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Chapter Text

Hawkins, Indiana
August, 1985

Eddie

Another senior year. 

The last senior year. 

If Eddie doesn’t graduate this year, he doesn’t graduate at all. Kind of a lot of pressure. 

On the plus side, he gets another year with his friends and he gets to graduate with Jeff. It gives him another year to make sure that Hellfire is set. 

Which means… new recruits. 

The first day of school brings new freshmen, the kids from the middle school graduating up to the big leagues. They’re in for a rude awakening. 

Eddie and his friends are sitting at their regular table, brainstorming ideas for their next campaign when he spots three new faces. 

They’re definitely friends. From the way they talk to each other, to how they sit together at a table. They look so lost. 

Even though they’re friends, they couldn’t be more different. 

One is super tall and lanky, pale with black hair that looks like it is starting to grow out. He looks ridiculous, one of those children raised in suburbia where their parents buy everything for them. 

The kid next to him is tall, but more built than his friend. He almost looks like he’s a little more athletic than his friends and almost fits in with the casual look of his outfit and buzzed haircut. He keeps looking over at a girl at another table, red hair and headphones to keep herself separate from the rest of the crowd. 

She kind of looks familiar. 

The last one is shorter than his friends, and has a huge mop of curly brown hair, covered with a baseball cap. He looks like the type of kid that would fit into Hellfire straight away. He has this nerdy persona to him and the thing that grabs Eddie straight away is his shirt. It’s hard to tell from the distance but he’s pretty certain that he’s wearing a Weird Al t-shirt. 

Eddie hopes that they know how to play DnD. 

“Hey,” Eddie says, attempting to get the table’s attention. “Look over there.”

They all follow Eddie’s lead and look at the same bunch of kids that Eddie’s spotted. 

“You think they play?” Gareth asks. 

Eddie shrugs. “Only one way to find out,” he says, standing up and brushing his pants off, then sauntering over to the freshman’s table. 

All three of them look up and take in the sight of Eddie standing above them. God he must look terrifying to these poor kids. 

“Hello younglings. Welcome to hell,” Eddie greets dramatically. 

They all glance at each other before smiling up to Eddie. The curly-haired boy speaks first. 

“I’m Dustin. Dustin Henderson.”

“What’s your class, Henderson?”

Dustin’s eyes light up. “Bard.”

Eddie glances at the athletic one. 

“Lucas Sinclair. Ranger.”

Eddie’s eyeline moves to the suburbia child.

“Paladin.”

“What’s your name, kid?”

“Mike Wheeler.”

Wheeler. 

The name brings back painful memories. Memories Eddie’s tried to forget. 

“Nancy Wheeler’s brother?” Eddie asks. 

Mike looks cautious. “Do you… do you know her?”

“I know of her. She was talk of the school a few years back.”

“Ah, that would’ve been the Steve era,” Dustin explains. 

Steve.

How do these kids know Steve? There’s no way he’d be caught dead hanging out with fifteen year olds.

“Ugh, please don’t mention it. That was the worst period of my life. I still can’t get those sounds out of my mind,” Mike groans. 

Oh, okay. Definitely moving on from this topic.

“Well, little sheepies. How would you like to join the greatest club in the school?”

March, 1986
Hawkins, Indiana

Steve

Family Video is dull when he’s working without Robin. 

Since their time together last summer, Steve and Robin have been inseparable. It had started as resentment and an - almost - hatred for each other, which turned out was deeply misunderstood. 

Of course, Robin only saw Steve as the old Steve. King Steve. And that Steve was one hundred percent a douchebag. But what she hadn’t realised was that Steve was no longer that guy. He’s now the guy who cares for everyone around him, let alone himself. He’s the babysitter, in charge of the ragtag bunch of twerps that dragged him into monster hunting.

And he’s the guy who’s absolutely confused about his sexuality. 

Robin’s confession changed everything. It showed Steve that he’s not alone in this world and there are other people who struggle with the same things. 

With the help of Robin, Steve came to the conclusion that maybe he’s not entirely straight. While he likes girls and can’t stop imagining how their hands feel over his body, their lips upon his skin, that other part of him loves the calloused fingers, the brush of stubble on his face. 

During a discussion one night at Robin’s during a sleepover, Steve was introduced to a term called bisexual. 

Steve had never heard of the term before. Sure he had seen celebrities like David Bowie who would dress up as variations of different genders, but never coined it to the word. 

Steve had been ranting again about his confusion when Robin had chimed in. 

“Okay, hold it right there. You do realise there’s so many spectrums of sexuality? Not just gay or lesbian?” she had asked. 

Steve just sat there, not knowing how to respond and in the end he just muttered, “what?”

Robin had laughed. “You’re such an idiot.” She took Steve’s hands in hers. “Don’t you remember about ten years back… Elton John had told that magazine that he was bisexual?”

“Uh… no? I would have remembered that if I had,” Steve replied. 

Robin slapped him playfully on the face. “You can like both, dingus. It doesn’t have to be one or the other?”

Woah, Steve had thought. It was never something he had considered. 

“Are you… bisexual?” Steve asked Robin. 

The expression that had appeared on her face was absolutely hilarious. 

“Ugh, no way! Just the thought of kissing a guy makes me want to hurl.” Steve had laughed at her which caused her to join in before she added, “but everything you’ve said to me, hints that you’d be happy with either.”

And he definitely would be. 

But at the moment, he was having a hard time letting go of a singular person. 

He still is. 

The vision of Eddie Munson haunts his every waking moment. His dark eyes staring straight into Steve’s soul, the feeling of his hair in Steve’s fingers. He still can’t stop thinking about the last night they had together. While it was the most intense moment of his life, emotionally, Steve just can’t stop thinking about how good it felt. It felt good having Eddie take control, to shove him against the wall and tear him into pieces. 

And to be honest, it’s been a very useful memory for when Steve’s in need of a release. 

However, the real thing is out of reach for him. 

Eddie’s made every effort to stay away from Steve since they saw each other when Steve had just started at Family Video. Eddie had started back at school, one last go at his senior year, and Steve was busy taking care of the kids who hadn’t moved to California and hanging out with Robin if he wasn’t at work. 

There was also the real issue of the result of Steve’s multiple blows to the head. 

Since Starcourt and the interrogation by the Russians, Steve has found that he gets a little more fuzzy around the edges of his mind. Plus there’s the migraines that sometimes put him out of action for an afternoon or two and the occasional memory lapses. 

Steve doesn’t tell anyone, of course. He has to put on a brave show. Be the leader. Be the god damn babysitter. 

It’s the last day of the term before Spring Break and Steve is glad that Robin is going to be working more often. It’s less time that he sits alone, bored at the counter, hoping that someone might catch his eye. 

He has a date with a girl he went to school with, Brenda. He doesn’t know if he likes her but he’s been trying so hard to move on, going on countless dates with girls to try and find something that matches the feeling he gets with Eddie. 

But no one has.  

He’s mooning over his thoughts of the guy and watching a couple of customers waltzing through the store when the phone on the counter he’s leaning begins to ring. 

“Family Video, this is Steve speaking.”

“Steve!” Dustin’s voice yells into the phone and Steve has to pull it away from his ear. 

“Jesus Henderson. I can hear you from here,” Steve scolds. 

“Sorry. Look, Steve, I need a favour.”

“Oh god, what is it now?”

“Lucas bailed tonight for his stupid basketball game and we’re short one player for our campaign. So could you please, please, join Hellfire just for tonight?”

Hellfire. 

Eddie. 

There’s no fucking way that he would intentionally put himself in the same room as the guy who’s been trying to avoid him like the plague. 

Steve doesn’t think Eddie would appreciate his presence, no matter how much he wants to play his stupid game. 

“No way, man. I’ve got a date.”

“Seriously Steve? Just move your date this one time. Come on.”

He’s really got to make it believable that he wants to go on this date or Dustin’s going to catch on. 

“What, to hang out with you and Eddie “the freak” Munson?” Steve internally flinches at saying his name. “Uh, yeah, I’ll pass.”

“You’re just jealous ‘cause I have another older male friend,” Dustin mocks. 

More like he’s jealous because he can hang out with Eddie without being judged or torn apart from the inside out. 

Of course, when Dustin started high school, he should have known that he and Eddie would have hit it off. Dustin’s great for being the little brother to guys like Steve and the added bonus about Eddie is that he likes DnD as much as Dustin does. 

He’s not surprised that Dustin’s so fond of the guy, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less knowing he can’t be around him. 

“Ew, ugh. Whatever.” Come on Steve, make it believable. “Besides, I mean… I really dig this girl. I think that she could…” believable. “Who knows, she could be the one.” 

A group of girls walk in the store, gorgeous, incredible bodies and Steve’s attention is taken elsewhere. He has an excuse to get out of this conversation. 

“Oh, I got some customers. Call you back. Bye.”

He knows that Dustin’s going to continue talking but he puts down the receiver. 

The rest of his shift is uneventful. The group of girls all had boyfriends, which seems to be the norm for everyone these days. So he watches them leave with their selection and gives up for the rest of his shift. 

He finishes at five thirty, manages to get home for a quick shower, dressed in a white, long-sleeved polo paired with his jeans and then picks up his date on his way to the school. 

Not the most romantic date, but Brenda agreed to go on the fact that Steve was a part of the team and it’s the championship game. The whole town, the Hawkins community, prides themselves on their sports and having Hawkins High involved in the championship game is a huge event. 

As they enter the gymnasium, the sound of the crowd almost drowns out the sound of sneakers on the floor. Steve can see the team, including Lucas, warming up, practicing their shooting and dribbling while the crowd watches on. 

Steve and Brenda make their way to the bleachers, heading towards where the band sits, so he’s at least close to Robin who’s playing trumpet. Brenda plays with her blonde hair, the scent of her perfume filling up his senses as they walk. 

“Does it bother you that, like, we might win a championship, like, right after you graduated?” Brenda asks, twirling her hair and giggling. 

Ouch. 

“Yeah, that’s an interesting point.” Steve says, leading his fate up the steps of the bleachers. “Thank you so much for bringing that up, Brenda.”

They’re in their seats when the band finishes up and the National Anthem is announced. Steve smirks and glances over to Robin when Tammy Thompson comes onto the floor. 

Tammy begins to sing and Steve winces when she begins singing extremely off-key. He glances over to Robin who catches his eye and gives him a quick raise of her eyebrows. 

With as much seriousness as he can muster, Steve whispers, “told you. Muppet.”

Robin grins and replies, “okay, she does sound like a Muppet,” until she gains the attention of the girl beside her. 

Vickie. 

Robin’s current crush. 

They had a conversation this morning about Steve’s thought process on why he thinks that Vickie might be into girls. This revelation was supported by the fact that Vickie returned Fast Times at Ridgemont High at fifty-three minutes and five seconds - the moment when Phoebe Cates exits the pool in the movie that always reminds Steve that he’s still into girls - which means she ‘likes boobies’. 

Steve watches as Robin fumbles for the right words, making herself look like an absolute idiot. There’s no stopping the grin that lights up his face as he turns away from them, only to roll his eyes at his date’s, “wow, she sounds amazing, doesn’t she?”

No fucking way. 

Eddie

Eddie’s hoping that Dustin’s playing a practical joke on him when he walks into Hellfire with Mike and a literal child.

There’s no way he’s brought a child into his sacred zone. A child that could possibly ruin the entire campaign he has planned for months. 

“Absolutely not,” Eddie tells the two of them, sitting in his DM throne. He’s made an effort to look intimidating and in control in his DnD sessions, showing off his rings and trying not to look like an absolute softy. 

“You asked for a sub. We delivered,” Dustin explains, matter-of-factly. 

“This is Hellfire Club. Not Babysitting Club.”

“I’m eleven, you long-haired freak,” the girl pipes up. 

Jesus Christ. Who is this kid? 

