it's that image or the temperature of the water that makes Eddie shiver, he's not sure.
Shit. I need to get away from them. And get out of the water. Now!
Moonlight illuminates the environment enough that Eddie can make out the shore. He distantly realizes that Jason is paddling away from the boat so Eddie heaves himself back onto it, rowing towards the shore.
“What did you do, you freak?!” Jason shrieks.
Eddie can't bring himself to turn around. The chilly air sends goosebumps down all over his body. Or maybe it's Jason's screams. But if the basketball captain still thinks he had something to do with it after witnessing the surrealness first hand, then all hope is lost.
‘Hide! Run!’ the little voice in his head whispers. It kept him alive so far, so Eddie does exactly that.
On shore he grabs the remaining stuff in the boat and stumbles into the woods, finding shelter close to a nearby fallen tree. The dusty blanket Eddie snatched from the boat wrapped around him, shivering from the cold and the shock.
When Eddie gets out the walkie, water drips out at the bottom. It’s completely gone. Frustrated, he flings it into the next tree over and it smashes into pieces. The sound is echoing through the woods, prominent in the otherwise quiet night. Eddie curses under his breath and listens to any indication that he was overheard, but everything stays silent, aside from the hooting of an owl and the chirping of nearby crickets.
After collecting himself and drying off a bit, Eddie starts to wander aimlessly through the woods. He’s explored the area around Lover’s Lake before, but everything looks different in the darkness. Every snapping branch is loud like exploding fireworks. Every rustling in the bushes has Eddie frozen in surprise, straining his eyes in the dim light for nearing danger. Every step in the damp shoes is uncomfortable, every breath makes his lungs burn but he walks on.
At some point his heart rate drops back to a normal level and his limbs are deaf from walking in the cold. Near a wide tree, Eddie slumps down. He has no idea how late it is, or how early. His watch is just as dead as his walkie.
“Fuck! Goddamn it. Fucking Vecna, man.” He buries his head in his knees and tugs at his hair, curled up in a small ball.
Fuck Jason too. What’s up with that asshole?
The shocked screaming is still echoing in his ears. He can’t believe he once again witnessed Vecna killing some teen. Warm tears mix in with the dampness of his jeans.
Why? Why does this have to happen? Why me?
Eddie sighs and exhales into the dark night as he lets his head fall back against the tree. His hair is tangling up in the bark of it but he can’t bring himself to care. Absentmindedly Eddie runs his fingers up his arm, letting the warmth of the soulmark run through him. He cradles his arm close to him, shutting his eyes to focus on the cozy feeling, willing away the events of the night.
Sunlight is tickling him awake. Eddie doesn’t even remember falling asleep but, evidently, he did. In the morning glow, the woods appear way less scary and ominous. Rumbling machines and unintelligible voices can be heard in the distance and Eddie remembers the new construction site outside Hawkins where some rich people decided to build cottages.
Better than being completely lost in the woods.
He snatches a walkie from the workers there and runs.
Cause apparently that’s his thing now.
Running.
Running from the trailer.
Running from Chrissy’s dead body.
Running from the police.
Running from Jason.
Running from Vecna.
So he runs to the next best place he knows in these woods. Somewhere vacant but familiar. Skull Rock. It’s a famous makeout spot among the students, not that Eddie has any experience on that front, but he’s been there before with some of his Hellfire friends to smoke one out. Back when he didn’t openly smoke in the trailer.
“There’s nothin’ wrong with a bit of green”, Rick had said.
Eddie chuckles fondly at the memory.
Of course Wayne had found out too, when Eddie came home obviously smelling like weed. Eddie expected him to be mad or disappointed, maybe for Wayne to lecture him, but the man had just shrugged and shaken his head with a fond eye roll.
“Be smart about it, boy.”
Smart? Me? You should have known better, old man.
But there is something smart he can do now. After tuning the walkie to the right frequency, Eddie prays to the holy lord of Metal, Dio, that he did everything right. Reluctantly he presses the button of the radio.
“Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?”
“… your face, man. In your stupid, cocky little face.”
Steve's bitchy voice is the first he hears. Aside from the tingling sensation running up his arm, Eddie is just happy to have a familiar person around. Next one to emerge from the bushes is Dustin, who looks genuinely confused.
“Doesn’t make sense.”
Harrington is looking like a soccer mom who's tired of arguing with her kids, with his hands on his hips and a small pout on his face and that stunning yellow sweatshirt.
Goddamn it, Eddie. Get a grip.
“Yeah, yeah. Even with it staring you right in the face, you can’t admit it. You just can’t admit you’re wrong, you little butthead.”
Eddie chuckles quietly and then drops down from the huge rock he climbed when he got tired of waiting.
“I concur. You, Dustin Henderson, are a…”, Eddie draws in a huge breath and turns up the smirk already on his face, “total butthead.”
“Jesus,” Dustin sounds genuinely relieved and a part of Eddie feels bad for worrying the kid, “we thought you were a goner.”
In a few fast steps Dustin is in his personal space and flings his arms around Eddie, hugging him tightly. For the first time in days, Eddie's shoulders feel lighter and he relaxes into Dustin's embrace, slapping the child's back reassuringly.
“Yeah, me too, man. Me too.”
When Eddie looks over Dustin, Steve is watching them. He offers Eddie a small approving nod, clearly worried for the boy as much as Eddie is.
Soon after, the rest of the crew shows up. Nancy in tow with Robin, and finally Lucas and Max.
Eddie thanks Nancy profoundly when she offers him water and snacks. He's ravishing through his stuff while he fills them in on what happened as well as he can.
“...my walkie was busted, man. Drenched. So, uh, I did the thing that I do now, apparently. I ran.”
The chuckle that escapes his lips sounds off, even to himself, and by the looks on the faces around him, it really hadn't hit the way he hoped. Normally he likes being the center of attention, but only if he is in control. And since this whole thing with Vecna started Eddie hasn't felt like he had any control.
It's Nancy who rips him out of his starting downward spiral when she clears her throat.
“Do you know what time this was? The attack?”
Eddie hands over his watch and suddenly they're all talking about energy surges and Vecna striking again. The conversation moves on too quickly for Eddie to comprehend anything, but apparently Steve is as lost as he is.
Max once again mentions El. Something in the back of his mind is ringing but Eddie can't place his finger on it. Like he sensed that Eddie has no idea who they're talking about, Steve turns towards Eddie.
“We had this girl. She had superpowers.”
“Mmhmm… Superpowers. Yeah, you mentioned her.”
It would be endearing if Eddie wasn't distracted by Dustin pacing back and forth, mumbling under his breath. He looks at the others for an explanation but none of them seem to notice.
“Hey, uh, Henderson’s not, uh, cursed, is he?”
“Cursed? No, no. He’s fine.” Steve doesn't sound concerned at all. Then he lowers his voice and whispers to Eddie with mischief “Mental? Absolutely.”
Eddie can't help but chuckle, which evolves into an embarrassing little snort that luckily no one hears because Steve and Dustin are back to arguing about the location of Skull Rock, which then sparks a whole discussion about electromagnetic fields and gates.
“...because then we’d have a way to Vecna. And a shot at freeing Max from this curse.”
Determinantly Dustin stomps away until Steve calls the kid back.
“Eddie is still a wanted man. We can’t just go for a hike in the woods.”
Thank you, ‘Mr. Chivalrous’ Harrington. Not like anyone asked me yesterday…
Dustin looks at him with big eyes, expectantly, and Eddie just knows he'll go with whatever stupid plan the boy just came up with.
Fuck Vecna and this hell dimension.
“So, Mordor it is.”
The sun is already setting when they finally wind up back at the shore of Lover's Lake.
Great… this is just great…
Back again.
Of course, Steve is offering himself up to check out the bottom of the lake while simultaneously bragging with all his successes linked to swimming, making him the best candidate.
Man, I'm not stopping you. I just got out of this damn lake, I'm not keen on getting back in.
And then Steve is undressing, flinging his sweatshirt right at Eddie.
Fumbling, Eddie tries his best to grab a cigarette, forcing his gaze away from Steve's muscular and hairy chest before he starts drooling, only it's plucked right out of his mouth and flicked overboard by Robin. Eddie shoots her his best stink eye, but she's unimpressed.
Everyone is impressed though with how long Steve can actually manage to dive. Anxiously, Eddie is tapping his foot as Robin checks in with Nancy.
They all gasp when Steve suddenly breaks the quiet water surface, excitedly babbling about discovering the gate Dustin talked about. Nancy gets ready to help Steve onto the boat when he gets pulled underwater with a surprised yelp. He comes back up for a second, gulping for air and then he’s gone.
Nancy’s screams are only met with the noise of rippling water.
Fucking hell! Is she getting ready to jump?!
“Wait, wait, wait. You’re not going in there, are you?”
Wheeler tells Robin and Eddie to wait on the boat and dives in right after Steve, wasting no time. Only Robin is not listening either and moments later she slips into the water too.
And what is Eddie supposed to do? Wait? Alone?
Goddamn it!! Back in the water I go.
Chapter 5: The people worshiping the sun
Summary:
Steve's POV
Steve gets dragged through the gate in Lover’s Lake, fighting for his life. The rest of the squad shows up and they fight the bats and make their way to Nancy’s house. Steve realizes that he’s naturally drawn to Eddie.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
canon typical violence, major and minor injuries, blood and gore, Upside Down monsters
Chapter Text
One minute he's flailing in the water, kicking his limbs to get back up while running out of air, and the next the sky is red and everything smells a bit rotten and he's engulfed with flapping wings of creatures who let out unnerving chittering sounds. He's fending them off with an oar he grabbed nearby, when suddenly something wraps around his neck and he's harshly pulled backwards, hitting the ground.
Steve's back is burning from getting dragged across the floor covered in vines, goo and gore.
Panicked, his hands come up to tear at the slimy flesh that's constricting his airflow. Pointy leathery bumps from the tail pierce through the thin skin around his throat.
Shit! Fuck! Ow!
Steve is thrashing on the floor, clawing against the strong hold. Pain zaps through him every time another winged monstrosity dives in to snack on his torso, burying their sharp teeth in his abdomen.
Steve fights the dawning whiteout from the sensory overload and agony, chasing the creatures off the best he can while simultaneously tossing and turning to get the chokehold to release.
A dull bang registers in the cloud of his head, and then finally the scorching torment at his stomach stops.
Nancy appears in his field of vision with an oar, and she and Robin try to annihilate the bat which has its tail around him.
In the distance Steve thinks he hears Eddie chanting. “Kill it! Kill it!”
Yes please. Kill it.
Then there are more creatures and everyone is fending for themselves. The winged monster tries to drag Steve away from the group but he will have none of that. In one final attempt he reaches back and pulls the bat in.
“Come here!” he hisses, but it just doesn't let go. His fight or flight response takes over, and the next thing he knows he's free of the asphyxiation and his mouth tastes like death and ashes. Glutinous goo is dripping from his lips as he gets up. Steve has the upper hand now, one hand still wrapped around the creature’s tail.
Fucking hell!
With all his remaining power, he smashes the bat onto the ground again and again ‘til Steve is sure it'll never move again. He's panting, clutching his abdomen with one hand and wiping his face with the other after spitting out the rest of the foul tasting goo.
The remaining bats take off, leaving the group some time to catch a breath.
An oar clatters to the ground. Eddie is cursing. Nancy is running up to Steve with concern.
“Steve! Are you okay?”
Warm blood is coating Steve's hand, pressed against the largest wound on the right side of his stomach. He doesn't dare check. It's pulsing under his touch, and the slightest pressure shoots waves of agony through his whole body.
“Well, they took about a pound of flesh, but other than that, yeah, never better.”
Robin's nervous ramble about bat rabies is cut off by a swarm of bats emerging from the horizon. They have to get away, so they follow after Nancy into the nearest woods.
Steve's feet feel heavy and each step disturbs the wound. He clenches his teeth and soldiers on until they finally find shelter under a big rock formation. No one moves till the screeching is finally subsiding. Thunder is still roaring in the distance and the red lightning is coloring the sky ominously.
After checking for unwanted danger nearby, Robin is the first to leave their cover. When Steve tries to follow her quickly, his vision gets hazy. Darkness draws in at the edges of his field of view and he loses his balance, stumbling back a few steps until he hits the rock wall for support.
“Oh, sh… shit.”
Now that they’re no longer in a life or death ‘running from monster bats’ situation, Steve’s body has decided to let his adrenaline crash and he can now fully feel the repercussions of the bites. What was once a dull ache before is now a scorching and pulsating pain. Steve has to swallow through the oncoming sensation of blood and bile in his mouth. Steve lulls his head back against the wall and exhales in anguish. Nancy is the first one back at his side, fussing over him.
“I'm fine. I'm fine.”
“No, no, no. Steve, you're not. You're losing blood. Come on, sit. All right?”
With grunts and tension throughout his whole body, Steve complies and uses the rock wall to slowly descend. Hesitantly, he lifts his hand from his abdomen. Blood is oozing from the deeper wounds, and Steve hisses and curses. Nancy starts to rip up her sweatshirt to create a makeshift bandage. Robin crouches down at the cave entry to evaluate Steve’s wound.
“Okay. So the good news here is I'm pretty sure wooziness is not a common symptom of rabies. But, um, if you start having hallucinations or muscle spasms or you start feeling really aggressive, like you wanna punch me or something, let me know.”
God, I love you Robs. But please shut up.
“Robin?” When she confirms that she heard Steve, he continues. “I kinda wanna punch you.”
She chuckles at the joke while Nancy gets ready to patch Steve up. He grits his teeth as she tightens the dressing. It hurts like hell, but at least it effectively stops the bleeding. Thanks to Nancy’s support, he manages to duck out of the cave just in time so she can warn Eddie about the vines.
“It's all a hive mind.”
Funny enough, Eddie looks just as lost as Steve felt the first time around. Steve considers laughing, but the movement would probably hurt too much, so he bites down the joke and aims for an explanation instead.
“All the creepy crawlies around here, dude. They're, like, one, or something. You step on a vine, you're stepping on a bat, you're stepping on Vecna.”
They just made it through the revelation that Nancy is apparently a gun holder now when Steve manages to catch something out of reflex. It’s Eddie’s battle vest jeans jacket.
“For your modesty, dude.”
Thankful, he nods towards Eddie, but the words of gratitude die on Steve’s tongue when an earthquake shakes the ground, sending the four askew. Nancy is the first to collect herself, maybe because Steve managed to grab a hold of her before she went tumbling over, like Robin and Eddie. She determinately stomps into the woods, knowing the way to her house – and the guns that were stored there – best. The others follow, Steve bringing up the rear.
The nervous tension is killing Steve, plus he could really use a distraction from the ache emitting from his torso, so he catches up to Eddie. The usually quick-witted guy is surprisingly quiet ever since they found themselves on the other side of the gate, and Steve thinks about his first encounter with the monsters of the Upside Down back at the Byers’ place.
I kinda wish I wasn’t alone back then to deal with the fallout.
There is this nagging little feeling inside Steve that is somehow drawing him to Eddie ever since they found the guy frightened in the boathouse. Some invisible thread is pulling Steve back into Eddie’s orbit again and again, like a moth is drawn to the flame, or how sunflowers seek out the source of light.
It might be Eddie’s optimism, even after all the events of the past couple days. The smile and the wit that are on his lips. Naturally, Steve falls into step with the metalhead without even thinking. For the first time, he easily separated himself from Robin… and it was in order to be near Eddie.
Maybe it’s the big brown eyes that kick off Steve’s urge for protecting?
Steve racks his brain about something to say to strike off a conversation, so he can bring Eddie back out of the little shell he disappeared to when they entered the flipped dimension.
“Hey, man. Uh… Listen, I just, uh… I just want to say thanks. For saving my ass back there.”
Every time Steve thinks he has the loud metalhead figured out, or managed to grasp even a little bit of him, he gets turned around because Eddie is suddenly talking about some guy named Ozzy, and Steve is just as lost as he was before.
Apparently it shows, enough that Eddie takes mercy on him.
“Doesn't matter. It's very metal, what you did. That's all I'm saying.”
Is ‘metal’ just like ‘bitchin’? So… I’m cool, I guess?
“Thanks.”
Maybe there’s a little question mark in his tone, but Steve is not completely sure what to think about Eddie’s statement.
“Henderson told me you were a badass. Insisted on the matter, in fact.”
“Wait, Henderson said that?”
No way in hell did Dustin say anything nice about me. Not to Eddie. Twerp is literally annoyed with me all the time. I don’t understand his stupid dragon game or anything he says about physics. 90% of our car rides we argue about stuff.
Eddie is already busy laying out to Steve how much Dustin apparently worships him. And isn’t that a whole revelation? Eddie keeps talking, putting on a full show with overexaggerations that have Steve’s ears warming in flattered embarrassment as he ducks his head a little.
