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Chapter Text

This wasn't the plan. This wasn't the goddamn plan. Nancy and Robin are both dead, killed in the Creel house by Vecna. Torn apart and strung up like puppets or Halloween decorations. Steve dry heaves remembering the sickening crackle of broken bones and the wet squelches of the vines as they threaded through the girls' broken bodies. He remembers Nancy's pleas for him to keep Mike and Holly safe, begging him to just go. And he had.

He'd fled the house with only one thought on his mind. Find Dustin. Find Mike. Find his kids.

Steve wants to scream as he charges toward the swarm of demobats that whirl around Dustin and the others like a hurricane. Nancy and Robin's screams are still ringing in his ears as he swings his nail bat into the closest demon bat, sending a spray of black blood through the air. Shrill cries are barely audible over the rush of air the bats are creating, but Steve keeps forcing himself forward. They never should have let the kids help; they should have left them somewhere safe. Hell, they should have all left the goddamn country; let the adults fix their own mistakes for once. But no, they'd stayed just like every other fucking time something like this happened.

Blurry figures slowly come into focus as he fights his way through the swarm, black blood spraying across his face and chest as he swings his nail bat. Claws rake across his chest and arms and Steve fights a pained cry forcing himself to keep pushing. By the time he reaches his kid, there's already a body on the ground, and Dustin is bleeding heavily. He stares up at Steve with dull devistated eyes, tear tracks cutting through the grime on his face.

"Steve, you've got to—please we can't." Dustin gasps through tears, and it's all Steve can do not to hurl as he takes in what's left of Eddie Munson's body.

His body is torn to ribbons splayed across the dull earth of the upside down like a sickening painting, made with heavy strokes of viscera and gore. There are gaping holes where the bats took chunks out of his sides and chest. Limbs curled unnaturally as though he'd been dropped before they'd torn him apart. His eyes stare unseeing at the sky reflecting the bright red flashes of lightning eerily. His dark hair is matted with blood and mud around his head.

"Can't- we can't leave him, Steve." Dustin's whole body shakes as he cries and Steve's heart aches. The kid is too young to be going through anything like this, let alone for the third time.

" I'm sorry kiddo, I'm so so sorry." He should have done better. Should have kept him safe. Should have kept Eddie safe. Should have kept Robin and Nancy safe. His eyes burn with unshed tears.

Steve holds Dustin close as a stray bat dives at them wincing as claws scrap across his back, shredding his clothes and skin. He crouches, trying to shield Dustin with his body. The only thought going through his mind is that Dustin has to make it; Steve has to get him out of here. He won't lose him like he lost Robin and Nancy.

"Dustin, we've got to go." He tries to fight the way his heart breaks as the boy begs him not to leave Eddie here. Begs him to get the older boy to safety. But Eddie isn't breathing, and CPR can only do so much, and blood loss and gaping wounds are not part of that. He doesn't tell Dustin any of this. Instead, he promises he'll go back for Eddie as soon as he knows Dustin is safe. The lie feels sour in his throat but it's so much more important that Dustin makes it out safely.

After a moment of exhausted protesting, the pair are sprinting for the trailer park to where the gate is. Steve's heart pounds in his chest hope and terror fighting for dominance. They're nearly there; the trailer is in sight only yards away when claws dig into his rib cage, the weight of the two demobats sending him crashing to the ground with a strangled cry. The air is forced out of his lungs as he hits the ground. His ears are ringing and Steve can hear Dustin screaming his name, but it sounds distant like he's underwater. Like Nancy and Robin's had when he'd beeb dragged through Watergate. Razor sharp teeth tear into his shoulder and this time Steve screams, his vision whiting out from the pain for a moment. His head feels fuzzy and his thoughts move like molasses as he struggles to regain his bearings.

Hot blood pours across his back and neck as the bats tear into his back, soaking into his hair and staining his skin even as it slowly goes ashen. Steve can barely make out Dustin's form and he tries to drag himself forward on heavy limbs, trying to save his kid as three demobats circles him like vultures. He shrieks as teeth sever through muscle down to the bone and his left arm goes limp. The blood pours down his neck and onto his face, thick and hot.

He can hear Dustin's screams as he tries to force himself to his knees. Suddenly he feels a crushing weight on his back, hears a sickening crack, and a white hot spear of pain arcs up his spine and then Steven Harrington knows nothing at all.

Chapter Text

Steve wakes up with a stabbing headache. Now in his mind there are several things wrong with this sentence, most notably that he woke up at all.

He was dead.

He died just like Robin, like Nancy. Just like Dustin. The mental image of the girls' crumpled bodies and Dustin's screams pound like a hammer behind his eyes. He flings himself to his feet, blearily taking in the familiar sight of his own bedroom.

What the fuck is going on? He stumbles into the connected bathroom practically throwing himself at the toilet as he heaves, stomach acid burning his throat.

He kneels in front of the toilet retching for what feels like hours until there's nothing left to throw up and his throat feels like he swallowed sandpaper. He pressed his forehead to the cool porcelain for a moment before he stands on shaky legs. Sweat drips down his neck and all he can remember is the drip of blood down his spine and into his hair and his stomach churns and he stumbles toward his shower pulling the door open and practically falling inside, clothes and all.

Steve fumbles with the knob for a moment before the water turns on. It's freezing at first as it pelts his body, the chill seeping into his bones like ice. He shivers under the spray but makes no indication that he plans on moving. Slowly the water heats up clouding the small space with steam. He can still feel phantom blood coating his hair and neck. The water scalds his skin as Steve lays curled in the shower floor silent tears washed away by the water.

Steve doesn't move for hours. Not when his skin is red and raw from the heat and repetitive drum of the water. Not when the water goes cold and he can't stop the shaking.

And it doesn't even matter because goddamnit he got his kids killed and Vecna won so who gives a shit is he's half drowning on the tile of his shower. He'd tried so, so hard to protect them and in the end it hadn't changed a thing.

He'd had one job. One. Protect the kids. And he'd failed. When it mattered he hadn't even been there. He'd left them alone and it got them all killed. He never should have left them alone, he'd trusted Nancy's plan, they'd trusted him to keep them safe and he hadn't. He'd died and so had they.

The phone rings distantly, cutting through the haze of self hatred that might as well be as dense as fog, and Steve drags himself to his feet. His head feels like it's been stuffed full of cotton and his body feels numb from the cold water.

" Harrington residence, this is Steve." His voice sounds far away and he's functioning on autopilot when he answers the phone.

" Hey Stevie, you still planning on going to the party at Daniels house tonight? I heard he was planning on having Munson there for weed and shit."

Steve drops the phone in shock as Tommy Hagan's voice fills the silence He's had this conversation with Tommy before years ago, before he was even remotely aware of the upside down. He and Tommy hadn't talked since he'd graduated and left for college.

" Stevie, you there?" Tommy sounds worried, though it's well masked under a layer of mockery because Tommy had never really known how to show that he cared directly.

" Uh, yeah man sorry. I zoned out for a minute." It's technically not a lie and it's the only thing Steve can think to say as he tries to wrap his brain around what the hell is happening.

" You're good. Anyways, I was wondering if you were going to Daniel's tonight."

" Probably not, I think I'm coming down with something." His throat is raspy from crying and he knows he sounds dead on his feet enough for Tommy to accept that answer and move on. Which he does. They exchanged goodbyes and hang up.

What the fuck. What the actual fuck. He staggers toward the calendar hung on the wall in the kitchen.

Sunday, November 6 1983. None of this makes any goddamn sense. Then again, he reasons with himself, neither did any of the upside down nonsense. Okay. This is fine. Four years in the past. That's fine. Steve's totally not freaking the fuck out. Nah, he's fine. His stomach lurches and he bolts for the trash can barely making it before he's throwing up bile.

Okay, maybe he's kinda freaking out. But you know what, Steve's pretty sure that's fair. He died, a fucking demo dog broke his spine and now he's four years in the past, that warrants a fair amount of freaking out. Eddie got to freak out when Chrissy died, they all collectively freaked out when they found out about the upside down. So yeah, Steve thinks as he slumps to the floor beside the trash can, this is all totally justified.

When Steve can finally think again without feeling like there's a demogorgon gnawing on his brain he turns on the faucet and fills himself a glass of water. He'll take it slow for a minute. Step one take care of yourself. Steve's never been too good at that but you gotta start somewhere. He got water now he should probably eat something.

Just one step at a time. He'll worry about what he's supposed to do later. Right now Steve needs food.

He manages to find a half empty box of brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts and a half empty bag of bagels. That's how he finds himself laying on the kitchen floor eating pop tarts butt naked in a puddle of lukewarm water at two in the afternoon wishing that he could have been better.

Steve wonders what he's supposed to do now. He hated who he'd been before the upside down, but alone he's not sure if he can be different. He needs people, it's the one thing he'd learned after the fight with Tommy and Carol. Being alone wasn't something he could safely deal with and Steve can't guarantee that he won't go back to how he was before to keep Tommy and Carol from abandoning him.

After Nancy had broken up with him and then confirmed that she didn't love him Steve had skipped school for a week. A week he spent similar to how he is now only with a hell of a lot more booze and a fair amount of weed he'd bought from Eddie. It wasn't until he'd blacked out and fallen down the stairs the first time that he started the realize just how big of a problem it was getting to be but it wasn't until Eddie had refused to sell him anymore weed that he actually took steps to stop and turn things around.

He never admitted it but he'd missed Tommy and Carol, he knew they were awful and cruel but they'd been friends since kindergarten when Tommy had asked him if he wanted to be friends.

The two of them had been inseparable for years, you never saw one without the other and Steve and Tommy had become Steve&Tommy. A few years later they'd met Carol and she'd fit in seamlessly. When they'd fought and spilt up it had felt like Steve was tearing out a chunk of his soul. Maybe that was what he'd do. Try and keep Tommy and Carol. They'd like Max, she was a sarcastic little brat and they'd get along swimmingly.

As Steve daydreams about what could be his eyes drift shut. He'll regret sleeping on the kitchen tile when he wakes up but right now he can't bring himself to move.

Chapter Text

Standing in front of Hawkins High after years of the most important part of his life being trying not to die is disconcerting, to say the least. The halls are exactly the same as he remembers, though considering he's in the past, that's kind of a given. It's so familiar and yet so foreign to be here. An arm drops onto his shoulder, and Steve nearly jumps out of his skin, heart slamming itself against his ribcage like a caged bird.

"Whoa, easy there, Stevie. What's got you all jumpy?" Tommy chatters away, not quite waiting for an answer, as he steers Steve through the halls like he's always done, with Carol on his other side throwing flirtatious smiles at anyone who glances in her direction.

It's almost too easy for Steve to sink back into the comfort Tommy and Carol bring. Being with Tommy and Carol feels like he imagines opening a box to find something you'd thought you lost. The sharp comments disguising real concern.

His day is going surprisingly smoothly; he remembers all his classes and where they are, and most importantly he's not alone anymore. He'd barely managed to cope with their separation the first time. He thinks that loosing them a second time might destroy him. He doesn't have anyone to lean on this time around.

He's alone now more than ever, the nightmares and flashbacks will keep people from getting any closer to him but he has Tommy and Carol right now. He's got Tommy and Carol and maybe that can be enough. Maybe this is it, he thinks; maybe I can just get on with life now.

He's standing around talking to Tommy while they wait for Carol when Tommy cuts him off with a nudge.

"Dude, did you hear about Byers? His brother went missing. Apparently-" The rest of Tommy's sentence fades into the background as horror buzzes in his ears. That's his kid. His kid is stuck in that hellhole again, and Steve is the only one who has any idea how to help him and he's running around playing make-believe with Tommy and Carol. He has to keep them all safe this time around. He has to. How is he supposed to look himself in the eyes if he fails them all again?

" Steve!" Tommy's voice cuts through his thoughts like butter. "Hey, you okay, man?" He sounds worried, his eyebrows are pinched, and Steve finally registers the hands on his shoulders.

"Yeah, just zoned out, sorry." Tommy looks uncertain but he nods. He trusts Steve to tell him if things get bad. Just like they always have.

Steve starts packing the moment he gets home. He needs to be prepared when he goes after Will; he'll be of no use if he dies of starvation or dehydration before he finds Will or is torn apart by some monster. Step one is his nail bat.

He trudges into the garage armed with two brand new bats that he'd bought himself on his way home. He manages to find a hammer that's likely never actually been used and a box of six inch nails.

It's a lot more difficult, he learns, to pound the nails into the bat than he'd originally thought. His first attempt is rough at best, the nails are bent and lopsided and a few split through the bat causing splinters to break off. But he slowly gets the hang of it as he goes. His second attempt is nearly identical to his original nail bat, and the practice swing he gives it feels like finding a missing piece of himself. Like regaining a lost limb.

Step two is supplies. Warm clothes for Will are essential, he doesn't need the poor kid getting hypothermia on top of everything else, as well as food, water, and something to cover their noses and mouths to prevent them from breathing in any of the particles floating around in the air. He'll figure everything else out as he goes.

One hour and a shopping trip later Steve looks proudly at his bag. The poor thing is practically bursting at the seams with everything Steve thought could be even remotely useful.

He's pretty sure he's covered all of his bases as he goes over his mental checklist. Bandanas. Check. Water bottles. Check. Food and warm clothes. Check. First aid. Check. Flashlights and lighters. Check. Gasoline. Check. Dustin would be proud of his checklist, he's sure of it. ( Steve tries to ignore the way the thought of Dustin makes his heart ache.)

The next step is getting into the upside down. The idea he's working on is that he'd enter and exit through the lab like Joyce and Hopper had when they rescued Will.

He turns to look at the guns on the table and guilt bubbles in his chest. The lab had hurt so many people over the years but the idea of even threatening to kill another person? That scares him. But he has to help Will and if he has to threaten a few scientists that experiment on children in their free time so be it.