She’s holding a pink folder and has an American flag wrapped around her shoulders. As much as he’d care to admit, she seems full of attitude and he finds it quite refreshing. 

But still, Eddie keeps his devil-may-care attitude. “My, my, the child speaks.” Eddie laughs and glances up to Grant, who laughs in return. Eddie stands up from his seat and slowly walks towards her. “So, what’s your name, child?”

“Erica Sinclair.”

Oh, another Sinclair. 

Eddie chuckles. “So this is Sinclair’s infamous sister.”

Erica glances back at Dustin and Mike. “He’s sharp.” They don’t react, worried about upsetting either of them. However, Gareth and Jeff laugh at her teasing of Eddie and he flicks them a quick warning glance which stops them immediately.

Turning back to Erica, Eddie asks mockingly, “what’s your class and level? Level one dwarf?”

Jeff and Gareth laugh at his response, and Eddie approves of their timing. Eddie thinks he’s pretty clever, and he knows he can throw a good joke, but he doesn’t expect backchat from this eleven year old child. 

“My name is Lady Applejack. And I’m a chaotic good half-elf rogue, level fourteen.” Kid really knows what she’s talking about. “I will sneak behind any monster you throw my way and stab them in the back with my poison-soaked kukri. And I’ll smile as I watch them die a slow, agonising death. So, we gonna do this, or we gonna keep chitchatting like this is your mommy’s book club?” 

Alright! This kid is fantastic! Eddie’s surprised, which takes a lot to do in certain situations and DnD is one of those. He’s surprised that this Erica Sinclair not only knows how to play, but she’s extremely knowledgeable and won’t take any shit from anyone - Eddie included. 

He can feel the tension between the other members as they wait for Eddie’s response. A smile appears on Eddie’s lips, completely impressed with her speech. 

Eddie holds out a hand. “Welcome to Hellfire,” he announces. 

She reluctantly takes it.

~

The campaign runs pretty smoothly. Exactly how Eddie planned it. 

It centred around “The Cult of Vecna”, where Eddie had thrown in the appearance of the deity. The whole table had erupted into madness at the recognition, amazed that Kas hadn’t killed him. 

The biggest part of the campaign was whether to flee Vecna and his cultists or to fight, which of course they all chose to fight. Not everything worked out the way they wanted, however Eddie was very surprised at how much he was enjoying enialating the party. 

One by one, they all failed. Killed by Vecna and his cult, until there were only two remaining.  Dustin and Erica. They had all struggled to make up their minds about whether to stay and keep fighting, eventually deciding to fight. 

Dustin tried. He rolled an eleven, missing entirely. So it was up to Erica. 

She took her time, the whole party waiting with anticipation. Erica rolled the dice, it bounced down the table for what seemed like minutes, before stopping.

A nat twenty. 

Eddie couldn’t believe it. Erica, the child he hadn’t wanted to play, had won the campaign for the party. It was over. And he did what she deserved. Eddie bowed to her as she stood proudly at the opposite end of the table. 

As they all packed up to leave, Eddie approached Erica and offered for her to play anytime. She of course answered with some smartass comment which Eddie took as a thank you. 

The group left, shouting their thanks to Eddie as they slipped out into the night. 

Eddie, however, had some work to attend to. 

Earlier that day, he had a consultation with none other than Chrissy Cunningham. She had been jumpy when Eddie approached the park bench they had agreed upon and Eddie could sense that something was wrong with her. 

Of course, Eddie used his charm to remind Chrissy of their friendship during middle school and she loosened up enough to ask for something a little stronger than weed. Eddie never carries anything of that sort so he offered to take her back to his trailer to complete their deal after the game. 

So he meets Chrissy out by his van. She’s trying to stay hidden, not wanting to be seen by anyone, especially her boyfriend Jason Carver - who is a grade A asshole. She’s in her cheerleading uniform, a white cardigan with a green and gold H embroidered onto the chest, and a green ribbon tied into her blonde ponytail. 

“Chrissy,” Eddie smiles, pretending to tip an invisible hat to Chrissy. She smiles softly, but Eddie can see the nerves on her face. He tries to make conversation to help her out. “How was the game?” 

Chrissy lets out a shaky breath before speaking. “We won, so I guess… good.”

“You don’t think it is?” Eddie asks, confused by her reaction. 

“I mean…” Chrissy sighs. “It’s good, but… Jason’s expecting me to go to this party to celebrate their win and I just…”

Eddie nods. “You’re not in the mood. I get it.” Chrissy smiles for a split second before crossing her arms over her chest. “Well once we get you your money’s worth, I’m sure you’ll be right along to that party.” 

Chrissy smiles, larger this time, showing that she believes what he has to say. 

Eddie does too. 

For now. 

Steve

What a game! 

Steve is so proud of Lucas and his championship goal. For someone who was on the bench for most of the game, to score the winning shot was an impressive feat. 

Steve jumped to his feet and cheered the loudest for one of his own brats, one that is seeming to follow in Steve’s footsteps. He hopes just athletically. He couldn’t bear the thought of Lucas acting like a douchebag and being a bully like he was. 

Brenda seemed to enjoy their date, but Steve definitely feels that they aren’t suited for each other. The way she twirls her hair as she talks, the strong scent of her perfume and her tone-deaf ear, was enough to draw him away from her. 

He still had to drop Brenda off at home so they headed out to the parking lot to Steve’s car. They followed the crowd that began thinning out, out to the back of the lot where Steve had to park due to the amount of cars already parked closer. 

Brenda talks the entire way and Steve tunes out most of it, settling for nods of the head and hums of agreement. As they approach the car, Steve can hear the sound of a familiar voice from just a few feet away from him. 

He’d recognise that voice anywhere and when he spots the van, he’s immediately lit up like a Christmas tree. As much as he tries to avoid him, whenever Steve sees Eddie, he’s hit with the most intense feelings he’s ever felt. 

This time, his feelings include jealousy. 

Because Eddie’s not alone. 

He’s charming and flirting with Chrissy Cunningham, head cheerleader and the new Queen of Hawkins High. Steve’s filled with red hot heat as he takes in Eddie helping Chrissy into the passenger seat of his van. 

Steve wishes it was him. He wants to be the one that Eddie flirts with, using sweet words to make him blush and fall head over heels. He wants Eddie to be all his. Call him sweetheart and darling and baby. He wants to be surrounded by him. 

Steve watches as Eddie skips over to the drivers side door, opening it with a wide smile on his face. As he gets in, Eddie catches a glimpse of Steve standing by his car, watching while his date continues to talk his ear off. 

Their eyes meet and there’s a flash of regret. Steve regrets everything he ever said or did to Eddie. Maybe things would be different if Steve had asked Eddie to stay that first night. Maybe he wouldn’t have gone through all of this shit only to come out broken into a thousand pieces. 

After what feels like hours, Eddie flips on his ignition and speeds out of the car park like he never even saw Steve. His heart sinks that Eddie still refuses to even acknowledge that he’s alive. 

Maybe Steve needs to get over the fact that Eddie may never want to see him again. 

Eddie

Eyes. 

All Eddie can see is Chrissy’s eyes as they’re ripped into her skull. 

The crack of bones.

All Eddie can hear is the snap of Chrissy’s bones as they break one by one. 

Fear. 

All Eddie can feel is fear as he watches Chrissy lift into the air and die in front of his eyes. 

It’s like Eddie’s living within a nightmare. One moment he’s searching for his supply of Special K and the next he’s watching Chrissy Cunningham get murdered by something that wasn’t even there. 

Eddie fled the trailer as fast as he could, deciding to get away to a place where he hopes no one will find him. 

His drug supplier, Reefer Rick, has recently been arrested and put in jail for selling so his house by the lake is empty. Eddie decides that he’ll hunker down, preferably in the boat house so that no one finds him. 

If he’s found, Eddie’s life is over. 

And there’s one thing he regrets most in his life. 

Steve. 

Steve

“… we can confirm that the body of a Hawkins High student was discovered early this morning.”

Steve and Robin stare at the TV in Family Video in shock. After all the supernatural shit that’s gone on in the last two and a half years, murder can now be added to the list of crazy shit that’s gone on in Hawkins. 

“Holy shit,” Steve murmurs.

“You got that right,” Robin replies after a few more moments of intense staring at the TV. “What do you think happened?”

Steve leans against the counter. “God, who knows? Jealousy? Isn’t that one of the major factors in murders?” 

Maybe he’s leaning on his own jealousy over last night, but it makes sense. 

“Could also be a drug deal gone wrong?” Robin suggests. 

Drug deal. In Forest Hill Trailer Park? Why does that name sound familiar?

They leave the news on for a few minutes longer, until Dustin and Max burst through the front door.

“Hey Steve.”

Steve and Robin both turn to face the two twerps and Steve has to ask, “you see this?” as he points to the TV. 

Dustin ignores him. “How many phones do you have?”

The nerve of this kid. “Someone was murdered,” Steve states. 

“How many phones do you have?” Dustin asks again, this time more annoyingly. 

“Two, why?” Steve asks.

“Technically three, if you count Keith’s in the back,” Robin adds. 

Dustin and Max look at each other and Max says, “yeah, that works.”

Steve’s confused and tries to ask what they’re doing but then Dustin’s throwing his bag over the counter before flinging himself over, knocking over the tapes Steve’s just organised. 

“No, no, no! My tapes! Dude!” Steve shouts as Dustin stands up and rushes to the computer. “What are you doing, man?” 

“Setting up base of operations here,” Dustin answers so casually, continuing to type on the computer. 

“Base of operations?” Robin asks, picking up the tapes from the floor. 

Steve tries to push Dustin off the computer, but Dustin refuses to move, stating that he needs it. 

“For what?” Steve asks.

“Eddie’s friends’ phone numbers.”

Not Eddie again. Dustin needs to stop talking about him. 

“So, what? Is calling all of Eddie’s friends an emergency?” Robin asks, like she can sense Steve’s tension over the mention of Eddie’s name. 

Of course he told Robin all about his ‘eye contact’ with Eddie last night, and she’s been trying to get his mind off it all morning. It doesn’t help that Dustin’s come in trying to contact all of Eddie’s friends like they’re more important than Steve. 

Dustin groans and turns to Max beside him. “Can you fill them in while I do this?”

“Fill us in on what?” Steve asks, glancing at Max whose expression on her face unsettles Steve deep into his very soul. 

“It’s about Eddie,” Max explains. 

Steve glances at Robin with a concerned look, before turning his attention back to Max. 

“What about Eddie?” Steve hesitantly asks, like he doesn't want to know the answer. 

“He may have killed Chrissy Cunningham.”

~

The drive to Reefer Rick’s is excruciatingly long. 

Steve’s practically vibrating out of his seat with nerves as they drive through town and towards Lover’s Lake. At one point, Robin places a reassuring hand on his knee which brings him slightly back to earth, but he’s way too worried about what’s happened with Eddie. 

As Dustin and Max mapped out their plan, Robin had insisted that Steve continue working, if only to take his mind off the whole thing but to keep his feelings in check. She was worried that if he had to help out the search, he would come off as too concerned and Dustin and Max could catch on. 

So he worked. Helped out customers, rang them up and listened as his friends tried to find the one person he cares about most in the entire world. 

Eventually Max found a lead that Eddie gets his drugs from a guy called Reefer Rick and that he has a pretty isolated house. It seems like the perfect hiding spot. 

Finally, after what feels like forever, they pull up to the house by the lake. They try the front door of the house, Dustin knocks and calls out for “Reefer Rick”, which Steve hisses at him to stop doing because they might draw attention to themselves. Dustin’s really out here trying to be as loud as he can while Steve internally freaks out. 

Max calls them over to check out an old boathouse that has a small light above the doorway and they all decide that it’s the best place to start. 