The rest of Eddie’s feat doesn’t really register, because for whatever reason, the metalhead leans way into Steve’s personal space, leaving him flustered. He’s so close Steve can see the wrinkles in the corner of Eddie’s eyes and the different shades of brown there, swirling together like a pool of chocolate, only distorted by the eerie blueish tint of the lighting in the Upside Down. Like the pull of a magnet, Steve sways forward a few inches, his gaze dropping to Eddie’s plush lips, and for a second Steve wonders if the rambling metalhead will shut up if he breaches the distance and kisses him, testing out if the lips are as soft as they look.
I just need to lean forward a little bit. Just- -
Wait. Weren’t we just talking about Dustin? What did he say? Ah, yes. Dustin thinks I’m badass and Eddie claims he’s jealous of me.
“Ha… Right…” It’s more a mumble than a coherent sentence. Steve uses his elbow to guardedly push Eddie away, just to get some distance between them, because clearly Steve isn’t capable of using his brain if Eddie is too close.
And then Eddie is suddenly talking about Nancy and how she jumped after Steve without thinking, how they all just followed him down to this hellscape without a doubt. “Cause that was as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen.” Eddie says and Steve knows he should care, it's just hard with Eddie so close to his face, being full of theatrics and big eyes and those plush lips. He barely registers the sentence, only catching half of it when Eddie steps away, and it's like Steve is coming back from a trance.
“If I were you, I would get her back.”
"You know, at some point she might have been it for me and I wanted her to ignite my spark", Steve confesses quietly as they keep walking, "but the romantic love I had for her, it's gone. I don't have those kinds of feelings for Nancy. Not anymore."
“... So you never, uh, you know.”
Steve follows the motion of Eddie's hand as he taps his own wrist to emphasize his question.
He wants to know if Nancy and I sparked?
It's not common to ask about soulmates. A lot of people tend to be evasive about the topic. It's not a taboo, either, but normally one does not stick their nose into such private matters. But they're currently wandering a hell dimension haunted by monsters straight out of a fantasy game, so maybe normal doesn't really apply to them anymore.
But what if Eddie is asking for a reason?
Nah, that would be stupid.
"No. We didn't."
Steve lifts his bare arms to show Eddie, still covered in upside down grime and blood. Not really a sight to behold but it's enough to get his point across.
"Did you ev- -”
Steve's question is cut off when the ground starts shaking once more. He stumbles back a few steps while Eddie nearly topples over.
“Ahh… Goddamn it.”
Then Robin is screaming after Nancy, and both young men have to hurry after them. Steve's question is seemingly forgotten.
It’s only thanks to Steve that they manage to contact the kids and find their way back out of the Upside Down hellscape. He might have looked like he was having a psychotic break, babbling about hearing Dustin “in the walls,” if the shocked faces of his friends were anything to go by, but apparently ‘crazy’ just saved their asses.
Only, when they prepare to climb back to their reality, Vecna goes full supervillain mode and traps Nancy in a vision of what is about to happen.
Steve catches her and soothes her when she snaps out of it hyperventilating. When they finally make it back to the Right Side Up safe and sound, Nancy fills them in on what she saw - the gates devouring Hawkins, spilling an army of monsters into their world. Into their home.
Quite presumptuous of Vecna, is it not?
To think we wouldn't at least try to stop him.
They all agree that they'll go down fighting, and the next thing he knows, Eddie is hotwiring the Winnebago of his neighbor’s so they can go and stock up on weapons to defeat the evil wizard.
Impressed by how fast Eddie works, Steve comes up behind the driver’s seat, craning his neck so he can see what’s happening.
“Where'd you learn how to do this?”
“Well, when the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, the closest I had to a father was teaching me how to hot-wire. Never thought I’d use it, it was just for fun at the time. Comes in really handy now, doesn't it?”
With nimble fingers, Eddie cuts the wires and twists them together to create a new connecting pathway. Steve is so drawn into watching Eddie hotwire, seemingly with a flick of the wrist, that he has to try hard to comprehend Eddie’s answer. He nods dumbly and tenses when someone moves up into his space. It’s just Robin, so Steve deflates as he registers her presence.
“Uh, Eddie, I'm not sure I love the idea of you driving.”
Right! Eddie is still a wanted man. Having him driving a stolen vehicle around Hawkins really isn’t the best idea.
Steve’s answer dies in his throat when Eddie turns back to him and only stops short of his face with a wide grin and a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
“Oh, I'm just starting this sucker. Harrington’s got her. Don't ya, big boy?”
What?!
It takes a bit for Steve’s brain to get back online, really registering what Eddie just said.
Is Eddie flirting with me?
They stare at each other in surprise. Steve's blood is running wild. Half of it is pumping downwards as "big boy" is echoing in his ears, his fantasy is running away from him where it could be used. Like the bedroom. The other half is rushing through his heart, sparking even more desire for the curly metalhead. Steve would have never imagined Eddie would be flirting with him.
Sure, he heard the rumors in school. The slurs that were thrown at Eddie in the hallway, back when he had buzzed hair.
But he would have never expected he'd be on the receiving end of Eddie's flirts, even if rumors were true. Eddie's whole 'non conformity' thing doesn't really scream "I'm interested in suburban washed up jocks who bullied me in school". But then again, there was no reason to constantly invade Steve’s personal space all the time, or to lean in a little bit too close.
There is not enough time to think things through as Eddie starts up the Winnebago with a roar. Upbeat music is blasting from the radio as Eddie hops out of the driver’s seat.
“Hey! Open this door!”
“Hey!!”
The owners of the camper are banging at the door, screaming. So protective Steve springs into action, taking over from Eddie.
“It's just a car,” he mutters as he hits the gas. In the backseat the kids are going crazy, everyone is screaming.
He maneuvers the Winnebago out of the trailer park and successfully gets them on the road to ‘The War Zone’. If he hits a few trash cans on the way, no one has to know.
The drive on the quiet street lined by trees is scenic, almost peaceful. It brings back one of Steve’s deepest desires - packing up his imaginary future family in a Winnebago like this, driving around during holidays, exploring the country. At one point the person in his dream might have been Nancy, sitting where she’s sitting right now in the passenger seat, but they both know she’s not anymore.
Even though she admits Steve’s wish sounds nice. Aside from the kids.
“If only I had some practice,” Steve says with a smile, pointing back at the passengers in the back.
Eddie is good with kids.
Shut up!
Music is playing and the rest of the drive is going by fast.
Their trip into ‘the War Zone’ is even faster when Jason shows up, his goons in tow. They take off as soon as they get all their supplies.
Chapter 6: Revisit stolen youth
Summary:
Steve's POV
They park the Winnebago at a clearing and gear up for the final showdown against Vecna while Steve is reminiscent of the pastFind the trigger warnings for this chapter here
self-deprecating thoughts, reminiscent mood
Chapter Text
At first glance, it all seems like a fun occasion, them gathering at a clearing in the woods. Just a mobile home, borrowed from a friend. Eddie is chasing Dustin around, both of them snickering amused. The rest of the crew scattered all over the place doing various tasks, easily mistaken for something innocent. Robin and Steve lean in closer to each other, chatting animatedly like they're getting dinner ready or preparing for s'mores.
Only they're not.
They're filling molotov cocktails, shoulders stiff with tension. The Winnebago is stolen, hotwired by their very own drug dealer and satanic murderer, if you believe the town folk. The same guy who's currently playing with Steve's favorite sprout, not that he would ever admit to that out loud, to keep the kid occupied so neither of them thinks about the lurking danger, looming over their heads like dark clouds.
Max lends Nancy a hand as she saws off the barrel of her newly acquired shotgun. Perched on two camping chairs Eddie produced from the back of the Winnebago, Lucas and Erica are currently busy making spears.
It would have been nice to come out to the clearing to simply hang out and roast some marshmallows over a little fire. It would be a normal thing to do.
It's what Dustin and the kids should be doing.
Not preparing to fight an evil dark wizard in a life or death scenario.
Steve’s still mourning the childlike innocence that got ripped right out of his grasp when he stumbled onto the scene of Nancy holding a shotgun and moments after encountering a Demogorgon all those years ago.
Steve's eyes linger on Dustin as his laughter rings over to him.
Wistfully, Steve forces a smile and a little wave when he notices Dustin is looking.
It isn't fair. That this is their childhood.
A childhood El never had. Only the handful of things Steve that knows make his stomach churn. He remembers the wonder in her eyes at every little thing because there were so many things new to her. She really made a lot of progress as a person, partially thanks to Mike but mostly thanks to Hopper who made it possible for El to catch up on the experience of a loving childhood home, even if there were some light squabbles.
If it was up to Steve, Dustin would be back at science camp and spend time with Suzie, maybe hatch a plan to make the world a better place. Inventing some shit or planning to take over the world. Steve is sure that both of them together are capable of anything. It should scare him, really, that these young teens are so smart but he knows Dustin would never do something to hurt his friends or endanger a world where D&D exists.
Speaking of D&D, Steve thoughts wander to Will, the one who got them all to play first. The reason Steve constantly has to pick up the kids from Hellfire. It was sad that he and the remaining Hopper-Byers family moved away, but Steve is also happy for Will. He deserves a bit of normality. Will made it through the worst, including his short trip to the alternate dimension. Steve shivers at the thought of being trapped there. Not just for hours, but for days, without food. Looming danger around every corner.
Props to Will for even figuring out how to communicate through lights. And on top of it all, when he finally got back, he got possessed by another Upside Down monstrosity… Steve only saw half the shit going down back then, being stuck babysitting as always. So yeah, Will deserves a basic and uneventful life in sunny California.
Steve wishes he could be in California too, like Mike. Little shit cheated his way out of the current Upside Down encounter by leaving for holidays. Maybe Steve is just being petty. It’s not like he wishes Mike would be entangled in it all. He really doesn’t miss his snarky remarks either. But Mike somehow holds all of the kids together. For whatever weird reason they look at him for guidance and they don’t have that now that he’s away…
I hope he has a fun time in Cali, just being a stupid kid for once.
Steve's eyes wander over the clearing to the Sinclairs where Erica is snarking off to her brother in typical fashion. A little nagging feeling of guilt lingers in the back of Steve’s mind every time he sees the child and remembers he’s responsible for dragging her into this mess in the first place when they asked for her help back at the mall. He’s glad she came out mostly unscathed, still lively and confident as ever.
Just like her brother Lucas. The one who's currently living his legacy as the sporty one of the bunch. His victory shot at the basketball championship feels like ages ago.
In a normal world, Steve would have driven Lucas and Max down to the arcade on their week off, dropping them off for an innocent little date with hand holding and chaste kisses like they did back in the woods when they hiked down to Lover's Lake. Wistfully, Steve smiles at the idea. He's glad that they finally made up since Dustin’s constant complaining during car rides was about to make his ears bleed.
It’s unfair it has to happen under the prospect of one of them dying. Poor Max. Steve felt her pull away these last few months but he didn’t realize how bad it had gotten.
Out of them all, it feels like her childhood was messed up the most. Moving to a new town with her violent brother who then got possessed and killed right in front of her, leading to her, also violent, stepfather to divorce her mom, which forced them to move to the trailer park sending her mom to alcoholism.
Damn! What the hell?! Was I so busy with myself I never realized that?
She doesn’t deserve that. None of them do…
Involuntarily Steve’s eyes whiz over to Eddie, who was also caught up in it all without a fault. The man is currently showing off the spiky shield to Dustin, doing some tricks, grinning like an idiot. The corners of Steve’s lips tug up as a natural response, his eyes lingering once again on the loud metalhead, who is being his loud and energetic self despite all of what happened recently.
Thanks to Robin, he knows what it means now - when his gaze is drawn to someone like that. Someone that isn’t a girl.
Quietly she had asked him why he kept going back to specific scenes in movies. Compared it to Steve’s ‘Fast Times’ analogy he came up with for Vickie. He denied her at first, claiming it was “no big deal”. That he was “checking out the fighting moves” similarly to how he had checked out the muscles of his fellow teammates sometimes. Everyone did that.
But not everyone got a heart flutter when doing so. Most people don’t, actually.
So Steve went back over all his interactions after puberty. How his eyes lingered a little too long on Tommy’s lips, and how upset he was when he got into a relationship with Carol. The jealousy he felt at the time, writing it down as being mad that she stole time from his best friend. He recalls how his heart skipped a beat when Billy stepped a little too close into his space, like Eddie is prone to. Knows now that jealousy wasn’t the only feeling when he saw Billy at the lifeguard job at the pool that was originally Steve’s. It was attraction.
And it’s the same buzzing feeling now when he looks at Eddie, how his curls fly while he laughs with joy, threatening to give Dusting a wedgie.
Absent-mindedly, Steve hands Robin another bottle, so she can keep it steady while he fills it with gasoline. His heart stutters when Eddie’s eyes meet his over the clearing.
“Robs? I think I like Eddie.”
She hums approvingly and stuffs the cloth into the bottle, setting aside another finished flammable.
“Yeah dingus, we all like Eddie. That's why we agreed on clearing his name, remember? Before hell broke loose. Again.”
Steve rolls his eyes. Of course, the only time he would voluntarily bring up being queer, his platonic soulmate wouldn’t catch it.
“No Robin. I like like him.”
“What are you? Like 12?”
She scoffs and picks up another bottle, holding it out to Steve. They look at each other and Steve can see when her mind really registered what he said.
“What?! You like Ed- -”
Steve’s hand shoots out in a flash and smothers her. Robin looks at him with wide eyes while a blush creeps up on Steve’s cheeks.
“Scream a little louder, why don't you?” he hisses, as he withdraws his hand.
“Sorry… It’s, uh, … I’m just surprised, is all. We never really talk about it. Plus, a few days ago you were crazy jealous of him, and now you like him?”
Bashfully Steve tucks in his head, nervously picking at the label of the gasoline canister in his hands. He gives Robin an apologetic smile and shrugs.
Not like I planned on it, Robin…
For a few moments they sit in comfortable silence, then Robin sets down the bottle and lays her hand on Steve’s arm. Warmth emits from her palm and there is nothing but love in her eyes and voice when she says, “If you fall for people, you really fall fast and hard. Don’t you?”
She’s right, Steve realizes belatedly.
He was the same with Nancy. Robin, too. Feelings blooming fast, growing like ivy, unstoppable.
Now, they are both people who turned his life around completely. For the better, if you ask him.
Steve is not sure if he would have ever managed to graduate if it wasn’t for Nancy. But she also helped him to grow as a person. The first one to really look behind the facade of his name. In the end, she pushed him to become a better person, even though she did break his heart while at it.
Robin was there to pick up the pieces with her quirks and her wit. She helped build himself back up without even realizing. Challenging him in other ways, guiding him so he can accept parts of himself that he locked away. Digging hard to uncover the far-scattered pieces of personality that got buried; left behind from a time before, when ‘King Steve’ was all he was.
So yeah, he falls fast. But he always gets something important out of it. A life lesson. A best friend.
But somehow this feels different. Lighter. More playful.
Maybe that’s just Eddie.
Good natured and high spirited.
Chuckles and giggles echo over the clearing where Eddie has gathered all of their squad, goofing around. Steve promises himself he’ll do his best to protect this cheerfulness as long as he can.
Once preparations are finished, Nancy calls in a war council. She lays out a battle plan and assigns them all tasks in her 4-phase strategy.
1 - locate Vecna
2 - establish distraction
3 - infiltrate his lair
4 - kill the bastard (or as Robin eloquently puts it while holding up a molotov - “Flambé”)
The idea of Eddie wandering through the hellscape again makes Steve feel very uneasy, so he’s relieved when Nancy assigns him for distraction. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise - nothing better than being loud to draw attention. Eddie’s eyes light up as he asks if there’s electricity in the Upside Down, clearly already coming up with a plan, gushing over his sweetheart.
Wait a second. Sweetheart? Who’s Eddie’s sweetheart??
Oh. It's a guitar.
They take a break after the discussion and put together some sandwiches for late lunch. Agreeing to strike after sundown, they scattered, giving everyone a bit of time to recuperate.
Chapter 7: This is where destiny lies
Summary:
Steve's POV
They get ready to fight Vecna and end it once and for all. Steve doesn’t expect to spark during the whole mess, but he does. But there’s no time to talk about it. And then they are off to kill the evil wizard.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
canon typical violence, blood and gore, description of vomiting and choking, + they are here to murder Vecna so… major character death(?), but it’s the villain
Chapter Text
Steve has volunteered to wake up Eddie. He slowly steps closer to the man, currently leaned back against a tree in the shadows. After all the events he had to go through the past couple days, Steve can’t blame him for catching a nap before they’re off to the final battle tonight, hopefully the real final one this time.
Eddie's leather jacket is haphazardly thrown over him like a blanket, slipped down a bit during his slumber by how it's bunched up in his lap. Quiet snores drift from him, peacefully asleep. Steve stops a few steps short and takes in the sight.
He looks different without his great bravado. Small, curled up like this.
No longer larger than life.
