Chapter Text
They were stuck in the upside down. Not a new thing for them, but with all the arguing Steve wasn't paying attention and crashed his beamer into the flesh wall. He messed up and instead of being the mature one, he decided to be childish. Not just with Dustin, but with Johnathan too. So much crap was on their plate and once again he didn't know how to handle it. So instead of being the “mature Steve” with a steady job he reverted to being his high school douchebag self. He sighed as they stood in the grimy church. All they could do was wait on Hopper and Eleven. It was probably a waste of time and they should be tracking the demogorgon. Steve just didn't know what to do.
He doesn't know what's wrong with Dustin, he doesn't know why he's trying to compete with Johnathan, and he can't even help Nancy find her sister. Steve's such a fuck up. He should have just joined his father's law firm, picked a good college, and climbed the proverbial ladder of defending criminals. But he chose not to. He chose this. To be stuck here, in Hawkins and within himself. Steve's just frozen in time, like the Upside Down. So far, they've been there for about six hours. Things were eerily quiet which for once was nice, but of course that never lasts long. As he kicked the side of a pew in frustration, Dustin called for them from outside. That's all he's done.
In and out, in and out, like he's a restless dog. Steve can't blame him. The three of them looked at each other before they rushed to the door. Down the steps they went to join Dustin at his side as he pointed towards the sky. It lit up with red and thunder echoed a few seconds later so they couldn't tell what he was pointing at. Then they heard it. The familiar sound of demobats. Steve, Jonathan, and Nancy looked at each other again. “Inside.” She said. “Inside now!” Nancy demanded and the four of them jogged back into the church. Jonathan and Steve immediately grabbed a pew, struggling to lift it, but with determination they barricaded the door with two more.
“That's not gonna hold.” Dustin said as he looked around. “Then what do you suggest we do?” Steve asked as they heard the bats draw closer, their demonic shrieks growing louder. “We need to find a way out.” Nancy told them. “Wait, I've been here before. Like forever ago, but this church has a cellar.” Jonathan spoke up. “Then what are we doing? Let's go.” Steve gestured for the other to show them the way and the four of them followed Jonathan to the back of the church. Behind the platform were two doors flanking both sides. They went through the one on the right. There wasn't much in the back, but Jonathan found the door that led to the cellar. It was gross, wet, too muddy to walk through quickly.
But they made it to the other set of stairs. Once they climbed up them Jonathan and Nancy opened the set of cellar doors easily and the four of them headed deeper into the woods, still keeping sight of the flesh wall to their left. Somewhere deep down, Steve knew running wouldn't matter. It didn't last time. He barely got away with his life and Eddie didn't make it at all. However, he wasn't one to give up. Dustin tripped, to no one's surprise, and Steve immediately stopped to help him up. It doesn't matter if they're fighting, he wouldn't leave his best friend behind. Nancy shot at a few bats hot on their trail as Jonathan scrambled to help Steve with Dustin.
They continued through the woods with the demobats not far behind, when they heard something different. A louder flap of wings and call sound that was deeper than the hit pitched screeching of the demobats. “What the hell was that?” Jonnathan asked as they ran. He was getting out of breath, as was Dustin. “I don't know, but I sure as hell don't wanna find out!” Steve replied. They were getting tired, strangely it seemed like the bats were just far enough away to keep them running, but not getting close enough to attack them. They were tiring them out first. That was different. Even Steve could tell that was off. Then before they knew it they were approaching the church again.
“What the-” Jonathan expressed. “How did we-” Steve was about to ask when Nancy went down the cellar. “They guided us here.” The other three rushed down with her and she slammed the doors shut with Dustin's help. Steve sighed, trying to catch his breath as they entered the main part of the church, again. “They guided us here?” He repeated between heaving. “I didn't realize it at first, but then I noticed we passed the same tree. They were steering us back here.” Nancy emphasized as she pointed at the ground then she went to a boarded up window to see if she could find a peephole. “But why?” Jonathan stressed as he plopped down onto a pew. Even Dustin seemed confused, but he was trying to come up with a reason.
“Does it matter? We need to get out of here before we become bat chow.” Steve stressed. “For once we agree.” Jonathan ran a hand through his sweaty hair. “Wait, guys, shut up.” Dustin said as he looked around again at nothing. “You shuddup.” Steve grumbled in offense. “No, I'm being serious. Listen." The younger told them. Nancy frowned questioningly and so was her ex boyfriend. “I don't hear anything.” Jonathan said. “Exactly, weren't they just behind us?” Dustin asked and all at once every boarded up window was crashed through by demobats. They flooded the church making Steve, Nancy, Dustin, and Jonathan hit the creaky floor, covering their heads. “Dustin, I hate you!” Steve yelled.