Steve’s heart thumps in his chest as they enter the boathouse. The floor creaks underneath their feet while they move through the small space. It’s maybe a little too loud for how quiet they’re trying to be - well Steve’s trying to be. He doesn’t want to spook Eddie, or disturb whatever killed Chrissy and that may have killed Eddie. 

Steve’s really hoping that the last part hasn’t happened because he doesn’t know what he’ll do. His heart aches at the thought of Eddie, dead, lifeless. 

Nope, not thinking about it. 

In order to be safe, Steve grabs an oar from its space on the wall and begins probing the tarps on top of the boats. Dustin disagrees with his choice and insists that he just take the tarps off. 

“What happens if it’s the same thing that killed Chrissy? I’d feel safe having this to defend myself and you guys.”

“I’m telling you, Eddie’s fine. I’m sure he’s hiding here and we just need-“

Dustin’s cut off by the tarp being thrown off one of the boats and a figure jumping forward to press Steve against the wall of the boathouse. 

Dustin, Max and Robin all scream and yell, while Steve tries with no sound coming out. It’s then, he takes in the figure that’s got him around the neck.  

Eddie. 

He’s okay. He’s alive. But he looks fucking terrified. He’s definitely not a murderer based on the look on his face. Their eyes meet, for the first time in forever not from a distance, and Steve can see the recognition in Eddie’s face. It softens, but it’s still full of pain and fear.

What Eddie must have seen that made him like this. 

Steve can’t even hear Dustin’s yelling over the sound of his own breathing and the thumping of his heart. He has Eddie pressed up against his body, feeling every part of him. 

Holy shit, he’s hot. 

So overwhelmed by the feeling of Eddie touching him after so long, he almost doesn’t notice the broken bottle being held to his neck. 

Steve can’t breathe. It’s like everything he’s wanted is finally right in front of him and Steve can’t believe it. 

Steve’s breathing hitches, trying to take in some form of air but still being wary about freaking Eddie out or forcing the glass even deeper into his throat. 

In all honesty, Steve’s feeling a little more than just fear about the whole thing. He can feel his jeans getting a little bit tighter, just from feeling Eddie’s hips and chest flush against his, just like they have been before. Steve tries to force those thoughts out of his mind, knowing the uncomfortable situation he would have if he didn’t. 

Steve wants to do so much with this closeness to Eddie, but it’s not the right time or place for it. 

The moment will have to wait. 

The whole time Eddie’s had him pressed up against the wall, Dustin’s been trying to calm him down. Eddie glances over to him occasionally but keeps a constant eye on Steve. 

Eventually, Eddie tears his eyes away from Steve’s to focus his attention on Dustin. He keeps the tight hold on Steve while keeping the bottle pressed against his skin.

“It’s me. It’s Dustin.” Eddie seems to calm down slightly at Dustin’s voice, although it’s full of anxiety and stress. “This is Steve.” Steve almost wants to laugh because Steve and Eddie have both known each other longer than they both have Dustin. Eddie’s eyes flit back to Steve’s and stare unmoving while Dustin continues talking. “He’s not gonna hurt you, are you Steve?”

Steve slightly shakes his head, whispering, “no. No.” Eddie continues to glare at him.

“Steve, why don’t you drop the oar?” Dustin suggests. 

Without moving, Steve lets the oar fall from his grasp. He had forgotten that he even had it in his hand. The sound of the oar hitting the floor echoes around the small cabin and it startles Eddie who presses the bottle a little harder into Steve’s neck. 

Jesus Christ. Why is this turning me on?

Steve’s so overwhelmed, and he’s trying so hard not to pop a boner in front of the guy he’s crushing on, his best friend and two of the children in their presence. He has to think of something else. Something other than their bodies pressed together or the thought of how easy it would be to just press the bottle even deeper.

Dustin yells again and Steve focuses on the annoying tone of his voice to calm himself down. “He’s cool. He’s cool.”

“I’m cool. I’m… cool,” Steve echoes.

Eddie stands up a little straighter at the sound of Steve’s voice but asks, “what are you doing here?”

At the sound of Eddie’s shaky voice, Steve almost moves his hand up to Eddie’s cheek. Just wanting to calm him and take care of him. 

But Dustin thinks the question is aimed at him. “We’re looking for you.”

“We’re here to help,” Robin’s soft voice adds. Steve feels a lot calmer hearing her speak. Eddie glances over at the sound of her voice. 

“Eddie, these are my friends.” Dustin points to Robin. “You know Robin, from band?” 

Of course, Steve remembers that Robin knew of Eddie through band as well as his reputation.

Steve hears Robin imitate a trumpet and he tries not to laugh at her, which obviously shows on his face because she flashes him an unimpressed frown. 

Dustin gestures to Max. “This is my friend Max. The one who never wants to play DnD.” Max’s face is worried as she raises her hand quickly in a wave.

“Eddie.” Dustin takes a second to slowly take a step closer to Eddie. “We’re on your side.” Max and Robin nod along in agreement. “I swear on my mother.”

Oh that’s a big promise. Dustin loves his mother. 

“Right guys?” Dustin asks, glancing behind him. 

“Yes. Yes, we swear,” Max agrees quickly. 

“On Dustin’s mother,” Robin adds. 

For a flash of a second, Eddie’s eyes are back on Steve, but he swears that they leave his face and roam quickly down Steve’s body and then back up. Steve hopes he hasn’t noticed the clear problem that is almost on full display. 

Steve tries to take his mind off it, so he agrees alongside his friends. “Yeah, Dustin’s… Dustin’s mother.”

Eddie doesn’t say, or do, anything. He stares back at Steve, holding onto him tightly. Steve thinks that maybe, just maybe, Eddie doesn’t want to let go. That he wants to hold Steve as much as Steve wants to hold him. 

Steve’s wrong, of course. 

He can feel the coldness of the air as Eddie pulls away, taking the broken bottle away as he turns and walks towards the other side of the boathouse. 

Steve’s so disappointed. He’s trying so hard not to cry. He wants Eddie, so badly, and Eddie wants nothing to do with him. 

It hurts. 

Steve hunches over, facing away from the group, willing the tears to stop when he feels a comforting hand on his back. He knows it’s Robin. 

Robin leans in close to whisper, “Steve, are you okay?”

Steve sucks in shaky breaths, ones that may hint to someone that he’s crying. He’s trying so hard, trying to feel Robin’s comforting touch, but the sound of Eddie’s voice brings him back. 

“Steve, you can’t do this now. Eddie’s freaked out. You’ve gotta try. Come on, dingus. Breathe,” Robin tells him, taking a deep breath and waiting for Steve to join in. 

A few deep breaths later and a talk to himself about how everything’s not about him, he manages to find the strength to stop crying. 

Though he almost starts again when he looks over at Eddie, hunched on the floor with that terrified look on his face. 

Steve tells himself that he has to keep it together. If not for the group, but for Eddie. 

It’s all about helping Eddie. 

Eddie

Eddie’s so fucking tired. 

He hasn’t slept a wink since he saw Chrissy die right in front of him. He knows that if he closes his eyes, that’s all Eddie’s going to see. Chrissy on his roof, bones snapped horrendously and her eyes… gone. 

It’s all Eddie can see. 

And now, on top of the horrifying memories plaguing his mind, Steve fucking Harrington is back into his life. 

Eddie has no idea why he’s friends with Dustin, but the fact that Eddie’s made it a point to stay away from Steve and anything to do with him makes it so much harder when Dustin’s dragging him back in. 

There was something last night, when Eddie had Steve pressed against that wall, the broken bottle to his neck. Eddie couldn’t tear his eyes away from the honey brown eyes that wouldn’t leave his. Steve looked horrified but there was something behind that fear. Longing? Or wanting? And god, did Eddie want to pull him in, let everything in the past go and hold him forever. 

But there’s no erasing the past. 

Eddie’s conflicting views on his relationship with Steve was made even harder when he noticed that Steve was very much attentive to their situation. 

Of course Eddie had noticed the strain in Steve’s jeans. The twitch of his dick underneath the denim at the mere feel of Eddie pressed up against him. Eddie almost forgot about the murder, and was so close to grinning and teasing Steve in front of his friends. 

Almost. 

Instead, Eddie tried not to get worked up about Steve’s obvious attraction, which was easy when he was constantly brought back to the terrifying situation he’s stuck in. 

Eddie told the group everything. From what happened with Chrissy and how he just ran. He’s such a coward, running and not helping out one of the only people who cared about Eddie.

They said that they believed him. Eddie laughed and confessed that he wouldn’t believe him. 

It was then that Eddie was told about the Upside Down. 

It all made sense. All the strange happenings around town since Will Byers went missing. All the times that Steve came round with busted up faces and black eyes, all to do with fighting due to the alternate dimension. And why that bunch of kids are tougher than Eddie suspected they’d be. 

Eddie’s still trying to wrap his head around the thought of it all. That their world isn’t the only one. That there’s otherworldly beings and dimensions containing monsters, just like in his DnD campaigns. 

It’s morning when Eddie hears a noise and jumps out of the boat he’s trying to sleep in to run to the window. There’s nothing out there, except for trees and the house, but no signs of life. 

Maybe he imagined it? He’s definitely on edge after everything. 

Eddie takes a deep breath, letting his body relax when the door swings open, the tin of the door banging along the ground. It scares the shit out of him, thinking that the same thing that got Chrissy is on its way to get him. 

“Jesus Christ,” Eddie shouts. 

But instead of a monster, or someone out to kill him, the smiling faces of Dustin, Robin, Max and Steve appear in the doorway. Dustin has bags in his hand, some form of groceries and he announces, “delivery service.” 

Eddie exhales audibly as he takes in the four of them, his eyes immediately drawn to Steve. He’s smiling at Eddie like nothing’s happened between them. He looks so perfect and sweet and god, Eddie doesn’t want to hate him anymore. 

Steve does a tiny finger wave and Eddie feels his heart flip at the sight and he tries so hard not to laugh. 

“You guys scared the shit outta me,” Eddie tells them, stepping back into the boat and running a hand over his face as he sits. 

Dustin moves into the boathouse with the other three trailing behind him. He walks over to the other side of the room, putting the bags next to the boat and pulls up a seat next to Eddie. 

“Sorry, man,” Dustin apologises, pulling out a box of cereal. “We bought some sustenance.”

Eddie has to chuckle at the kids’ use of wording. He takes the box of cereal and rips into it, shoving a handful into his mouth. 

Steve leans on a pole next to them, crossing his arms over his chest. Eddie can see him out of the corner of his eye and he resists as Dustin begins talking. 

“So we got… uh, some good news and some bad news. How do you prefer it?”

“Bad news first, always,” Eddie responds with his mouth full of cereal.

“Alright, bad news.” Dustin sighs. “We tapped into the Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro, and they’re definitely looking for you.”

Fuck! 

Eddie fucking knew it. When he left Chrissy in the trailer, he expected that he would be suspect number one, but now that the police are actually after him, he’s absolutely freaked out about it. 

“Also, they’re… uh… pretty convinced you killed Chrissy,” Dustin adds. 

“Like one hundred percent kind of convinced,” Max explains. 

Yeah he fucking knew that. 

“And the good news?” Eddie asks. 

Robin’s the one to answer. “Your name hasn’t gone public yet.” Well that is good news. “But if we found out about you, it’s a matter of time before others do. And once that gets out, everyone and their shallow-minded mother is gonna be gunning for you.”

Less good news. 

Eddie’s always been a freak, he knows that, but he never would have thought that it would have come to this. 

“Hunt the freak, right?” Eddie spits. 

Steve tenses beside him and Eddie flashes a quick look towards him. He’s biting his lip, hands tightened on his arms and has a tight pinch to his brows. If Eddie could guess, he would think that Steve is… concerned?

“Well, before that happens, we need to find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence,” Dustin explains, obviously trying to bring up Eddie’s mood. 