Steve remembers the big speeches on the cafeteria tables. The devil horns to throw off the jocks or the teachers. The wolfish grin when Eddie knew he had all the attention on him.
Right on brand, Eddie is wearing his Hellfire shirt, the sleeves bunched up, showing off slivers of Eddie’s multiple tattoos.
Thinking about it now, Eddie was always able to capture Steve's attention. Sure, the last few days together especially, but if Steve is honest with himself, he noticed the quirky metalhead already back in school, while he was knee deep in denial about his sexuality. Probably why he felt so irritated by Eddie back then. Steve had been drawn to the neverending flow of energy, to the beautiful brown eyes sparkling with joy.
Joy that was drained from him after his run-in with the Upside Down. Not completely. Steve has seen bits and pieces of it spark up today at the clearing, but it’s subdued.
Not that Steve can blame him. A lot has changed since his first encounter with the hell dimension, forcing him to grow up a lot faster. Eddie, however, had a lot more time under the assumption that monsters were only an invention of his little adventure game.
Sometimes Steve has to remind himself that Eddie is his age, and even though Steve himself sometimes feels like a single dad in his forties, he's barely out of high school. Often Eddie acts like he has everything figured out, but it's just an act. It's imminent now, when he's quiet. He looks so young. So lost.
Steve clocks the dark bags under his eyes and has to fight the automatic response to touch his own face where the dark under eye area is probably mirrored.
His heart aches when he has to think about denying Eddie some well deserved rest, but they have to get going soon.
Steve slouches forward a bit so he can rustle Eddie carefully, his name already on his lips, but then he feels it.
The warmth spreading through his fingertips from Eddie's forearm is more than the normal temperature of human skin. It's surging through Steve's veins with such a high intensity, his whole skin feels like buzzing. A joyful tickle has him shivering. Steve feels like he just won a game of tag. Boyish and wild. He feels light and happy and a little out of breath.
The glow is spreading from within the core of his chest. Similar to the sizzle of a sparkler, small flecks of bright blazes pop up, buzzing under his skin. There is an unexplainable sense of pleased pride running all the way to his fingertips. The feelings inside of him get bigger and bigger, threatening to burst out of him.
Then everything settles into a comfortable sensation of safety, something Steve hasn’t felt in a long time. It’s similar to the sensation that bubbles up inside him when he crawls into Robin’s bed after a nightmare and she holds him close until he can fall asleep, only more intense. More content. It’s the strange combination of floating away weightlessly and being more grounded than ever.
Is this real? Is this happening to me?
Steve has to fight back tears of pure bliss and relief. He sparked!!
Sure, the timing sucks, but he has a soulmate!
The universe has granted him his person!
He wants to jump with joy, scream it from the top of his lungs.
Steve is so overwhelmed, he barely feels the stinging burn of the manifesting soulmark, the visible connection to the person who belongs to him. Whom he belongs to. Destined to be with, linked like fitting puzzle pieces.
Holy shit!! I can't wait to check my mark out! I should show Robin.
Shit! I definitely need to talk to Eddie first!
"Dingus!!" Robin's sharp voice bellows over from the Winnebago and bullies its way through the haze in Steve's brain.
"What's taking so long? Get up our weirdo and let's go! Chop chop!"
Robin claps her hands a few times to emphasize her point.
Fuck! Shit! She's right. We've more pressing matters!
Steve looks down on his inner arm covered by his sleeve, debating if he should get a short glance but decides against it. He'd probably stare at it for hours and they really don't have that time right now.
I can do that later. After we defeat Vecna.
Steve moves his grip to Eddie's shoulder, and squeezes a little tighter than his soft touch before.
"Eddie? Hey man, we gotta get going soon. You need to get up now."
Steve lightly shakes his soulmate awake (his soulmate? Doesn't that feel crazy?). Eddie slowly stirs from his slumber and rubs his eyes. Steve can feel Eddie stiffen under his touch, then the man draws in a sharp breath. Steve follows Eddie's wide eyed gaze to his shoulder, where he sees nothing out of the ordinary. Reluctantly Steve withdraws his outstretched hand, suddenly feeling a bit out of depth. The intensity has him sweating, and he slowly wipes his hands on his jean clad thighs before putting both hands in his pocket.
Maybe Eddie wasn’t sleeping as peacefully after all…
Steve meets Eddie's eyes, still fixed on him, wide awake and highly alert.
"Sorry." Steve shrugs. "I didn't mean to spook you. We just need to get going."
He nods his head in the general direction of the rest of the squad, who are already loading up the camper.
"It.. it's fine." Eddie coughs a little, his voice still rough from sleep.
"You good?"
"Not really..."
And Steve can't really blame him. They're about to face a superhuman wizard who can cast trances on people, trapping them in visions to kill them and bring doom over their world. So, yeah, Steve is not really okay either.
Stupid question. Way to go, Harrington.
“Um…”
The awkward tension between them doesn't last very long with Dustin barreling in, flailing his limbs, motioning them to hurry up with a clumsy looking wave.
"If you're done with your little chit-chat here, we really need to get going!"
The tone once again reminds Steve he has to teach the kid some behavior lessons once they're done with the evil world destroyer. Dustin is already on Eddie, pulling him up. Eddie gets up with a dramatic groan.
Dustin hurries away to the others and Steve follows, dragging his legs over the meadow, after shooting a very exaggerated eye roll at Eddie which has the man’s lips twitching up in the corners.
They get back to Hawkins exactly on time after a little stop where Nancy went over the whole plan once again, emphasizing to always radio in before moving on to another phase of it. They all get changed into battle gear. Outfits they managed to snatch up at The War Zone combined with stuff from Eddie’s and Max’s trailers.
Max, Lucas, and Erica get dropped off first. They are all in an unspoken agreement that there’ll be no heartfelt goodbyes.
“See you in a few hours,” Steve calls after them before he pulls back into the road, driving them up to the trailer park.
The gate in the ceiling is right where they left it. As the most agile, Steve is once again the first one to go through. He looks back up through the opening with a pleased grin after landing his flip.
Damn, that felt awesome.
He grabs the mattress from Eddie’s bedroom and lays it out under the gate so the others can get through safely. Weapons and gear are also tossed through and get gathered in the living room.
They make quick work together, barricading the property as well as they can. If everything works out, they’ll need the trailer and the gate intact if they want to make it back out.
With everything in place and Vecna located, Robin, Nancy, and Steve are about to set off, but not before he reminds Eddie and Dustin to stay safe.
“If anything goes wrong, like, at all, you abort. Understand?”
When Steve leaves them behind to follow after the girls, he can’t shake the gnawing feeling of uneasiness. He shoulders the backpack full of equipment and clenches his fingers around the ax.
Let’s end this bastard.
They're just up the staircase in the Creel house when the next earthquake hits. Being mindful of vines that are covering the ground all over the rundown place is not really an option when you're busy not crashing down the stairs. Steve clutches the railing.
Nope. Not doing that again. One time as a baby was enough.
They make it through the rumble without tumbling over, but their relief is short lived when the vines start snatching them. Cold slimy leather wraps itself around Steve's throat and he gets pulled backwards.
Come on! Again? What's with these creepy-crawlies and their obsession with choking people?!
Maybe it's Robin's pained groan, or the way Nancy struggles against the constrictions, or maybe it's Steve's newly born fear of what happens after being restricted, the aching reminder on his stomach flaring up as he fights the vines. He'll not give up. Not now.
Not when Vecna's lair is only a few steps away.
Not when Max is risking everything to get them this chance.
Not with Hawkins on the line where all their friends and families live.
Not with his soulmate, somewhere in the hellscape buying them time.
Before the vines can capture his wrists, Steve brings his arms up at the constriction around his neck. In one last ditch effort, he yanks at it with a burst, clawing his nails into the gooey substance. With a revolting squelch it tears apart, making his stomach churn. The moment Steve is free he lunges forward and grabs the ax from the floor and swings it down at the vines that are right in the middle of wrapping around his ankles. As soon as the weight around him disappears, he sprints over to Nancy and Robin and hacks off their vines too.
They all gasp and heave for air as they gather in the middle of the hallway. More vines are slivering up the stairs, like a messed up gross version of snakes, as if snakes weren’t repellent as they are.
Nancy loads her gun and fires while urging them to move. “Let’s go! Go!”
Steve turns on his heels, Robin in tow, and sprints up the narrow stairs to the attic. Luckily they scouted the whole place already, because now they would be lost without the concrete layout.
With a loud thud, Nancy slams the door shut behind them, locking out the vines. Robin tugs out one of the molotov cocktails from Steve’s backpack and hands it to him. Her shotgun ready, Nancy leads them further into the room.
There he is, suspended from the roof with vines extending from his back. An unsettling sight that runs a shiver down Steve’s neck, and he has to fight the urge to soothingly run his fingers over the skin there.
In his trance, Vecna doesn’t realize they are there or he’s too busy with Max to notice. Not like it matters. Nancy locks eyes with Steve and nods.
It’s time! For Max.
Robin lights up the first cloth and Steve throws the bottle with precision, hitting One in the chest right in the center. The glass bursts and he lights up like a candle.
A heart-rending screech erupts as Vecna drops to the ground.
Die, you bastard!!
Steve throws the next molotov and Nancy steps up with her shotgun. They don’t even give Vecna time to react, hitting him with all they got. He can’t escape Nancy’s rain of bullets, stumbling back. He howls as Steve hits him with another bottle, engulfing him in flames once more.
Vecna puffs up, ready for a counterattack, when Nancy hits the final shot. With nothing to hold onto this time, burning and shot, he topples back and crashes through the attic window.
The scream is deafening. Thunder and lightning roar in the sky. Bellows and howls erupt, and then it’s quiet.
Robin is at the window first, leaning out to look down.
“Oh Shit! I think we got him!”
But Steve needs to be sure. He sprints down the stairs and the hallway, trampling over every vine on the way, now all laying unmoving on the ground. He bursts through the front door just in time to see Vecna roll over with a low rumbling groan.
The disgusting face morphs into a grimace when he sees Steve approach.
“You think it’s over? No. This…”, he coughs and snarls after each strenuous breath.
“This is just the beginning of the end.”
Robin and Nancy emerge in the doorway, taking in the scene before them with wide eyes. Pained, he grins and howls, sounding more and more mad.
“I’m a god here. The original explorer. You can’t kill me.”
“Wanna bet?”
With a deep calming breath, Steve adjusts the grip on his ax. He steps up to Vecna with a quick stride. The scent of burning skin and ashes invades Steve’s airway as he lifts the weapon over his head.
Finally Vecna seems to realize what’s in store for him. He wheezes and brings up his hands defensively, but it’s too late.
“Nooooo- -”
The awful piercing shriek is cut off when the metal blade rips through his jugular. With a final gurgling and a stomach-turning squelch followed by breaking bones, Vecna gets decapitated. Black goo is leaking from the open wound as his body stops moving and the flames eat away the rotting flesh.
Steve spins around to the girls, who stand frozen in the doorway up on the porch, then drops the ax. It hits the ground with a clank, right as Steve turns over and empties his stomach content onto the burned ground.
Chapter 8: So hard to say things that we should have uttered long ago
Summary:
Eddie's POV
Eddie nearly manages to push through the doubts in his mind and tell Steve about their mark but he doesn’t. When the life seeps out of him after the bat attack, Eddie regrets not having told him.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
self-deprecating thoughts, internalized homophobia, mentions of minor character death, suicidal thoughts (implied), Upside Down monsters, blood, major injury, temporary major character death
Chapter Text
“Hey! Steve?”
I know you're probably straight and this is never going to work out, but you were sort of my gay awakening and I also happen to be your soulmate. I'm sorry. Please don't kill me. It's not worth the trouble, we're all about to die anyway.
Yeah, no. He can't say that.
He should give Steve something. Some clue that he bears his mark, but he can't. His tongue is glued to the roof of his mouth and refuses to build the words. Eddie is not sure if it's self preservation or selfishness.
Maybe he wants to go into this big showdown fight without knowing what Steve's disappointment looks like. He'd much rather cling to the surprise in Steve's expression when he accidentally flirted with him in the Winnebago, how wide those pretty eyes had grown. Eddie thinks of Steve's sheepish smile when he'd put on the battle vest. He's not ready to stain these precious memories with a frown and distaste - and that's the best case scenario.
If Vecna really feeds on bad memories, Eddie has enough of them already. He doesn't need to add more to the mix.
Only now, Steve is looking at him expectantly, turned around towards Eddie while the rest of the group is ready to go.
Eddie is holding them up. They have a plan and it's time sensitive. Now is not the best moment to discuss soulmate business.
Steve tilts his head slightly. A silent queue for Eddie to go on. To spit out what's on his mind.
Eddie bites the inside of his cheek to force himself out of his stupor. He forces himself to croak out something.
Anything.
I'm destined to love you.
It's what he wants to say.
"Make him pay."
It’s the only thing he can rasp out and it tastes like bile and ashes on his tongue.
The only upside to this whole mess is that he gets to see his sweetheart in the eerie blue glow of this alternate dimension, making her look even more metal. Reverently he dances his fingers across the guitar strings, making her sing. The frozen-in-time version looks new, (not that his actual sweetheart looks run down, he takes very good care of her, thank you very much), and Eddie remembers buying the guitar only a few months before Will went missing back in the day. Every other week he’d go up to Indy on the bus, just to stand outside the music store and look at that particular beauty before he managed to save up enough money to get her. He still suspects that Rick and Wayne both slipped him a few extra bills without him noticing. Probably tired of hearing Eddie wax poetically about a musical instrument.
After reveling in memories and marveling at his guitar, they prepare for the ultimate distraction. Dustin lends him a hand and they heave up the amp and everything on top of the reinforced and barricaded trailer.
“Are you ready for the most metal concert in the history of the world?”
“Is that a rhetorical question?”
They anxiously wait for the signal as the others roam through the twisted version of Hawkins to the Creel house. Eddie once more hopes they’ll make it there okay. Especially when howls echo in the distance every now and then.
Perched on the trailer roof with nothing to do, in tense silence, Eddie’s mind starts to wander back to the beginning. The reason he ended up on the trailer roof of the distorted version of the world in the first place - Chrissy.
Without Venca’s curse, could they have become friends? Well, if Jason was still in the picture, of course not. But just him and Chrissy, it could have worked.
He remembers her amused smile and her sweet chuckle as he entertained her with his theatrics. The way her whole face lit up and her eyes wrinkled in the corners. How effortlessly they had laughed in the woods when Eddie was unaware of Chrissy’s troubles. Unaware of this whole parallel dimension shit.
His heart aches for missed opportunities and lost possibilities, so when their phase hits, he dedicates his solo to her.
He shreds at his guitar for Chrissy with all his heart because she'll never hear him play.
Will never be able to befriend him for real and come to his concert.
Will never get to conquer her demons.
Will never smile and laugh again.
Will never get to graduate and get out of the shit hole that is Hawkins.
Just like Eddie won't.
Even if we defeat Vecna now, logically, what difference does it make?
The small-minded people of their town have hated him before, and they'll hate him after.
There'll always be another Jason, someone that will hate him simply for existing.
So in the end, it's not just a tribute to the future Chrissy is missing out on, but also for Eddie's hopes and dreams. The ideas of what-could-have-been if his world wasn't turned Upside Down. Quite literally.
Eddie gives the performance everything he has. Lays every emotion into the riff, dances his fingers across the strings of his sweetheart and lets his heart sing along the lines of his favorite song.
He recalls Gareth’s smile when he first managed to play the whole instrumental bridge without mistake. Remembers the sparkle of joy in Jeff's eyes and the impressed nod of Frank. Eddie basks in the feeling of this connection, when he could play with his friends. He channels the screams of excitement at the ends of his numerous campaigns, letting them fuel him until he feels like he could burst.
This is the performance of my life!
Emotions whirl inside Eddie, flipping from pure joy to anxious anticipation to melancholy with every note. His voice is trembling and raw with feeling. Overwhelmed with it all, tears gather in the corners of Eddie's eyes. Full body goosebumps trail down his skin turning into a cold shiver when the screeching bats emerge on the horizon.
His blood runs cold.
Dustin gives him a countdown, and maybe they should run away, but Eddie just made it to the guitar solo and nothing is going to take this part away from him. Not even the clawing fear of death.
He strums the strings like his life depends on it, which it actually does.
Both he and Dustin holler in excitement after making it back inside the trailer alive, jumping up and down, pumped with adrenaline. Their distraction is a big success, going by the dozen of bats screeching around them outside.
Only the bats don’t stay outside. Soon they find their way through the vent. Eddie manages to seal one of them just in time, slamming the shield up against the roof, piercing the nails right into the little beast and holding it in place there.
But they are not fast enough for the second vent. The creatures fill Eddie’s room, crashing against the door they closed just in time. Half rotten wood is splintering at the force of the swarm of monsters crashing into it relentlessly.
Panicked Eddie ushers Dustin through the gate, keeping an eye out for the door. After the kid makes it through safely, Eddie throws down his weapons and starts climbing.