It's getting dark out and while his instincts scream for him to get to Will as quickly as possible he knows better than to go trapezing through the woods in the middle of the night while there are demogorgons on the loose. Besides it'll be better for him to be well rested and prepared to find his kid.

He's of no use to anyone if he can't even stand up straight. He slings his backpack over his shoulder and staggers up the stairs, nail bat in hand, towards his bedroom. He props the bat beside his bed and tucks the backpack beneath it before he jerks the curtains closed and locks the door behind himself. The moment his head hits the pillow he's gone.

When he wakes up the next morning Steve nearly falls on his face in his haste to get himself around.

"Come on Harrington, get it together." He hisses at himself frustratedly as he trips over his own leg trying to pull on his jeans. Alright breakfast and he'll hit the road.

Four hours later and Hawkins Lab is just as ginormous as he remembers all towering chain link fences and foreboding stone walls.

He'll keep Will safe this time. He has to.

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Steve clenches his fists as he's led through sterile halls that look like they were pulled directly from the set of a horror movie. The security guard in his left is a greying man in a beige uniform whose lips seem to be permanently curled up as though he'd smelt something rancid. He's not sure what he'd expected when he'd demanded to speak with Doctor Brenner but this was all a bit anticlimactic if he were being totally honest.

They stop in front of a brown wooden door, Steve waits as his escort knocks firmly and a male voice invites them in. He's directed to sit at a desk across from the man.

Martin Brenner, despite his caring grandfatherly act, sets Steve on edge. The gentle, soft way the older man spoke grates against his ears and the underlying falseness of it all makes his hair stand on end.

Brenner is in the middle of explaining that he has no idea what Steve is talking about and how he's lucky that they haven't called the police to escort him off the property when Steve cuts him off.

" With all due respect Dr Brenner, do you really want the police sniffing around your establishment?" His voice is sickeningly sweet as he levels the older man with the most unimpressed stare he can muster. Something he'd perfected after a few months of listening to Dustin's sass and Mike's snark." I will not be leaving until I've retrieved Will Byers, who I'm sure you've already determined is trapped in the dimension that your lab managed to tear a rift into."

Brenner's eyes widen and he leans back seemingly reassessing him. His gaze is calculating as he searches for an answer.

" And how exactly, may I ask, did you reach this conclusion Mr....?" His voice trails of questioningly and Steve fights an eye roll. Could this man be any more predisposed to wasting time? Time he doesn't have to waste, might he add.

" Harrington, Steve Harrington. And as of now I don't feel the need to cooperate with you until you start to cooperate with me." There will be no negotiation, he makes sure that the clipped tone of his voice says that loud and clear. Steve had his fair share of being pushed around the first time and with Will on the line he's done playing games, especially with an old man with a god complex and very little regard for those around him.

Brenner strokes his chin thoughtfully and Steve has to fight down a snarl. After two more minutes that seem to stretch for centuries he decides, fuck the diplomatic route and slams his fist onto the desk, jerking to his feet in the same motion.

" That's it, I don't have the goddamn time to wait around for you to make up your mind." He snaps turning on heel, nail bat in hand ready to find the damn gate on his own when he hears Brenner's voice behind him.

" Easy Mr. Harrington, I'll escort you to the gate on the condition that upon your return you explain how you found out and detail the events of your trip. Is this agreeable?" Steve is nodding before Brenner even has the chance to finish his sentence, ushering the scientist towards the door. He doesn't have time to sit here and chit chat. The tittering laugh that he receives when he tells Brenner as much has Steve gritting his teeth and trying not to punch the man in the face.

Trying to ignore Brenner's irksome rambling Steve decides to prepare by tying the red bandana he'd chosen over his mouth and keeping the goggles he'd grabbed last minute clenched in his palm. His nail bat is slung over his shoulder like a sword. They step into an elevator and the further down the elevator travels the the farther up the hairs on the back of his neck stand.

The gate is huge, far bigger than any of the ones he'd seen the first go around. Ignoring Brenner and all of the warning signs on the door Steve storms towards the gate with single minded determination. He pulls on the goggles and paces a hand to the fleshy membrane that covers the gate's entrance. It's damp and the chill of it makes his skin crawl. He sucks in a deep breath before he shoves through the gate.

The Upside Down is just as cold as he remembered and he's so glad he dressed warm and thought to take extras for Will. The poor kid has to be absolutely freezing by now. The thought of his kid sitting alone in the dark scared out of his mind make his heart lurch. He curses Brenner for wasting so much of his time as he picks his way through the woods. The silence of the upside down is eerie to say the least and a sharp contrast to the usual chatter of the wood teeming with wildlife. It throws the sporadic noises into sharp relief setting him on edge.

His first stop is the Byers house. Will is twelve, there aren't really all that many options and his own house is likely the safest option he could think of. Careful to avoid the vines Steve begins his trek to the Byers house. It's darker than he'd prefer and he's glad he thought to grab a flashlight because he's paranoid enough as is without not being able to see where he's going. Every little noise has him scanning his surroundings bat at the ready with a million different possibilities swirling through his head.

Aside from the vines and gunk the Byers house is a familiar sight as he makes his way to the front door. He prays that he'll find Will here. The faster this trip goes the easier it will be for the kid to cope with it. Hopefully he'll be able to avoid confrontation with the local creatures but somehow he doesn't think that's going to happen. He's just glad he's made it this far without some kind of incident.

To Steve's dismay the house is completely empty. The only sign that Will had been there at all is the fact that every one of the cupboards are cleared of anything edible. Doors and drawers left open with seemingly no intention of closing them. Likely since Will was taken from his shed the house as a whole felt unsafe and the younger boy had sought out a different location at which to set up camp. Possibly one of the others houses, Steve thinks as he closes doors softly behind him. It's been hours since he entered the upside down and Steve is drained, the constant paranoia is really weighing on him. He needs a game plan and a place to spend the night. He exits the house and starts his journey down Cornwallis road towards his own home.

His home is as empty as always and the only real difference between this and the version outside of the upside down is the vines. Steve tries the door unsurprised when he finds it unlocked. He moves into the living room, making sure to lock the door behind himself, he piles the couch cushions and any blankets not completely destroyed by mold and the growth of the upside down in the center of the living room.

He finds a copy of a map of Hawkins in a drawer along with an address book and begins to plan out his route for the next day.

Henderson's house is the closest by far but by foot it's still at least a days walk as long as there were no complications, but accounting for having to avoid vines and the possibilities of running into a demogorgon or demodog he'd say at least two days. His path has him following Cornwallis so he decides that his second night will be spent at the motel 6 since it's on the way. If Will isn't at Dustin's he'll spend the next night there and then set out towards the Sinclair's and then the Wheeler's.

If Will isn't there either he'll spend the night at the Wheeler's and then follow the power lines until the reach the train tracks and then follow those to the junkyard and pray that the kid is there somewhere.

Steve rolls his map up carefully before tucking it into his bag. He settles onto the makeshift bed he'd made and closes his eyes. Hopefully he manages to get some kind of sleep before his journey tomorrow. A distant screech shakes the idea from his mind. It's going to be a rough night.

Chapter Text

As expected Steve spent his first night in the upside down constantly being woken by otherwise insignificant noises. When he decides he's rested enough Steve tucks one of the less damaged blankets into his pack and adjusts his grip on his bat before unlocking the door and starting his trek. The chill is somehow more pronounced now than it had been the day before. He pulls out his map and checks his route. Cornwallis to the motel and then he'll call it a night.

It's almost, Steve finds, more eerie walking the streets than it had been walking the woods. At least in the woods there were places to hide or loose anything after him but here? Here he's out in the open like a deer in an open field. He's only been walking for an hour when he reaches Benny's Burgers and decides to stop and eat. He fishes out a granola bar and a bottle of water. He's been drinking of and on to keep hydrated but he doesn't want to run out before he finds Will. He tucks the water bottle back into his back and exits the diner after acquiring a few bottles waters from the backroom.

Back on the road flashes of red lightning illuminate his surroundings in sporadic bursts making him jump nearly a foot in the air everytime it happens. He travels in tense silence for hours before he reaches the train tracks.

The memory of walking the track with Dustin while searching for Dart floats to the forefront of his mind unbidden. He remembers the way he'd done his best to help the practically random kid that dragged him back into the world of monsters and portals and how most importantly he's so damn glad that the kid had. Protecting Dustin and the kids had given Steve a purpose, a way to channel his fear and anger into something bigger and more important than he'd ever be.

And then Vecna happened.

He'd watched as his kids were literally torn apart like rag dolls and he hadn't been able to stop it. In the end it hadn't mattered because he wasn't strong enough, wasn't smart enough. But that's okay now. This time he's ready. This time he has an inkling of what to do. He'll take it one step at a time, one threat after another until he can guarantee their safety.

A screech snaps him back to the present and he hurries forward. He doesn't have time to waste daydreaming.

The motel is far more dilapidated than either his or Will's homes had been. Even Benny's had been in better condition he thinks as he picks his way across the floor avoiding vines and puddles alike. A pod bursts, spewing particles into the room and Steve nearly jumps out of his skin,

"Jesus Christ!" He shouts jumping back, just barely missing a large vine. His heart thuds in his chest like a drum. Steve takes a deep breath trying to calm himself as he resumes his trek to the back wall which is mostly clear of vines and dry. He settles himself into a corner and closes his eyes.

Steve wakes up sore and cold. And as if things couldn't get worse he'd slept significantly worse than he had the night before, waking what had felt like every few minutes, intensely aware of his close proximity to the creel house. He prays that Vecna has yet to take an interest in the goings on of his domain.

When he reaches the intersection of Cornwallis and Cherry Oak he refrains from turning off Cornwallis not wanting to risk passing by where Billy had been possessed by the mind flayer. Sometimes Steve forgets how many places have been ruined for him by this madness. He knows that he wasn't the only one.

Passing through town with no one there is just as disconcerting as it had been the first go around. Shop windows are broken with vines snaking through them in some places while for others the interior is eerily undisturbed. Hours of silence weigh on Steve as he trudges through town. The familiar sight of the Holland's house freezes Steve in his path for a moment, guilt choking him like a hand built of ice. A realization sharp and barbed slams itself through his ribs. He'd slept beside her corpse. He'd slept in his house while her corpse decayed in his pool. He retches, jerking down his bandana as bile forces it's way up his throat.

No. Barbara was still alive, Steve hadn't killed her this time around. He wouldn't let her die this time. Shakily he tugs his mask up and forces himself to move forward.

An hour later he stands at the door of the Henderson's house with trembling hands. The house is silent but the door is ajar and windows are shattered. Steeling himself Steve inches into the entryway.

"Will?" After so long in silence his voice, even whispering like he is, sounds like a shout.

The response he receives chills him. A familiar snarl as Steve adjusting his grip on his nail bat adrenaline pounding through his veins. The first demobats charges out of the kitchen talons tearing into the hardwood floors. Steve's first swing knocks the beast of it's feet, slamming into a shelf of knicknacks and framed photos that shatter beneath it. It lets out a high pitched keen as it scrabbles at the floor trying to get up.

Steve doesn't wait to see if it'll get back up he charges forward slamming the bar into it's skull with a sickening wet crunch, black blood spraying across his pants. He doesn't stop swinging until his chest is heaving and his arms burn with the strain of lifting the bat again and the demodog is nothing more than a pile of pulverized mush.

He doesn't realize he'd been crying until small puddles start to form in his goggles. Steve staggers unsteadily towards Dustin's room hands trembling violently. Steve has never been more glad that Will wasn't here. He doesn't think he can handle finding anymore of his kids bodies. He sets his backpack on the bed before curling up beside it the same way he used to sleep in his parents bed wishing they'd come home when he was a kid.

" Steve!" Dustin screams and Steve jolts awake. He's standing outside the Byers house and he can't remember how he got there. " Steve, please-" his voice cuts out and turns into a blood curtling scream. Steve barrels through the door, slamming into it so hard it tears off of it's hinges, in his desperation to reach his kid. The screams and chokes sobs are loser now and Steve races toward Will's room.

The first thing he notices is Dustin, sobbing under a demodog. The second is the blood, there's so much fucking blood and the demodog is still tearing into his chest and Steve is unarmed. He snatches a lamp from the dresser and swings it as hard as he can. It connects with the demodog 's abdomen. And suddenly it's gone and Dustin is still bleeding and his breathing is raspy and shallow.

"St-steve?" His words are slurred and Steve shushes him softly.

"Yeah, it's me buddy. Just hold on okay, you're gonna be fine. Just hang on " Steve's eyes are burning with unshed tears as pulls his shirt off and tries to apply pressure to the wound.

" Steve p-please, I don't wanna die " Dustin's voice is weak, tears streaming down his cheeks as he gasps for air. And Steve feels his heart shattering as Dustin goes limp.

Steve wakes up screaming.

He thrashes pulling his nail bat close to himself as he sobs in Dustin's bedroom, cold seeping into his bones like water. God he wants his fucking kids back. Needs to make sure they're safe like he needs to breathe. He just needs his kids. And right now Will needs him.

Steve forces himself to his feet and tugs the backpack onto his shoulder. His next stop is Sinclair's house. He needs to get Will out of here as quickly as possible and standing around feeling miserable isn't helping anyone.

Chapter Text

Empty. Wheeler's house is empty. The same way the Buyer's, and the Henderson's and Sinclair's homes had been. Silent and decaying, leaving behind only echoes of painful memories and lost times. Steve's head spins as he stands, bat held loosely in his right hand, in the center of the Wheeler's basement staring blankly at the back wall. His heart races, he's not here, he's not fucking here. It's been nearly six days and Steve hasn't found him.

He sinks to his knees and static buzzes in his ears. He's not doing enough. He has to do more, better, faster. Something. Anything. He needs to find Will now. But the stress and constant movement is starting to get to him. Steve needs to sleep if he's going to make it anywhere and actually be able to do anything. It's also the last thing he wants to do. He wants to get up and keep going until he fucking finds Will.