But Eddie’s not having it. “That’s all, Dustin? That’s all?” he snaps. 

“Yeah, no, that’s pretty much it,” Dustin says, clearly oblivious. 

“Listen, Eddie,” Robin starts. “I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we’ve actually been through this before.” Wait, seriously? “I mean, they have a… few times…” Eddie looks towards Steve who nods to corroborate what Robin is saying, “and… and I have once. Mine was more human-flesh-based, theirs was more smoke-related, but the bottom line is, collectively, I really feel we got this.”

Eddie’s totally overwhelmed. He’s been trying to wrap his head around this crap and every time his mind repels in every idea. 

Steve finally speaks up and it grounds Eddie that little bit more. “We usually rely on this girl who has super powers. But uh, those went bye-bye, so…”

Robin attempts to finish his sentence. “So we’re technically in more of the-”

“-kinda…” 

God they’re bad at this. 

“Brainstorming phase,” Max finishes. 

Steve clicks his fingers and smirks. “Brainstorming.”

“There’s… there’s nothing to worry about,” Dustin splutters, to which Steve scoffs. It’s really not making him feel any better.

Dustin glares at Steve who shrugs at the kid, before they’re all distracted by the sound of sirens. 

Shit. Shit. Shit! 

“Shit,” Steve hisses, like he’s reading Eddie’s mind. He looks over to Eddie, eyes wide, full of worry and for a slight second his heart melts, until he remembers that there’s police coming for him. 

“Tarp.” Robin gestures to the tarp in the boat. “Tarp. Tarp!”

Eddie launches forward and grabs onto the tarp before pulling it over himself, hiding himself in the boat once again. 

There’s a few moments of just sirens and Eddie’s heavy breathing, until the sirens disappear into the distance and the entire boat house is quiet. Eddie thinks maybe the group has left until he hears their footsteps moving along the floorboards. 

“They’re gone Eddie,” Dustin says, helping him remove the tarp. “But we’ve gotta go find out what’s happening okay?” Eddie doesn’t really want them to go, but knows that they have to go and investigate, so he nods. “We’ll be back later alright?”

“Yeah. Sure. I’ll be here,” Eddie responds. 

Dustin flashes him a reassuring glance before getting up from his crouch and walks swiftly to the door with Robin and Max trailing behind him. 

Eddie doesn’t even realise that Steve’s hung behind until he hears him sigh. Eddie turns around only to be met with those eyes that he adores. Steve clearly wants to say something but seems to be having some trouble actually saying it. 

“Um… sorry. Are you… fuck… are you okay?” Steve asks. It’s definitely not what he wanted to say. 

“I’m being hunted for not killing a girl who I was actually friends with and the guy I have a tonne of history with is attempting to help me, but yeah, I’m totally fine.”

Steve flinches. “I’m s-”

“Don’t worry about it Stevie. You’d better go.” Eddie speaks way too quickly that he doesn’t even think that he’s used that nickname for Steve until he’s said it. 

Steve fumbles around, stuttering and making illegible sounds before pointing to the door with a nervous grin and walking through it. 

Eddie groans and puts his face into his hands. 

He’s really fucked up. 

Steve

“Okay, she’s in.”

Max has just walked into her school counselors house, under the premise of wanting to talk about her problems but actually looking for information linking Ms Kelley to Chrissy. 

Dustin and Steve are stuck in the car, with Steve, once again, as the god damn babysitter, while Nancy and Robin go research leads. 

Why he always gets stuck with the shitheads, Steve will never know. 

“I’m missing collarbones, not eyes,” Dustin responds. 

Steve doesn’t wanna put up with Dustin’s shit right now, he needs to be focused on making sure Max comes back out okay. 

After a few moments of silence, “so… are we going to talk about… it?”

Steve isn’t paying attention, so it takes him a couple of seconds to process what Dustin has said. “Huh? Sorry, talk about what?”

“Your temporary insanity earlier today when you almost threw yourself at Eddie?”

What? What did he see? 

Dustin wasn’t in the room when Eddie accidentally slipped up and called him Stevie earlier today - which he can’t help repeating over and over in his mind - but he was definitely trying his best not to stare at the guy. Maybe Dustin’s being a little more observant and noticing the tension between them. 

That definitely gets Steve’s attention. “W-what? That’s not what happened.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s what happened. I saw the eyes that you two made at each other, even last night.”

“Dustin, you’re reading way too much into-”

“Oh come on Steve. Do you think I’m that stupid?”

Steve’s really gotta try and get Dustin off this thought process. “Are you implying that I have a thing for Eddie?”

“I’m not implying, I’m stating. We all saw it. And it explains your complete refusal to date Robin, it’s pretty much the only logical explanation.”

Is Dustin really okay with Steve possibly having a thing with another guy? He doesn’t seem like he’s ready to call him a freak and shun him from his life. Dustin seems okay with it. 

Steve’s not going to risk it. 

“It’s not the only logical explanation. I was trying to… protect a friend.” Dustin opens his mouth to protest so Steve cuts him off. “A friend, Henderson. Okay?”

“Okay,” Dustin agrees. Steve doesn’t believe him. 

“I don’t wanna find him with his eyes sucked out of his skull by this Vecna creep, or have him be arrested for something he didn’t do.”

Dustin laughs, “you’re bright red in the face right now.”

Damn his stupid reactions and stupid feelings.

“I’m not. I don’t wanna talk about it,” Steve demands, turning back to his supervision of Ms Kelley’s house but he can still hear him laughing beside him. “I’ll punch you so hard your teeth will fall back out.”

“Woah.” Steve glances over only to be faced with Dustin’s seriousness. “Too far.”

Oh yep, way too far. 

“Not cool, sorry,” Steve apologises. 

“Not cool. It’s okay.” 

They nod their heads in agreement of their argument being settled and fist bump each other quickly before turning their attention back to the house. 

Steve’s really gotta watch how he acts around Eddie or he’s going to have a lot more conversations like this one. 

~

Steve’s panicking as they pull up in front of Reefer Rick’s place, taking in the police cars and news vans blocking its view. 

They’d come up empty on their search for Vecna. He’s definitely stuck in the Upside Down and they have no idea how to get in to kill him, or even how Vecna’s committing these murders, which has now killed two people - after the death of Fred Benson yesterday. And now they have to break the news to Eddie, who is obviously not here. 

They’d just come to deliver more supplies - including the six pack that Eddie requested, of course - and now the group, including Nancy and Lucas, are sneaking beside a news van and listening to the press conference given by Chief Powell - who had taken on the mantle after the death of Chief Hopper. 

Last night, Vecna struck again. This time, Patrick McKinney from the basketball team was killed, the same way Chrissy and Fred had been. But this time, apparently there was a witness who saw Eddie at the scene. 

And the Chief announced his name for the entire Hawkins community to hear. 

Steve can feel his stomach drop and the anxiety sets in. Where is Eddie? Is he safe? What if he’s hurt? What if Vecna got him too? 

“This is not good. Really not good.” Steve doesn’t even realise that he’s said anything until the group turns around to look at him. 

As Chief Powell finishes his press conference, Steve can’t help but worry about everything that could have happened to Eddie and how he’s never going to get the chance to tell Eddie exactly how he feels, and how sorry he is that things have turned out the way they did. 

Steve regrets everything he’s ever said or done to Eddie to make them despise each other. Even though Steve knows he doesn’t despise Eddie one bit, and he’s hoping, judging by the way he acts around Steve at the moment, maybe Eddie doesn’t despise him as much as he thinks. 

“Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?” 

For a moment, Steve thinks he’s dreaming. He’s imagining Eddie’s voice because there’s no way he could be talking right now. 

However, when Dustin pulls out the walkie, Steve breathes a sigh of relief. 

He’s okay. He’s okay. 

“Eddie, holy shit. Are you okay?” Dustin hisses into the walkie. 

“Nah, man. Pretty… pretty goddamn far from okay.”

He sounds just as freaked out as he did the other night. Steve’s heart aches at the thought of the fear in Eddie’s eyes. 

Steve’s about to ask where he is but Robin beats him to the punch. “Where is he?”

“Where are you?” Dustin asks Eddie. 

“Skull Rock. Do you know it?”

Skull Rock. One of the places that holds so many memories for Steve of Eddie. He can still remember the sounds that Eddie made as he had him pressed against the rock and how Eddie’s hands felt all over his body. 

But also the memory of leaving, absolutely heartbroken. 

“Uh yeah. That’s near Cornwallis and-” Dustin starts. 

“Garrett, yeah. I know where that is,” Steve finishes, grabbing Nancy’s keys and making a beeline for the car. 

Nancy frowns in confusion but doesn’t mention anything about Steve driving her mum’s wagon. Steve’s thankful that she doesn’t. 

“Hold tight. We’re coming. We’re coming,” Dustin reassures Eddie. 

Once they’re in the car, Steve all but speeds the distance to Skull Rock. He needs to see Eddie. Needs to make sure that he’s okay. 

Honestly, Steve doesn’t know what he would do if he loses Eddie. He’s the one person who understands him and knows exactly the type of person he is. And Steve was stupid enough to push him away. 

He won’t let it happen again. 

Steve practically flies out of the driver’s seat when they arrive. Of course there’s a walk to the rock and Steve knows exactly where to go but Dustin’s insisting that his fucking compass is leading them the right way. 

“Dude, I’m telling you. The compass is taking us the wrong way.”

Dustin glances at the compass, he’s got a map tucked under his arm. “It’s North. I’m positive. I checked the map.”

Steve resists blurting out that he knows exactly where he’s going, but Dustin’s already suspicious of his feelings for Eddie. So he stays calm and collected. Maybe he can use his previous ladies man history to cover. 

“You do realise that Skull Rock, it’s a super popular make out spot?” Steve prompts. 

“Yeah. So?” Dustin replies, not even looking up from the compass. 

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t popular until I made it popular. Alright? I practically invented it.” Dustin screws up his nose. “We’re going the wrong way.”

Sick of waiting, Steve moves to push through the brush, heading into the correct direction. 

“Steve. Where are you going?” Dustin calls after him. He’s obviously not happy that he’s wrong. “Steve!”

“Stop whining. Let’s go. Trust me.” It’s one of the most important places to Steve. He would know. 

After a few more minutes of walking, Dustin whining and groaning behind him as Steve tries not to run towards Skull Rock and the rest of the group following at the back, Steve can finally see the rock formation through the trees. Steve’s heart pounds in his chest as he pushes his way through trying to find some sign of Eddie. 

Steve tries to act as casually as he can. “Bada bing, bada boom. There she is, Henderson. Skull Rock.” He makes his way in closer and glances around. There’s no sign of Eddie. So he decides to poke fun at the little twerp who thinks he knows everything. “In your face, man. In your stupid, cocky little face. 

Dustin glances at his compass and up at Skull Rock. “Doesn’t make sense.”

“Yeah, yeah. Even with it staring you in the face, you can’t admit it.” Steve pretends to casually look around, watching out for the brown curls he loves. He pretends to mock Dustin before settling his hands on his hips in his mom pose as the kids call it. “Can’t admit you’re wrong, you butthead.”

The sound of shoes jumping on rocks has Steve and Dustin snapping their heads toward the noise behind them. Steve instantly feels relief as he takes in Eddie’s mop of curly hair and fucking gorgeous eyes. 

“I concur,” Eddie begins, shoving his hands into his back pockets. “You, Dustin Henderson, are a… total butthead.”

“Jesus, we thought you were a goner,” Dustin exclaims, moving forward to wrap Eddie up in a hug. 

Eddie hesitates reciprocating the hug, obviously not expecting the form of relief, but slaps Dustin on the back warmly. “Yeah, me too man.” Eddie releases Dustin from the hug and gives him a playful pat on the shoulder. “Me too.” 

His eyes move over to Steve, their eyes once again meeting in a flash of warm electricity. Steve almost feels trapped in their gaze. Eddie breaks the tension with a quick nod towards him and a slight smile to which Steve reciprocates in kind. 