A loud thud draws his attention; the door is about to give way. There's a moment where Eddie looks between the door and the open gate, where Dustin is waiting, screaming for him to hurry.
Who says the bats will just give up?
Shit, Nancy even said Vecna wants to send his army through the gates and fuck up Hawkins.
Why should they wait? If the gate is still open, they can simply get through…
If they can get in, the creatures can get out. Knows they did it before when he thinks about Steve and how he got snatched at Lover's Lake.
Plus, if all of the little monsters are still alive and kicking, so is Vecna.
Dustin is waving at Eddie, spurring him on, but Eddie is frozen halfway up the rope. It's a split second decision to go back down, but somewhere in the back of his mind he knows he has to buy them more time. Looking up at Dustin through the gate, there's only one option, really. He has to keep playing decoy and keep the hell bats in the Upside Down. Away from the kid. Away from the gate. Away from Hawkins and the trailer park. Away from his neighbors there. Not that Wayne or he are very close with anyone living there, but they're all people Eddie knows. Good people.
All he has to do is to fulfill his task - be a distraction. Keep the bats busy and focused on him so they can't even consider going through the gate.
Against all protests from Dustin and the rational part of his brain, Eddie hops down and grabs the spear. The most important thing now is to keep the kid safe, so he cuts the rope. He tunes out Dustin’s wails and screams and pushes the mattress away so his little friend doesn’t do something stupid, like jumping back through the gate.
He picks the spear and the second shield back up and bursts through the front door. Dozens of eyes turn towards him and the screeches get more intense. Claws scrape against the wooden walls and wings flutter.
Eddie’s eyes dash to the bikes they dropped in front of the trailer the night before. He sprints over and grabs the first one he can reach, pedaling away as the swarm of bats takes off behind him.
Ow! Fuck!!
So this is what it feels like…
Harrington, you badass.
Every bite burns. No matter how hard he thrashes around, there is no way out. His limbs are pinned, the tail around his neck suffocating him increasingly.
He is in the eye of the storm of flapping wings, piercing claws, and squawking jaws. Red lightning zaps through the sky, but he can’t hear the thunder over the roaring bats.
The pain that comes with every bite is blinding. The tails around his limbs constrict the bloodflow and his fingers slowly get cold. His chest, on the other hand, is burning with an onslaught of claws and teeth ripping into his skin. The agony becomes overwhelming.
Eddie is not sure if he passes out, but with every new wound, the adrenaline brings him back. Still trapped in an endless cycle of torture.
I just want it to be over…
The fight is seeping out of him with every bit that gets ripped out of him. He can’t feel his hands anymore. He isn’t even sure if he still has legs, everything numb with pain.
Dark wings flap above him as another bat breaks out of the vortex of creatures to attack him.
Eddie lets his eyes fall shut, lulling his head back as he prepares for another blow. Only it doesn’t hit. With a pained shriek, the bat crashes near his head, the sharp wings gashes open the soft skin on his cheek.
The beats of the wings get more erratic, the constant clatter of squawks turns into sharp piercing squeals. For a moment, Eddie is met with absolute silence, and then there’s a stream of thuds as the bats tumble out of the sky and hit the ground.
With a whimper, the small monsters around him kneel over, easing up the tails around his limbs, until they curl up and slowly pass away.
Holy fucking shit! They made it! They really made it.
Eddie looks up at the distorted night sky with a proud smile, but his relief is short-lived when a familiar voice hollers over the vacant trailer park.
God, Dustin. You little shit.
The boy hobbles over the grayish meadow and drops to his knees right by Eddie’s side. The way he fusses over Eddie brings out a tired smile.
“Bad, huh?”
“No, no, no.” Dustin’s voice comes out hurriedly and high. “You're gonna be fine. We just gotta get you to a hospital, okay?”
Dustin tries his best to get Eddie up, but his limbs feel too heavy. The tips of his fingers tingle when he tries to cup Dustin’s squishy little face, but they don’t move. When Eddie coughs, the taste of blood blooms in his mouth.
Fuck! That’s bad.
The rustling and rousing is setting off the pain once more, and Eddie has to grit his teeth to suppress a cry at the throbbing torment.
“I think I just… I think I just need a second, okay?”
Dustin cradles him close and soothingly runs his fingers through Eddie’s hair. That’s the sensation Eddie focuses on. Everything else seems burdensome. He makes Dustin promise to look after Hellfire and all the lost little sheep. Tears stream down the kids face and Eddie so desperately wants to wipe them away but his muscles don’t comply.
There is something on the tip of his tongue, something he’ll now never get to say to his soulmate. But he can say it to Dustin and it’ll be no less the truth.
“I love you, man.”
With all his remaining power he forces his lips into a smile. A single tear slips out at the corner of his eye as Dustin returns the sentiment.
Eddie’s mind wanders to all the people he loves. All the people he won’t see again. Hellfire, Corroded Coffin, damn, even Nancy, Robin and the whole party of kids. Rick, the father he never had. Wayne, the only family he had.
A deep sob rips through Eddie but he doesn’t even feel the pain from jousting the wounds.
Eddie loves them all and he hopes they’ll get to live a happy life, even without him there.
His last thoughts belong to Steve. Filled with love for the tiny idea of hope for what could have happened between them as soulmates. But there’s also a gut wrenching sense of guilt and regret.
If I die now, Steve will never know… His arms will stay bare and he'll forever wonder if his soulmate is still somewhere out there, unaware of the fact that I was his, already long gone.
I should have said something. Anything.
The moment the spark burned through him, he should have told Steve, dealing with the consequences. But like with everything, Eddie ran. He hid away the fact, effectively leaving the person who was supposed to become the most important one in his life, in the dark. Forever unsparked. All because Eddie couldn't find the courage to say a few little words to his soulmate. Not able to utter a sound.
Why was it so hard? Why couldn’t I just say it?
And now it's too late.
He can feel his fingers grow colder as they refuse to follow his will. Blood is pooling down, creating a revolting sensation of wet warmth at his lower back. The corners of his vision grow hazy and he looks up to the night sky, wishing he could see the stars one last time.
Then everything goes dark.
Chapter 9: With the ashes of our enemies
Summary:
Steve's POV
When they get back after the Vecna fight it looks like it’s too late, but Steve’s soulmark is still there, even though the black is fading to gray. They have to get Eddie to the hospital. Fast.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
major injuries, near character death, blood & gore, aftermath of an earthquake (mentioned), discrimination (hospital personnel is hesitant to treat Eddie since he’s still a murder suspect)
Chapter Text
The trailer park comes back into view, still dipped in the eerie blue glow of the Upside Down, but the screeching sounds of the bats can no longer be heard. The gravel crunches under their shoes; Nancy and Robin talk to each other under their breaths. It is concerningly peaceful, now that they’ve defeated Vecna, hopefully getting rid of the Upside Down once and for all.
Steve simply cannot trust the quiet, continuously speeding up to get back to Dustin and Eddie so they can then check on the rest to make sure everyone is safe.
He hears it before he sees it – wailing sobs and sniffles with a constant flow of desperate pleas.
“Eddie, come on. Please... You can’t die. Eddie!!”
Steve’s body reacts before he fully comprehends what’s happening. He’s on his knees besides Eddie’s bloodied body.
No! Oh no no no! This can’t be happening!
Dustin is curled up besides Eddie, holding his upper body close. His hands are stained red, his cheeks blotchy and tear streaked.
“Eddie... The bats... ‘nd I was through the gate but then he climbed down and cut the rope and… and I came back but he... he...”
Another sob rips through Dustin, shaking his body. Eddie, in Dustin’s arms, is still. Only shaking with the movements of the boy holding him tight. He looks pale, even more so than usual, his limbs slack.
Steve stares wide eyed at the image before him. They just defeated the great evil. They were supposed to be safe now.
“Don’t be heroes”, he’d said but of course they didn’t listen.
Pain is coursing through his body. Steve can feel the burning rage bubbling up inside him. The blood is pumping, he can feel the hammering heartbeat echo in his ears. He wants to scream at Dustin, scold Eddie for not listening, and wants to cry. It’s so much. Too much!
He rips up his shirt sleeves, covered in blood and upside down grime, to check at his inner arm.
It’s still here!
His soulmark is still in place. The black ink is fading though. It’s already a prominent gray, meaning it’s continuously getting lighter. But it’s still there. So Eddie is still alive!
Nancy and Robin finally catch up and flank behind him. They can definitely see what Steve is staring at, if the sharp gasp from both girls is anything to go by.
“Is this- -“
“Now is not the time Robin! We need to get him out of here. Now!”
Steve doesn’t mean to sound as harsh as it comes out, but they really don’t have time to chit-chat. Eddie needs to get to the hospital right away.
“But Eddie... He is... He- - I..”, Dustin still sobs.
Steve instinctively lays his hand on Dustin’s arm to calm him. Then he turns to the girls. If they want a shot at saving Eddie they need to act fast. His mind is reeling.
The trailer gate is too high. No way we can heave an unconscious person out there. Most wounds seem to be at Eddie’s upper body so lifting him there would also be counterproductive... What options are there?
“Nancy, you go through the gate. Get the car to Fred’s gate,” Steve points in the direction of the bushes, where, not far behind, the second gate is in the middle of the road, “knock over the roadblocks if you must, but pick us up there! Robin, get me a sturdy plastic chair from the camper over there. Hurry!!”
The girls stare at him, frozen, as seconds tick by. Then they simultaneously sprint to their designated destinations. Steve focuses back on Dustin and Eddie. They still need to stop the bleeding. When he worked as a lifeguard Steve got special training for emergencies and somewhere in the back of his mind there is a faint recollection.
“We need to take care of his wounds!! Dustin, give me your shirt!”
Steve is already at his own shirt, ripping it in long strips. He has to tie a few bits together, but it works well enough. Dustin sits there, teary eyed, staring at Steve like the man has finally lost his mind. The corners of his mouth are turned down, a few whimpering sobs escape his pressed lips.
“He’s dead, Steve.” He whispers it, like it’s less true if the universe doesn’t hear him say it.
Steve catches Dustin’s eyes, conveying how much he means the next thing he’ll say. How serious he is about this.
“He’s not. At least not yet”, Steve’s voice is surprisingly leveled, even though he feels himself shaking all over with the adrenaline coursing through his body, “but if we don’t get him out soon, he will be.”
The second part of the sentence is emphasized as Steve raises his voice, enough to spur Dustin into action. He sheds the camouflage battle dress, tucks the shirt out underneath of where Eddie’s upper body is leaning against him, and hands it to Steve, who squishes it into a bundle. Steve presses it against the most wounded area on Eddie’s torso, where the grimy demo-bat gashes glisten with blood.
“Hold down here,” he curtly instructs Dustin, who automatically follows Steve’s order. Steve scoots closer and brings the bandage under Eddie’s perched up body. He pulls tightly and knots it in place, then wraps it around two more times and secures it, effectively keeping Dustin’s shirt in place which is already staining red with blood.
“What do we need the chair for, dingus?”
Robin comes running, white plastic chair in hand, and Steve feels some tension drain from his body.
I’m not alone in this. We’ll get him out! We’ll get you out Eddie!
He motions Robin to come closer. She places the chair down near Dustin and Steve.
“We can’t carry Eddie out like that. It’ll strain his wounds even more. We’ll perch him on the chair and carry him out on it.” Steve hurriedly explains as he gets up. He steps over Eddie.
“You take this side, I’ll lift here. Dustin, help us as much as you can. Ok?”
They both just nod. Steve is in problem solving mode.
There is no point in arguing anyway. It’s the best solution they have.
Eddie is effectively blacked out and doesn’t even flinch when the trio heaves his limp body into the garden chair.
The three of them should be able to make it work: Steve and Robin each can grab an armrest, carrying most of the weight, and Dustin can hold up the chair legs.
That plan flies out the window when Dustin gets up and Steve sees him limp. Steve raises an eyebrow at him, looking down at Dustin’s legs in disapproval.
“Shit! What happened?”
“Jumped down the trailer gate after Eddie removed the mattress.”
“Fuck.”
Okay, Dustin can’t carry shit right now. What now?
“Ok man, can you clear us a path?” Steve pointedly looks at the direction where the other gate is located. He feels bad asking a hurt child to hobble through the bushes and trees, but there aren’t many options right now.
Dustin grabs the knife-spear in one hand, the flashlight in the other. He gives an affirmative huff and determinedly limps ahead, using the spear for support.
In the meantime, Robin made good use of the rest of Steve’s shirt-rope and tied Eddie’s upper body to the chair with a cheap excuse of a seatbelt.
“Just you and me now, dingus. Let’s get this self-sacrificing idiot out of here.”
They nod to each other and get to it. Eddie is still a heavy lift, even if the guy is basically a twig, but with all the adrenaline left in their system, they manage to carry their weird construction through the woods. They have to take short breaks every now and then, setting the chair down to shake out their arms. Their muscles are screaming, but they can’t give up. The bandages on Steve are slowly turning red, the strain probably re-opened his own demobat bites, but if they don’t pull through, it would be a death sentence for Eddie.
Steve checks his soulmark once, just to be sure, and it’s still gray, lighter than before, which spurs them on to get the metalhead out.
They follow down the small path Dustin cuts out for them, trailing behind the flashlight marking their way. By the time they near the clearing, Robin and Steve found the perfect way to hold up the chair without agitating Eddie – slightly tilted back, one arm under the seat, one on the armrest. It physically hurts by now, and their limbs are sore, but they made it!
Nancy is already on the other side, spurring them on.
Dustin, Robin, and Steve get the unconscious Eddie back on the ground, against the cold paved road. It’s not a pretty solution, but they need to act fast, so they decide to roll Eddie over the gate edge closest to the car. Nancy lets out a relieved breath when it works. Steve notices he does the same. Finally knowing Eddie is safe, for now.
Their weird maneuver has worked, so the trio effectively does the same: laying down, rolling over and emerging on the Right Side Up.
The three older kids wrangle Eddie into the backseat. Steve slips in first, pulling, while Nancy and Robin, each grab a leg, pushing. Dustin worriedly hobbles behind them, slipping in under Eddie’s legs. Steve holds Eddie’s upper body in place, steadily putting pressure against the largest wound. Whenever he presses hard enough, and in the right place, he can feel a very faint heartbeat, the only indication his soulmate is still alive.
Nancy gets in the driver’s seat while Robin slips in beside her at the front.
“Drive! Drive!! We need to get him to the hospital!”
They speed down the road like crazy, breaking any and every speed limit on the way.
Luckily there isn’t much traffic. The street lamps lowly illuminate the extent of Vecna’s catastrophic attack. Broken windows, houses missing a wall or a roof. Here and there are a few rifts in the concrete of the street. Water is pouring from a hydrant.
It’s bad, but it could have been way worse.
Steve doesn’t care. He cradles Eddie against his chest. Every bump in the road shakes his frail body, every corner rustles the limp limbs Steve is holding tight. Steve’s torso is screaming in agony. The pain is constantly coursing through him but the concern about his soulmate is keeping him alert.
“You think- -“, Dustin’s voice breaks. He stares at Eddie’s bandage wounds, “Will he make it?”
“Yes.”
Or at least I hope so.
Time is moving slowly, like they are trapped in honey. Gooey and viscous and all so slow. Minutes feel like hours, and Steve tries to focus his every fiber to feel Eddie’s light heartbeat.
When they finally make a screeching halt at the hospital, Robin rushes out of the seat and bolts through the hospital doors only to emerge seconds later with two nurses and a wheelchair.
Dustin scoots out, and with the combined effort of the medical personnel and Steve, they get Eddie out of the car. Nancy glances ahead to the road and makes no attempt to leave the driver's seat. Seems like she already made plans with Robin, Steve realizes belatedly. Probably went over his head on their way here.
“I’m gonna check on Lucas, Max and Erica. You guys stay here.”
Steve just nods at her, his eyes fixed on the back of dark curly hair, currently being wheeled away. In a trance, he follows his soulmate in. The two nurses exchange glances and whisper to each other. Robin drags the injured Dustin towards the hospital too, as Nancy speeds away.
They enter the brightly lit foyer. After all the darkness and dim blue of the Upside Down it physically hurts. It takes a few moments for Steve’s eyes to adjust. Medical personnel murmur to each other. A doctor emerges and stares at Steve and Eddie, flanked by the nurses. They probably look horrible, covered in grime and blood. But no one makes a move to help them.
The automatic doors behind them open and close as Robin and Dustin enter as well. For a moment that’s the only sound, then the whispering continues.
Steve can only make out bits and pieces but he’s sure he catches “isn’t that the Munson kid?” “... the one that murdered that cheerleader” “should we even..” “what are we supposed to do?”
Then it clicks in place.
Are they seriously debating whether or not to treat Eddie?! The guy nearly gave his life saving this whole damn city!
So much for innocent until proven guilty!
Steve is about to lose it right then and there. Can feel the hot rage burning deep inside him.