If he hadn't done this kind of thing before and already known the importance of sleep and rest during this kind of mission he might have done just that. Instead he forces himself to stagger into Nancy's room on unsteady legs. He practically collapsed on the bed, barely waiting long enough to tug off his pack and set his bat on the bed beside him. He's out the moment his head hits the bed.

His dreams are dull flashes of memories, like a black and white filter had been draped across his memories. His dreams are like a highlight reel of all his worst days, everything he didn't want to remember. It's really only been about a week since everyone died and Steve had sworn he would do better.

"So why aren't you?" Will's corpse stares at him with glassy, unseeing eyes. Steve lurches back as a bloodied hand grips his shoulder. He whirls around to see Robin's brutalized corpse, the stare of gaping empty eye sockets burrowing into his soul.

" Why didn't you try to help us?" Her voice is raspy,. like she'd been gargling gravel. Her limbs are twisted at nauseating angles and the blood dripping down her face looks like tears. Nancy moves to stand beside Robin, her corpse decayed and wrapped in vines. A hand drenched in blood takes hold of his hand and he turns to see Dustin's mangled corpse beside him. His haunted eyes watch Steve sadly.

" You killed me, Steve. Why did you kill me?" He sounds so heartbreakingly sad tinged with confusion. Eddie's shredded corpse places a hand on Dustin's shoulder. The disappointment on his mauled face hits Steve like a sucker punch.

" Why?" Blood pools around his ankles, slowly rising until it's reaching his waist and Steve starts to panic. A hand catches a hold of his bicep and Steve turns to lock eyes with Billy Hargrove's corpse.

"I saved you all and you left me. You didn't even try." Steve tries unsuccessfully not to stare at the gaping cavity in Billy's chest. As the blood reaches his neck he tries to swim up away from the rising liquid, but dead hands hold him in place holding him below the surface. Blood fills his nose and mouth and he gags trying to expel the liquid from his lungs unsuccessfully.

Steve shoots up still gasping for breath. He clutches his nail bat like he can't live without it, taking deep breaths as best he can. He stands on wobbly legs and makes his way down the stairs. He doesn't have time to waste throwing himself a pity party. He has one destination left: the junkyard. He knows that the kids often spent time at the junkyard even before the Upside Down shit happened so it's a possibility, no matter how small, that Will decided to hole up there. It's a long trek and there isn't really anywhere to stop and rest so when Steve starts he'll likely either have to go until he gets there or sleep in the woods. Either way this is his last shot before he just starts sweeping the town.

Steve stares down the cleared path, framed by dead, rotting trees and swirling dust. He'll follow the power lines until they intercect with the railroad tracks which he'll follow until he reaches the trail to the junkyard. Steeling himself Steve takes the first of many steps on his trek to the junkyard.

It's completely different walking through the Upside Down alone than it was traveling with Robin, Eddie, and Nancy. It's easier to stay off of anything's radar but it's also difficult in the sense that Steve is entirely alone. Any decision that needs made is up to Steve and Steve alone. There's no helpful input from one of the others, no snarky comment that makes it easier to stay calm and focused. No one else to notice the things that Steve can't see. But there also isn't any arguing and there isn't anyone else who he has to worry about getting hurt because he wasn't fast enough.

The silence eats away at him like acid on metal. His nerves are frayed and the damp chill of the upside down is doing nothing to help. His fingers are freezing but he can't bring himself to set down the nail bat long enough to warm them up.

Walking beneath the decaying power lines is odd he remembers sitting beneath them and watching the stars with Tommy as a freshman, high out of his goddamn mind because Tommy wanted to try weed. But he also remembers following them from lovers lake to skull rock to find Eddie and if he's honest the clash of both experiences leaves him unsure of how to feel. On one hand, this was where they'd traveled to find Eddie after Patrick's death but on the other this was where Steve and Tommy had promised not to leave each other alone.

That promise had been broken by Steve. He'd left Tommy and Carol and he didn't blame them for not trying to stop him. It's not like he'd tried to sort things out between them either. He'd do better this time.

A sharp hiss jerks Steve out of his thoughts.

He scans the edge of the woods for the source of the noise. Caught in a tangle of vines a small orange tabby hisses from the edge of the path. Steve edges his way towards the kitten. He pities the poor thing, trapped alone in this hellscape with no idea on how it got there or how to get out.

"Hey buddy," he coos softly. "it's alright." He carefully untangles the vines from it's body, wincing as it claws at his hands. It yowls and spats as it struggles to evade his hands, ears pinned flat to it's skull.

The moment it's clear of the vines Steve lets go. It bolts, streaking through the trees like a bolt of lightning. It makes it only a few yards before a much larger dark figure tears out of the trees pouncing on the small cat. Steve freezes as the demodog tears the cat apart with brutal efficiency, blood and fur flying. It snarls triumphantly before it turns sharply in his direction. It stalks forward menacingly, slipping through the trees like a shadow.

Steve curses the cat as he tightens his grip on his nail bat and winces as it stretches the cuts on his hands. His palms are slick with blood and sweat and Steve curses again, keeping his eyes trained on the demodog as it slowly pads towards him.

It's nearly two yards away when it pauses midstep cocking it's head to the side like a confused dog. A low growl has Steve turning his head so fast he wouldn't be surprised if he gave himself whiplash. He turns just in time to watch another demodog slink out of the trees towards him. Both creatures are growling lowly in the back of their throats and the constant rumble sets Steve on edge as the circle him like wolves. It's difficult to keep an eye on both of them with the way they're spaced out. They're close enough that at this point it's only a matter of who strikes first and how.

"Come on." He hisses, adjusting his grip on the bat and rocking on the balls of his feet. " Come and get me you son of a bitch." The first demodog lunges at him and Steve drops to the ground narrowly managing to avoid sharp claws. He's on his feet again almost instantly swinging his bat down hard enough to shatter one of the creature's back legs. The agonized screech that follows makes Steve wince. In his peripheral vision he barely sees the second demodog leap toward him. He tries to lurch out of the way but he isn't fast enough and claws tear into his lower back.

Steve screams as white hot pain explodes across his back, knees buckling slightly. It loops around coming back for a second try but Steve and this time when it leaps at him he swing his bat hitting it in the chest with a sickening crunch. It hits the ground hard and the bat is dripping with gore, the nails having dug under it's skin and tearing chunks free. Steve staggers after it slamming his bat into it's skull with a vengeance. He keeps swinging until he's sure it isn't getting the fuck back up before he turns to the first demodog.

It's whimpering where it lays sprawled on the frigid ground, it's left hind leg shattered likely beyond repair. It quivers like a beaten dog and struggles to drag itself away from him. His heart aches for the poor thing scrabbling in the dirt like a puppy even as he raises his bat above his head ready to put an end to it when it flops down helplessly and whines. It sounds defeated, he isn't sure whether he's just projecting or if it's given up but hearing it like that hurts something deep at his core. He studies it, taking in it's smaller than normal frame and the clearly visible ribs. He lowers the bat slowly and crouches cautiously beside it.

He reaches out slowly and it cringes away from his touch with a whimper but it doesn't snap at him. He pets it gently before standing up slowly.

"I'm sorry buddy, it'll all be over soon." In a blur of motion Steve his slams his bat into it's skull with a crunch. Blood and brain matter spray across his jeans and the ground around him. He shakes his bat a little, trying to dislodge chunks of flesh and fragments of bone unsuccessfully. If Steve hadn't known that it was all a hive mind he might have taken it with him but the likelihood that it was just Vecna trying to get close to him is too high for his comfort.

He stares at the mangled mess of the demodog's for a moment before shouldering his bat and continuing toward the junkyard. He can feel exhaustion looming over his shoulder like the reaper and he decides to stop at the Lipton house and lay low for the night.

The sight of the drained lover's lake make Steve a little nauseous and the scars on his sides and stomach ache sympathetically. The house is practically suffocating in vines but the kitchen table is mostly clear so Steve arranges his blankets and curls up in the table. He'll be to the junkyard tomorrow. Steve prays that Will is there and that the kid is okay.

Chapter Text

The junkyard is even more eerie than it had been the night he'd first fought the demodogs. The startling lack of vines is a stark difference to the almost overwhelming amount found just about everywhere else. The vines that have managed to take hold here are thin and spidery, looping around rusting cars like tendrils of ivy. The junkyard itself is higher up than most of Hawkins and because of this most of the area is significantly dryer than everywhere else Steve had been.

Ordinarily, he would have said that it would make sense to stay in a dry area but the open space of the Junkyard makes Steve's fingers twitch around his nail bat.

He feels almost as if he's just waiting for something to spring out at him from the tree line. Like he's being watched constantly by something a whole lot bigger than him.

It makes him hesitant to call out for Will as opposed to searching through all of the cars. It might be more tedious to do it that way but it would draw less attention to himself and, if he's here, Will.

The decision is difficult to make not only because of the factor of efficiency and safety but of the fact that Will likely hasn't eaten or drank much of anything for nearly a week. And as if that wasn't enough to worry about it's freezing in the upside down and if Will at any point got wet, which he likely did, hypothermia is a serious concern. Not to mention his lack of knowledge of the hive mind and Vecna and no way to defend himself against the various creatures lurking throughout the twisted version of Hawkins.

Suddenly, the decision doesn't feel all that complicated as Steve cups his hands around his mouth and takes a breath.

" Will!" He calls. In the silence of the upside-down he might as well have been using a speaker system. It echoes through the junkyard and reverberates between the trees. Steve winces at the volume, praying that anything that hears him will just ignore it and move on.

" Will Byers!" He tries again, slightly quieter, trying not to alert everything else to his presence more than they already are.

" Hello?" A small voice rasps. It's weak and crackling, but it's undeniably Will, and Steve feels like he could fucking fly as relief as ngs through his veins like a drug. The reply came from the old bus that he and the kids had reinforced in preparation for their first encounter with the demodogs. Will hadn't been there at the time but Steve knew that the kids used to hangout there all the time before all of the crazy shit with the Lab and the Upside down happened.

He sprints toward the bus wrenching the door open, relief floods through him at the sight of the small figure curled into a ball in the back corner of the bus.

Wide frightened eyes stare back at him and Steve crouches slowly at the other end of the bus. Will doesn't know him. It's a crucial piece of information that had somehow slipped his mind, like water through a seive.

" Hey kiddo, my name's Steve. I'm here to get you outta here. Can I come closer?" The last thing he wants to do is make this experience any more stressful than it already is. Will nods and Steve moves until there is only a foot or so between them. He methodically scans the younger boy for visible injuries, relieved when he finds none.

Despite this good news Will is soaked to the bone and he's shivering violently. His lower lip wobbles and his eyes water. Steve wraps the boy in his arms, holding him as close as he can. He's unsure whether he's doing this correctly, he doesn't really have much experience hugging or being hugged, but he's trying his damnedest. After a few months pulls back slightly to make eye contact with Will.

"Let's try and get you dried off alright?" He slides his pack off of his back as Will agrees quietly. Steve stands holding a spare sheet he'd taken from one of the boy's houses and scans the bus. He tucks the top corners into crevices at the top of the bus walls to create a bubble of privacy for Will.

He places the dry clothes he'd brought on a dry seat and explains to Will what to do.

" I'll be right here if anything happens, okay?" He ruffles the boy's hair before turning to face away from the corner to stand guard. Steve stands restlessly, nail bat in hand. The silence is countered by the dull rustle of fabric and both his and Will's breathing.

It's strange to be so aware of another person's presence after spending so long alone. It's the subtle shifts from silence that really throw Steve for a loop, the soft puff of Will's breathing, the eerie way he can almost sense the younger boy's presence like an unwanted gaze. He wonders if Will feels the same way, an unexplainable awareness of the other's presence. Wonders if what he's experiencing is just a watered down version of how Vecna's hive mind feels.

" Hey S-steve, I'm done." Will's voice is soft and as Steve turns to face him he can't help but take in how incredibly small the boy seems. The clothes that Steve had given him are obviously a size too large and only add to his slender appearance. Unfortunately his hair his still damp, there isn't much to be done about that, but it's a far cry better than how soaked he'd been before.

"We're going to stay the night here if that's alright with you." Will nods,

"That's fine." He whispers clinging to the hem of Steve's shirt like he's afraid he'll disappear if he lets go. Steve hands him a bottle of water and a granola bar, he slowly begins to arrange his blankets in the other back corner.

When he's satisfied he tucks Will against his chest bundling both of them as warmly as possible. The kid is cold to the touch, it seems to radiate off of him in waves that Steve can feel through his clothes. Steve ignores the small wet patches Will's hair is leaving on his jacket in favor of carding a hand through his hair gently. He's so fucking glad that he thought to grab warm clothes for Will even if it isn't much. Shared body heat and blankets will have to be enough until Steve can get his kid somewhere with actual heating.

He's got his kid. His kid is unharmed and he's safe now. Steve can hardly believe it. He feels as overwhelmingly relieved as he did when he woke up to find Robin unharmed after the Russians had tortured him. He'd been so afraid that he hadn't been able to hold their attention well enough and they'd tried to interrogate her that he'd been as difficult as he possibly could.

Steve lays awake until Will's breathing evens out and he seems to melt into Steve's embrace. It isn't until then that he allows himself to close his eyes and finally try to get some sleep. Tomorrow they'll head back towards the lab and get the hell out of here but right now all that matters is Will is safe.

Chapter Text

Will had heard the name Steve Harrington even though he'd never met the older boy.

Jonathan had complained about the older boy frequently enough that the name stuck. Usually when his brother talked about Harrington the majority of the rant focused on him, Tommy Hagan, and Carol Perkins who were all apparently a grade above Jonathan.

He rarely complained about Steve separately though. It was like the three of them were a package deal, where there was Steve there was Tommy and Carol. Jonathan wove stories of barbed words and bruises. Of damning rumors and false smiles that hid a shark's grin.