Maybe they’re finally moving on from their past.

On further inspection, Steve notices there’s nothing out of place on Eddie. He’s not bleeding, no sign of injuries and he looks like he’s all in one piece. Steve has never felt more thankful than he is now. 

The rest of the group catches up and filters into the same place that Steve and Eddie left a piece of themselves the last time they were here. 

Steve wonders if Eddie feels the same connection.

Eddie

Seeing Steve standing in the same position they were almost two years ago. 

Though this time, they’re keeping their clothes on. 

Eddie thanks the powers-that-be that he managed to find another walkie to alert Steve and the gang. After his night stuck in the woods, alone and completely soaked from his swim in the lake fully clothed, it feels great to have company. 

Eddie really needs to get the image of Patrick in the air going through the same torture that Chrissy endured. Jason was absolutely furious, under the impression that he killed Chrissy and Eddie wouldn’t be surprised that Jason will pin this whole thing with Patrick on him. 

Eddie relays all of this information to the group while he crouches underneath the rock formation. He’s trying to appear nonchalant about the whole thing, be his usual Eddie self, but he’s sure that Steve can see right through it. He’s watching Eddie with that look in his eyes, trying to convey that it’s not his fault. 

Their conversation proved to be extremely productive and informative. Turns out that the gang had checked out some old house - termed the Creel House after the murders of a family in the 50s - and in the process had a strange encounter with their flashlights going ‘kablooey' - as Robin labeled it. They discussed the different ways they could kill Vecna - Max suggested a stake in the heart which made Steve ask if Vecna is a vampire and Eddie almost drooled over his adorable cluelessness - but ran into the roadblock of Vecna being in the Upside Down. 

However, Dustin - the brilliant and sometimes annoying child - figured out something was wrong with his compass. It told them that there was a gate open, one that might be able to lead them to Vecna. 

Eddie was pleasantly surprised when Steve spoke up about how stupid it was to take Eddie walking in the woods while he’s wanted for murder. He tried his hardest to hide the smile that grew but managed to catch the attention of Robin and Nancy. Robin’s face was unreadable, like she knew something, and Nancy just looked plain confused. 

But Dustin had made an interesting point. That by following the compass and finding that gate, Eddie and Max - who is being cursed by Vecna - could be saved. 

So here they are, making their way through the woods, in the dark as they search for some gate that leads to an alternate dimension. 

Dustin’s speeding through the trees, glancing at his compass regularly and moving with the rest of the group trailing behind. Eddie tries to keep up with him, worried he’s going to walk into something without realising. 

That’s when Eddie realises where they are. 

“Dustin!” Eddie calls out.

“We’re getting close!” Dustin calls back, rushing further forward. 

If Eddie doesn’t stop him now, Dustin’s gonna run straight into…

Reaching out and grabbing onto Dustin’s backpack, Eddie pulls the kid back to stop falling into Lover’s Lake. “Watch’s your step, big guy.”

They’re both staring out towards the water, wondering where the hell this gate is when Eddie hears the footsteps from their group behind them, before hearing Steve’s breathing as he stops next to Eddie. 

“You gotta be shitting me,” Steve sighs. 

The warmth buzzing from Steve’s body through to Eddie’s makes the cold air feel so much warmer. Eddie almost wants to reach out and touch him. 

“I thought these woods were familiar,” Eddie explains. 

“Lover’s Lake,” Robin states. 

“This is confounding,” Dustin says. 

“There’s a gate in Lover’s lake?” Max asks.

Nancy speaks from beside Steve. “Whenever the Demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecna’s the same way?”

“Yeah,” Steve agrees without looking up. “Only one way to find out.”

Steve is the first one to break away from the group, heading towards a set of trees that look extremely familiar. It’s where a boat sits, in which Steve and Eddie push into the water. 

It’s decided that the oldest of the group will go in the boat, and Eddie can tell that Steve is worried that he’ll be left behind to babysit the twerps, but Eddie will make sure that he’s in the boat with them. He wants Steve anywhere that he is. 

Eddie’s definitely close to admitting his feelings for the guy again. And it’s kinda terrifying. 

Steve tries to offer a hand to Robin to get in - making Eddie all mushy inside - but she places a hand on both of their heads as she steps into the boat. Eddie steps in and turns to offer Nancy a hand onto the boat. He gives Steve a quick smile hoping that he’ll get in after he pushes the boat out. 

Dustin tries to get on the boat, so Eddie pushes him away. No way he’s losing this kid in the water. “Hey, hey, hey. You trying to sink us? This things holds three people, tops. Okay?” Steve glances up, a sweet little puppy dog look to which Eddie gives a nod. 

“It’s better this way, okay? You guys stay here with Max. Keep an eye out for trouble,” Nancy says, stepping towards the edge of the boat. 

“You keep an eye out,” Dustin complains, to which Steve and Nancy both raise their eyebrows. “It’s my goddamn theory.”

“You heard Nance,” Robin adds. 

“Who put her in charge?” Dustin screeches.

“I did,” Robin says straight away. Nancy flashes a small smile at her. 

“Compass?” Nancy asks with her hand out, which Dustin reluctantly gives. 

Eddie and the girls get settled in, Eddie sitting at the front so he row. Steve begins pushing the boat out before jumping in quickly. Eddie beams at him before starting to row. 

“You said three!” Dustin complains, again. 

Eddie can hear Steve whispering a sarcastic “sorry” and has to stifle a laugh, just imagining Dustin’s face. 

It takes a couple of minutes, rowing quietly with Robin, only the sound of the four of them breathing and the water lapping around the oars and the boat. Eddie thinks it’d be relaxing if he wasn’t trying to find some weird gate in the middle of the lake. 

“Woah, woah, woah. Slow down. Slow down guys,” Nancy alerts. Eddie and Robin stop the boat before pulling the oars in and turning to face Steve and Nancy. 

They all look down at the compass, which is spinning around in a fast circle. It’s definitely not what a compass should be doing. 

“Woah,” Steve breathes. 

The walkie crackles and Dustin’s voice floats out. “Guys, what’s going on?” 

“Uh Dustin, your compass has gone from wonky to wonky with a capital ‘aah’,” Robin relays. 

Steve begins to take off his shoes. Where the fuck is he going? 

Before Eddie can ask, Nancy speaks first. “Steve, what are you doing?” 

Steve continues to take off his shoes, followed by his socks. “Somebody’s gotta go down and check this thing out. Unless you three can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years, then… it’s gotta be me. No complaints, alright?” Steve aims the last sentence at Eddie. 

Eddie wants to speak up, tell him he’s crazy and he’s lost his mind. But Steve’s eyeing him off like he knows Eddie is going to say something.

“Hey, I’m not complaining…” Eddie starts until he spots Steve standing up and removing his sweater. 

Oh, holy shit.

Eddie tries not to look but it’s so hard to drag his eyes away from the gorgeous body directly in front of him. The freckles on Steve’s back stand out in the moonlight. The muscles in his back flex with each movement and Eddie’s eyes trail down to Steve’s incredible ass.  

Gotta ignore it or it’s going to be a huge problem. 

He busies himself by grabbing a plastic bag and emptying it and putting a flashlight in the bag and sealing it up as best as he can. He’s got his smokes in his mouth so he pulls them out as he holds the flashlight out to Steve. 

“Hey Steve.” Steve turns around and god, he looks fucking incredible. The torchlight illuminates his face and shows off those goddamn moles speckled on his face. The ones that Eddie loves to kiss. 

Oh Jesus fucking Christ. This isn’t going to end well. Especially with Steve looking at him like that. 

“Good luck.” Be safe. Come back to me. 

Steve gives him a soft smile, glancing up and down Eddie’s body before muttering a quick, “thanks.”

I really need a fucking smoke. 

Eddie rips open into his packet of cigarettes and pulls one out, placing it between his lips. He’s about to light it up when Steve’s yellow sweater hits him in the face, the smell of Steve everywhere. He grabs onto it tightly and catches a quick mischievous glance before Steve turns back to the water. 

Fuck, he’s so hot. Holy fuck. 

Eddie needs to light his cigarette. But before he can light it, Robin’s pulling it out of his mouth and throwing it into the water. “Ew, gross.” Eddie flashes a warning stare at her, which she responds to with a shrug. 

Eddie can feel Robin’s eyes on him as he eyes Steve off. He hasn’t seen him like this in almost a year. He’s dying. Robin must know about their history. 

Steve takes a deep breath and before Eddie knows it, Steve’s diving gracefully into the water and down to the bottom of the lake. 

Please don’t die. 

Steve

Can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. 

Steve really thought that he could be the hero. Swim down to find the gate. Find a way to save Max. 

And Eddie. 

But of course, Steve is an idiot. He was a fool to think that it could work out that way. 

After finding the gate at the bottom of the lake, Steve found himself being dragged through said gate by a vine wrapped around his ankle. 

Steve was greeted into the Upside Down with thunder and flashes of red lighting illuminating the dark clouds, and a hoard of bats. 

Well, bats is a simplified term.

More like bats cross demogorgon. 

Oh, and with tails.

Tails just like the one that’s currently wrapped around his neck and cutting off his oxygen. He’d tried to fight them off, gripping an oar from a vine wrapped boat, but the tendril wrapped itself around his neck and pulled him to the ground. 

He’s currently trying to swat the bats trying to take a bite out of him, while trying to release some of the tension around his neck. It’s getting harder as his vision is starting to go fuzzy, the bats finally sinking their teeth into the flesh of his abdomen. The pain is overwhelming, but he’s on the edge, feeling like his whole body is about to fall off a cliff. 

But he doesn’t. 

A voice brings him back to reality. A familiar gravelly tone that Steve has always adored. 

Eddie. He’s here. 

Steve can see the swing of an oar above his body, swatting off a bat that was going to town on Steve’s stomach. Eddie screams as he swings the oar, shouting, “fuck off, you piece of shit” and if Steve could laugh, he would. 

The other bat is fought off, the bat’s tail the only thing for Steve to focus on. He grips onto the tail, trying to get it off. Steve can hear the girls swatting at the other bats flying around, all while Eddie mutters a string of curses at the bats he’s hitting. 

In another instant, Nancy and Robin are overtaken by a bat trying to claw its way onto Nancy’s back. Robin pulls at its tail and hits at it, trying to avoid Nancy’s head. Steve manages to manoeuvre the tail up towards his chin, enough to sink his teeth into the slimy skin. 

It’s disgusting and all Steve can taste is metallic tang of blood. But it works, the grip on his neck loosens and he can finally breathe. The air feels euphoric and his lungs burn at the sharp intake. But he can’t stop now. 

Steve grips the tail and swings the bat to the ground, slamming it from one side to the other as hard and fast as he can. The bat stops moving so Steve presses his foot onto the bat’s middle and pulls, ripping its body apart and throwing it to the ground. 

Like a knee jerk reaction, Steve spits out the bat blood in his mouth, sighing as the feeling of being able to breathe and to stop freaking out. 

Almost missing it, Steve hears Eddie groan and whisper a pained “fuck” under his breath, but when Steve turns around, Eddie’s looking the other way, panting hard as he drops the oar. 

“Oh my god, Steve! Are you okay?” Nancy asks, rushing over to him. 

“Jesus Christ. Jesus H. Christ!” Eddie shouts. 

Nancy grabs onto his shoulder, spinning Steve around to assess his wounds. Steve gasps at the feeling of her hands on his skin. Not in the same way it felt back when they were dating. 

“Well, they took about a pound of flesh,” Steve jokes, but groans when he laughs from the pain. “But other than that, yeah, never better.”

“Uh… do you guys think these bats have… rabies?” Robin asks, probing the bat with a stick. 

“What?” Steve asks. Robin’s strange but not this strange. 