He hates pulling this card. Hasn’t done it since his falling out with Tommy. If they don’t voluntarily treat Eddie, he’ll make them.
He gathers up all his strength, puffs out his chest. Head high like the good old days, wandering the halls of Hawkins High. Pulling out his best impression of the famous ‘King Steve'’ persona. His voice booms through the white tiled hallway.
“Do you know who I am?? I’m the son of Richard Harrington.”
A few heads snap up. Eyes bright with recognition. The whispering dies down.
“If you don’t treat this man right now and give your utmost best to keep him alive, I’ll personally make sure this hospital will be sued. To. The. Ground.”
Steve punctuates the end of his sentence with such intensity it rips a nurse from her stupor. She instantly hurries over and carts Eddie towards a door with a bright “Emergency” light. Medical terms are being thrown back and forth, and the doctor and two more nurses rush after them.
Dustin and Robin both share a shocked glance before they fix Steve with a wide eyed stare. They probably think he’s possessed or something.
Steve can see Robin’s mouth move, but the sounds don’t reach his ears. Packed in cotton wool, the world around him is muffled. He turns back to make sure Eddie is being taken care of. The edges of his vision begin to get fuzzy. He faintly decerns his soulmate being carted into OR.
Then the tension snaps.
The energy leaves Steve’s body and he slumps down on the ground, like a puppet with cut strings. He can’t even feel it when his knees hit the tiled sterile floor. He slumps over and everything turns black.
Chapter 10: Will we ever heal our old wounds?
Summary:
Steve's POV
Steve wakes up in a hospital bed. He fainted and needed stitches. Robin stays by his side.
Nancy comes by to visit and talk to Steve.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
mentioned wounds, self worth issues, discussion of the Stancy breakup, internalized homophobia
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
When Steve slowly blinks his eyes open, he's faced with an unnaturally white ceiling. The fluorescent lights pierce all the way through his skull. It smells like disinfectant, and the bedsheets under his fingers feel off, rustling too loudly every time he shifts.
Only the weight in his left palm is grounding and comforting, warmth emitting from the skin wrapped around his fingers.
Steve turns carefully, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with his free hand.
Right next to him, on the chair facing the bed, is Robin, her head lying on the bed turned towards Steve so she could keep an eye on him before falling asleep.
It's still dark outside, so Steve decides to give her some rest. Robin looks pale, her hair is greasy, and she's got dark circles under her eyes. Her clothes are not bloody, though, so she probably went home to change at least.
The events of the prior night flood into his brain, hitting him like a train. Instinctively Steve lifts his arm to face his soulmark, his heart rate picking up. When he sees it's still prominently burned onto his soft skin, he lets out a shaky exhale of relief.
A bit of color has returned to it, settling on a dark gray. It's not black yet, but it's promising. Constrictions around his heart give way to tiny slivers of hope that Eddie is alive somewhere in this very hospital.
For the first time, Steve has time to actually take in the mark, what symbols are etched there to represent his soulmate.
There's a big chair in the center, black with details on the frame and velvet on the seat. It looks old but impressive. On the right armrest leans an electric guitar and Steve guesses it's a perfect match for Eddie's ‘sweetheart’. His most "prized possession," Eddie had told them all. Perched on the seat of the throne is a heart and it's so beautiful, Steve can feel his eyes prick with tears.
The heart looks like it's made of glass, the details so intricate it looks like it's reflecting the light. Wonderful and fragile. It shimmers and sparkles as Steve slowly turns his arm. His fingers itch to graze over it but he can't move without disturbing Robin, so he resorts to simply look at his mark in adoration.
I sparked. It's still there. Eddie is still there. And I have a mark!
Steve can't fight it off any longer. It's like a dam breaking, setting free all the feelings inside him. Tears are streaming down his face, blurring his vision, but he can still see the dark lines on his skin.
We made it out alive.
The proof is right there. A bit faded, but the color of the ink is slowly coming back. Clear indication that Eddie is getting better. It was a close call for a bit, when Steve wasn’t sure if they would make it to the hospital in time. He can still feel the faint beating of Eddie’s heart under his fingers when he held him in the back of the car.
But if he sparked too, why hasn’t Eddie said anything?
What if he doesn’t have my mark?
Or maybe he does but he’s unhappy with it. I’m probably not his first choice. Anyone’s first choice really…
A sob breaks free as his emotions take a turn south, and Robin is on him in a heartbeat, wrapping her arms around him tightly, holding him while his tears soak her shirt.
Slowly his whirlwind of emotions ebb away.
When he pulls back, Robin tentatively reaches out to wipe away his tears. Her glassy eyes meet his.
"Don't ever do this to me again!” her voice is shaking and upset.
"I'm sorry?"
"You passed out in the hallway. They said you lost a lot of blood and carrying Eddie out had ripped your wounds open again. And... And they wouldn't let me see you because I'm not family... but no one could reach your parents so I- ... I told them I'm your girlfriend cause they wouldn't let me stay and I couldn't leave you alone. And I... I needed to make sure..."
Now it's Steve's time to reach out. He takes Robin's hands and squeezes reassuringly, letting his thumb run over the back of them. He pulls her into another hug, holding her tightly against his chest.
"I'm okay", he whispers gently, "Thanks for staying."
"Always."
They both pull back reluctantly, not wanting to let the other or the comfort go, but it's easier to have a conversation face to face.
"So, what's my verdict? Rabies?"
Steve has to fight off Robin when she squats at him in retaliation after his teasing comment.
The fast movements pull at his torso and Steve winces. "Ahh!"
Both stop their little squabble instantly, Robin eyes him with concern.
"Stop moving, dingus. You'll pull the stitches."
"It's not my fault. You've been hitting me! With stitches!” he adds on mock scandalization, putting a hand over his heart, sinking back into the pillows of the bed. Steve definitely adapted to the theatrics of Eddie, even if they only spent a short time together.
"Well, you deserve it for being an idiot," Robin huffs and then slumps back into her chair.
"So? Stitches, huh? What about the others? And you? Are you hurt?"
Robin fills him in on the current situation.
Nancy went and fetched Max, Lucas and Erica that night. The Sinclairs are mostly alright, a few bruises, but they got off lucky given the fact Jason had shown up there. Max's situation looks a bit more dire. She broke multiple bones in her arms and left leg. Her eyesight was damaged, too. She's currently in a coma a few doors down the hallway.
Steve's stomach turns and cold sweat runs down his spine. He feels incredibly bad for being so caught up in his soulmate stuff he forgot about the kids. He has to remind himself that he got hurt too. Laying in a hospital bed is proof of it. He still feels like protecting them was his responsibility, and he failed them. It must have shown on his face because Robin is quick to reassure him.
"Doctor Owens is here. He says Max will make a full recovery. She'll probably need physical therapy once she's awake again, but it looks promising."
"What about her eyes?" Steve's voice is small and he doesn't really want to ask, doesn't really want to know.
"Doctors expect that some of her eyesight, if not most of it, will return.."
Steve lets out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding and brings his fingers up to the inside of his arm, finally able to dance his fingers along the gray mark. Robin's eyes track his motion.
Steve’s voice is a little shaky when he asks, "What about Eddie?"
"Last time I checked, he was still in surgery. They won't tell us anything since we're not family. Dustin said he'll try and find Eddie's uncle tomorrow. Or rather today."
Steve follows Robin's gaze outside the window. The sun is slowly rising, basking the sky in an eerie gray blue. They quietly watch it for a few minutes as the blue turns into orange, a pleasant change compared to the dark sky of the Upside Down.
"How's Dustin doing?"
"Stupid shit broke his ankle. He got a cast and Claudia picked him up a few hours ago while you were out like a light. He was pretty shaken but he'll be alright. Especially since both Eddie and you made it out alive."
"And you?"
"I'm just tired."
Steve chuckles lightly. Now that he knows everyone is alright, at least as well as they can be given the circumstances, he feels the exhaustion catching up to him.
He yawns and slumps back further into the bed, scooping over to make extra space besides him. Steve taps the mattress in invitation.
"Come here. Let's get some rest."
He yawns again and his eyelids grow heavier every moment.
"Not sure that's allowed,” Robin grumbles as she crawls into the small hospital bed, carefully perching herself alongside Steve.
"... don' care…"
Moments later his breaths even out and he snores gently. Robin nuzzles into his side, basking in the comfort of Steve's presence before she also drifts off.
It’s hours later when Robin’s mother comes by, concerned for her daughter and Steve. It’s always baffling how much Mrs. (“Call me Helen, please”) Buckley cares. The lady fusses a bit over Steve, scandalized that he got hurt. Again. She’s only satisfied when Steve promises he’ll accept her nutrient filled soup once he’s released from hospital and makes her daughter promise to look after him, as if Robin wouldn’t do that either way.
When they leave, Robin assures Steve that she'll check in on Dustin. There’s also a disaster recovery center set up at school and she wants to volunteer there.
The nurses come by to check on Steve’s wounds and confirm that the stitches are healing nicely, so he only has to stay for precautionary monitoring for the time being.
Now that he’s thriving on a cocktail of medication and he’s no longer running for his life, Steve feels his skin itch and an underlying discomfort with the remaining Upside Down grime on him. Sure, they got most of it off when cleaning and dressing the wounds and bites, but he still feels gross. Steve sweet-talks the nurses into helping him into the shower before they dress his wounds again. Carefully he washes off the last reminders of the hell dimension, letting out a pleased sigh when he can finally wash his hair.
They get him wrapped up again and Steve is slipping back into the bed, already feeling exhausted after a single task. He slips back into a dreamless sleep, drifting in and out with the unfamiliar noises of the bustling hospital.
It’s already afternoon when Nancy stops by to check on him. She announces herself with a firm knock, slipping in before Steve even has time to respond. It’s obvious she has had time to clean up and catch a breath, now looking put together as always.
“How are you feeling?”
Steve answers with a shrug, pulling the bandages around his ribs slightly.
“Jonathan called. El got her powers back and piggy backed from a restaurant cooler somewhere? Don't ask me what exactly that means. But they will all be here tomorrow."
Nancy looks tense and gets all the information out as fast as she can. Steve can do nothing but nod along.
"That's good. All of them coming back. And that El got her powers back, too. I'm glad."
“Anyway. There’s another reason why I wanted to talk to you.”
Curt as ever.
Steve motions to the chair which has been Robin’s residence, now vacant.
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“I wanted to discuss your… you know…”
Nancy points at her bare inner arm while she perches herself up on the chair by Steve’s bedside.
“My soulmark.” Steve finishes for her. “What about it?”
His tone might be a little more guarded and on edge than he was originally gunning for, but talking about love with Nancy Wheeler is sort of a sore spot for him.
“Does he- -”
“No. Well, I don’t know, to be exact. I’m waiting for him to wake up so we can talk about it. We both know about my track record when it comes to love.”
As soon as the statement leaves his mouth, he winces. He presses his lips together tightly in a failed attempt to keep the words in; to swallow down the bitterness that comes with it.
Steve didn't mean to be so rude, nor did he want to bring up the fateful Halloween years ago, when Nancy shattered his heart into tiny pieces. Not now, when he finally got around to pick them all up and glue them back together, all held up by the slight sliver of hope.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Steve sees Nancy fold her hands in her lap. She rarely fidgets around like that. She seems nervous.
“It’s good that you mention it actually. I came here to apologize. For what happened at Tina’s back then. I feel this talk is long overdue.”
That’s not at all what Steve expected. Not that he expected anything from Nancy’s visit, but least of all this conversation. He feels his stomach constrict, leaving him a bit queasy.
“Yeah. Probably.” Steve’s voice is hoarse and a little strained.
“Back then, I was hurting. A lot. And it felt like you weren’t trying. We didn’t really talk about what happened, trying to sweep everything under a rug, like the government did.”
Steve wants to argue. Wants to explain. When he opens his mouth, facing Nancy, she carefully holds her hand out to stop him.
“Let me finish, please. I was grieving, and I didn’t realize nor acknowledge you were grieving too. Our process was just different… It felt easier to lash out on someone than to deal with it. To find someone to blame. Someone other than me. So I pinned this on you. But it wasn’t your fault, and neither was our failing relationship.”
Deep down he knew that. Of course he didn’t mean for Barb to be taken by a Demogorgon. Or for Will to disappear. Or to shut out Nancy because they were both hurting and neither knew how to deal with it. But hearing it from Nancy, so directly, so bluntly, shakes something loose within. Before he knows it, tears are streaming down his face.
Man, I’m really crying at every little emotional event these days. What would Dad say if he’d see me like that? … not that he’s around…
“You know, when Jonathan called earlier, he told me he sparked with his friend in California.”
Steve doesn’t really know what to say. “I’m sorry.” He cringes at the implied question mark at the end of the sentence.
“Don’t be. Our relationship was actually crumbling, way before he called me about it. And I know it should hurt; breaking up like that, but it doesn’t. This grand concept of love, people write poems and songs about, I’m not sure I can grasp it.
“I know I loved Jonathan. Still do actually. And I loved what we had, too. But I’m not sure it was ever the same as you felt towards me. I’m not even sure I can feel this romantic love at all.”
“I… um, I’m sorry?” It feels hollow to just echo his words, but it’s a big admission and Steve doesn’t want to ruin this moment for Nancy.
“It’s pretty liberating to not pressure myself like that. I don’t feel like I need a soulmate. No one is out there waiting for me, trying to tie me down.”
When their eyes meet again, Nancy seems to realize what she’s said. “Sorry, that was really rude.”
“Nah, it’s fine.” Steve cuckles wetly.
Nancy carefully tucks his hand into hers, reassuring and friendly and warm.
“Steve, I’m sorry for the things I said back then. You deserve to be happy and I wish for your sake that Eddie has sparked for you,” she squeezes Steve’s hand like she wishes him luck, “you have so much love to give.”
“I don’t know…,” his voice still so unsure, shaky from all the crying.
“Steve,” Nancy tugs at his hand, catching his line of sight, blurred with tears, “you barreled into a door to fight an interdimensional hell monster for me. I don’t even wanna know what you’ll do for your soulmate.”
That feels like a lifetime ago.
Steve shakes his head in amusement. A laugh tumbles from his lips, and soon they are both giggling with how bizarre their situation is.
They chat a bit more, and when Nancy leaves, Steve’s heart feels a lot lighter.
After finally being able to get closure on the regrets of Steve’s first love, he shifts his focus on the person that, if the universe worked correctly, will be his last love - the loud metalhead who’s currently being treated in the ICU. Absent-mindedly, Steve caresses the mark on his inner arm, relieved that it constantly keeps up the dark gray. After the events of the Upside Down and the ink fading, he catches himself checking it a lot, but no one can blame him for being paranoid. Not with the reaction of the nurses and doctors, not when Eddie is still a wanted man.
Restless, Steve wanders through the hallways of the hospital, taking in the bustling and bumbling around him in these white walls. He’s still feeling guilty after his talk with Robin, and checks in with Max first. She’s not awake yet, and Lucas is out like a light, so Steve sneaks back out without rousing him.
When he makes it down the hall without anyone questioning him, Steve sneaks into Eddie’s room. Steve knows Eddie is alive, his soulmark is telling him that much, but really making sure, being able to check the beeping machines, seeing Eddie’s chest rise and fall, soothes a part of him that he wasn’t even aware of.
It’s only when he steps closer that he notices the metallic silver around Eddie’s wrist and the bedframe, which leaves a foul taste in his mouth.
Is it really necessary to handcuff an unconscious person?
A little lost, Steve is simply standing there, looking down at Eddie, seemingly peacefully asleep. His arms and torso are covered in thick layers of bandages. When the physical exertion starts to be too much, Steve brings one of the chairs in the room to the bedside so he can sit down closely to Eddie.
At some point he must have dozed off and jerks awake when a doctor enters the room.
“Mr. Harrington, I don’t think this is your room.”
“And I don’t think Eddie has to be cuffed, but yet here we are.” Steve shrugs while the doctor seems unbothered by Steve’s snarky tone. He steps closer and holds his hand out for introduction which Steve takes hesitantly but then grips tightly.
“I’m Doctor Owens.”
With the name, something clicks for Steve. Robin has mentioned him. That’s the doctor who was working with Will. And Hopper mentioned the man too when he talked about keeping El safe.
“You are that Doctor that knows? About it all, I mean.”
"Yes. I’ve been working with the government for a while and I’ve done research on what you call the Upside Down.”
“So you know Eddie did not kill these kids. You need to tell the police!”
Steve is back on his feet, gesturing wildly while Owens nods in agreement.
“I know, Mr. Harrington. I’ve already been in touch with the authorities. Matters are being handled right as we speak.”
Steve deflates after breathing a sigh of relief.
“I’m sure you’ve been concerned about Mr. Munson’s safety here, but I can assure you he’s under the best care. I understand that you want to keep your friend here company, but he won’t wake up in the next few hours, that’s all I can tell you. Please don’t neglect yourself. I’ve been informed you were hurt as well? Go back to your room for now. You can come back tomorrow, after resting and recuperating overnight.”