Now none of this seemed to be particularly important information to Will, Steve Harrington would be graduating before Will would start highschool and it seemed especially important after he'd been dragged in what Will could only describe as the Vale of Shadows. He'd tried to stay in his house but when the creature that had attacked him came back he'd known he had to move. It was to risky to stay there. Deciding to kill two birds with one stone he'd headed to the quarry, Jonathan had shown him a small trail that lead down to the water and at the moment water was something he was desperate for.

To his dismay, upon arrival he found the quarry bone dry. Will wanted to cry, or scream but he didn't want to risk alerting the creature to his presence. The quarry was no longer an option, there was nothing for him there and the nearest Will could think of was the junkyard. He felt a little more assured in his decision when he arrives and sees the irregular sparcity of the vines. It seems a

Will stayed in the junkyard for what felt like ages drinking sparingly from the bottle he'd found in a house on Cartersville.

The first time he hears a man's voice calling his name Will thinks he's finally lost it. When it calls again Will hesitantly responds. When the door of the bus is wrenched open Will thinks he might throw up. It'd found him, he was going to die.

That's when Will meets Steve.

Steve isn't anything like he'd expected, sure he's plenty scary carrying a bat hammered full of nails with a surety that speaks of experience, but there are no harsh biting words or pointed accusations and in their place are soft reassurances and gentle promises. It's almost disorienting to interact with someone who treats him like he's something to be protected because he's valued or wanted rather than because he's fragile.

Steve looks at Will like he'd do anything to keep him safe and it makes Will want to cry. And when Steve pulls out dry clothes that were obviously brand new and strung up a sheet for privacy Will does cry. He slowly changes trying to keep his tears silent as they stream down his face.

Of all the people that he'd expected or thought would find him Steve Harrington hadn't even been a consideration but here he was passing Will food and water and wrapping him in blankets before pulling him tight against him and telling him to get some sleep.

When Will wakes up he almost thinks that it was all a dream. That the past week had been nothing more than a bad dream and Jonathan would come in and tell him that it was time for breakfast. The illusion is shattered when Steve shifts behind him carefully tucking Will closer to him. He thinks the older boy might still be sleeping but he isn't positive.

Jonathan had always called him 'King Steve's or ' The Hair' but when Steve had shown up out of nowhere looking like and absolute badass, solving most of Will's most pressing issues (food, water, heat) Will is pretty sure that the older boy is an angel.

A snarl sounds outside the bus and Steve shoots bolt upright already reaching for his bat. Will jumps at the sudden movement and Steve is quick to reassure him.

" You're okay, I'll take care of them. Don't worry." He gently sweeps his hair back from his forehead, pressing a quick kiss. "Just wait here." It's strange but welcome, Will thinks, for Steve to do something that his mom had done so often to reassure him. He acts so familiar with Will despite this being one of their first interactions, it's incredibly comforting to have someone seem to understand what he needs before he even has to say it out loud.

Will watches with wide eyes as Steve stands, bat in hand, and heads toward the door of the bus. Fear clutches at his throat making everything all the more difficult.

" Steve," The older boy turns concern blanketing his features, "be careful." Will's voice is barely more than a whisper. Steve nods easily and steps out of the bus. Will forces himself to his feet and staggers over to the windows, blanket wrapped around his body. Steve is standing in the center of the clearing both hands on his bat, stance wide and ready. Will isn't sure what the other boy is waiting for until, in a blur of movement, a large dog like creature launches itself at Steve.

Steve hits the ground hard and Will winces as he narrowly manages to evade being clawed in the face as it sails over top of him, unable to change directions mid air. Steve is on his feet again moments before it hits the ground, his bat arching towards it in a streak of grey and brown. The bat connects with the creature's spine with a sickening snap as vertebra are forced apart. The shriek that follows is earsplittingly and full of rage and pain. Will covers his ears and watches as Steve hefts his bat up again before slamming it into it's skull. Black and grey flesh and blood spray across the frozen ground and the front of Steve's pants like paint.

A smear of it is splattered across his jaw and under one eyes almost like war paint when he tries unsuccessfully to wipe it a way. Only succeeding in spreading it further because his hands are coated in it too.

Steve turns to scan the tree line for anything that might be concealed there before returning to the bus on steady legs. Will know that he would have been shaking like a leaf but Steve is, for all the world, entirely unfazed.

The moment Steve entera the bus Will flings himself at the older boy, wrapping his arms tightly around his midsection and clinging to him like a limpet trying not to cry.

" Woah, easy Will." Steve soothes " What's wrong Kiddo?" He sounds worried and Will just shakes his head and clings to him harder tears leaking onto Steve's jacket. Steve holds him tight a hand cupping the back of his head.

Will is glad that Steve is here. He wonders how Jonathan could have been so wrong about someone as Steve crouches down to better hold Will doing his best to console him.

Chapter Text

When Will has finally calmed down, enough for Steve not to feel like he needs to worry that he's going to pass out or choke on his own tears, Steve uses one hand to pick up his nail bat and the other to corral Will back towards the sleeping pile. He props his bat against the wall as he settles into the pile and let's Will try to settle as comfortably as possible in his lap wrapping the blankets around them tightly to keep out the cold.

Steve gets more and more worried the longer Will goes without saying anything. Steve and Will hadn't been as close as he was with Dustin or Lucas, mostly because he'd had Jonathan, so he isn't as familiar with the kid's nonverbal queues.

When he finally speaks his voice is shaky and hoarse from crying.

" I never want anything like that to happen ever again." He rasps, eyes red and cheeks tear stained. " I thought you were going to get hurt. Bad. And it would have been my fault."

" No, no kiddo, it's wouldn't have been your fault. You're a kid, and I made my own choices." Steve tightens his hold on Will wishing he knew how to fix this. Why would Will blame himself? He hadn't done anything to hurt Steve. Why would he feel responsible for Steve's mistakes?

" I need you to be safe Will, it's my job to make sure you are. So you do your best and I'll worry about the rest." Will nods and they settle back comfortably.

They sit in silence for a moment longer, Will staring at the nail bat with awe struck eyes. It's stained with black blood and small chunks of flesh that hadn't been dislodged when he'd tried to shake it all off.

" What did you name it?" Steve scrunches his eyebrows together at the question, not entirely understanding.

" Name it?" He asks puzzled. Will nods enthusiastically turning to look up at Steve with wide excited eyes. Steve thinks about all the kids that had named their car or truck, he thinks about Robin's trumpet that she'd proudly proclaimed she'd named Benji when she had first started playing.

Steve had never even considered naming his car the last time around and honestly he hadn't really owned anything else that could have been worthy of a name.

" Yeah, like Sting or Narsil in Lord of the Rings!" And when Steve remains quiet he pours slightly. " You have to name it, it's basically your version of sting!!" Steve feels his resolve crumble as the boy grins up at him.

" Alright, I guess I could name her." He sighs dramatically, " but you can't laugh at me if the names sound stupid, okay?" Honestly, Steve is mostly surprised that none of the kids had made him name it the first time around. He screws up is face in mock concentration and spews the first random names that come to mind.

" Uh, Betsy? Or maybe like Katie, or Betty or something?" He looks to Will who is very clearly struggling to keep a straight face. " Or maybe it isn't long enough, I could name her Annalise and call her Annie for short!" Steve isn't sure what the goal of naming the bat is, should it be long? Should it be short? Should it be more of a title? Will grins at him.

" Definitely Annalise, we'll call her Annie most of the time though." Will's smile is practically glowing with how excited the kid is as he babbles on about how easy it would be to bring her up in conversations now that she has a name.

' Annalise, Annie....Annalise.' Steve rolls the names across his tongue getting a feel of them. Suddenly Steve notices the silence and realizes just how long he's been silent. Will stares up at him with big hopeful eyes,

" Do you like Annalise?" His voice is softer now than before, unsure, and Steve grins broadly at him.

" It's perfect." Will beams, looking like a kid on Christmas.

" When you fought that thing," he starts hesitantly.

" Demodog," Steve corrects easily and Will nods slowly.

" How'd you know what to do? Like if that was me I would have panicked but you just knew." Will is looking at him like he'd hung the stars in the sky and Steve fights a wince. He wouldn't look like that if he knew that Steve had let him die. Had let them all die. He swallows, throat tight, and pushes the thought aside.

" Well, I've been looking for you since you disappeared kiddo." He hopes that the younger boy will leave it at that. In a stroke of luck Will's eyes only widen. Steve ruffles his hair affectionately as they both stand up.

" Let's get you the hell out of here, yeah?" Will frowns, and tilts his head like a confused puppy.

" Let's both get out of here." He counters firmly with narrowed eyes. " Promise me we get out together." His eyes are tearing up slightly.

" I promise." But Steve knows that if it comes down to him or Will getting out he'd choose Will every single time. No matter what he'd promised the younger boy. Will's family needs him to come home safe and right now he's the only person that can ensure that he makes it home at all.

And he will. That's one promise that Steve fully intends to keep. No matter the cost.

Chapter Text

Will hates puddles. Hates the way they soak into his shoes when he steps in them. Hates the way they look deceptively shallow until you go to walk through them and sudden you're up to your ankles in filthy freezing water.

He used to like puddles. Stomping around in them with the Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. When he was younger Jonathan used to help him make little homemade boats out of can, or paper and they'd try and float the in the puddles that always formed in their driveway after it rained. It had been tradition up until recently when Jonathan got a job.

He hated the cold. Hates that it'll always remind him of this place. (Steve calls it the 'Upside Down') The fact that fall used to be his favorite season only makes him want to cry. How is Will supposed to move on from this if he can't bring himself to enjoy the things that made him happy?

He hadn't realized he'd stopped walking until Steve is in his knees in front of him a hand cupping his face as he stares worriedly at Will.

" What's wrong, Kiddo?" Will's shakes his head fighting tears. God he wishes he'd stop crying around Steve. The older boy is so cool, he's almost jealous of how quickly Steve adjusted to navigating the upside down, and Will is crying like a baby and slowing them down.

" How am I supposed to move on?" He whimpers tears blurring his vision. " I just want everything to go back to normal." Steve pulls him into a hug.

" You don't have to move on. You handle this however you need to, okay? You're safe now. I'll take care of everything, when we get back I'll still be there." And Will? Will believes him with everything he has. If Steve says it'll all be fine then he has no reason not to believe him. He'd swooped in like the most badass guardian angel ever and fixed what felt like everything.

" Thanks Steve." He whispers into the fabric of the older boy's jacket.

" Of course, Will."

Will doesn't know what he had expected from Hawkins Lab but it isn't nearly as ominous as he'd thought it'd be.

It's tall and looming and surrounded by chain link fences but there's clearly what should have been flower beds out front and lots of windows, so Will thinks it can't be all that bad of a workplace.

The place seems to set Steve on edge though. Which strikes Will as odd because even when they were in the woods and had to hide beneath a huge rock outcropping because the 'demobats' were getting close, Steve had seemed cool and prepared. Will thinks maybe the lab should scare him more than it does.

Steve leads him inside the building bat in hand like he's expecting trouble. They take the stairs down several levels without incident but when they reach the fifth sublevel a snarl pieces the air, shattering the uneasy silence that had built around them the further down they'd gotten.

Will jerks his head up to look at Steve with wide frightened eyes. His heart thuds loudly in his chest as Steve presses a finger to his lips in warning and pointing to an open door.

" Lock the door behind you and don't open it until I give you the all clear. Understood?" His voice is tight and commanding and all Will can do is stare as he's ushered into the empty room and the door is closed behind him.

He locks the door with shaking hands and stares at the wood. Steve is out there on his own and Will can hear whatever was out there snarling still, even with the door between them.

Something slams into the door, hard, and Will scrambled back with a shriek. He can hear Steve yelling something he can't make out and the scramble of claws against the tile of the floors. He hears Steve's muffled stream, the snap of bones, a wet thud and a bone chilling mix between a growl and a screech. There's another sharp crack before the hall goes silent. Will registers that he's crying distantly and he tries to wipe his face with trembling hands.

" Steve?" He croaks staggering towards the door but not moving to open it. When he doesn't get a response he thinks his heart stops and then,

" Will. It's okay kiddo, you can open the door now." Will struggles with the lock and shoves the door open like he the demogorgon was hot on his heels and launches himself at Steve. As he clings to the older boy he catches a glimpse of the hulking figure collapsed on the ground, black and blue blood sprayed across the floor and walls.

It's a sickly grey color with wicked looking claws. But mostly it's massive, like so much bigger than the thing that had dragged him into the upside down.

It has the characteristic lack of a face same as everything else Will has seen here but rather than unfurling like a flower it has a jaw that seems to have unhinged at the back of it's skull and split down the center. It's mouth, which hung open in death, is has a row of serrated fang like teeth on the top jaw while both halves of it's lower jaw have rows apon rows of teeth like the demodog had. It has two tails that end in a spike similar to it's claws.

It's missing chunks where Steve's bat had likely caught on it and torn out chunks of flesh. And it's stained black and blue in some places by it's own blood.

" What is that?" He whispers, and for once Steve doesn't seem to immediately have a name.

"Chimera." He responds sounding rattled. " We need to keep moving." He urges resting Annie on his shoulder as he directs Will towards the next set of stairs. " The sooner we get out of here the safer we'll be."

The trip down the stairs is tense and Will can't help but couch Steve's hand like a lifeline. The older boy scans every door they pass like he's expecting something to come crashing through them like a freight train. And there are so many damn stairs.

Will decides he hates stairs too. His feet are starting to ache from a combination of the cold, wet, and constant walking. Stairs, he decides, are stupid and he kicks one of them for good measure. That gets him a weird look from Steve, but he lets it go when Will shakes his head in answer to his questioning glance.

Will thinks that Steve and Jonathan would get along well. They both were some of the most caring people he had ever met. And besides, it would do Jonathan some good to have someone like Steve as his friend.