“It’s just that rabies are like… my number one greatest fear. And I think that we should get you to a doctor soon because once the symptoms set in, it’s too late. You’re already dead.”

What the fuck? 

Steve has no idea what to say to that, so he just glares at Robin trying to convey how absolutely confused he is. And he’s pretty sure that Nancy is feeling the exact same. 

The sound of bats screeching has all their attention turned to the cloudy sky. Robin and Eddie rush over to Steve and Nancy, Eddie standing pretty close to Steve’s shoulder. Steve tries not to get distracted by the spark it gives him, which turns out to not be that hard. Especially when a group of bats swarm in front of the gate, blocking their exit. 

“Okay, there’s not that many,” Steve says. Surely they can take them. 

It’s a short lived thought when their attention is grabbed by a large swarm of bats heading towards them. Steve hears himself groan in exasperation when Robin asks sarcastically, “you were saying?”

Steve wonders what the hell they’re going to do? It’s a deathwish if they wait around to fight them. He’s hoping and praying that Nancy comes up with something. She always does. 

His prayer is answered. 

“The woods. Come on!” Nancy yells, turning and running towards the woods. 

Steve ignores the pain in his lungs and abdomen, following Nancy and Eddie before hearing Robin groan, “great. More running,” as she follows behind them. 

It seems like they’re running for hours, heading back the way they came with Dustin, Max and Lucas earlier. Running for their lives. Steve can hear Eddie behind him, panting harshly. As much as he didn’t want Eddie, or any of the girls, to follow him, he’s glad he did. At least he’s alive. And not alone. 

They finally reach Skull Rock and Nancy leads them under a rock to hide from the bats who fly above them. There’s so many of them and they all watch as they fly past. 

Steve’s wedged between Nancy and Eddie, feeling the heaving bodies while they pant from their exertion. It’s kind of strange, being stuck between the two people who have known Steve intimately and sexually. Though, the only person he’s drawn to is the dark metal head beside him. Two years ago, he would have killed to have been next to Nancy, just feeling her next to him. 

But now, all he wants is to be closer to Eddie. Closer than what he is now. He’s honestly so into him and those feelings are definitely not going away. 

If only he could get Eddie alone. 

The bats finally disappear, only the sounds of their screeching in the distance being the only reminder that they are around. 

Robin’s the first one to sneak out of their hiding place. “Oh… okay.” She glances around and breathes a sigh of relief. “That was close.”

Eddie laughs. “Yeah. Too close.”

The rest of them filter out, Steve at the back, when Steve begins to feel his world spinning. His stomach burns in pain and he the next thing he feels is his body pressed against the cold rock as he tries to keep himself up. 

“Steve?” Eddie asks, rushing over to grab onto his shoulder. “Man, are you okay?” 

Steve smiles weakly at Eddie’s concern, the worry in his voice. “I’m fine, Eds. Really.”

Eddie lets out a nervous laugh - it’s so sweet that Steve wants to wrap him up in his arms. “Nah, dude. You’re not. I’m pretty sure you’re losing blood. Come on. Sit down.” Steve obliges as Eddie helps him onto the ground. 

“Here,” Nancy says, ripping a section off her shirt and passing it to Eddie. “Use this.”

Eddie smiles at her and she returns it with a soft one of her own, making more strips of bandage from her shirt.  “Thanks Wheeler.”

Their eyes meet as Eddie moves Steve’s hand from his waist, feeling the cold air on the wound from the bat bites. He groans, not just from the pain, but from the large calloused fingers resting on his skin. 

Robin crouches down next to Steve, dragging his attention away from Eddie’s hands. “So the good news is that I’m pretty sure wooziness is not a common symptom of rabies. But if you start having hallucinations or muscle spasms or you start feeling aggressive, like you wanna punch me, let me know, okay?”

“Robin?” Steve pants.

“Yeah?”

“I kinda wanna punch you,” Steve jokes. 

Robin laughs at him, and it’s tinged with relief. “Sense of humour’s still intact. That’s a good sign.” 

Steve laughs softly and watches as Eddie prepares the fabric in his hands. Eddie watches him from underneath his dark lashes, a worried but confident look on his face. 

“You ready, Stevie?” Eddie asks. 

Stevie. Again. 

Steve feels his breath leave his body but manages to get out a breathy, “yeah,” to which Eddie smiles at before wrapping the fabric over Steve’s waist. Steve gasps and winces at the pain, but it only lasts for a moment before the warmth and comfort settle onto his skin. 

Eddie is so focused, tongue between his teeth, as he wraps Steve’s wounds. His fingers graze along his skin as he moves behind Steve’s body and Steve runs his hand through his hair to distract himself from the feeling. 

It’s so good. Having Eddie’s fingers running against the skin of his waist, having his breath on his body as he leans in to reach behind Steve. 

God, it’s so hard to not have feelings for him. 

Steve groans loudly as Eddie tightens the bandage a little too tight and he whispers a soft, “sorry b-” before freezing. 

Was he- Was he about to call him… baby? 

Holy shit. 

Eddie turns his attention back to Steve’s wounds, trying to avoid Steve’s gaze. Steve can’t help it. He’s hooked now. 

When Eddie tightens the bandage again, he looks at up Steve and asks, “is this okay?”

Steve nods. “Yeah, it’s… it’s good.”

Eddie secures the bandage with a knot and runs his hands up along Steve’s ribs before pulling them away like he’s been burnt. 

God, Steve wishes they were alone. He’d be telling Eddie so many things about how he’s feeling. So many things. 

Instead he says, “thanks” to which he gets a gentle smile as Eddie gets up off his knees and walks towards the talller rocks. 

Robin steps to Steve’s side and helps him onto his feet. “Oh my god, what was all that about?”

Steve shakes his head. “I… have no idea.”

“Well, I think Eddie’s totally in love with you. That’s what it looked like to me,” Robin explains, making sure Steve is stable on his feet before letting go. 

It’s all Steve wants, but surely it’s too good to be true. 

“So… uh… this place is like Hawkins but with monsters and nasty shit?” Eddie asks from his place at the top of the rock. 

“Pretty much,” Nancy answers. Eddie nods once with a concerned understanding before attempting to climb down the rock. “Wait, watch out for the vine,” Nancy calls out. 

When Steve looks, Eddie’s extremely close to standing on a vine and he freezes at the sound of Nancy’s voice. 

“It’s all a hive mind,” Nancy explains. 

“It’s all a what?” Eddie asks.

“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,” Steve describes. 

Eddie looks wide-eyed at the vine and mutters a quick, “shit,” which just makes Steve chuckle on the inside, as he climbs down the rock, this time completely avoiding the vines. 

As Steve watches while Eddie clumsily slides down the rock, Robin pipes up. “But everything from our world is still here, right? Except people, obviously?”

“As far as I understand it, yes.” Nancy responds.

“So, theoretically, we could go to the police station and steal guns and grenades and whatever we need to blow up those bat things that are guarding the gate?” Robin’s right. It’s probably the best idea they have right now. Though Steve doesn’t think they’d have grenades anywhere in Hawkins. 

“Yeah, but I highly doubt that the Hawkins PD has grenades, Robin. Guns, yeah, sure.”

Nancy perks up. “Well, we don’t have to go all the way downtown for guns. I have guns in my bedroom.” 

Two years ago, Steve would have never expected Nancy to have guns, but here they are. Steve watches as Eddie’s eyes widen in shock as he jumps from the rock.

“You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural, in your bedroom?”

“Full of surprises isn’t she?” Robin compliments. 

Nancy chuckles at the compliment. “A Russian Makarov and a revolver.”

“Yeah, you almost shot me with that one,” Steve jokes, smiling at his and Nancy’s shared history. It was the start of his life turnaround and also his introduction to the Upside Down. It’s always a big part in his life, even if there’s no feelings of love towards Nancy. 

Nancy grins back at him. “You almost deserved it.”

He likes this Nancy. The Nancy, who can joke around, think about their time together as something important in their past. 

In one moment, Steve’s smiling back at Nancy and the next, he has a denim vest thrown in his face. Steve and Nancy glance at Eddie who’s staring back with an unreadable expression on his face. 

“For your modesty, dude.” 

Steve glares back at Eddie. What’s his problem? He almost looks… jealous?

An earthquake hits and breaks Steve from his thoughts about Eddie. He’s more focused on trying not to fall over, which thankfully he doesn’t by being able to lean onto the rocks behind them and supporting Nancy with him. He watches as Eddie and Robin hold onto each other and topple onto the ground. 

Once the earth stops moving, none of them moves like they’re waiting for another earthquake to hit. It doesn’t. But they do hear the sound of the bats screeching, even louder than before. 

“Yeah, so guns seem like a pretty good idea to me,” Eddie states. 

“Yeah, me too,” Robin agrees. 

Steve shucks into the vest, relishing in the warmth and the scent of Eddie. He’s never going to give this vest back. 

“So what are we waiting for?” Steve announces, starting to lead the group towards the direction of the Wheeler’s home. 

As he walks, he can feel the gaze of Eddie’s eyes roaming over his body, and Steve loves it. 

Eddie

What a fucking day. 

When Eddie found his way to Skull Rock, running away from Jason and the cops, he would have never thought that he would be stuck in an alternate dimension with Nancy, Robin and Steve. 

Especially Steve. 

Steve who’s been looking at Eddie a little differently. With maybe a little more… attention. He doesn’t miss the quick glances over Eddie’s body. He doesn’t miss that gleam in Steve’s eyes when they smile at each other. 

And that fucking smile. Eddie could stare at him all day. 

He’s perfect. 

Eddie was so scared when Steve got dragged under the water. He almost felt a part of him die. But there was some part of him that thought “he can’t be dead” and “I can save him”. So Eddie did something he never thought he would do. 

He dove in after Steve. 

Eddie’s lungs burnt as he held his breath while swimming towards the glowing red gate at the bottom of the lake. The only thought on his mind was Steve. And the most important thing was trying to save him. 

So when Eddie saw Steve being strangled and attacked by bats, he grabbed the closest object - an oar - and ran to save Steve. Eddie’s heart pounded as he swatted the bats away from Steve and from himself and he tried not to smile like a giddy moron when Steve took a bite out of the bat strangling him. 

However, Eddie wasn’t prepared for what he saw as he turned around. 

Steve. Splitting a bat in two with his bare hands. Spitting blood onto the ground. 

Eddie felt something stir inside him and his jeans felt a lot tighter. 

It was the hottest thing that Eddie has ever seen. 

Even better than seeing Steve pulling on his vest that Eddie jealously threw at the guy from a sweet smile towards his ex. 

Now he’s walking in the middle of the group, Nancy and Robin chatting at the front as they walk through the woods. Eddie can hear Steve’s footsteps behind him and the crunch of branches and leaves under his feet and he tries to think of something to say that’s not going to make him seem like an idiot. 

“Hey, Eddie.” He doesn’t even register that Steve’s talking to him. “Eddie, hey… uh…” Steve grabs onto Eddie’s shoulder and Eddie shudders from the touch but looks at him while they walk. 

Steve drops his hand. “Listen, man… I just… uh…”

Eddie chuckles at Steve fumbling around his words. “Having a bit of trouble there, Stevie?”

There’s no missing the shudder that Steve exhibits at the nickname and Eddie spots the goosebumps on his skin. He smirks proudly. 

“Shut up, man. I’m trying to be nice here.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Your Majesty.” Eddie bows enthusiastically, eliciting a soft laugh and a roll of Steve’s eyes. 

“God, you’re an idiot,” Steve laughs. Eddie could listen to his laugh all the time. It’s suddenly quiet as they walk side by side. “Uh… well just… I wanted to say thanks. For… saving my ass back there.”

The softness of Steve’s voice pulls at his chest. “Shit… uh… you saved your own ass, man.” Steve scoffs, keeps his head down as he walks. “I mean, that was a real Ozzy move you pulled back there.”