Owens says it like it’s a suggestion, but his tone indicates that there is no room to argue now. The most important thing is that they work to clear Eddie’s name.
It has to be enough for now.
Steve thanks the man and then trots back to his room out of necessity. He slips into the stiff sheets and stares at the ceiling until he feels heavy enough to get pulled under.
Notes:
The absolutely stunning artwork of the soulmark in this chapter was created by lemonhitsu. Thank you so much! <3
Find @lemonhitsu here: [Tumblr] [bluesky] [Twitter/X]
Chapter 11: Life is but a better path to joy
Summary:
Steve's POV
Their luck is finally turning. Eddie gets cleared of the murder charges and Hopper miraculously comes back from the dead. Dustin and Steve do their best to fill in Wayne on what happened.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
mentions of canon typical violence, internalized homophobia
Chapter Text
Owens is the first to check in with Steve the next morning, leading him to the waiting room with the big TV, claiming he has to show him something. On screen in the morning news there’s a press conference. Chief Powell apologizes profoundly for blaming Eddie, spinning some wild story about Victor Creel’s long lost son returning to Hawkins, doing a bunch of copy-cat killings to avenge his father for being wrongfully convicted. Allegedly, Henry took Eddie hostage to have a scapegoat, just like his father was, holding up a mirror to Hawkins for jumping to conclusions and blaming the wrong people simply out of convenience.
It seems far fetched, but a few patients and a handful of nurses around watch the update with great interest, nodding along.
An older lady says “I knew that poor boy had nothing to do with these gruesome murders” while shaking her head, as if she wasn’t ready to grab some pitchforks and torches not even a day prior.
Steve simply shakes his head, in disbelief at the hypocrisy of it all.
No matter how bizarre the story is, if it’s on the news, people seem to believe it. Doesn’t matter if it’s a mall fire or a non-existent gas leak…
Owens takes his leave after Steve has thanked him multiple times in full earnesty. Pulling off his charm, Steve talks one of the nurses into letting him use the phone, ringing up Dustin and Robin to inform them about the news.
His ears are still ringing from squeals of joy when he sneaks back into Eddie’s room. Overnight, nothing has changed. The metalhead is still asleep, using all of his energy to recover from the traumatic injuries.
The quiet, but steady, breathing is like music to Steve's ears. Fondly, he checks his soulmark once again, thankful that they all made it out alive.
“Everything will be alright now.” Steve whispers into the room.
It’s a promise, not just to Eddie, but also to himself. No matter if Eddie has his mark or not, they will be alright. Steve will make sure of it.
He sits down at Eddie’s bedside again and this time he reaches out and links his fingers through Eddie’s. Steve will stay right by Eddie’s side if he has any say in it.
His first visitors are Jonathan and his buddy Argyle who says he’s “Jon’s mate”. They fill Steve in on their last couple of days, which seems like one extensive crazy roadtrip, that apparently ended up for Argyle right where he started - a “Surfer Boy'' pizza place. Argyle’s easy going vibe has Steve relaxed, and he even chuckles at the absurdity of some of the events. Jon keeps himself in the background, but Steve notices the fond look in his eyes when he watches Argyle talk. He asks Steve about Eddie, and Steve gives them some pieces of their story in return. Steve sends Will and El (and begrudgingly Mike as well) his regards, understanding that they would rather be with Max right now and get the rest of the party together.
Only when Jon grabs Argyle’s hand on the way out does Steve notice the dark ink on both their wrists. Belatedly recalling his conversation with Nancy, Steve realizes that Argyle certainly didn’t mean ‘mate’ in the best buddies sense.
He smiles fondly after the two men and reaches down to caress his own soulmark. Once again realizing he’s not alone in this.
For a minute Steve thinks he’s having his own Vecna induced vision when the next visitors show up, because there is no way Hopper is alive. Right?
Steve’s view is blurring with tears as he stumbles out of the chair, directly into Hopper’s arms. Frantically, Steve is touching anything he can. Arms, face, torso. It’s all there. A little worse for the wear, but it’s him!
“Hop? Is this real? How are you here?”
“Totally real, kiddo,” Jim says while squeezing Steve into his arms with surprising gentleness. Uncontrolled sobs rip from his chest, muffled, pressed so close into Hop, as the man rubs his back.
When Steve finally steps out of the hug, he’s instantly engulfed in another one. Joyce’s short frame wraps around him as she brings Steve’s face to her shoulder, running her fingers through his hair. Steve basks in the feeling. It’s nice to feel cared for.
It’s why he missed them both so much. Of course, Robin’s mom cares for him too, but not like that. Not like Joyce and Hopper do. With them it’s different. More meaningful. Deeper.
Like family.
“How? I mean… I thought… And you… Did you- -”
“Easy there. Breathe."
Joyce’s voice is caring while Hopper simply squeezes Steve’s shoulder reassuringly. His tone is amused and warm.
“How about one question at a time? It’s not like we’re going anywhere.”
With sparkling eyes Steve looks between the two most important adults in his life and there is nothing but honesty in their eyes. Steve can’t help but fling himself back into their embrace, bringing them all together in a comforting hug.
After Steve has calmed down, he introduces them to Eddie (“Dustin’s friend”) and then ushers them into the chairs at the bedside. He takes a seat at the edge of the hospital bed. Everything Joyce tells him sounds like it’s straight out a spy movie, and more than once Steve shakes his head in disbelief. It just gets wilder as the story progresses, because suddenly there’s a helicopter named Katinka involved, and apparently Hopper slayed a full grown Demogorgon with a sword.
Steve in turn tells them everything about Venca and the bats, all while Joyce is fussing over his wounds after he mentioned that they got a pound of flesh, reprimanding him that it’s careless to be up already. She’s only pacified when Steve repeatedly points out that he’s currently at a hospital and that he’s staying to watch over Eddie and Max.
Waving at them as they say goodbye for the day feels absolutely surreal, as does the fact that they are moving back into Hawkins. Pure joy is filling his chest as he happily smiles at them.
They’re nearly out the door when Hopper pops his head back in.
“Heard you sparked.”
Before Steve can freak out, Jim continues.
“Happy for you, boy.”
With a final wave he’s gone and Steve is left with an overwhelming feeling of belonging.
It’s already late afternoon when Wayne shows up at the ICU.
“Hey there. ‘re you that Harrington kid?”
Surprised, Steve shoots up from the chair, instantly withdrawing his hand from Eddie's. He stands up so quickly, he can’t help but feel a little woozy, and it takes a moment to catch himself.
“I… uhm… Yes.”
Wayne steps in closer, and Steve is about to make way for the man to see his nephew, but Wayne pulls him in a tight hug. Steve tenses as the pain is flaring up in his torso, even though his whole being is screaming to lean into the reassuring touch. Wayne lets go, both too fast for the caring hug to end, and too slow from Steve’s aspect of pain, and clasps Steve’s shoulder instead.
“I didn't ‘derstand half the stuff little Henderson tried to tell me, but you brought me my son back, that much I did understand.”
His son?
Confusion seems to be written all over Steve's expression because Wayne adds on, “it might say ‘uncle’ on the papers and ma’ boy still calls me that. But to me, he's mine.”
He leans in closer and brings his voice down, covering his mouth like Eddie could hear him otherwise and whispers to Steve conspiratorially, “don't tell him I told you that.”
It melts Steve's heart to see the fond look in Wayne's eyes, how dear he holds Eddie, how much he considers the two of them family. He can't remember the last time someone from his immediate family looked at him with such compassion and love, if ever.
Eddie is very lucky to have someone looking out for him. A loving family waiting for him to wake up.
Steve's hand wanders to his wrist, gently placing it above his steadily darkening soulmark. A soothing gesture for himself, a reassurance that his person is going to be alright. Plus, it's not like he can reach out and hold Eddie's hand, even if he itches to do that.
Wayne's eyes track the movement and the man is pretty quick on the uptake. Maybe he spotted the trademark guitar or maybe he just picked up on the way Steve looks at Eddie longingly.
“Is it his?” Wayne asks with a nod towards the sleeping beauty. There's no malice in his voice, just open curiosity, but Steve can't help to tense up. Anxiety is bubbling up inside him and his stomach constricts. Steve knows what his old man would say about that. His throat goes dry and he can’t help his stomach from sinking.
Wayne doesn't seem like the type to have an issue with same-sex soulmates, but one can never be too careful. On top of it all, this man is the closest thing Eddie has to parents and Steve prays Wayne won't be disappointed with him.
Reluctantly, Steve nods. He has to hem before he croaks out “Yes. I'm sorry, sir.”
Wayne lets out an amused chuckle and pats Steve's back a bit too forceful. “It's fine. I can't wait to see his face. Does- -”
Before they can continue their conversation, a nurse and a doctor enter to check on Eddie. They usher Steve and Wayne out of the room, no visitors allowed for treatments and check-ups. Steve hates leaving Eddie alone like that, especially considering the medical personnel’s hesitancy when they first got the metalhead there. Worried, he glances back as the doors close on him.
He wants to ask Wayne what he meant earlier, but Dustin awaits them in the hallway, adamantly demanding they fill Wayne in on everything before the government comes around with a new bunch of NDAs.
He deserves to know why Eddie was gone and how he ended up in the hospital. He deserves an explanation why a dead cheerleader turned up at his trailer and why said trailer is now government property.
He doesn't believe them at first. Honestly, who would? It doesn't sound real, even if you lived through it. Even if the hell dimension ate them up and spit them out on the other side, leaving them mangled and beaten and bleeding, it seems made up.
They go back and forth for a while, Dustin tries his best to explain the logic aspects and the physics behind it all, but Wayne doesn't seem to believe a word they say. Steve muses the inside of his cheek. He can’t really add anything from the scientific aspect, but Wayne knows Eddie, knows what his son is capable of and what not, so he interrupts Dustin's re-telling.
"What's more likely: Eddie leading an occult cult, sacrificing teenagers and mutilating their bodies, or an evil interdimensional wizard going around killing people and opening portals which cause earthquakes?"
After that, it's pretty easy to explain.
Chapter 12: Nowhere to go, nowhere to run
Summary:
Eddie's POV
Eddie finally wakes up. Wayne is at his side to comfort him. Dustin fills him in on everything that happened after he blacked out while Steve is hovering in the background. Steve practically carried him out of the Upside Down. He has to know about the soulmark. What now?Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
haze after near death experience, descriptions of pain, mentions of blood and near character death, internalized homophobia
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hushed familiar voices register first when Eddie slowly comes to. He can’t make out what they are saying, and his own tongue feels like lead, heavy in his mouth. There’s a constant beeping sound and a low hum of machines. The air smells antiseptic and sterile. It’s uncomfortable. His throat is dry, and swallowing feels a bit like rubbing over sandpaper. Bright lights burn behind his closed eyelids, and he already dreads the moment he has to open them. Every bone in his body hurts, and his torso burns with every rise and fall of his lungs.
Flashes of memory appear before him. The red sky in the Upside Down, the gruesome mouths of the demobats, a hurricane of dark surreal creatures, Dustin’s concerned face above him with tears welling in his eyes. Echos of the events pierce through his ears. The horrible screeches, the thundering of the flapping wings, Dustin’s pleading voice begging him not to die. In the distance he thinks he can make out Steve Harrington, but he can’t recall what he had said.
Eddie tries to focus on the present. There’s a warm weight in his left hand, someone is stroking circles along the back of it, soothing and caring. Wayne’s raucous timbre is the first to really register in Eddie’s brain, and he strains his ears to listen and understand what the man is saying.
“... be staying with him, yeah? I really need to get to work soon, but I don’t wanna leave him alone.”
He sounds exhausted and concern settles in Eddie’s stomach.
“I’ll be here, sir.”
The voice!
Warm embers lick his skin around his soulmark once Eddie realizes who it belongs to. His soulmate.
“Boy, what did I say? No ‘sir’ necessary.”
This is so typical for his uncle!
Wayne has never been a big fan of authorities and ranks. He always treated everyone as an equal, even Eddie when he was a kid. Well, more of a kid than now. Eddie feels a chuckle bubble up in him, but it dies fast when the constriction of muscles spark more pain. A groan escapes Eddie’s lips and the warm hand around his tightens, grounds him.
“Eds? You with me, ma boy?”
The normally gruff voice is low, like Wayne is careful not to be too loud. It’s appreciated. Eddie squeezes the calloused hand in his palm and flutters his eyes open so he can face his uncle, but Eddie has to shut them immediately when the brightness pierces right through his skull like it’s splitting his brain open. He involuntarily draws in a sharp breath and clenches his free hand into the stiff bedsheets.
Seconds later the light vanishes, and even though Eddie is relieved, he can’t help but panic. What if the comfort of Wayne by his side is just a hoax, like the visions Max told him about? What if it’s not real? What if he’s dead and this is his torture?
The beeping next to him speeds up and the sound is making him nervous. His breathing is picking up and he squeezes his eyes shut. Maybe it’ll all stop and go away.
Strong fingers carefully card through his locks. The thoughtful gesture send goosebumps down Eddie’s limbs. He slowly blinks his eyes open to face Wayne.
“Sshhhh, Eds. It’s okay. You’re safe, son.”
Son?
Eddie’s stomach drops. In all these years, Wayne has never called him that. Even though Eddie sometimes wished he would, he never asked his uncle to. The man who provided him a roof over his head without asking, who picked up more shifts to keep them afloat without complaining.
Before his mental eye there’s a drawing on the fridge. Eddie made it when he was maybe 10, after the summer when Rick had taught him how to swim. They had a barbecue on one of the last humid warm nights, just the three of them. Eddie had proudly told his uncle what he accomplished, and then presented the two adults in his life with his newest artwork. It showed the three of them in front of the trailer - Eddie in the middle, holding hands with both adults on each side of him, his bathing shorts drying on the line in the background. Near the bottom of the page he had written the only fitting title he had for their patchwork rag-tag family - home. That evening Wayne had hugged him tight and carded his fingers through Eddie’s short hair, like he’s doing now.
As if Eddie meant as much to him back then as he does now. A gesture so full of care and love. As if Eddie is his. As if he’s always been his.
The tears spill over Eddie’s cheeks before he has time to reign them back. It’s like a snapped rubber band, nothing to put it back together. He lets it all out. The stress, the devastation, the fear, the hurt, the guilt.
Strong arms engulf him, oh so carefully, like Eddie would break, like he’s a delicate thing. The scent of smoke invades his nose, the brand he’s familiar with, that only his uncle smokes, paired with a soft note of lavender and mint. He can feel the stubble scratch against his forehead when his uncle rests his chin on the crown of Eddie’s head, pushing the boy to the junction of his neck, tucking him in safely while he’s still petting his dark curls. Eddie knows he’s home.
When the tears dry on his cheeks and all the emotions swirling in his chest subdue, Eddie carefully extracts himself from Wayne’s arms to face his uncle. He blinks his wet lashes a few times and looks over the man’s shoulder around the room. Eddie is sure Wayne had been talking to Steve before, but the room is vacant. His soulmate has given them space so Eddie could have his breakdown in private. His heart does an excited hop at the thoughtfulness.
Eddie turns to his uncle. He definitely owes him an apology, maybe an explanation too. He licks his lips and forces his vocal cords to work.
“I’m sorry…”, Eddie’s voice is hoarse from disuse, “Chrissy… and I… I’m sorry. I don’t know how to explain, but you have to believe me. I didn’t… I would never…”
He can feel the tears welling up again and swallows down a sob, coughing lightly, which in turn lights up his lungs and torso with pain.
“I know, ma boy. I didn’ believe it one second. I know you, Eds. You couldn’t hurt a fly if ya wanted to, kid.”
“I want to explain but I don’t think you’ll believe me. I’m so sorry. I- -”
“It’s okay. That Henderson kid already told me. Otherworldly evil wizard might be bizarre, but still makes a hell of a lot more sense than ya going around hurtin’ folks. Just don’t do it again.”
What? He just accepted that??
“Didn’t plan on it this time either. But I’ll try.”
Wayne hums approvingly and then slowly pulls back, and Eddie has to fight the urge to chase after him. His muscles fight against leaning forward and his limbs are too tired to move. A pained little whine slips past Eddie’s lips, and he would feel embarrassed if he was with anyone but his family.
A cup of water appears in Eddie’s peripheral, and he’s never been more happy to see the clear liquid. Wayne makes sure he only takes small sips, apparently something the doctors advised them to do. It’s a heavenly experience when the water soothes the dryness and pain.
Then his uncle leans back into the chair at his bedside. He eyes Eddie like he can’t believe he’s alive. There’s a softness to his eyes that doesn’t come out often. A small smile tugs the corners of his mouth as he eyes his nephew son. Suddenly, there’s mischief sparkling in his eyes.
“Henderson kid also says that you’ve been rescued by the Steve Harrington. Anything you wanna tell me about your boy?”
Eddie groans as he flops back into the hospital bed. “He’s not my boy.”