When they reach the final flight of stairs Will wants to cry in relief, seriously who even makes so many stairs? It's even colder down here than usual and Will can hear his teeth chattering. He watches Steve shiver and feels better knowing that he isn't the only one affected by the sudden change in temperature.

"We're almost there kiddo." Steve murmurs, squeezing Will's hand for a moment. " Let's get you home."

The gate is red and pulsating and not at all the swirling vortex of energy that Will had imagined. It's coated in a slimy skin-like membrane that Steve uses Annie to rip open. The vines around it writhe like they're unhappy that the gate was tampered with but before Will has much time to dwell on any of that Steve is pulling him forward gently. He follows despite his unease at the sight of the gate.

The gate is just as cold and slimy as it looks. When the pair stumble out on the other side the first thing Will notices is how warm it is. The only real source of warmth in the upside down had been Steve the sudden change makes his face feel numb.

" Stay close to me, don't speak to anyone. Let me do the talking, okay?" Will nods, he doesn't really understand what's going on but Steve hasn't relaxed his grip on Annie in the slightest. He looks like he's ready to beat anyone who so much as breathes in their directions half to death.

The way his eyes harden when an older man with white hair approaches them tells Will he was probably on the right track. Steve isn't the only one on edge though. The man, who's tag reads Dr. M. Brenner, looks stiff like he'd received particularly unpleasant news.

" Ah, Mr Harrington. I'll be honest we weren't really expecting to see you again." He says it with a small laugh and a smile like it was supposed to be funny. Will isn't impressed and clearly neither is Steve if the way he glares at the older man is any indication.

" Unfortunately, Dr Brenner, Will and I need to be leaving. Now. I appreciate your cooperation." He stalks past the man who gapes wide enough Will thinks he could catch flies. He snickers quietly as Steve leads him towards the elevator. After a few seconds he can hear Brenner behind them calling for 'Mr Harrington' to hold on and wait. Steve keeps walking, head held high and Annalise clenched tightly in his other hand.

As the elevator door closes Will watches Brenner scramble for the doors only for them to slide shut in his face.

Will heaves a sigh of relief, they made it. He's going home.

Chapter Text

Steve doesn't relax fully until after he and Will can no longer see the lab behind them.

Describing what had happened in the upside down, even if it had been a slightly edited version, to Brenner had been exhausting. Seeing the way the scientist leaned toward them with unbridled interest made him want to claw his face off. He never wants Will anywhere even remotely close to the man ever again.

The sun shines cheerily through the trees and Steve doesn't think he's ever been nearly as happy to see it as he is now watching Will take in everything he'd been missing since he'd been dragged into the upside down.

The real problem now is that Steve doesn't know how he's supposed to just send Will home knowing that the lab knows about him and that the upside down is still a threat and that kids can be so fucking cruel. The idea of letting Will out of his sight makes Steve's skin crawl.

So many things could go wrong. How is he supposed to protect him if-. A branch snaps and both he and Will freeze. Steve pulls Will closer to him reaching for his bat before his eyes lock onto Eleven.

She's smaller now than she'd ever been when he'd known her and her hair is buzzed again but she's undoubtedly Eleven. She stares at him with wide frightened eyes, her legs and hands are covered in cuts and scratches and Steve feels his heart lurch.

He crouches down slowly, " You look cold, kiddo." He tries unsure of how to get her to trust him without scaring her away by accident. Will pipes up from behind him.

" We have those blankets don't we? We can help you, right Steve?" Steve nods without hesitation. Eleven inches forward warily and he shrugs the bag off his shoulder and pulls out the warmest blanket he'd packed.

" Here you go kid." He wraps the blanket around her shoulders gently. " What's your name sweetheart?"

He knows it would be suspicious if he knew her name before she told him and he already knows obviously but he still feels sick when she shows him the tattoo on her wrist and tells him.

" Eleven."

It's surprisingly easy for him to convince Eleven to come home with him, the real struggle is convincing Will. Steve understands he wants to go home. He really does. But the idea makes him feel sick. He has to keep them safe and he can't do that if they split up. That's how he got them all killed, he let them split up and hadn't been able to keep them safe.

In the end all it takes is Steve crouching down holding Will's shoulders and pleading that he just wants to keep him safe for Will to understand. Eleven had taken hold of his left hand and Will had taken hold of his right and Steve took them home.

The house is dark silent as he'd expected. It's easier this time around not to feel sour at the thought. He's not sure how he'd explain the appearance of two children to his parents. They enter through the sliding door at the back of the house and Steve immediately leads the pair upstairs to the master bathroom and pulls out his first aid kit.

None of Eleven's cuts look particularly deep but Steve would hate for any of them to get infected. While he cleans and wraps them Will tells Eleven about their time in the upside down and asks her questions about herself that she answers in stilted unsure half phrases. When they're finished he stands helping Eleven down from the counter.

" Let's get some food, I'm sure it's been a long day for all of us." The trek to the kitchen is accompanied by Will's endless commentary of just about everything for El, from the fireplace to the blinds. It's endearing how far the younger boy goes to make her feel comfortable in her new surroundings. It's easy for him to set the pair in front of the television and let the two choose a movie.

Their words fall into the background as Steve flits through his kitchen pulling out ingredients and utensils as he goes and placing them on the island. It's so incredibly familiar to be cooking with the television in the background and one or more of the boy's talking enthusiastically.

He's mixing the casserole listening to the Will and Eleven talking, it's different from when Dustin was there. The younger boy would sit in the island counter or in a chair and ramble on about either his day or their latest campaign in Hellfire.

Steve drops his spoon hands braced on either side of the bowl as tears stream down his face. God he misses his kid. Dustin was the little brother that he hadn't realized he'd wanted. He feels the younger boy's loss like a phantom limb.

By the time food is done Steve has finally managed to calm himself down and thinks he'll be able to bring himself to leave the kitchen. He sets the dining table for the three of them and carries the food into the dining room his stomach churning with a mixture of hunger and nerves.

Technically since he's the only one who knows, this is both kids first time eating with him and he knows it's far beyond first impressions but he wants them to be happy. To enjoy themselves and maybe it's selfish but he desperately wants them to like him. To stay. God he just doesn't want them to get hurt.

He feels like a fucking asshole keeping Will from Joyce and Jonathan but the idea of leaving the younger boy with them makes his heart rate skyrocket. He doesn't think that Eleven will have any objections to staying and Steve refuses to let Brenner get his hands on her ever again.

Dinner is a bubbly affair. Both of of the kids are basically floating with their excitement at being free and safe and Steve is so goddamn glad he isn't alone anymore. Things feel the closest to normal they've been since he woke up in the past.

Steve talks to Eleven about picking out things for her new room and new clothes hoping to help her better settle in.

He also talks to Will about waiting a week or so before he goes home just to be sure that he's safe and healed up so they don't have to explain the upside down to his mom and put her on the labs radar. (He's pretty sure the only reason that Will agrees is because he understands just how much the lab worries him.)

After they finish eating and clear the table Steve helps the kids settle down for bed and helps them find sleepware from some of his smaller clothes. He offers them both a guest bedroom but in the end Steve finds himself in his bed with both of the kids tucked safely against his sides. The curtains are closed and the door is locked and Steve is confident that they're all going to be fine. He's not losing anyone ever again he swears to himself as a plan ever so slowly forms in the back of his mind.

Steve falls asleep listening to the soft breathing of Will and El knowing that he's making progress.

This time he'll be better.

He'll make it better.

Chapter Text

Tommy Hagan has known Steve Harrington since they were children. He'd taken one look at Steve, he'd been small and quiet and looked like he'd never seen so many other kids in the same place before, and decided that he wanted to be friends.

Tommy hadn't actually met Steve's parents until nearly six months after they were nine and old enough not to cause trouble and started hanging out. He had been to the other boy's house and met the nanny that only came by every other day to check in and feed him, but he'd never actually seen Steve's parents until they'd came home one day, arms full of luggage, and asked (ordered) Steve to go grab the rest of their bags. They hadn't even noticed Tommy was there until he'd literally ran into Mrs. Harrington's legs coming out of the bathroom. She'd changed up her act real quick offering to make breakfast.

Needless to say he hadn't been impressed.

Steve's parents may not be like Tommy's dad but they were their own kind of fucked. They might not hit Steve but they tore at his very being picking at the things that made Steve, Steve and criticizing them.

As they'd got older Steve and Tommy had only gotten closer and he'd noticed little things. How Steve ignored the little hurtful comments that the older boys sometimes made even though they made him curl into himself like he'd been hit but if they said something like that to Tommy or Carol he'd snarl something nastier at them loud enough for others to hear.

So Tommy decided he wasn't going to let them say shit about Steve either. He retaliated with with his fists and spewed venom. His words weren't as carefully targeted as Steve's but they managed to cut just as deep either to their self esteem or to their reputation. (Sometimes if he really thought about it it made his skin crawl sounding so similar to his dad but it made it worth it when people stopped saying shit to Steve.)

Then they started Highschool and the words were more brutal so Tommy followed suit and his pushes became punches and kicks and his words got more scathing and taunting. The older kids were like sharks and weakness drew them in like blood in the water and Steve was soft, he didn't want to hurt anyone, not really, so Tommy looked out for him. Steve was the charms and Tommy was the guard dog.

Steve's reputation as King was a relief for all three of them, the rest of the jocks were less likely to try and start shit and Steve didn't have to really do anything too mean. Tommy knew Steve like he knew his own hand and anything he didn't know Steve told him so he also knew that even though he kind of wanted to strangle the girls that traded off of Steve's arm like clothes he couldn't really hate them because they helped make Steve feel like he could be loved. That he was worth something. (Even though Tommy could have, would have done that, been that for him if he'd wanted it.)

So when sophomore year his best friend disappeared for a week and a half after skipping out on Daniel's party Tommy is worried. And when Tommy is worried he gets agitated and no one likes an agitated Tommy without Steve around to stop him from beating faces in. When Steve comes back he's got bandages spanning the length of his torso and Tommy sees red when he catches sight of the long cuts torn into his back and his hands that look like they've gone through the shredder.

Tommy thinks that maybe he misjudged the Harringtons because there's now way you can do something like that to your kid and claim any kind of Innocence. But the most important thing right now is that this is the kind of weakness that could potentially destroy Steve. As much as his friend likes to pretend that words don't hurt him Tommy had held a faded Steve as he cried asking Tommy why he wasn't good enough.

Tommy feels like an exposed live wire as he attaches himself to Steve's side skipping classes that they don't share to keep an eye on him. When one of Munson's gang of freaks slams into Steve's back in the hallway eliciting a pained whimper Tommy whirls around grabbing a hold of the boy's shirt with a snarl. When he catches sight of the dying smirk and he realizes this little bastard had thought it was funny that he'd hurt Steve Tommy thinks he might actually kill this kid. He slams the kid into the nearest locker crowding into his space and grabbing hold of his hair.

" Think that's funny freak?" He snarls watching as amusement melts into fear and pain. " Touch him again and I'll break ever single bone in your goddamn body. Understoo-" A large hand grabs his shoulder and gently pulls him away from the other boy.

" Easy Tommy, it's okay he didn't mean it." Steve is gently prying his hands from the boy's shirt and hooking an arm under his arms and pulling him off of the kid.

It's difficult to let Steve pull him away from the little bitch but ultimately the fear that any resistance from him might accidentally hurt Steve more.

It's not the only time that Steve holds him back from beating the shit out of someone and the entire school is buzzing with the news that Steve Harrington is going soft ands Tommy wants to claw the bitch that started the rumor 's face off.

It's going to get Steve hurt he's sure of it. They're still.just Sophomores and the upperclassmen that they'd dethroned were still itching for the chance to ruin them. So when Jason Carver a freshman who is had slowly been gaining traction shoulder checks Steve in the hallway Tommy grabs him by the back of jacket slamming him into the ground before planting a foot in the center of his chest.

" You're lucky Steve's been feeling nice because it means that you'll be able to use both of your legs when I'm done with you." He growls " I'm only gonna say this once so listen up. Steve is still very much the King here, he's just being nicer now. The next time you mess with Steve the rumor will get back to your parents that you knocked up a girl last month at a party." Everyone knows Carver 's parent are religious as hell and Tommy wants to laugh as he lets the kid up and watches him scramble away.

It's not hard for Tommy to tamp back his more violent retaliations when Steve is at his shoulder but when he hears shit on his own it feels like a betrayal not to do something. And when it comes down to it Tommy is nothing if not prone to drastic measures.

Tommy knows that he might be seeing threats where there aren't any but when it comes to keeping Steve safe it's better to be safe than sorry because while Tommy will retaliate Steve won't.

Tommy doesn't know what brought about this change in Steve's behavior that has him trying to rein Tommy in but he's willing to go with it if it's this important to Steve.

Chapter Text

It's been a few days since he'd, in essence, moved in with Steve and as easy as it is to ease into routine there are little things that just don't add up. There's the obvious oddities, for example the older boy is paranoid as hell. Doors and windows stay locked unless he's supervising and even then he's jumpy and always scanning the possible entries and exits. In the same vein Steve easily accommodates the way both him and Eleven curled next to him in his massive bed. He sleeps with Annie propped directly against the bed, easily in arms reach.

The real hitches are the way Steve just knows things about Will without him saying anything. Sometimes it's little things, like his favorite food or favorite color, other times it's things that Will didn't even know about himself like how flickering lights make him nervous. (Although they seem to set Steve on edge too.)

Steve hates leaving them alone. The first time he has to leave for school Will thought he was going to cry or be sick. He'd looked so panicked and he'd make them swear up and down that they'd lock the doors and stay inside. Before he'd left Steve made waffles for breakfast and fixed Will's plate exactly how he always made his, the syrup in a separate little bowl and a small assortment of fruits on the left of his waffles and exactly three strips of bacon on the right. Will had only ever taken three at a time. At first he'd assumed that this was just how Steve did waffles but then he'd placed a plate in front of Eleven who's waffles were decorated with strawberries and dusted in powdered sugar. Five strips of bacon laid unobtrusively beside her waffles.

