Chapter Text
[The scene opened with a shot of a calendar on Steve’s fridge, focusing on the large red circle on the day ‘November 6th’. The camera went up the stairs and into Steve’s room. Robin was on Steve’s bed, watching as Steve got dressed for work.
ROBIN: So, Will tonight and El tomorrow?
Steve made a so-so face, shrugging on a sweatshirt.
STEVE: I’d like to get them both in one go if possible. From what I understand, El escaped the same night Will was taken. She spent a whole day alone in the woods by the time the boys found her. The idea of El being out in the woods, even if she can hold her own… *upset noise*
ROBIN: Yeah… Makes me feel yucky, too.
STEVE: You sure you’re okay just hanging out front?
ROBIN: Don’t worry about me, Stevie, I’m gonna be hanging out with your boyfriend~
Steve grabbed a loose sock on the floor and chucked it at Robin, making her shriek.
ROBIN: Gross!
STEVE: *flustered* Eddie’s not my boyfriend!
ROBIN: But you sure wish he was! *mockingly* Oh, Eddie, I love your pretty doe eyes-
STEVE: *incredulous* Doe eyes?!?
ROBIN: Shush- *still mocking* and I just want to run my fingers through your fluffy hair and smooch you-
Steve managed to locate the other sock and fling it at Robin, which does nothing to stop her maniacal laughter. Steve tackled her to the bed when she tried to run, trapping her beneath him as he ran his fingers over her sides.
ROBIN: No- Ah- Stop! *laughing*
STEVE: YOU DESERVE THIS!]
Gareth glanced over to Eddie, who was hiding his face behind his hair. Gareth knew his friend well enough that his face was bright red underneath his curls.
“Do we want to talk about that?”
“Nope. Nuh uh. Absolutely not.”
“Fair enough.”
[The two eventually calmed down, falling into a comfortable silence as they laid next to each other.
ROBIN: I think you should try this time.
STEVE: Robs.
Robin shifted, now propped up on her elbow. She had a sad look on her face.
ROBIN: I saw him when the Vecna shit first went down. He was into you, dingus! He was practically eye-fucking you when you stripped at Lover’s Lake.
STEVE: Robs-
ROBIN: Steve, I’m serious. I think it’d be worth a try. I know you have this whole self-sacrifice thing going on, but you deserve happiness too. Who knows, maybe gay love will save the day.
Steve gave a small smile at her words.
ROBIN: There he is! Show Eddie that little smile and he will be tripping over himself to buy you roses and write you songs!
Steve blushed and batted at Robin as he stood, his face bright red.
STEVE: *groaning* God, I can’t go to work looking like a tomato.]
“That’s… really sweet, actually,” Nancy mused, shooting a look towards Eddie who was still hiding behind his hair. Eddie let his hair part slightly, staring up at the screen.
“I’m not that great,” Eddie muttered. Wayne swatted at his nephew’s arm.
“What’d I say about saying that kind of stuff?”
“Not to when you’re around?” Eddie tried, making his uncle sigh.
“Close enough.”
[ The scene cuts to Steve at Benny’s, at his usual place by the stove. Steve plated a burger and set it on the window for Benny to grab. While waiting, Steve tried to spot Robin. He found her in the corner booth with Eddie Munson at her side.
The two were hunched over a chemistry textbook as Robin explained something about chemical formulas. Eddie answered a question softly, but correctly, to which Robin praised him. Steve smiled from where he stood. Robin glanced up, catching Steve’s eye. She gestured towards Eddie with her eyes, clearly telling Steve to make his move. Steve’s smile fell slightly as he shook his head, mouthing ‘not now’.]
“I’m still confused about the whole Will thing,” Joyce fretted, “what’s going to happen to my boy?”
“If those two get their way, hopefully nothing,” Jeff replied, leaning back in his seat, “They certainly put in enough work to avoid it.”
“No kidding,” Gareth agreed.
[Steve and Robin are now in Steve’s Beemer, seemingly patrolling the streets. The camera phased through the backseat and into the trunk, showing the audience various supplies including a new bat with nails freshly hammered into it, a hefty first aid kit, and a few containers of flammable liquids, ranging from kerosene to hairspray.
The camera returned to Steve and Robin in the front seat. Suddenly, something large runs across the road, causing Steve to slam on the breaks. Steve parked and the two got out of the car, trying to spot the thing. Whatever it was, it disappeared into the woods.