His protest falls on deaf ears as Wayne knowingly taps the inside of his own wrist, a mirror image of where Eddie’s mark sits, safely wrapped under white gauze.
“You sure about that?”
He knows.
But Eddie doesn’t have time to freak out just yet, because there’s a knock on the door and Wayne gets ushered out by a nurse who fusses over Eddie and checks his vitals and his condition. She seems more hesitant and careful than she has to be, and looks a bit guilty the whole time she’s in the room, but Eddie won’t complain about her treating him kindly.
As soon as she clears the room, Wayne is back, on his toe Dustin, hobbling with a cast on one leg and a crutch. Behind him, Steve enters the room and closes the door. Dustin is already crying by the time he reaches Eddie’s bedside.
“Fuck you, Eddie!”
“Language!” Steve says in an automatic response.
Eddie looks between them with a smile. He’s glad they’re both safe.
Everyone is safe it seems, Eddie soon learns. After Dustin’s emotional outburst and making Eddie promise to never do something that stupid again, the kid goes on a full rant of everything that went down after Eddie blacked out. He’s throwing around explanations and names Eddie has never heard of, questions are spinning around in his mind.
Who the hell is Argyle?
And why is there a freezer in the story?
Sensory deprivation tanks??
Piggyback? What?
In the end, it only matters that El has managed to stop Henry, and save Max from the worst.
Vecna is gone for good.
Steve's eyes are always on Eddie, and he can't help but try to escape Steve's attention every time their eyes lock. It makes him wanna squirm on the bed. His rings are nowhere to be seen, so he toys with the edge of the stiff, uncomfortable blanket.
His uncle is listening to them from the chair he's perched on. Eddie is not sure if he fully believes everything the smart kid with the curls is throwing around, but at least Wayne knows Eddie is innocent. All the people that matter to him know it, and that fact makes Eddie's chest a little lighter.
Dustin is reciting the heroic rescue of Eddie now. Complaining that he had to sacrifice his shirt to stop the bleeding, praising Steve for his quick thinking. Telling how Steve had ripped apart his shirt and bandaged up the wounds, explaining to Eddie that, at some point, he had been tied to a plastic garden chair thanks to Robin.
I definitely need to thank Buckley later for her help.
Steve is still lingering in the background, carefully listening to Dustin’s tangent. Eddie tunes the kid out at some point in the ramble, because his mind is latching onto one detail in particular: Steve took care of his wounds. Which means a lot of touching of bare skin. With his hands.
A lump settles into Eddie’s stomach. His eyes track down Steve’s bare arms where his hand cradles around the wrist. He follows Eddie’s line of sight and presses his arms closer to himself.
The imploring looks Steve is shooting him are so intense it makes his skin crawl. Eddie can practically hear the message Steve's trying to get across: We need to talk about it.
So yeah, he definitely knows…
It's dark outside by the time Wayne has to get to work. He's already late, and he only leaves reluctantly after Steve assures him once again that he'll stay at Eddie's side.
Rationally, Eddie knows his uncle has to go, but he's still shooting him a pleading look in the hopes his uncle will not leave Steve alone with him. Sure, he has saved him and dragged him out of the Upside Down, but Eddie is certain that by now, Harrington regrets it.
The moment Steve got his hands on Eddie's chest to stop the bleeding, he had to regret it. But all their friends were around, so Steve had to help him get out, even though he didn't want to. Now he's tied to the freak.
Eddie tries to swallow around the lump in his throat.
Dustin is hobbling out ahead. Wayne promised to drop him off at home before heading to the factory. They're all too exhausted emotionally to do another round of hugging and crying, so his uncle simply waves at Eddie before he follows after Dustin. Eddie just hopes it's not the last time he sees them.
Wayne gives Steve a light squeeze at the shoulder. Eddie is not sure if it's supposed to be reassuring or grateful. After all, Steve promised to look out after Eddie.
He's such a good guy.
Hopefully.
Maybe…
The door clicks shut, and for the first time, he's alone with Steve. Cold sweat is running down Eddie's spine, and he can't help but track Steve's movements in the room. Gasping, Eddie fights for air as his chest constricts. Blood is rushing through his ears, his heartbeat echoes loudly.
Eddie feels like prey, served up on a dinner platter. Weak and powerless. Steve stalks closer.
That's it!
Eddie has nowhere to go! He can't run. He can't hide.
The beeping of the heart rate monitor is picking up. Eddie draws in another sharp breath and instantly latches into heavy coughing.
When Eddie gets it back under control, Steve is already holding out the cup of water for him. With weak arms, Eddie takes it and takes a few sips before placing it back on the nightstand.
The tension is becoming unbearable. Steve hasn't said anything and Eddie is getting nauseous from his nerves.
I have to get this over with.
As it often does, Eddie's mouth works faster than his brain. He doesn't ease them into the conversation, he just blurts out the first thing on his mind.
“So… you dragged me out so you can kill me yourself, Harrington?”
Steve freezes. Then his eyes go wide.
“What?”
The question is breathless, like Eddie just punched the air out of him.
“You know, queer soulmate and all.”
Eddie lifts his arm a bit, so that the soulmark position faces Steve. It's wrapped up in bandages but Eddie sees some of the dark vines peeking through.
“You figured it out, right?” Eddie nods towards Steve's arm, where his hand is squeezing his wrist. Steve's knuckles are nearly turning white by the force he's holding onto it. “I wouldn't be surprised if you're not too happy about it.”
It takes a bit for Steve to register. Eddie can see the other tracking his face, then snapping to his arm, then back. Steve's face is shuffling through a lot of emotions, each too short for Eddie to make them out. In the end Steve mumbles out a quiet: “I... uh. Eddie. I'd never hurt you for that.”
It seems like Steve wants to say a lot more, but he doesn't seem to know how to put it into words. So Eddie fills the silence for him.
“Well, the last time I thought someone was interested I ended up with a bruise the size of a plate and two fractured ribs. I personally don't really see ‘the ladies man’ himself being much interested either, so I don't really know what you're gonna do.”
He still has his hands up from the air quotes when Eddie sees Steve reach for him out of the corner of his eyes. His whole body flinches, ready to curl up on himself. Only the tension makes his sore muscles and open wounds scream in agony. Steve holds his movement.
“Sorry…” he sounds truly remorseful. He brings both hands up with open palms, a pacifying gesture. Steve nods towards Eddie's arm. “It’s just, uh, my... my mark. Can I see?”
Eddie feels off kilter, like someone dropped him off a cliff into icy waters.
Steve's tone sounds... hopeful?
Don't get carried away! Just because he seems fine so far doesn't mean he won't freak out when it becomes real.
He's done hiding, Eddie promises himself. Steve deserves to see his mark, and Eddie would be lying if he wasn't curious about his own, now forever branded on Steve's arm.
With a shaky hand, Eddie reaches out for the bandage which is obscuring the black and reddish mark underneath.
Steve is sucking in a harsh breath cutting through the tension of the room like it's thin paper. Eddie freezes mid-movement to glance at his soulmate.
Steve's wide eyes are glued to Eddie's wrist, shining with tears. But there is no crease in his brows, no wrinkles on his forehead or near his mouth. Nothing that indicates distaste - no resentment nor disappointment.
It looks a lot like awe.
Like he's pleasantly surprised that Eddie bares his soulmark, even though Steve obviously has Eddie’s mark; evident by the way Steve’s clutching his wrist. It’s the only explanation for Wayne’s teasing.
So why does he seem so astonished?
Tentatively, Eddie continues to tug the bandages off, mindful of his injuries. He reveals the edge of the dark ink, nothing more than a few of the vines in front of an ominous background that, in retrospect, looks a bit too much like the Upside Down sky for Eddie's taste.
"You really got it."
Steve's voice is nothing but a breathless whisper.
His tone lets Eddie pause his task once more, and he faces Steve.
"What?"
Steve squirms a bit in his chair, pressing both hands between his thighs. After all his intense stares, he now seems to try and evade Eddie's eyes.
"I know, chances are small, but some people just don't spark back. And I... I wasn't the best person... before,” Steve nods his head back over his shoulder, and he doesn't need more words for Eddie to get it, so he just nods encouragingly.
Before the world flipped Upside Down.
Before we all nearly died.
Just before.
Eddie instantly knows that he is talking about his ‘King Steve’ era.
Steve clears his throat awkwardly. When he continues, his voice is low and even more hesitant than earlier.
"I wasn't sure if you'd really have it…”
Apparently, Steve thinks he doesn't deserve a soulmate because he was an asshole once. It breaks Eddie's heart a little because he knows Steve now. The way he shows up for the people he cares about, how compassionate and protective he is, how sweet.
“Yep. Definitely yours."
Eddie's throat is dry. His hand is still hovering above the bandages. It makes absolutely no sense that Steve is fine with them being soulmates. That he's happy about it, even.
There has to be a catch somewhere.
Sure, Steve is supposed to be his perfect match. They are bound by destiny to love each other. But maybe the universe is somehow tricking Steve. It can't be this easy, can it?
When Eddie wrangles pieces of the gauze off to reveal the infamous nail bat, Steve’s breath hitches. Steve's eyes look like liquid caramel when Eddie catches his glance, glistening with unshed tears and a fondness that warms Eddie's heart.
Steve slowly extends his hand, mindful of their conversation before and Eddie's response to sudden movements.
"May I?"
He indicates Eddie's wrist. His mark there.
Carefully Eddie places his hand in Steve's, who lightly trails his fingers over the sensitive skin. A familiar buzzing is coursing through Eddie's blood, all encompassing, passionate and strong. Steve guides Eddie's arm up a bit so he can take a closer look. No yanking or forcing. It's a quiet invitation and Eddie easily complies.
Steve traces along the pieces of the crown, shattered and scattered, discarded. His emotions are so openly on display when he thinks Eddie isn't looking. Relieved that Eddie has his mark, but also guilty and sad of the person that he used to be.
Eddie doesn't think Steve ever was that person to begin with. Just as Eddie proudly wears his ‘freak’ mask and puts up all the protective layers, Steve had put on that crown, not as a status symbol or a true representation of his personality for who he was - it was his armor.
Hesitantly Eddie reaches out to his other hand and carefully links their fingers together.
"It's alright. I gotcha,” he murmurs, gently squeezing their entangled hands reassuringly.
Steve's voice is barely above a whisper, like he's afraid that any noise would vanish Eddie into thin air. "You're my person." His tone is full of wonder and awe.
There's no disappointment that it's Eddie. No sneer or reservations about the fact that he's destined to be with another man.
Steve is so mindful and sweet. How could I ever doubt him?
For the first time since they sparked, Eddie feels like he can breathe again. He lets out a content sigh. The heavy weight constricting his heart lifts and his heartbeat slows, even though he's ecstatic he gets to hold hands with Steve Harrington on his hospital bed after nearly dying. Eddie didn't ruin it. He's getting his second chance in life - with Steve. More than he could have ever hoped for when he was bleeding out on the dirty ground, regretting that he wasn't brave enough to tell his soulmate. It's a nudge from the universe, and he's happy to take it. It's his destiny.
Steve is his destiny, forever branded on his skin.
A small tingling sensation starts up at his fingers. At first, Eddie thinks it's just the sensation of holding hands, but it continuously gets stronger. His chest grows warmer, and it's a phantom echo of the bursting heat he felt during his spark. When it flares up, Eddie lets out a surprised hiss. It doesn't hurt, but the feeling is overwhelming and strong.
Concerned hazel eyes rake over his face, and Steve's strong hand squeezes Eddie's once again, making his presence and support known.
Then a unique heat engulfs Eddie's arm and he lifts it higher, drawing both of their attention to it before Steve can ask what's wrong.
The dark ink on the inside of his arms starts to swirl, creating patterns as ominous and uncontrolled as smoke in the air. Steve gasps while Eddie's eyes remain focused on his wrist, afraid that if he looks away for a single second he'll miss it.
It's a beautiful dance of shapes and smudges, accelerating into a vortex of color, accompanied by a comfortable warmth similar to a fierce hug under a fluffy blanket. Eddie's mouth tucks up into a content smile.
Sure, soulmarks can change. They all heard about it. When someone falls out of love with something that defines them or they find something new, something bigger, something more significant, the mark can adjust. But it's pretty uncommon, especially once people get older. Even if a part of it changes, it's never like this. Not the whole thing.
Wide eyes dart between Eddie's face and his arm as Steve clearly tries to make sense of what is happening. The overwhelming warmth from the original spark is back, surging up Eddie's arm right into his chest, filling him with an overwhelming sense of acceptance, comfort and love.
Gradually the swirling of the dark ink subdues and reveals a new mark. Some elements of it are similar, but it has a different tone now.
The vines are gone, together with the bat. The new center of the mark is a strong feline. From Eddie's point of view it takes a second to make it out as a lioness, lying strong and proud. The eyes sparkling with a touch of coquettish mischief. Perched between the alert feline ears sits a small bird, a robin, just like before. Only now it's not trying to flee, and it's not bound down. It's made its home with the lioness, comfortable and content. Between the strong claws the lioness holds a crown. It appears to be the same as before, the difference is, now it's in one piece. It's tilted to the side a bit like the proud animal is playing with it.
The whole mark looks so much more alive now. It looks at peace.
When Eddie's eyes finally leave the new mark and wander up to Steve's face, he sees nothing but pure joy. Tears are streaming down his cheeks, while his lips are upturned in the most honest and beautiful smile Eddie has ever seen.
Contentedness settles in Eddie’s chest, together with the subsiding feeling of warmth and comfort, he feels his own eyes grow misty too. He lifts his arm from Steve’s hold and tenderly swipes away the tears, cupping Steve’s cheek softly, guiding him forward. Eddie’s eyes flit down to Steve’s lips and in the next moment, they connect to his own.
There are no fireworks sparking, no butterflies bursting from within. It’s more a feeling of connection, of coming home. Steve’s hand sneaks to the back of Eddie’s head, cautiously steering it to a better angle so they can deepen the kiss.
Everywhere they touch, Steve’s warmth is seeping into Eddie’s skin as he relaxes into Steve’s strong and protective hold.
They stay connected in their kiss, only separating for air and slight adjustments, till Eddie’s torso is screaming in pain. Reluctantly, he lets Steve go and leans back into the bed. Their hands are still connected, fingers tangled together. Eddie is sure Steve’s smile could light up an entire city, so bright is the joy on his face, unaware that he himself is grinning just as widely.
“Wow.”
“Yeah, wow.”
They sit in comfortable silence for a few moments before Steve is getting up. Eddie is ready to protest against him leaving, but Steve gets on the edge of the bed. He nudges closer, wiggling his hips into the firm mattress.
“Can I?”
Okay. Don’t panic! Steve Harrington wants to get into bed (not like that, you idiot)! With me!
Of course, Eddie is not a fool. Plus, the idea of Steve leaving makes him queasy. He scoots over, and Steve curls up into bed with him. It’s the ‘cozy-blanket-by-the-fireplace’ feeling all over again.
Slowly Steve turns around his wrist, dragging Eddie’s arm with it because they both refuse to let go of each other, to reveal Eddie’s mark on him.
It’s the Hellfire throne. Even flipped upside down Eddie recognizes the familiar chair instantly. There’s his sweetheart, the wonderful guitar he just used in the Upside Down for the most metal concert ever, and it fills him with pride to see it inked onto Steve’s skin. The final piece at the center of the mark is a heart, reflecting the light like a crystal.
Eddie reaches out for it, hovering his fingers inches from the mark on Steve. His soulmate brings his arm up, connecting their skin. Sparks of joy fizzle through his body, and Eddie wonders if Steve is feeling the same.
Thoughtfully, he caresses the drawn crystal heart.
What is that supposed to mean?
Steve leans in closer to Eddie’s side, mindful of their injuries, and watches Eddie’s fingers running over the mark.
“I think…,” Steve’s voice is quiet and light, “I think it symbolizes that you have a big heart. But it’s also fragile.”
Dreamily Eddie lets out an attentive hum, and then lays their linked hands down onto the bed between them.
“I promise you, Eddie, that as your soulmate, I will do my best to keep it safe.”
God, I want to kiss you again so badly.
Then Eddie remembers he actually can do that now and turns his face to Steve, placing a loving peck on the apple of his cheek, before sinking back into the pillows contently.
“So, soulmates, huh?”
Steve hums affirmatively.
“Certainly not the pretty girl you expected, huh, Harrington.”
“Nah, you're plenty pretty.”
He sounds unbothered. Like Steve is saying ‘the sky is blue,’ stating simple facts.
The sky is blue and Eddie Munson is pretty. What a world.
“I... uh... I'm still sorry you got stuck with me…”
“Eddie, listen to me.” Warm hands squeeze Eddie’s cheeks, guiding him so he can face Steve who looks at him determinately and with a fondness in his eyes that makes Eddie’s legs weak. “I'm not stuck with you. You're my person. We're destined to be together.”
“Even though I'm a man? It doesn't bother you?”