Eleven is her own can of worms. She's small like he is and quiet like he is but that's where the similarities end. She speaks in stilted English, like no one ever taught her how to. Little things that Will had never questioned seem to fascinate her and she treats Steve's word as law. The first time Steve called her Ellie she burst into tears. It would be sweet how gentle Steve is with her if he didn't know it had something to do with the "011" tattooed on her wrist like she was cattle.

But for all of the wrinkles and hitches staying with Steve, more than anything, feels safe. He knows that Steve can and will protect him and El. He hadn't even known either of them before Will had been taken and he'd still fought tooth and nail to find him.

So as much as Will wishes he could hug his mom, or Jonathan or tell his friends that he's okay, Will understands why Steve is reluctant to let him leave. He loves his family but if he showed up out of nowhere unable to tell them anything about what had happened or where he'd been, because of the NDA's the people at the lab had made them sign, he knows that they wouldn't be able to leave it alone.

They'd treat him like glass or always be not so subtly poking and prodding trying to get an explanation out of him. Will isn't sure if he'd be able to keep quiet under so much pressure to talk, and it's important he doesn't say anything. For whatever reason the lab scares Steve. It's the way that he and Eleven both tense up at the mention of the lab, the way he'd sneered at the employees and scientists, that really conveys the fear.

The first day that Steve has to leave for school is almost painfully awkward. It's the first time he's been truly alone with Eleven who he knows little to nothing about. How does one go about talking to a girl anyway. It's not like he'd had all that much practice before.

It turns out to be surprisingly uncomplicated. She's eager to learn and see anything and everything and Will is glad to be able to show her some of his favorite things. He shows her some of the drawings of his friends that he'd make a few days ago.

They spend a few hours sprawled on the dining room floor with pads of paper and all kinds of crayons and colored pencils and markers drawing everything under the sun. It's nice, he thinks, spending time with Eleven she listens when he tells her things and always waits until he's finished talking before she asks a question or gives her own two cents. It's so different from the way the party usually scrambles to get their point heard.

It's easy to fall into routine living with Steve, he wakes up at six to the smell of whatever Steve is making for breakfast and heads downstairs, then he spends the day with Eleven trying to help her learn things she'd not been able to experience at the lab. When Steve gets home from school he checks them over for injuries before starting dinner. Sometimes he brings home new movies he'd rented from the video store or board games he'd bought on his way home.

It's sweet how hard he's trying to keep them happy but after a week and a half of living with Steve, Will wants to go home. He misses his mom. Nothing's even happened since Steve got him out of the upside down anyway. He doesn't understand stand why Steve is so worried. It makes him nervous how adamant the older boy is that he can't leave.

Steve is out in the backyard cleaning up the pool, which is a bit of a surprise given the way the pool seems to agitate him, when Will decides to finally bring up the question. He pulls open the slider and steps into the yard.

" Steve?" He sounds nervous to his own ears and the older boy whirls around scanning him for injuries frantically.

" What's wrong Kiddo?" He asks, his voice pitched low and gentle. Will feels a little bad for worrying the older boy but he steels himself.

" Why can't I go home?" He rushes through the question before he can lose his nerve and back out. Steve's face falls and he rushes to wrap his arms around Will.

" I'm so sorry, Will. I know this is hard for you but I promise you if I thought it was safe I'd take you home in an instant." His eyes are wide and pained with water beading in the corners. Will's eyes water in response. He nods into the older boy's shoulder trying to ignore the fact that he hadn't seen any sign of the upside down since they'd escaped.

Steve stands only to stumble over an uneven patch of concrete. He goes down, hitting the pavement hard. Will's eyes widen and he makes to hurry forward when Steve stands looking sheepish, blood dripping sluggishly from a cut near his hairline. He watches the older boy reach to brush it away only to freeze at the sight of his crimson painted fingertips.

" Shit. Will get in the house." Will frowns he opens his mouth to ask what was going on when Steve bodily shoves him back into the house slamming the slider closed behind him. Will is pushing himself to his feet when he hears a sickeningly familiar shriek.

Steve stands by the pool, nail bat in hand blood dripping down his face as he scans the treeline. Will knows that whatever is out there is something that shouldn't be anywhere but the upside down. Once again he's struck with relief that Steve rarely goes anywhere without Annie.

" Will?" The sound of his name nearly has him jumping out of his skin. Eleven had joined him by the glass door and was looking over at him with concerned brown eyes.

"Steve said to stay inside." He doesn't know why but it's the first thing he can think to say. Probably because he's not just warning Eleven, he's reminding himself that he has to stay put. The last thing he wants to do is distract Steve and get him hurt. He's about to elaborate when a tall lanky figure stalks out from between the trees. It's stands at nearly nine feet tall with grossly long and disproportionate limbs. He watches in horror as it's face peels open the same way the demodog's had, red maw littered with jagged teeth.

Steve wastes no time charging forward swing his weapon easily, ducking and weaving around the swipe of the the monster's claws. It shrieks as the nails tear chunks of grey flesh from it's body, spraying Steve with black blood like paint splattered on a canvas.

The older boy moves fluidly without even the barest hint of hesitation. His entire being is focused like a bloodhound on the creature before him. It's over before Will really has a chance to comprehend the fight. It's on the ground, skull.crushed by the nail bat into a horrific smear of black, grey, and chunks of white bone. Steve sprints toward the house pulling the door open with wide frightened eyes. He pulls Will and Eleven into a bone crushing hug, murmuring reassurances and apologies.

Will presses his face into the soft fabric of Steve's shirt and cries. He wonders how many of the creatures Steve had fought in secret to keep them safe. Guilt simmers low in his chest at the thought that he'd doubted Steve's motives. They stay like that, Steve crouches on the tile holding Will and Eleven like he was afraid they would disappear if he let go, for what feels like hours.

Chapter Text

Steve is warm.

Physically and emotionally Steve is warm. He's warm when he holds her and Will after the attack, his voice was warm when he found her in the woods. Steve is warm when he talks about Tommy and Carol.

But Steve is also cold.

He watches the pool with cold distain and fear. The look he gets when he talks about the lab is frigid and hateful. When he wakes from a nightmare Steve is frozen, wrapping arms around himself in an attempt at warmth.

But to Eleven, most importantly, Steve is kind. It's easy to see as he holds the two of them close to his chest heart pounding in his chest. Steve is the first person to hold Eleven this way. He holds her like she's loved. Like he cares about her because she is her and not because she's useful.

Papa held her like a breakable tool, like something malleable. The orderlies held her like a threat. Steve holds her close. He speaks to her like he's known her for years, not in the way Papa had, cold and detached and manipulative, but warm and caring and protective.

Steve is the first person to call her anything other than Eleven. He holds her close and calls her Ellie and ruffles her hair. The nickname feels like a burst of sunshine in her chest every time she hears it. When Steve calls her Ellie, Eleven feels like a real person. Like she's meant to be more than just forgotten.

The first time she has a nightmare she wakes up to Steve cradling her in his arms humming softly. He presses a kiss to her forehead and whispers, ' It's alright Ellie, you're safe.' She can't help but believe him.

Will is quiet. He's uncertain and afraid but he trusts Steve and Steve cares about him. As time goes on she gets to know the boy. Will is nice. He shows her all the things she's never gotten to see. He's patient, never rushing her to do anything or get to the point when she struggles to find the words to express herself. Will is enthusiastic to share his interests and doesn't mind when she gets confused.

Eleven isn't sure how to reconcile the dichotomy of her situation with what she had known for her entire life. She's so glad that Steve and Will had found her that day in the woods.

The first time that Steve told them he had to leave Eleven wanted to cry. Why was he leaving them? What had she done wrong? Steve had been quick to explain that he had school and would be back later in the day. School is an interesting concept to Eleven. It reminds her of training with Papa but Steve assures her they aren't anywhere near the same.

That day when he comes home Steve's arms are full of books and notepads and colorful pencils. His eyes are tired but full of excitement as he drops them onto the table in front of them.

After that day they settle into a routine. During the day Eleven and Will work on reading and writing and coloring and then when Steve comes home they help him make dinner, watching with wide eyes as he explains what to do. Then they all sit around either talking, reading or watching a movie that Steve had brought home for them.

They sleep in Steve's bed, curled up close to Steve's side. It feels safe staying with Steve, his nail bat propped beside the bed.

After the demogorgon attacked Steve by the pool Eleven notices cuts and bruises that she hadn't noticed before. How long had Steve been protecting them in secret?

Steve is visibly tired all the time and constantly on edge but he sticks to the routine that had been established. Still tells stories. Still reads. Still listens. Still talks to them both about their days. Still makes treats for them during movies. Still keeps going, despite being out of his depth, and she couldn't be more grateful.

So when he comes home in the middle of the night with an older boy and girl both passed out, Steve covered in black blood and cuts, Eleven just brings him a towel and a glass of water. Because Steve knows what he's doing and he'd never do anything to hurt them.

Chapter Text

Steve wants to scream. Wants to cry until his eyes are red and his vision is blurry. First he hadn't been able to stop Will from being sucked into the upside down and now this. He doesn't understand what the fuck he's doing wrong.

He's spent weeks baiting and killing as many of the creatures from the upside down as humanly possible. He's kept a subtle eye on both of them, doing his best to stop them from getting involved. He glanced at the pair slumped unconscious in the back of his beemer and tries to ignore the way the black blood irritates his skin as it dries and crusts over or the way his side burns where the demogorgon's claws had dug into him like a knife through butter.

He'd gone out to check a few of his larger traps set up in the woods around the junkyard when he'd found Jonathan and Nancy desperately trying to fend off a demogorgon. The creature had one mutilated leg caught in the jaws of one of the massive bear trap Steve had baited previous night. Steve had rushed forward to help accidentally startling Nancy who had fired a shot off at him.

He'd dove out of the way, heart pounding as he remembers the sight of Nancy futilely unloading shot after shot into Vecna's chest. At the time Steve had fought desperately to free Robin from the vines that had wound their way around her throat and limbs and had begun to burrow under her skin like maggots, she'd screamed with an agony he had felt in his bones. Nancy was still shooting when the vines had wound around he wrist and snapped it like a glow stick.

Her and Robin's screams would haunt him for the rest of his life. He'd shaken himself out of the he memory and forced himself to his feet.

He'd killed the demogorgon eventually but it was far harder to kill with a panicking pair of teens behind him than it was to kill them on his own.

The real challenge had been getting them to the car. Jonathan had been thrown into a tree and knocked unconscious by the demogorgon but Nancy was very much awake and still holding her gun. She'd been more than unwilling to allow him to bring them back to his home to get them checked out and he couldn't let them leave on their own.

These weren't his Nancy and Jonathan, they had no idea what was going on or the importance of secrecy, Jonathan was unconscious and Nancy had a nasty looking gash on her leg that was steadily dripping crimson. If he left them alone the likelihood that they'd been attacked by something else before they even made it home was too high for Steve to even slightly consider it an option.

Knocking Nancy out had made Steve's stomach churn uneasily but he can't bring himself to regret it. Steve can barely think as he forces himself to focus on the road and the task at hand.

When he gets back home he pulls the beemer into the garage, making sure to close the garage door behind him. The last thing he needs is for a nosy neighbor to call the police on him for kidnapping or something.

Nancy is light in his arms as he carries her inside and gently lowers her onto the couch. He may not hold the feelings he had in his previous life but he still cares for Nancy deeply. It's almost painful to look at her this way knowing how badly he'd failed her and the party.

Jonathan is heavier than Nancy but not by as much as Steve had expected. Steve is carefully easing Jonathan onto the recliner his dad had bought and then never actually sat in when Eleven slips into the living room in near silent feet. He smile gratefully as she offers him a glass of water and a towel that he uses to wipe the black blood off his face and hands before accepting the cup with a quiet 'thank you.'

Eleven peers curiously at both teens for a moment before looking up at Steve.

" Who are they?" Her voice is quiet, like she's worried that any kind of noise will wake them. Steve is grateful for her consideration.

" That's Nancy and Jonathan, a demogorgon attacked them." Steve watches her eyes widen flicking back and forth between both teens.

" Will's brother?" She asks and he nods. She looks a little awestruck at the revelation, no doubt Will had told her all kinds of stories involving his older brother.

" It's real late, Ellie. You should head back up to bed, you can meet them both properly in the morning. Okay?" She nods and he gives her a quick hug, ruffling her still too short hair before she makes her way back to bed.

Steve watches fondly as she trudges sleepily up the stairs, there have been so many moments like this in the weeks since he'd brought both kids home and he can still feel his heart swell with warmth knowing that he's keeping them safe and happy despite everything going on.

Steve carefully drapes a blanket over Jonathan before checking the locks on all of the doors and windows. Once he's satisfied that the house is secured properly Steve makes his way to the guest bathroom, he wouldn't want to wake Will or Ellie.

The warm water feels like heaven as he scrubs blood out of his hair, wincing when the cuts on his side twinge unhappily leaking red alongside the black. Part of Steve worries that the cuts might get infected but he reasons that if it hadn't killed him the first go around he's willing to take his chances. He stays under the hot water until it runs clear. He turns off the water and reaches for a towel, careful not to get blood on the towel as he dries himself off.

Standing in front of the mirror as he wraps white bandaged around his ribs and chest to properly protect his wounds Steve feels so much older than his body really is. Feels practically ancient as he goes through the motions of stitching himself back together physically and mentally. He's drained like nothing else and stressed beyond all belief. Nancy and Jonathan are passed out in his living room, Will and Eleven are upstairs in his room, hopefully getting some sleep.

They can't leave. That's become increasingly clear in his mind as the night has gone on.