“I'm sorry!” The youngest screamed back. They all army crawled towards the door. It was their only way out now. This time Steve, Dustin, and Johnathan pushed the pews away the door as Nancy shot and smacked as many demobats as she could. “I'm running out of ammo!” She warned. “We're trying!” Dustin and Steve said in unison. They got the door opened and yet again were running out of the church. However, they skirted to a stop just outside. Steve slid a little as he grabbed onto Dustin. The demobats were circling the area, trapping them in a cyclone of their making. That wasn't the problem at the moment. Above them was a large muscular creature with wide bat-like wings, flapping slowly to keep it in the air.
It was humanoid, had long messy black hair, with long black nails and sharp white canines that peeked past its lips. Its skin was dark gray and its eyes were black like a void. Steve immediately moved himself in front of the others as if it would matter. “W- What do you want?!” He asked with every ounce of courage he could muster. “Steve!” Nancy scolded quietly. “What… do I want?” The creature lowered itself until its clawed feet touched the dusty ground. “It has intelligence.” Steve heard Dustin mutter in an amazed tone. “Yeah, everyone wants somethin’ right?” He continued to talk. Nothing was attacking them yet, so maybe he could stall until Eleven got there. It was a long shot.
A, very, long shot. “Well, it's my year so I think I want your flesh.” The monster grinned wildly. “Eddie?” Dustin sounded shocked and the three looked at him. “Eddie?” Jonathan asked. “Th- that's great, but does it have to be our flesh? What about money?” Steve asked, his nerves were increasing. He was just spouting out whatever he could think of now. “That's Eddie.” Dustin repeated, staring right at the creature that was quite a few feet from them. “How do you know?” Nancy asked. “It's my year. It was one of the last things Eddie said to me.” Dustin looked at her with an expression that could only be read as traumatic. “Money has no value here.” The creature laughed.
Then they recognized it. Eddie's laugh. Even though it was twisted and curdled by the new form, it was still his laugh. “Well, maybe we can compromise?” Steve suggested. “What the hell do we do then?” He muttered to them. “We could use music.” Nancy said. “We don't have a cassette player and Steve's car is screwed.” Jonathan reminded them. “Kas the Betrayer.” Dustin suddenly said. The three of them looked at the younger like he was crazy. “He's an underling of Vecna’s who ends up betraying him and helps kill him in the campaign, sort of.” He rambled off then moved around his best friend who grabbed him by his trenchcoat. “Vecna’s your master right?” Dustin asked.
“Vecna…” Eddie seemed to mull over the name, dark eyes drifting to the side. Then they found the four again. “If you mean Henry… then yes.” He replied slowly and deeply. “Dustin.” Nancy said warningly. “Get back here, man.” Steve tugged on his coat. The younger looked back. “We have to get through to him so he'll help us.” He told them. “Trust me.” Dustin said as he shared a pleading look with Steve who then let go. “This isn't gonna work.” Jonathan insisted. Dustin ignored him and faced the other again. “We call him Vecna from a game we used to play. Dungeons and Dragons, remember?” He stepped forward. Steve absolutely wasn't letting him go alone though.
“I do not have time for games.” Eddie said as he glanced up and a swarm of bats descended on them. Of course Nancy started shooting them as Steve jumped Dustin to protect him. Jonathan swung at a few with the bat he had, but one grabbed him by the leg. Steve clambered to grab him, but another's tail whipped around Jonathan's other leg faster than Nancy could shoot. There were too many. They dragged him to the circling wall of bats that were still trapping them. His girlfriend followed him that only opened enough for the two to go through. “Nancy!” Steve tried to chase them only for a few bats to lunge at him. He fell on his ass as Dustin spoke up. “Eddie, stop! That's Nancy and Johnathan. You have to stop!” He pleaded.
They heard more shots go off in the distance as Steve managed to get to his feet. Eddie seemed to be analyzing them. Some gears in his head had started to turn, maybe in their favor. “This- this is Dustin. Dustin Henderson. You're his favorite person. You played D and D with him, Mike, Lucas, and Erica.” Steve said, trying to help. “You were even trying to help us beat Vecna, or Henry. You don't wanna be his underling, you wanted to defeat him!” Dustin said. Eddie then groaned, hunching over as he grabbed his head. It was as if something was rattling through him. Knocking something loose. “It's working.” Steve muttered optimistically.
“We need something better though. Music or an object that would really jog his memory.” Dustin told him. “Shut up!” Eddie roared, his wings flaring out as he pointed a clawed hand to them. Demobats plummeted in a stream down his long arm and aimed themselves right at the two. “Run!” Dustin shouted as he turned to follow his own demand. There was nowhere to go except the car. Stupid. Steve grabbed the younger, tugging him in the direction of his car. They bolted to the open back door and piled into it, nearly hurting each other. Dustin slammed the door shut. “Shit, shit, shit!” He exclaimed as bat after bat hit the car. It wouldn't last long.