Steve shakes his head. “No, it doesn't.”
“You're way more okay with all that than I thought…” Eddie muses as he sneaks away from Steve’s hold, even though he misses the soft warmth as Steve puts down his arms.
“Well, it certainly helped that I already freaked out about liking men about 3 months ago, when I got a little too invested in Young Sherlock Holmes, and Robin pointed out that rewinding the tape a bunch of times to watch the fencing scenes to see Sherlock move wasn’t entirely straight behavior.”
Eddie can’t stop the chuckle erupting from deep inside him, smiling affectionately at his soulmate. He thanks the universe for attractive actors.
“Plus, I never thought I would get this.” Steve is snuggling closer into Eddie, tucking himself under Eddie’s chin.
"What? A boyfriend?" Eddie asks, hesitation in his voice.
"A soulmate,” Steve whispers, his fingers running across Eddie's mark once again in pure awe, then he turns to face Eddie, "but I like boyfriends, too."
There's still something in the back of Eddie's mind, ever since the conversation between Steve and Nancy in the Winnebago. A possible deal-breaker. Eddie worries his lower lip between his teeth. They have to discuss it sooner or later, so better get it over with before he gets even more attached to Steve.
"What about kids?"
Steve halts for a second to listen to Eddie and then gets back to caressing his inner arm. He's quiet for a minute, and Eddie knows his soulmate needs a bit to think things through. He swallows past the nervous lump in his throat.
"For now, we have enough of those with Dustin and his bunch around. And when they have kids, we can be the fun uncles."
"Do you think that'll be enough?"
What if it's not sufficient to make Steve stay? Maybe he didn't think it through, what it meant to be soulmates with a man?
"If it means I get to be with you, then yes. It'll be enough."
When their lips meet again, Eddie can taste the slight tinge of salt from his own tears on it. He didn't even realize he started crying, so relieved by Steve's words.
Notes:
This is probably the most emotional chapter I’ve written so far. I'm a little proud. ^^
Somehow Wayne ended up being my favorite to write, that big softie.
The absolutely stunning artwork of the soulmark in this chapter was created by lemonhitsu. Thank you so much! <3
Find @lemonhitsu here: [Tumblr] [bluesky] [Twitter/X]
Chapter 13: As the clouds all drift away
Summary:
Steve's POV
Eddie & Steve get a lot of visitors at the hospital. Robin gets her soulmate spark. The government people are coming with the NDAs, but Steve is ready to fight for what they deserve.Find the trigger warnings for this chapter here
sorrowful thoughts about what happened in S4 and prior, mention of absent parents & child neglect
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It’s very awkward to be honest - the first time Gareth comes around to check on Eddie. The standoffish vibes and the critical looks he’s shooting Steve makes the palms of his hands sweat.
Come on! This is Eddie’s best friend. I need him to like me.
But it just doesn’t flow. Steve can’t follow half the conversations Gareth is striking up, and it’s not like they can fill the guy in on what really happened in Hawkins, or to Eddie. With Steve’s long sleeves and Eddie’s bandages, they also can’t really explain why they got so cozy with each other, and after Gareth’s latest encounter with jocks, it is natural for him to be cautious of Steve.
In the end, Steve excuses himself with some made up excuse to step out of the room, running directly into Will Byers.
Excitedly Steve wraps the kid up in a hug, surprised by how tall the boy has become in the few months since Steve last saw him last.
“My favorite Byers! How are you? What are you doing here?”
“I was here to check in with Max and Lucas. Mike and Dustin just left, but I wanted to see you, too. Jonathan told me where to find you.”
“See, and that is why you are my favorite. Don’t tell Dustin.”
Will chuckles and tries to fend Steve off when he reaches out to ruffle Will’s hair.
“I can’t really stay. Mom already left. I think she has a bunch of paperwork to do with Hopper, I’m not really sure, and I have to walk back before it gets dark.”
Steve nods with understanding. He knows how protective Joyce is, probably leaving Will behind rather reluctantly, but the kids needed some time to catch up while the adults were smothered by bureaucracy.
“You should come in and meet Eddie though, before you leave.”
Will lights up at that, and ushers him into the room where Gareth is glaring at Steve for interrupting their chit-chat.
“Sorry… Uh, this is Will.”
Steve gestures at the boy with the awful bowl cut as if that’s all the explanation it takes, but there’s no recognition on Eddie’s face, and Gareth still looks unimpressed. “Dustin’s friend. The one that did the campaigns…”, Steve checks with Will for confirmation and continues after a nod from the boy, “before they joined Hellfire.”
Realization dawns on Gareth’s face. “No shit! You’re Will ‘the Wise’?”
“Um, yeah.”
“I’m Gareth. The others haven’t stopped talking about you and some of the stories you wrote for them. Pretty awesome stuff you came up with.”
“Ah, yes. We’ve heard many great things about you, Will ‘the Wise’. What an honor for I, humble Eddie ‘the Banished’, to make your acquaintance.”
Steve can’t help but snort as soon as the word “humble” leaves the mouth of his soulmate. Eddie may be a lot of things, but humble is not a word Steve would use to describe him. For the first time, Gareth is smiling over at Steve, clearly just as amused by Eddie’s choice of words.
They fall into an easy conversation about Hellfire and when they can start to play again, while Steve is content to sit down and watch the conversation, tuning out a bit.
“Well, as fun as it was, I'd rather get going now. My mom is picking me up soon.”
When Gareth gets up Steve addresses Eddie’s friend hesitantly, seeing an opportunity to get little Byers home safely, but not wanting to overstep. “Hey, uh, Gareth? You think you can take Will home, too?”
The boy with the curly hair stops and turns back to Steve who feels the underlying urge to squirm at the furrow of Gareth’s brows. He seems reluctant at first so Steve adds “... It’s just with the events of the week and the earthquakes and- -”
“Yeah, yeah, Harrington. Chill. We can take him.”
Gareth locks eyes with Will and nods over his shoulder, then waves at Steve and Eddie. Will follows Gareth out but turns back to the hospital room before leaving.
“Bye, Eddie. It was nice to meet you. Bye, Steve.”
Steve wiggles his fingers in a little wave then nuzzles back into the chair.
A little quiet would be nice.
"Oh my god, you'll never guess who just sparked!"
Robin barrels into the hospital room. A nurse in the hallway sends a pointed look her way.
Steve instantly focuses on his best friend, dropping the conversation he was having with Eddie.
Eddie leans forward on the bed for a better view. "Gareth and Will?"
"What?"
Both Robin and Steve whip their heads around to face the metalhead, who brings his hands up in an exaggerated shrug.
"I don't know. You said we should guess. They just met today, it's a likely possibility."
"Likely. But that's not it."
Steve waits for a further explanation.
"It's me, you idiots!"
To emphasize her point, Robin juts out her arm, wrist up. Black and vibrant, there's a new mark. The edges are still red from the fresh burn.
"Aaaahhhhh!" Steve jumps up from the bed and wraps Robin in a tight hug. He jumps up and down a bit, jostling her around.
"Your stitches! Stop!" Robin swats her hand at Steve's arm.
He pulls back a bit to look her in the eyes. "I'm so happy for you. Tell us everything. Who? And where? How?"
"Okay, okay. It's Vickie."
I knew it!
"Ha! I told you she likes b- -"
Robin presses the palm of her hand at Steve's mouth, effectively shutting him up, then she hisses, "Don't ruin this for me, dingus."
She steps back a bit and Steve runs the back of his hands over his mouth.
"We're both helping out at the school, you know, the shelter they've put up because of the earthquake. Doesn't matter. Anyway, we were handing out t-shirts and stuff and she dropped something and we both reached for it and 'boom' ", Robin holds out her arm again and stares at the mark, like she can't believe it's real.
"So, what did Vickie say? Was she surprised her soulmate is a girl? Did she know?"
"Are you girlfriends now?"
"When are you going on a date?"
Steve and Eddie shoot rapid fire questions at Robin, who is suddenly frozen into place. Her eyes dart back and forth between the boys.
"I... I don't know," she finally says quietly.
"What do you mean 'you don't know'?"
"I... It's just... We sparked and I panicked and I thought 'I need to talk to Steve’ so I biked here."
Eddie takes in a big breath. His eyes are wide. "Before you could talk?"
"Robs, did you just leave her there?" Steve stares at his best friend in shock, his mouth open.
"Oh my god. I just left her alone. Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod. I need to get back!"
Robin tugs at her hair with a groan, then turns on her heel ready to leave.
Steve gets up to follow her. When he reaches the door, he suddenly backs up and jogs up to Eddie's bedside. He takes Eddie's face in his hands and captures his lips in a short chaste kiss. Both corners of their mouths curl upwards in a soft smile.
"I'll be back in a bit," he says oh so sweetly, then he bolts after Robin.
"Wait, Robs! I'll drive you!"
"The bike!"
"We can pick up your stupid bike later. Let's get you back to your soulmate."
Steve and Robin hurry out the door.
It’s the next day when the government people finally show up. Steve has already wondered where they were. Maybe the whole earthquake situation has thrown them off, maybe some of them were busy cleaning up the mess of the laboratory the army fucked over.
They might be late, but they’re stiff and cold as ever. The duo of suits hand out the NDAs left and right like treats. They don’t ask them how the squad is holding up or how recovery is going. They just deliver the paperwork and let them know they’ll make another round to collect the signed contracts.
The sum at the bottom line has grown since the last time they dealt with the Upside Down, but Steve still thinks it’s not enough, by far. A few thousand dollars. That’s all they’re supposed to get for saving the world, for his soulmate nearly dying.
“We should sign boy,” Wayne says, “It’s better than nothin’, and we need everythin’ we can get.”
That’s not right. We deserve so much more.
Eddie doesn’t argue. He’s in bed, still slipping into naps whenever he can because his body needs to rest and recover. He said he’d leave all the decisions to Wayne since the trailer and everything was his possession, too out of it to realize how much of the stuff belonged to him.
The suits, Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Stewart, are back. Mr. Stewart, with his slicked back hair, is adjusting his tie, which looks like it’s choking him. Mrs. Wilson clears her throat and holds out her perfectly manicured fingers to retrieve the contracts.
Wayne clicks his pen, getting ready to sign the NDA, but Steve snatches it from him. Wayne only lifts an eyebrow; ‘go on,’ it says. Wayne knows Steve has more experience with these people, so he’s clearly going with his lead. Eddie blinks awake at the commotion. His eyes track Steve’s movements with curiosity.
"That's not enough," Steve states coldly to the government agents. “We’re not signing under these conditions.”
"Boy, it really-"
Steve hushes Wayne with a wave of his hand. His eyes are pleading for Wayne to understand so he can handle this situation. He’s talked with Nancy before. The whole group is done with the government sweeping everything under the rug for peanuts as compensation. Murray has assured them they can make demands, and Steve is about to push his luck.
He crosses his arms, papers still in hand, and faces the government people.
"This man lost everything he owned. His son,” he gestures at Eddie in the hospital bed, "nearly died. We want full compensation."
Mr. Stewart seems to fight himself to not roll his eyes, clearly not taking him seriously.
"What do you suggest, boy?"
"That's Mister Harrington to you, sir." Steve grits his teeth and levels him a stern look.
"A new accommodation, first of all. Market prices sure aren't skyrocketing at the moment, so the government can easily afford something. Preferably something nice, two bedrooms."
The suits both raise their eyebrows, looking at each other a bit shocked. It’s almost comical, and Steve’s lips twitch to form a grin. He fights it down. A bit of pride is coursing through his veins. His parents may not care for him, but they made an offhand comment about the drop of housing prices, the only reason they’re not selling the house yet. Not like they cared if Steve had anywhere to stay. He shakes off the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. At least his parents were useful for something.
When the government agents are stunned into silence, Steve continues his demands.
"Once cleared, we want all the stuff from the trailer that's salvageable, especially trinkets and memories, like photos. We want all of Eddie's stuff replaced-"
"The government can't really replace drugs-"
"I'm not talking about his stock. I'm talking about his music and equipment. The guitar and the... the…"
Steve forms a square in the air and looks back at Eddie for assistance. Thankfully the metalhead catches on pretty quickly. "The amps!” Eddie snaps his fingers excitedly before he adds, “and I want all my records and cassettes and the player."
"Exactly. Plus we want the medical bills covered. Including physical therapy, the doctors say he'll need it. For Max, too."
Wayne watches with pride as the scene unfolds. Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Stewart stick their heads together, talking under their breath. The woman shakes her head; both look displeased. Steve can sense they’re considering refusing, so he pushes. His voice is icy.
"Max nearly died covering your asses. She could have ended up blind. So you got off lucky. I don't see any reason to discuss this any further."
Reluctantly, they agree. Wayne chimes in and makes them put it all down in writing.
Smart! So they can’t screw us over.
They step closer so they can check on the suits and what they’re putting down. Another thought crosses Steve’s mind.
All or nothing.
Steve taps the NDA and adds "I want college tuition fees paid for Miss Buckley."
The government people protest loudly, talking over each other. Both shake their heads relentlessly. Steve can only make out someone saying the demand is ‘unreasonable’.
"Well, it's not like we can go back to earn it, now that the store we worked at is ripped in half by an earthquake, is it?"
Steve is getting sassy now, he knows it, but these guys deserve someone standing up against them.
"One year," the woman with the short hair offers.
"All of it."
Steve puffs his chest, his arms on his hips. The kids teasingly call it ‘mom stance,’ and maybe it’s true. He feels like a proud soccer mom, fighting for his child. Robin deserves the world and he’ll do everything he can to get her the education she deserves.
"No, that's too much."
"What about 3 years? Enough to complete the bachelor studies." Eddie mediates from the hospital bed.
"Deal."
Mr. Stewart grumbles as he writes everything down. Both suits don’t seem happy with Steve standing up for their demands. They probably expected them to just sign the contracts like they did the years prior, but they clearly underestimated ‘the party’.
"Therapy."
"Huh?"
"I want free therapy for all of the kids. No. For all of us, really. Someone who's in the know. Someone we can talk to about nightmares and flesh monsters and Demogorgons without being sent to join Victor Creel."
It’s a reasonable request it seems since they grumble about it, but they agree.
Steve thinks back about Max and the letters. How often she went to the counselor who told her it would get better with time. How no one saw how much Chrissy was hurting under all that cheerful facade. The other kids who completely went under the radar by everyone but Henry. Steve’s eyebrows knit together and he sends them a resentful stare.
"Honestly, you should have offered us that the first time around. Then maybe you could have prevented this whole mess."
At least Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Stewart have the decency to look a bit guilty. They hand over the extended contract and Steve makes sure to check over everything, even if the uncomfortable silence stretches on. He hands the NDAs over to Wayne so he can double check.
Steve can’t help but feel petty, so when he hands the documents back he quips, "Oh and we take the money, of course."
The government people look really sour when they leave, but Steve can’t bring himself to care. Not one bit. Not when their experiments put them all into harm's way. Not after what happened to El. Not after losing Hop (not really), but he was gone for too long and he looks rattled now. Not after what happened to Max and Eddie and Chrissy and …
Devestaging thoughts are ripped apart by Eddie’s amused chuckle.
"You really thought this through, Stevie."
Steve smiles between his soulmate and Wayne. He’s so proud for being able to get them all what they deserve.
Soon they’ll have a new home. He can already picture it. Wayne, sitting on the front porch, reading the newspaper, maybe doing the crosswords while smoking. Eddie, in his newly decorated room with his guitar, humming along while writing new songs. Steve pictures himself in the kitchen. Cookies baking in the oven for the kids, while he’s on the phone with Robin, talking about her day at university or bragging about Vickie.
"I was prepared this time. It's the years and years of experience dealing with these folks."
Steve aims for funny, but apparently misses for miles when he sees Wayne and Eddie's faces darken. In two big steps Wayne is at his side and the older man pulls him into a hug. Warm comfort washes over him. Steve feels his shoulders relax, a tension he didn’t even realize he was holding. He’s slumping forward a bit, feeling safe in the embrace, bringing his hands around Wayne’s shoulders.
That’s what love feels like, huh?
Fingers thread through Steve’s hair and he lets out a sigh.
“Boy, ya shouldn’t have to deal with all that by ya’self,” Wayne grumbles above Steve, “but we gotcha now. You’re not alone.”
Tears prick at the corners of Steve's eyes while he's held close to Wayne's chest. The warm smell of musk and a bit of smoke tickle his nose.
He looks over Wayne's shoulder to Eddie and locks sight on those wonderful brown eyes shining with love, and for the first time he thinks everything will be alright. He basks in Eddie's beautiful smile, so bright it fills his heart with the warmth of the sunshine on the first day of spring, when all the clouds drift away.
Notes:
Steve and Robin totally get matching tattoos later on, showing off a lioness and a robin respectively on the opposite wrists of their soulmarks.
Physical proof of their connection, even though it's solely platonic.
If Steve cried a bit during the tattoo process, he swears it's from the pain, but they all know it's not.