Will would be devistated if he knew his brother was here and he hadn't been able to see him and Ellie was thrilled to be able to meet Will's older brother. But Steve also knows that neither Jonathan or Nancy would be able or willing to keep going as if they hadn't found Will. They would tell someone, just like they had told Murray about Barbara's death.

The idea of letting the kids out of his sight makes his stomach lurch like he'd been on a rollercoaster. It's bad enough that he's stuck subtly keeping an eye on the rest of the party who have yet to be involved in the madness of the upside down, he doesn't think he could handle losing the kids that are actually involved in the mess.

His house is big enough that both of them could have their own rooms and money isn't a problem when his parents pay for everything. His neighbors are just far enough away that it wouldn't be too difficult and he'd be able to provide for all of them and the more regular adult presence would probably be good for both Will and Ellie.

Steve makes his way to his bedroom slowly gaining confidence in his plan. Both of the kids are fast asleep when he gets there and he slides quietly into bed careful not to wake either of them as he tucks them closer to his chest protectively. It's all going to be fine. He can keep them safe this time. This time he's ready for it.

The eerie glow of the pool lights outside seeps under and around the curtains like a glaring warning, a reminder of what happens when Steve focuses on himself instead of the group. He won't make that mistake ever again.

Chapter Text

Nancy wakes to the smell of bacon. She blearily forces her eyes open and freezes at the unfamiliar room. She's curled up on a large grey couch, a heavy woolen blanket draped over her and a pillow under her head. She can hear the quiet murmur of voices coming from what she assumes is the kitchen judging by the quiet snap of bacon grease.

She sits up slowly, trying to stay as quiet as possible, and surveys the room. Her hearts drops when she catches sight of Jonathan sprawled across a recliner, a blanket wrapped around him. The events of the previous night come flooding back to the forefront of her mind. The creature, Jonathan being thrown through the air like a ragdoll, the sickening thud as he'd hit a tree, and them Steve Harrington had shown up.

She'd nearly shot him in her panic but he'd gotten right back up and eventually killed the creature that she and Jonathan were sure had killed or taken Will.

Steve had tried to convince her that going back home with him was the best option for both her and Jonathan but she had refused. He was coated in blood and had known exactly where to hit the thing in order to really make it hurt and very clearly knew more than he was letting on.

When she had declined his offer his face had fallen and he'd nodded. She'd turned to check on Jonathan when an arm had looped around her throat cutting off her airway. She'd done her best to free herself from the chokehold but in the end black had filled her vision. This, at least, explained why her throat was so sore.

Her breath hitches as the reality of the situation hits her like a truck, she'd been kidnapped by Steve Harrington. The local golden boy with parents rich enough to buy the whole goddamn town if they really wanted to, no way in hell was anyone going to be pointing fingers in his direction.

The sound of footsteps startle Nancy out of her thoughts and she looks up to lock eyes with Will Byers. Nancy stares at the younger boy disbelief gnawing on her guts like a grumble of maggots.

" Will?" Her voice sounds distorted as though underwater. Will smiles, small and a bit melancholy, he's standing like a phantom just barely through the door frame.

" Hi Nancy, how are you feeling?" He steps further into the room. Nancy scans him over searching for anything out of the ordinary only to turn up with nothing more than a a small green band-aid with dark green dinosaur skeletons splashed haphazardly across it on his pointer finger. Relief flood through her at the lack of injuries.

" I'm alright, how are you? What happened?" Before Will can respond he's cut off. Jonathan rolls over on the recliner with bleary eyes.

" N'ncy?" He slurs still sounding half asleep. " W'ss goin' on?" He flails in his blanket, struggling to free himself like a fly caught in a spider web or, probably more accurately, a butterfly that couldn't quite get itself out of it's cocoon. By the time he finally manages to sit up Will is snickering quietly into his hand. Jonathan stares at Will like he's seen a ghost, and to be fair they'd thought that thing had killed him so she can't really blame him.

Like a switch had flipped Jonathan is lurching forward, flinging himself towards his little brother with tears beading in his eyes. In his haste he forgets the blanket still wrapped around his legs and he hits the floor with a smack. Will rushes forward with wide eyes. He flings his arms around Jonathan who clings to him like a drowning man clings to a live preserver.

"Will?" His voice trembles and crackles, almost stumbling over the word. " What happened? Where-"

" I missed you." It's soft and wobbly like Will is trying not to cry and Nancy watches Jonathan melt against his younger brother.

" I missed you too." He whispers into Will's hair.

" I would have come home sooner but it wasn't safe and I think Steve would have had a breakdown." Nancy sees her own frown mirrored on Jonathan's face.

"Wasn't safe?" Nancy nearly jumps at the sound of her own voice not really aware that she's asking the question until she hears it. Will nods turning to look at her.

"The thing that attacked you, it wasn't the only one. Isn't the only one. Steve's been trapping and killing them but it still isn't safe." Nancy nods, peices slowly clicking into place. Steve had known what it was, Will knew what it was and what Steve was up to and clearly believed that Steve was the good guy.

But why not tell someone? Why keep something so dangerous a secret?

" Well now that we know when are we leaving?" Will's gaze drops to the floor avoiding her gaze.

" When it's safe. Steve-"

"Will?" It's Steve. " Could you got let Ellie know that breakfast is ready?" He calls from the kitchen.

" Yep, we'll be down in a sec." Will calls back.

Nancy's heart sinks like a stone in the water. Who the hell is Ellie? It isn't just her and Will and Jonathan, Steve has taken a girl that Nancy had never even heard of. Will smiles at her and turns to leave the room moving toward the stairs.

The boy stops at the bottom of the stairs.

"You can come get El with me or you can wait in the kitchen." He offers. She shared a look with Jonathan and they both follow after Will.

Nancy's first glance of El has her doing a double take. She's around Will's age, with close cropped hair and curious brown eyes and a small frame. The next thing she notices is the awe in her eyes when they fall on Jonathan. Nancy would go as far as to say that she looks ecstatic.

"It is good to meet you, Will's Jonathan." She beams though her words come out slowly and a little stilted.

" Nice to meet you." Will corrects gently and Ellie nods seriously like she's committing it to memory.

" I am Eleven." She continues extending her wrist to reveal a small black tattoo that sits glaringly against her pale skin. She treats it like a name tag, a visual way to introduce herself and Nancy can feel her thoughts grinding to a halt.

Jonathan returns the smile hesitantly, his eyes latched onto the sight of the tattoo. Will smiles and turns to Eleven.

"Oh, Steve said breakfast is ready. We should probably-"

" Will! Eleven!" Footsteps pound up the stairs as Steve shouts the kids names. Nancy's heart races in her chest, was Steve angry with the kids? Will seems to trust him but he'd kidnapped him and there's no guarantee that he wouldn't hurt them. The door to Eleven's room flies open with a crash and Steve is barreling into the room, chest heaving from a combination of exertion and adrenaline, nail bat in hand. His eyes scan the room frantically before they land on the kids and his whole body sags like a marionette with it's strings cut. He staggers forward pulling both kids into a shaky hug.

"Steve?" Eleven whispers, concern riddling her voice. " You are okay?" Nancy watches as the older boy nods and takes a deep breath before turning his gaze to Will.

"Next time, please just let me know Nance and Jonathan are coming with you. I thought something happened." Will looks devastated, flinging his own arms around Steve.

" I'm sorry, I didn't even-"

" I know, it's okay. We're safe, it's all okay." Steve murmurs squeezing both of them one last time before he straightens up and turns back to face Nancy and Jonathan.

Nancy doesn't know what to think about that display of affection and concern because if Will actually trusts and feels connected to Steve it's going to be a hell of a lot harder to get them all out of here. She's read about stolkholm syndrome and whatever this is fits that description to a tee.

Steve offers them a sheepish smile, " I'm sure you both have a few questions. Let's head down for breakfast and I'll do my best to explain, okay?"

Nancy nods, unwilling to push too far until she'd gotten more of a feel for how Steve would react. It might've been different if it was just her and Jonathan who were taken but with Will and Eleven here she's far more reluctant to 'fuck around and find out'. She'd never be able to forgive herself if something happened to one of the kids because she pissed off Steve and he took it out on them.

Breakfast is an awkward affair with Will and Eleven chattering away while Steve flits around offering more food and napkins. Nancy doesn't know what to think. Steve hasn't done anything to warrant her continued wariness. He's been polite and, if not for the kidnapping, a wonderful host. But every little thing is setting her on edge, from the uncomfortably sterile feel of the house to the almost stifling patience that Steve Harrington exudes.

The explanation that they're given after Steve has taken all of the dishes to the sink is less than satisfactory and clearly edited. There are peices of his story that to anyone else might have been dismissed or overlooked but Nancy's mind narrowed in on the gaps and the things that the older boy knew with seemingly no logical way for him to know. Like where Will was and how to get there.

"We appreciate your help and all," Jonathan says from where he sits at the table on her left, "but we need to be going home. All of us. Will and Eleven included." He's trying to sound commanding, like he has any say in the matter but Steve is already shaking his head.

"No, it-" he takes a deep calming breath, closing his eyes before continuing. "It isn't safe, for you or the kids. I'm not risking their lives because of your stubborn refusal to play it smart." He stands, hands planted firmly on the table. "Now, if you'll both follow me I'll show you to your rooms."

Steve's eyes are stone cold and his tone leaves no room for argument and all Nancy can remember is the feeling of his arm around her throat cutting off her airway and the sickening snap of bones as he slammed his nail bat into the creature's skull. Nancy swallows hard and forces herself to nod.

"Alright."

Chapter Text

When Steve goes to school the next day, it's chaos. Word of Nancy and Jonathan's disappearance so soon after Will's spreads through the halls like wildfire. Everywhere he looks, people are grouped up, keeping as many of their friends as close as possible.

The tension is palpable as everyone struggles to reconcile recent events with their sleepy, nowhere town. Nothing happens in Hawkins; it's the definition of the middle of nowhere as well as a small town. For not one but three children to go missing without a trace is unsettling at best and downright terrifying at worst. If it had just been Will and Jonathan, then it could have been brushed off. They could easily be explained away as having left to stay with their father, but Nancy Wheeler? Nancy may not have been popular, but people knew that she wasn't the type to run off.

Guilt bubbles in his stomach at the sight. This was partially his fault. Was he being selfish? He's just trying to keep them safe; they don't have government backing this time, and the lab is still fully operational. If he can't keep them safe, then what was the point? If his efforts were for nothing because he hadn't given it his all, then was coming back even worth it? Was he really worth it?

How could his continued existence be justified when they are everything he's living for?

Steve jerks out of his thoughts as he catches sight of Eddie herding Hellfire and his other sheep, keeping them all as close as possible. And Steve is grateful that someone is looking out for the outcasts and the freshmen. Warmth flares to life in his chest as he watches Eddie pair off freshmen with one or two upperclassmen to walk them to class to ease their worries.

Steve admires Eddie's ability to protect his herd of outcasts as though it were second nature, despite the constant attacks they used to deal with from the popular groups. It's been better ever since he'd cracked down on his side of things, but nothing's perfect, and Steve can't be everywhere at once.

Rumors fly as everyone scrambles to figure out what happened. In the few minutes it takes for him to enter the building he's heard everything from 'they ran away together' to 'they were abducted by aliens'. (It worries Steve a little how many times he heard that rumor from a freshman. Surely they're smarter than that? Though, he supposes he's come across worse.)

The moment Steve reaches his locker, Tommy is at his shoulder, instantly scanning him up and down for injuries. Steve winces when his friends eyes snag on the small split in his lip and the dark circles under his eyes and his lips curl into a snarl.

"What happened?" His eyes narrow, and Steve winces. He'd forgotten how quickly Tommy picked up on anything out of place with Steve. Tommy looks positively murderous.

"It's not a big deal, Tommy; I just opened a door wrong and managed to hit myself in the face." The lie drips from his lips like honey, despite the vile bitter taste they leave in his throat.

He'd never actually lied to Tommy before. When they were friends, they'd told each other everything about everything, and when Steve pulled away and broke things off, he hadn't had anything to lie to Tommy about. The acidic tase doesn't subside as he watches Tommy nod, uncertain but trusting Steve to be honest, if anything, it worsens.

The school day drags on almost painfully slowly. Halfway through third period, Steve is staring with glazed eyes out the window as Mrs. Wilkins drones on about the French Revolution when the door opens with an obnoxious screech and Robin Buckley walks in looking apologetic.

"Sorry, Mr. Aker is having trouble with his curtains, and he asked me to come get you."

All Steve can do is stare at his platonic soulmate. She's smaller than she'd ever been when he'd known her, and she's yet to fully come into her own. Still struggling to come to terms with her attractions. But she is undeniably Robin.

Steve stares, scared to blink, as though if she left his sight, she would disappear. It isn't until his eyes are burning and dry that he finally blinks.

When he refocuses on Robin, she's older—the same age she'd been when she died—and blood drips from her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears—a garish crimson that stains her clothes and pools at her feet. Frantic eyes lock with his, and her mouth opens in a silent scream. He watches, unable to move, as tendrils writhe under the exposed skin of her arms, neck, and face. Her hands come up to claw at the parasites, only for them to force through the skin in a shower of blood and torn flesh.

Steve blinks again, and it disappears like nothing had happened. Robin leaves with Mrs. Wilkins, and Steve feels like a weight is crushing down on his chest. He misses Robin. Almost indescribably. She was his other half; they went through hell together, and then he'd watch her die. He watched them all die. And yet he gets to sit in class and try again, like he hadn't failed them all. Hadn't gotten them all killed.

It had been enough of a struggle before he saw her, but afterwards, the ache in his chest was like a gaping wound. Infected and likely to leave a scar.

Tommy nudges him from where he sits beside Steve, shooting him a concerned look. Steve forces a smile back. Tommy doesn't look reassured.