The windows would break and the demobats would rip them to shreds like party streamers at the Snowball. Steve looked out the back window to see Eddie was still standing in the same spot, just watching. They were going to die. Nancy and Jonathan could already be dead. Hopper and Eleven probably weren't going to make it in time to save them. Steve glanced down thinking as Dustin rambled about some sort of plan to survive this. Then the older interrupted him. “You said we needed something that would jumpstart his memory.” He stated. Steve wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he did have a brain. He also had a heart. One that he was currently thankful for that had the foresight to not let a personal possession go.
“Yeah, but we don't have anything.” Dustin said, flinching as another bat hit the window behind him. “You don't.” Steve emphasized as he tugged on the seat between them until it fell forward. “What and you do?” Dustin retorted sarcastically while the other started to shove himself through the hole to the trunk. “Steve, what are you doing?” Dustin asked. Bats were beating the hell out of his car and there was no way out. If this didn't work, then they would both die, but maybe he can stall for just a bit longer. Steve might be older and Dustin might not have collar bones, but the kid wasn't as small as he used to be. Steve was lithe and he knew Dustin wouldn't be able to fit through the entrance to the trunk.
So Steve dug in his pocket to find his keys. “Steve!” Dustin said to get his attention. The doors locked and normally that would mean they can't get out of the trunk, but his trunk is messed now. “You're gonna make it outta here alive if it's the last thing I do, Dustin.” In one swift move, Steve grabbed the vest above his head, pushed the trunk open and rolled out of it, slamming it shut. Even if the other wormed his way out it wouldn't matter. “No, no! Steve, please!” Dustin screamed as he tried to pull up the little peg near the window. Steve then ran. He was in basketball and track so maybe he could make it. A demobat wrapped its tail around his arm, but he yanked hard enough to slam it to the ground.
Another latched onto his side, biting into scarred tissue making him yell out in pain. He kept running. Adrenaline, determination, insanity? Whatever they want to call it, kept him going. He aimed for the monster, getting as close as he could before tumbling to his knees. “Eddie, here, you gotta remember this!” Steve groveled, dropping the vest to shove off the bat that was chewing through his flesh. Another grabbed him by the throat, dragging him flailing onto his back. He choked, grabbing at the tail wrapped around his neck. Steve could still hear Dustin's muffled screaming at the top of his lungs from the car, and above him stood Eddie.
His ebony eyes gazed down as his spade tipped tail picked up the vest. “You… you gave that to me…” Steve gasped for air and heaved. “Because you said… I looked cooler in it.” He struggled to speak against the tail crushing his windpipe. “This is who… you are. Remember. Remember us!” Steve begged, but he was losing his vision. Either from blood loss or being strangled to death. Eddie said nothing, he just stood there, hair shadowing his face while he looked at the patch covered vest. A tear left Steve's eye as he fought to look towards Dustin, probably for the last time. “I'm… sorry.” He said seeing the other bang on the window already crying his own eyes out. This was dumb.
He was an idiot, just like Nancy said. Steve never wins a fight and he wouldn't win this one. All he can hope for now is that Eleven and Hopper will get there before it's too late for Dustin. He has to live. Steve's vision went black, his mind went blank, and his hearing zoned out. Then there was nothing.
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“Dustin… where's Eddie?” Steve asked as they found him after everyone got out of the Upside Down. The other's face broke as he limped towards him immediately. Nancy and Robin join in the hug that Steve didn't mean to give when he caught Dustin in his arms. The younger sobbed making it obvious what happened. Steve could only glance down to the vest over his shoulders. Eddie never took it back when he tried to give it to him. He told Steve he looked cooler in it when they were prepping the plan to attack Vecna head on. As Hawkins split open, and they stood there hugging, all Steve thought about was how dirty the vest was now. After recuperating he just couldn't wear the battle jacket.
It wasn't his style anyway so he cleaned it when he had the time between volunteering. He washed the blood and gunk away, making it look almost brand new. When Steve tried to give it to Dustin, the kid wouldn't take it. “He gave it to you, not me.” He said and Steve frowned. “But he was your friend, Henderson. You knew him better than anyone.” He retorted. Dustin just gave him a sad look. “But he wanted you to have it, Steve.” He replied simply. That weighed heavy on Steve because why? They barely knew each other. He put it in the trunk of his car where no one but him would see it. He thought; a vest like that deserved to travel, even if only around Hawkins.