Steve’s face morphs into confusion. “Ozzy?”

“When you took a bite out of that bat.” Steve doesn’t answer. “Ozzy Osbourne.” Steve glances at him and shrugs before focusing completely on shining the torch around the ground. “Black Sabbath?” Of course he has no idea who Ozzy Osbourne is. How does he not know! “He bit a bat’s head off onstage-”

“I don’t-” 

God he’s clueless. 

“You know?” 

“No.” 

“Doesn’t matter. It’s very metal, what you did. That’s all I’m saying.”

Steve smiles. “Thanks.” Eddie swears he can see a blush creep onto his face. 

“Henderson kept telling me you were a badass. Insisted on the matter, in fact. I of course had no idea that you were an actual fucking monster hunter,” Eddie finishes the sentence with a laugh, eliciting one from Steve.

“Henderson said that?” 

“Oh yeah. Shit. Kid worships you, dude.” Eddie kind of does too. “I never realised how close you guys are.”

“Yeah well, being the babysitter will do that. I’m kind of stuck with him,” Steve jokes. 

“It’s kind of annoying to be honest, he talks about you all the time.”

Steve is silent, breathing deeply. “He talks about you all the time too. It makes it harder to forget about you.”

Is this really happening? 

Eddie laughs nervously. “I don’t even know why I care what that little shrimp thinks, but… uh… I guess I got a little bit jealous, Steve.”

Steve stumbles a little. “What? Why?”

“I guess… I just couldn’t get over that you were actually a good guy, and not the complete asshole I assumed you still were.” Eddie’s worried that he’s going to blurt out a little more information than he’d actually like, but he also doesn’t care. These feelings for Steve have been bubbling up for months now. Maybe it’s time to get them out into the open. “I was jealous of the girls you were probably with, the ease you have to move on from me. I was jealous that Dustin saw you more than I did. That he gets to see all those incredible parts of you.” 

Steve makes a strangled noise and his face remains unreadable. Eddie’s so worried that he’s put his foot in it and he’s made a total ass of himself. Maybe he’s misread the whole situation?

“Which is why I jumped in that lake to save your ass.” They both stop, turning to face each other. “Outside of D&D I’m no hero. I see danger and I just turn heel and run.” Steve’s eyes flick down to Eddie’s lips, a little longer than usual. “But, when you were dragged down to the bottom of that lake… I don’t know, man… I-” 

Eddie’s cut off by Steve's lips pressed against his. It takes Eddie’s breath away and it feels like it’s right. Steve’s lips are as soft as they were the last time they kissed and Eddie feels a warmth flooding through his body. 

God, he’s missed this. 

When Eddie begins reciprocating the kiss, Steve steps in closer, bringing their bodies flush together. His hand moves into Eddie’s hair, his curls wrapping around Steve’s fingers. 

It’s honestly the best feeling Eddie’s ever felt. 

Even better than any other kiss they’ve had and this kiss is soft and gentle. 

And perfect. 

Eddie whines softly when Steve pulls away from their kiss, their noses brushing together as they breathe in each other, just wanting to be close. 

Steve takes a quick breath, kisses Eddie gently on the nose before pulling away, dropping his hand slowly from Eddie’s hair so he can stroke a hand down his cheekbone. 

With so many feelings floating around in Eddie’s mind, he can’t think of the words that he wants to say to Steve. He wants to tell him how much he’s missed him, that he would do anything for him, even if it means his life is in danger. 

But before he can say anything, the earth begins to shake again. Steve grabs onto Eddie’s arms as the movement rocks them off their feet.

“Here we go again,” Eddie shouts, finding it hard to stay upright and Steve loses his grip as they both fall against a tree. 

Steve keeps his eyes on Eddie, like he’s making sure that Eddie’s not getting hurt. Making sure he’s safe. Eddie’s heart swells at the thought of Steve’s protectiveness. 

Eventually the world stills and they’re left panting as they lean against the tree waiting to see if there’s another quake until Robin begins calling out Nancy’s name. 

“Oh no,” Steve mutters, getting up and running towards Robin’s voice. Eddie follows behind, catching up to both girls who are overlooking a run down Wheeler’s home. 

It’s a mess. Trees with no leaves like it’s fall or winter, but it’s still warm. The power lines that are usually upright are on the ground, and the house looks like it’s in shambles. 

Nancy begins leading the group. “Come on.” 

The girls walk ahead and Eddie goes to walk after them until he feels a hand wrapped around his wrist and he’s being pulled back towards Steve. 

He’s immediately pressed back to Steve’s lips for a soft, chaste kiss and even when they pull away, Steve keeps a hold on Eddie’s wrist. 

“We’re not finished, okay?” Steve says, running a thumb along the skin of Eddie’s wrist. 

Eddie nods. He still can’t believe that he’s kissing Steve again and he’s almost at a loss for words. He does manage to get out a strangled, “o-okay.”

Steve smiles, walking forward and pulling Eddie along by the grip on this wrist. “Come on, baby,”

And he fucking winks.

Oh fuck… 

~

Eddie’s mind drifts from Steve while they search Nancy’s room. 

They’re taken in by the vine strewn version of a teenage girl’s bedroom, covered in striped wallpaper, posters and photos. 

But when they look in Nancy’s wardrobe, pulling out a shoebox where the guns are stored, they’re nowhere to be seen, with a pair of heels that Nancy said she had thrown away years ago. 

After a bit of research and reading through Nancy’s journal, the group discovered that the Upside Down is stuck on the day Will Byers disappeared. 

1983. 

Also the year that Steve and Eddie “met” each other. 

Eddie, Robin and Nancy were so set on finding the weapons that they hadn’t even noticed that Steve wasn’t in the room with them, until they could hear his voice calling out. 

At the sound of Steve’s shouting, Eddie’s immediately worried and is the first one to run out of the room, following Steve’s voice as he shouts. 

“Dustin! Dustin!” Why is he calling out for Dustin? 

They all rush down the stairs and into the living room where Steve is swinging his torch around and calling out Dustin’s name over and over. 

“Dustin… Dustin? Can you hear me? Dustin… hello? Hello!”

Robin whispers from next to them. “Maybe he does have rabies.”

“Hello! Hello!” Steve shouts, not noticing either of them. 

“Steve, what are you doing?” Nancy asks. She’s definitely the most level headed of the group. 

They’re all left blinded when Steve swings the torch around into their eyes with a loud, “hello!”

Steve looks crazy as he walks a couple of steps towards the group. “He’s here. Henderson. That little shit, he’s here. He’s like… he’s in the walls or something. Just listen.”

They all do, for a moment, until Steve starts calling out again. 

Maybe he has gone crazy. Eddie doesn’t hear anything. 

Until he hears the familiar tones of the child who is constantly talking. 

It sounds like he’s talking to someone, but Eddie can’t hear who. They all call out, walking around the room and listening for any acknowledgement that they can be heard. 

“Alright, either this kid can’t hear us or he’s being a total douchebag,” Steve suggests. 

“Will found a way,” Nancy states. 

Steve turns to Nancy, confused. “What?”

“Will,” Nancy continues. “He found a way to speak to Joyce through the lights.”

Nancy runs over to a wall with a switch and tries to flick it on and off, to be met with no reaction. Eddie watches as Steve tries to help her, finding any light switches to turn. 

“It’s not working,” Nancy curses as she flicks the switch over and over, Dustin’s voice still hovers in the air. 

Steve’s attention has been drawn away from finding a light source and he shines his torch above the dining room table. 

“Guys.” Everyone looks for where Steve is illuminating with his torch. “You seeing this?”

Eddie definitely can. There’s a, sort of, shimmer around the lights with the covers on the bulbs illuminated an orange colour. They all move closer, Eddie standing between Robin and Nancy as they reach the table. Nancy reaches up and places her hand into the shimmer and moves it around like she’s feeling through water. The shimmer becomes a bright orange around her hand and the bulb burns brighter. 

“Woah,” Robin exclaims softly, watching Nancy’s hand as the others seem to be doing. 

When Nancy pulls her hand away, the lights dim and go back to just shimmering around the fixture. Eddie finds himself reaching up to copy what Nancy just did, noticing that the other three are doing the same thing. They watch as the lights burn brighter as they move their hands around it. 

“It… Tickles,” Eddie hears Steve say. 

“It kinda feels good,” Robin agrees, to which Eddie chuckles in agreement. 

Nancy drops her hand. “Does anyone know Morse code?”

Robin and Steve say “no” at the same time. Eddie drops his hand from the light and is about to shake his head. But he feels like there’s something about Morse code that he knows, but he can’t put his finger on it. 

Then he remembers. “Does SOS count?” The girls turn their heads to look at him, seeming like they're shitty at him. “Is that good?”

“Duh, dummy. Of course it counts,” Robin reprimands. 

Eddie puts his hands up like he's calming her down.“Okay, Jesus. Calm down.” 

They all watch as Eddie reaches up and begins tapping out the Morse code for SOS. 

Three dots. S. 

Three dashes. O.

Three dots. S. 

Eddie repeats the same hand movements over and over. Hoping and praying that Dustin notices. Eddie hopes he knows Morse code. 

He does - thank god - and they hiss their cheers as Dustin talks to them, even though he can’t hear them. 

But, as per usual, Dustin has an idea. 

He tells them to go upstairs to Nancy’s room and tells them to wait as he gets something to talk to them through. Nancy mentions that Holly has a Lite-Brite and thinks that they might be using that. 

After a few minutes, Dustin’s voice calls out, still sounding far away and like a voice in the back of their heads. “Are you guys seeing this?”

Nancy does the same as before with the lights in the dining room, swishing her hand around the shimmer and watching it light up to a bright orange. They all breathe a sigh of relief. They know it’s working when they can hear Erica - why she’s even there, Eddie doesn’t know - shouting, “holy shit” as Dustin laughs characteristically.

Eddie and the group watch, mesmerised, as Nancy moves her hand, until Dustin speaks again. “Alright, we’re not moving it, but we’re gonna unplug it. Standing by.” Steve makes eye contact with Eddie and they smile warmly at each other while the light goes dark. 

“Okay, try it now,” Dustin calls. 

Nancy looks back at Robin and Eddie who both nod for her to go ahead. “Okay,” she mutters as she moves her hand back to where the Lite-Brite was. “Um…. Uh…” Nancy drags her finger down, drawing a line into the shimmer. Eddie can hear Dustin’s laugh as Nancy draws a H, followed by an I. 

“Hi,” Dustin laughs. “That worked!”

Oh my god, it works! Eddie feels a wave of relief wash over him and he feels excited. “Yes! Yes!” Eddie reaches over to grab onto Steve’s shoulder, feeling him shudder under his touch. “Hi!” Eddie says sharply. 

Steve and Eddie make eye contact as Eddie draws his hand away, Steve eyebrow raised in question. Like he’s saying “hey put that hand back there.” Eddie gives him a smile and a shrug before turning back to their only way of communication with the real world.

“Okay, um…” Nancy hums, thinking of what to say to get them to know everything. 

S. T. U. C. K. 

“Stuck.” 

“Yes,” Steve says with a nod. 

“Mmhmm. Mmhmm,” Eddie hums, exaggerating a head nod. 

“They’re stuck in the Upside Down.” Lucas’ voice drifts into the room. 

“Okay. Uh… you can’t get through watergate?” Dustin asks. 

“What the hell’s watergate?” Steve frowns as he looks towards the three of them. 

Robin scoffs and rolls her eyes. “‘Cause it’s in water and it’s a gate.”

“Oh,” Steve mutters. 

“That’s cute,” Eddie chuckles.

“Oh… um, no. It’s…” Nancy hesitated before writing the next word. 

G. U. A. R. D. E. D.

“Watergate’s guarded,” Dustin states. 

Eddie claps his hands as Steve chants, “perfect. Yes. Yes. Yes.”