ROBIN: Steve!
Steve turned to face Robin, who was pointing at a street sign. Cornwallis and Kerley. They suddenly hear a scream, one that definitely didn’t come from an adult.
STEVE: *panicked* WILL!
Steve quickly rushed to the trunk of his car, throwing a hairspray to Robin and grabbing his trusty nail bat. The two ran towards the scream.
Steve spotted Will’s bike, overturned by the side of the road. As they approached, they saw Will on the ground below a shadowy figure. The creature’s face began to split open, a familiar five-petal shape appearing in the darkness. Steve loudly whistled, catching both Will’s and the demogorgon’s attention.]
“Holy shit!” Peter exclaimed.
“Oh, god!” Joyce cried out, pulling Will into her arms. Jonathan pressed against Will’s other side, sandwiching the boy between them as though he would disappear.
[STEVE: HEY!
Will scrambled out of Steve’s way as he charged the demogorgon, Steve slamming his nail bat into the creature as it leapt over Will and towards him. It shrieked as Steve ripped the bat from the creature, tearing flesh away as he did so, only to hit it once more.
While Steve was beating the demogorgon, Robin swept up Will, cradling him to her chest as she carried him to Steve’s car. She placed him down in Steve’s backseat, placing a soothing kiss on his forehead before leaving him to join Steve.
Will watched from the car window as Robin pulled out a lighter, shook the can of hairspray, and pressed down on the nozzle. The spray caught fire once it touched the open flame, creating a makeshift flamethrower. The demogorgon roared as Robin approached with the fire, illuminating and revealing to the audience its true appearance.
Blood poured from its wounds, showing the sheer amount of damage Steve caused. Not long after Robin arrived with the fire, the creature took off, clearly deciding that the fight wasn’t worth it. Steve gestured towards the car before giving chase. While Steve followed it, Robin returned to the car, opening the backseat door.
ROBIN: You okay, bud?
Will just nodded, out of breath. Robin placed a hand on Will's back, rubbing it in a comforting way. Steve returned not long after, his bat still dripping with black blood.
STEVE: Don’t think it'll be back tonight. Must’ve gone back through its hunting gate.
Steve eyes land on Will, changing from war-hardened to compassionate in a moment. He walked over to Will, kneeling before the boy. Steve reached for the boy’s hand, holding it tight. He gave it a small squeeze.
STEVE: *softly* You’re okay, I promise. Robs and I scared that thing off, it shouldn’t be coming back if it would like to live another day.
Will started crying. Robin moved out of the way so Steve could hug Will.
STEVE: Shhhh, I’ve got you, Will, I’ve got you. You’re safe now.
WILL: *sobbing* I-I didn’t- It came out of n-nowhere. I c-couldn’t-
ROBIN: *gently* It’s okay, bud. You’re just a kid, you did your best.
Steve pulled away slightly, wiping tears from Will’s cheeks.
STEVE: Your mom’s shift should be over soon, right? Let’s get you home and fixed up, alright?
Will nodded, wiping at his running nose. Robin grabbed a spare blanket from the trunk, wrapping Will up in it before joining him in the backseat, pressing the terrified boy to her side. Steve took his place in the driver’s seat after grabbing Will’s bike and shoving it into the trunk, quickly pulling back onto the road.]
“Was that fucking crazy or what?” Eddie exclaimed, gesturing wildly, “Like, holy shit!”
“He… saved my life?” Will stated, as though questioning the choice.
“God, remind me to hug that boy the next time I see him,” Joyce whispered into Will’s hair, tucking him beneath her chin as she hugged him.
[They pulled up not long before Joyce did. While Steve was taking care of Will’s bike, Robin helped Will into the house, getting him settled on the couch. Joyce pulled up as Steve made his way up the steps to the house. Joyce spotted him and rushed over, where Steve then led her into the house. She inspected Will all over, seeing Robin’s first aid job. While Robin was talking to Joyce, telling her to watch out for a concussion, Steve spotted a flash of white in the woods. He looked at Robin before coming to stand at Joyce’s side. The two bid her and Will goodnight before heading out.
Steve drove the two of them back to Mirkwood. They glanced at one another before finally getting out. They head back into the woods, armed with the nail bat and lighter. They glance at each other, before finally disappearing from view of the camera.
They had a little girl to save.]