The air in the lunchroom is subdued; there are no rants from Eddie or excited chatter about the upcoming game. Everyone is worried. Steve leans to his left, pressing his side closer to Tommy. He knows the other boy will understand his need for this kind of contact. The heat radiating from Tommy's skin makes his own skin buzz and crawl as though ants were running around beneath it. The feeling is nowhere near as intense as it had been the first time around, thanks to Will and Eleven living with him, but still noticeable. Tommy takes that as his cue and slings an arm around his shoulders, pulling him against his side as he continues his story about one party or another. The rest of the table barely notices the action; they are already used to the duo randomly grabbing each other.

Steve allows himself to check out, barely listening to the dull murmur of conversation as the live wire feeling beneath his skin slowly dissipates as he leans against Tommy.

He doesn't really register a single word of the conversation until Tommy asks him about attending a party on Saturday, and he's nodding along before he really has a chance to think about it. He knows that not going isn't an option if he doesn't want people to get suspicious, but his stomach churns at the thought of leaving his guests at home alone all night. It's less that he doesn't trust Nancy and Jonathan and more to do with the fact that if he's not there to protect them, he'd never be able to live with himself. His traps in the woods have been catching more and more creatures, and it's keeping him on edge.

Tommy grins and claps him on the shoulder excitedly, chattering about who is going to be there and the latest drama. Steve resolves to talk to Will and Eleven about his weekend plans and what to do if something happens. Steve prays to anyone that might be listening that things run smoothly.

Chapter Text

Robin doesn't go to parties. She never really has. It's not something she enjoys, with the crowds of drunk teens and the possibility of accidentally outing herself... Yeah she'll pass.

That's what she would have told you two days ago before a few of the girls from band had convinced her to go with them. (She's a sucker for pretty girls, and unfortunately Janice Richmond is a very pretty girl.)

The moment Janice and the other girls had shown up to her house Robin had regretted. She doesn't want to do this but Janice is so excited, fussing over Robin's hair and her clothes and doing her best to make sure she's excited too, and how could she say no?

Robin is a freshman, she's an easy target for people like Tommy Hagan, Carol Perkins and Steve Harrington but when Janice, a senior, had taken her under her wing Robin had avoided the worst of the bullying. Going to this party with Janice and her friends is the least she can do. Besides the likelihood that any of Harrington's little posse even know her name is slim to none. As long as she doesn't get wasted she'll be fine.

Hagan's house is packed like a can of sardines. It's been half and hour and the majority of the attendees are hammered. She watches incredulously as Jason Carver stumbles over himself to bring his girlfriend another drink spilling the spiked punch all down his front. His girlfriend Chrissy giggles and presses a kiss to his cheek affectionately as he frowns at the now empty cup.

Suddenly Janice is pressing a half full solo cup into her hands and sliding an arm around her shoulders leading her into the throng of people. The music is louder here and body's press against each other as people dance. Someone backs into Robin and she stumbles into Janice face pressed against her shoulder. She freezes mind going blank with panic. Janice laughs steadying her easily, completely oblivious to Robin's panic.

She sips her drink grimacing at the taste of alcohol and punch, but she keeps drinking hoping it'll help her relax a little. She dances with Janice and her friend Alice for what feels like an eternity slowly getting more and more drunk until she's stumbling out side and straight into Eddie Munson.

"S'rry," she slurs " I th'nk 'm dr'nk" Her limbs feel heavy and everything is wobbly. Eddie's brow furrows. Like a caterpillar she thinks distantly, she likes caterpillars. She doesn't realize she'd reaches out to touch them until her hand touches Eddie's face and she giggles patting his forehead a few times.

" Hey, kid you alright?" Eddie's voice sounds really far away and he tilts his head like he's considering her. Robin opens her mouth and then stares at his hair.

"Like yo'r ha'r." She mumbles patting his head. Eddie grins at her.

" Yeah? I think your hair's cool too. Let's say we get you some water and find your friends okay?" She nods distractedly still staring at his hair. She wonders if Janice's hair is as soft as Eddie's. She blinks and she's inside again clinging to Eddie's hand and leaning on Janice's shoulder babbling in French, much to the older teens amusement. She blinks again and Janice gets up to dance again and Eddie is talking about some club he runs and handing her a cup of water.and telling her to drink it slowly.

Everything is going good until she watches Steve Harrington stumble through the crowd making his way towards their couch calling for someone inaudibly, Tommy Hagan hot on his heels. Beside her Eddie tenses but he doesn't make any moves to leave. Suddenly Harrington is in front of her wrapping her into a tight hug, face pressed into her shoulder. She can feel tears soaking through her shirt and she stares at Eddie bewildered looking for some kind of explanation that could make this male sense.

Harrington is sobbing, telling her he's so sorry and that he didn't mean to leave. Robin has no fucking clue what is going on. Maybe she drank more than she thought and this is a fever dream. By the time he calms down Hagan has left after giving her and Eddie a warning glare. He leans back sniffing and then he sees Eddie and he's bawling again and grabbing hold of Eddie scooping him into his lap like he's scared something will happen to him.

Eddie looks frozen in shock and Steve is begging Eddie to be 'careful this time's, Robin has no idea what that's supposed to mean. he looks up making grabby hands at Robin and she sits hesitantly beside him. Hagan comes back and sits on Steve's other side allowing Steve to pull him into his impromptu cuddle pile. He sniffles tucking himself (and Eddie and Robin as a result) into Tommy's arms.

" M'ss'd you T'mmy." He mumbles eyes drooping tiredly. He's running his fingers through Eddie's hair with one hand and holding Robin close with the other. Eddie looks like he'd been told that aliens were real and taking over all the seven elevens because they love slurpees. To Robin's horror the older boy's eyes are wet again.

Luckily for her Harrington doesn't start crying again but he does fall asleep. Eddie is the first to speak, turning to look up at Hagan from his spot in Harrington's lap.

"Dude, what the fuck is going on with Harrington?" The look Tommy shoots him is absolutely poisonous.

" Listen up, freak." He snarls " Steve had too much to drink and got confused. Nothing fucking happened. If I hear even a whisper about this I'll beat both of your faces in, got it?" His hold on Harrington had tightened and Robin realizes just how worried Hagan is. Understandably. Harrington had a certifiable breakdown and was clinging to two guys and a band geek. If word got out the upperclassmen would never let it go.

" We won't say anything." Robin whispers shooting Eddie a look. The older boy frowns but nods along.

When Robin wakes up in the morning her head is pounding and she's curled up half in Steve Harrington's lap next to Eddie Munson who is fully in Harrington's lap who is fast asleep on Tommy Hagan's chest.

What the actual fuck?

She pokes Eddie in the side nearly jumping out of her skin when he shifts and blearily opens one eye.

" Uh, hi?" Robin shushes him and points at the sleeping jocks. Eddie's eyes go wide as dinner plates.

"What the fuck?" He hisses. Great he doesn't know what's going on either. The last thing she wants to do is wait for them to wake up but moving might wake up Steve which would wake up Tommy.

She frowns trying to remember what had happened that night. The best she's got are bits and pieces but she distinctly remembers Harrington crying. A lot. Which like, not to judge or anything, but why her? Why Eddie? As far as she knew he and Eddie had barely ever interacted she certainly doesn't remember talking to King Steve.

" I'm going back to sleep." Eddie says finally and Robin nods. What else would they do? She'd actually slept surprisingly well all things considered. She follows Eddie's lead and closes her eyes. Maybe she'd wake up and this would all have been a dream.

Chapter Text

Steve wakes up with a body pressed against his back and a warm weight on his chest and another pressed into his side. He blinks groggily only for strands of long black hair to fall into his eyes. He gently brushes the hair from his face and is confronted with a sleeping Eddie Munson and Robin Buckley. Which, what? Craning his head back he realizes he's laying with his head on Tommy's chest.

That at least makes sense.

Tommy had always been his main source of physical affection. But what he wants to know is how the hell he ended up with Eddie and Robin. This time around he and Eddie had barely spoke and he wasn't even supposed to know Robin existed yet. He takes a deep breath trying to sort through his thoughts when Eddie's hair tickles his nose. Needless to say the resulting sneeze is nowhere near quiet enough not to wake the other three.

Eddie shoots up blinking blearily and rubbing at his eyes.

" 'm up, I'm up." He grumbles through a yawn. Robin groans and curls further into his side and Tommy's eyes fly open.

" Steve? You alright, man?" Steve nods, puzzled. Of course he's okay. Why wouldn't he be? Eddie has slowly slumped back against Steve's chest and his heart soars at having so many of his people in the same place.

Tommy, Eddie, and Robin had never had the chance to be friends the first time around but maybe something changed that! Maybe he wouldn't have to try to choose like he'd had to when he was with Nancy. If they were at least friendly then he'll be able to keep a closer eye on them all at the same time.

" Where are we?" He asks and Eddie snorts. Tommy shoots him a glare but Steve pats his arm.

" You don't remember anything, do you Harrington?" He snickers eyes dancing with amusement. Steve can feel Tommy tensing angrily behind him and he hurries to smooth things out before any rash decisions could be made.

" Nope, sorry man but I'm lost. You guys care to clue me in?" Both Eddie and Tommy look distinctly uncomfortable and Robin is still half asleep and probably not really registering the conversation yet. She's somehow the first to respond though.

"You were uh, pretty out of it. Lots of tears. And snot. And cuddling." She mumbles into his shirt. Steve flushes bright red." I didn't expect King Steve to be so fucking clingy..." She rambles on until none of them can understand what she's saying and Steve is half convinced that she's sleep talking.

Tommy is glaring holes into the back of her skull. You'd think she'd shot his grandma with the levels of hate burning behind his eyes. When he opens his mouth he's snarling back that Steve had been cross-faded.

When Steve finally manages to coax the whole story out of them he kind of wants to throw himself into traffic. His face burns with embarrassment and shame. He never should have let himself get that out of control. He'll do better. He can't stop going to parties all together but he can definitely cut back on the drinking. It's one thing to get high and cuddle with Tommy but to latch onto Robin and Eddie, with whom he has no known connection, that could be dangerous for both himself and them.

An hour and a half later Steve manages to escape Tommy's house and Eddie and Robin's confusion. His head throbs behind his eyes and he's glad he kept his sunglasses in his beemer. Last night had gotten way out of hand. From now on he'd have to be a lot more careful about his alcohol intake at parties. Easier said than done, his reputation as the Keg King is still going strong so lots of booze is expected of him.

Steve is just glad Tommy's parents won't be home for a week. They'd had to take a trip out to Colorado for a funeral that Tommy had opted out of. If Tommy's dad had seen the mess that had been made of his house Steve would have had Tommy staying at his house for a while, consequences of the others being there be damned. He's glad that the rest of the parties parents are decen- his blood freezes.

Max and Billy.

Guilt bubbles in his throat, threatening to choke off his breath. How had he forgotten something so important to Max? To his kids?

Max had told him a little about Neal Hargrove and that was enough to make his blood boil. She'd told him about why they'd had to leave California and how easily his temper flared. Billy may have been an asshole but Steve had let Tommy crash at his enough times to know that nobody deserved to be smacked around by their parents. Besides Billy's a freshman, he's basically a baby and Max is just as tiny as the rest of the gang.

Shit. He's been driving around town for twenty minutes and he slowly starts to make his way back to Loch Nora. How does one even go about dealing with an asshole like Neal Hargrove? He'd ran the last time he'd gotten found out, it's why they'd moved to Hawkins in the first place, the likelihood that he'd run again is pretty high.

Not only that but Steve is technically only a sophomore, even if he'd been a grown adult before he'd died, so even if he was able to get Neal into legal trouble he wouldn't be able to keep Max and Billy.

The thought of Neal hurting either of them makes his blood boil and he thinks that maybe some people don't deserve a second chance. Some people need to be cut a way like a diseased branch from a tree. Yes, that would fix it. Neal hurt Billy and Max so Steve would hurt him, he'd make sure that he'd never hurt anyone ever again.

Finding them would take time but Steve is confident that with the little clues he'd gotten from listening to Max talk about California and knowing names he should be able to do it. He could also probably convince( read: blackmail) the lab into letting him use their resources.

The moment he closes the front door behind himself Will and Eleven barrel into his legs nearly knocking him to the floor.

"You are home!" Ellie exclaims happily smiling up at him from where she'd wrapped her arms around his leg. Steve smiles and ruffles her hair with one hand and Will's with the other. He wonders briefly if this is how other people's parents felt coming home from work.

" How was your night, kiddos? Everything go alright?" Ellie frowns.

" Will's Jonathan and Nancy tried to open a door and go but I kept them in the house." Steve's heart sinks, he'd hoped that the two high schoolers would have settled in after they'd explained but that didn't seem to be the case. He plasters a smile on his face, praying that it doesn't look to forced.

" Good job, Ellie. I knew I could count on the two of you to hold down the fort." Eleven beams at the praise and Will flushes red. They let go of his legs and Steve toes his shoes off and nudges them onto the designated shoe rug. He'll talk to Nancy and Jonathan after he feeds the kids.

Omelettes are made and Steve listens to Will and Eleven talk about the movie they watched the night before. After breakfast the kids settle down to play shoots and ladders and Steve makes his way upstairs. He hesitates briefly when he reaches the door of the room Nancy and Jonathan had claimed as their own before he placed a hand on the doorknob and swings it open.

The teens are both sitting on the bed talking in hushed undertones over a notebook, each holding a pencil. Their heads jerk up as the door opens eyes going wide at the sight of him.

Steve sighs at the wary expressions plastered on both of their faces and pushes the door shut behind him with an audible click. He pulls the wheeled chair out from it's place in front of the desk and sits. He takes in Jonathan's tense frame and the way Nancy holds herself taller trying to make herself seem more confident. Neither of them are able to fully mask the way their bodies instinctively angle closer to each other. His heart twinges at the thought that he was the cause of their reactions.

" I think we need to talk."