“Okay, we think we have a theory that can help with that.” 

Oh thank Jesus. 

“Genius child,” Robin sighs. 

“We think watergate isn’t the only gate. That there’s a gate at every murder site.”

None of them say anything. Until Nancy asks, “does anybody understand what he’s talking about?”

There’s a chorus of “no’s” and shaking of heads as the three of them agree that they’re as lost as each other. So Nancy draws a question mark. 

“Seriously? How many times do I have to be right on the money before you trust me?” Dustin screeches. 

Steve sighs. “Jesus Christ. This kid’s gotta get his ego in check.”

Thank you Steve! 

“It’s his tone, right?” Eddie agrees. Dustin’s always the type of kid to just push, push, push. As much as Eddie loves him - and Steve too - he can get a bit too much. 

Steve nods at Eddie and taps him on the shoulder, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. “I know.” 

However, throughout this discussion, Nancy seems to have thought about Dustin’s answer. “So… How far is your trailer?” Nancy aims at Eddie.

“Seven miles.” Eddie answers. 

It’s definitely a bit too far to walk, at least to get out in time and there’s all these goddamn bats around. They all stop and think about the next best option. 

Robin’s the first one to come up with an option. “Uh, I know your house here is… like… weirdly, creepily frozen in time and shit, but haven’t you always had bikes?”

Eddie has no idea, but he’s pretty sure he knows the answer. 

Steve

It’s been years since Steve’s ridden a bike. 

Sure, when he was a kid Steve loved to ride his bike around Loch Nora with all the other neighbourhood kids. But since he grew up, he’s barely touched that bike that’s just sitting in his garage, gathering dust. 

So riding the seven miles to Forest Hills Trailer Park is definitely an effort. 

Steve pants as he pedals, riding through the uninhabited streets of Upside Down Hawkins. Vine covered, beaten up houses and roads that clearly separate the two dimensions. He rides ahead of the group, once again aiming to be the leader and to take care of the other three. 

The three people he cares about the most. 

Especially Eddie. 

When Steve had thanked Eddie, he hadn’t expected his feelings to overrule every inhibition that he had. He wanted to tell Eddie that he appreciated him coming down to save him, that without Eddie and the girls’ help, he’d probably be dead. Instead, he got those beautiful brown eyes staring back at him, telling him everything he thought about Steve. 

But as soon as Eddie had mentioned that he’d jumped in after him, after being so hard on himself for running away from Chrissy and Patrick, there was no way that Steve could hold back. 

Every inch of Steve’s body reacted once their lips brushed together, like a fire set alight. It was like they were meant to be together. 

There’s no going back from these feelings anymore. 

Steve’s absolutely, one hundred percent, totally in love with Eddie Munson. 

He probably has been since the night of Steve’s sixteenth birthday party. 

Steve glances over to Eddie as he rides and chuckles at the focused gaze on Eddie’s face, knowing that he’s obviously trying so hard not to fall off his bike.

Knowing Eddie, he probably hasn’t ridden a bike in years either. 

They pass Creel Manor - the Upside Down version - and Steve watches as the bats circle above the house. He shudders and hopes they don’t notice the four of them pedaling past. 

Eventually, they make it to the trailer park. “It’s right here,” Eddie says, pulling up right in front. The whole trailer park is full of run down trailers and cars, all covered in vines, the same as everywhere else. 

When they stop, letting their bikes fall down to the ground, Steve has to stop and try to pull out some of the dust, or bugs, or whatever the shit is that flies through the air. It’s everywhere. 

No one else seems phased, especially Robin who randomly talks about world records. “That’s gotta be a Guinness World Record. Most miles traveled interdimensionally.

Steve tries to cough up the dust that is stuck in his throat and he spits it onto the ground. “Just inhaled a bunch of that crap.” He coughs, trying to get more out. “It’s stuck in my throat.” 

Eddie flashes him an amused smile, his eyebrows raised in delight and Steve just wants to kiss it off his stupid face. 

Maybe after they get back into the real world. 

Eddie opens the door to the trailer, allowing them to step inside and gape at the gate in the ceiling. 

It’s the same as watergate - Steve guesses they’re calling it that now. It’s a red opening, with veins or small roots threaded in the goop. 

“Goddamn,” Steve remarks and switches off his flashlight. No need for it anymore due to the glow from the gate. 

“This is where Chrissy died. Like… right where she died.” Eddie sounds horrified as he explains. Steve reaches over to squeeze his shoulder with a reassuring smile. 

There’s a slimy, wet noise coming from the opening, like something is slithering. But Robin hears something else. “I think there’s something in there.”

Something - Steve has no idea what - moves into the centre of the gate and presses inward, like it’s trying to poke a hole through the goop. It struggles, but finally succeeds causing all four of them to involuntarily jump back. Robin shrieks as she does, making Steve jump even more. 

There’s disgusting shit everywhere as the object moves its way around the now open gate. A stream of normal light filters out of it. 

Slime drips from the ceiling as Steve slowly moves forward. Sure, they’re waiting for the kids but he’s hesitant, not knowing what might come out of the opening. 

Of course, it’s not what he’s expecting. 

Steve stares at the roof. “No way.”

The rest of the group move in next to him and take in the image of the four kids, looking up, but looking down at them. It’s fucking weird. 

Dustin laughs with a wide eyed grin on his face and the other kids look just as confused as Steve and the others. They all wave and Dustin calls out, “hello there.”

Steve and the others chorus their hi’s, still wrapping their heads around the fact that the kids are in the roof. Not actually in the roof, but…. In the roof. Steve’s so confused. 

However, despite the confusion they laugh, knowing they’re actually going to get out of this horribly, terrifying place. 

“Holy shit, this is trippy,” Robin breathes. 

Steve couldn’t agree more. 

The kids all smile, looking relieved and amused at the same time while Dustin shrieks, “bada bada boom!”

Steve rolls his eyes. “Okay, we get it Henderson. Are you going to get us out of here?”

“God, you really have to ruin the moment, Steve?” Dustin complains. 

Thankfully Eddie backs Steve up. “Just get us out of here Henderson.”

Dustin throws his hands up exasperatedly. “Okay, fine.” He looks at the other three. “We need all the sheets we can find.” Dustin looks back up to the roof. “You guys hold on. We’re working on it.” And then the kids are off, working on saving Steve, Nancy, Robin and Eddie’s asses. 

Speaking of Eddie’s ass…

“Hey Eds,” Steve whispers to Eddie who looks over biting his lip. Steve nods his head to the side once, gesturing down the hallway. Eddie looks behind him and nods, walking in the direction he’s just been alerted to. 

Steve goes to follow but is stopped by Robin. “Steve, where are you going?” she hisses. 

“Shh, I’ll be back,” Steve hisses back. 

Robin groans. “Ugh, please don’t be disgusting.” Steve watches as she turns around to distract Nancy. 

God, he really loves her. 

Steve walks in the direction that Eddie went and follows the hallway into a room - Steve assumes it’s Eddie’s room. Once he’s inside, Eddie shuts the door behind him and shoves Steve against it. 

Immediately, Eddie’s mouth is pressed against his own, cupping Steve’s face gently but firmly. Steve moans into Eddie’s mouth at the unpreparedness. 

Eddie pulls away but keeps his hands on Steve’s face. “Jesus Christ, I’ve missed you.”

Steve blushes. “I’ve missed you too, baby.”

Eddie whimpers at the nickname, moving his hands down to Steve’s chest and then to his hips. “If you say that to me, then we’re gonna have a big problem.”

Steve grips onto Eddie’s wrists. “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

The image of Eddie biting his bottom lip is so fucking good. He can’t believe that he’s doing this. Finally. 

“That the six people out there will know I’m taking you apart, piece by piece.” Eddie grips Steve’s hips tighter and uses said grip to pull Steve flush against his own hips. Steve’s eyes roll into the back of his head as he feels Eddie’s hard length pressed against his own. “I don’t think that’s how you want to tell them you’re into me.”

Steve leans in to press a soft kiss to Eddie’s neck. “Five. Robin knows.” Eddie nods but before he can answer, “wait, maybe four. I think Dustin suspects.”

Eddie scoffs. “Seriously? There’s no hiding anything from that shithead.” 

Steve laughs and kisses Eddie’s lips again. Soft and chaste. “You can say that again.”

The moment becomes soft again. Eddie loosens his grip and moves his hands back to Steve’s face, running his thumb along Steve’s cheekbones. 

“I can’t believe this is happening again.”

Steve breathes a laugh. He grabs onto Eddie’s wrists again, circling the skin there with his thumbs. “Believe it. It’s happening.”

But Eddie drops his hands and steps back. “Are you sure Steve? You’re not… you’re not shitting with me?”

“Are you serious Eddie?” Steve asks, throwing his hands up sharply. “Of course I want this.”

Eddie raises an eyebrow. “So it’s not… just sex?”

Steve can’t help but laugh. “Of course it’s about sex.” Eddie’s face drops, but Steve steps forward and, this time, it’s his turn to cup Eddie’s face, feeling the soft hint of stubble. “But, I also want you in other ways.”

Steve wants to tell Eddie he loves him, but it’s not the right moment. It needs to be… special.

Eddie shivers. “What ways?”

“I want to kiss you.” 

He presses a kiss to Eddie’s forehead.

“I want to… hold your hand.”

Another kiss to Eddie’s nose.

“I want to watch shitty movies with you.”

A kiss to Eddie’s cheek. 

“I just want you.” It’s echoing their first night together. 

Finally, Steve presses a kiss to Eddie’s lips. 

“Jesus, sweetheart. You really know how to make someone blush. Steve laughs as he strokes Eddie’s face. “I want you too, Steve. I want all of you. Even the broken parts.”

“Hey, I’m not broken.” Eddie raises an eyebrow. “Okay fine. Maybe a little.” 

Eddie laughs and leans in to kiss Steve again. It’s a little deeper and more intense than their other ones - trying not to get too carried away - but still enough to make Steve blush. 

“Come on. We need to get back out there before anyone notices,” Eddie says and grips onto Steve’s hands and tries to walk towards the door. 

But Steve needs something first. 

“Wait.” Steve grips onto Eddie’s hands and pulls him back into an embrace. Eddie chuckles and wraps his arms around Steve’s waist, expecting a soft embrace, but makes a noise of surprise as Steve grabs onto Eddie’s ass. 

Well, he was thinking about it.

“Okay let’s go.” Steve lets go and opens the door. He can hear Eddie’s sounds of confusion as he walks back down the hallway. 

Robin gives Steve a ‘oh wow you didn’t fuck him’ look as he enters the kitchen area. Nancy doesn’t seem to have noticed their absence. She’s giving the kids tips as they tie the sheets. 

Eddie finally appears out of his room and eyes Steve off as he walks back into view of the gate. 

After a few minutes, the kids are ready, having pulled out Eddie’s mattress for them all to land on. Eddie had floundered for an excuse for the stains and Steve had to stifle a laugh as he muttered, “those stains are… I don’t know what those stains are,” and watched the disgusted looks from Robin. She turns to Steve and mouths, I didn’t need to know that. 

The makeshift rope is thrown into the gate, once again extremely trippy with how it hangs from both sides of the gate. Robin does a test pull and it’s secure so she makes her way up and through the gate. Steve watches as she lands on the mattress. 

“Nance, you go next,” Steve prompts. Nancy gives him a sweet smile before climbing up the rope. When she lands, Steve looks at Eddie. 

“Nuh uh Stevie. You’re going next.”

“But-”

“No buts. Get your ass up there.”

Steve moans softly as the commanding tone of Eddie’s voice, and he can’t refuse. So he begins climbing. He grunts with each pull up the rope, but it’s not too hard. It’s a little tricky to push himself through the gate, but he does. 

And then he’s falling.

Not onto the mattress. 

Into darkness.