Chapter Text
To say that Eddie was worried was an understatement.
When Dustin first called him, he thought the kid was going to ask him for a ride or something. Oh boy was he wrong.
The kid was on the verge of tears, talking way too fast but Eddie got a few words that took away his breath and not in a nice way.
Steve. Hurt. Won't wake up.
He didn't think twice, he asked Dustin where he was and once the kid told him, he asked him to stay there. Five minutes later he was driving to Lake Nora like a mad man.
Which brings us to this very moment where he's running out of his van and entering Steve's house. Dustin is on his knees and next to him lies Steve's unconscious body.
Full of bruises. Blood coming from his head.
- What happened kid? Did you call an ambulance? - He grabs Dustin by the shoulder so he can look at him -
- I... I don't know. He was supposed to give me a ride to the arcade to meet the others and it was getting late and you know Steve he is never late, so I used the walkie to try to communicate with him, but he didn't answer. So, I got worried, biked here, and found him like this. I called an ambulance, but they said that they had an hour before they could come here so I panicked and called you because you have a van, and we could take him to the hospital, so he doesn't die.
He managed to say all of that without breathing. Okay, they had to act fast.
- Dustin, I know is hard, but I need you to calm down and breathe, okay?
- O-okay...
- Good. Now, here's what we are going to do. You are going to go open the back of my van and I'm going to place Steve in the back with you so I can drive, okay?
- Okay, yeah. On it.
While the kid does as instruct, Eddie tries to lift Harrington as gently as he can.
He manages to carry him bridal style to his van, go to the driver's seat and speed the hell out of there.
The worst part of being in a hospital is the waiting.
Waiting because nobody tells them anything. They don't know if Steve is okay if he's awake...
What if he already died and nobody gives them the news?
No. No way José. Not going there.
Steve is going to be okay.
Dustin calls everyone through the hospital's payphone. So, they won't be alone for long.
He tries to reassure the kid that everything is going to be fine, but he can't shake the bad feeling in his head.
He hopes it stays like that, a feeling. Because he's not going to survive losing Steve. Not when they’ve just started to become friends, being comfortable around each other, not when he still hasn't confessed his undying love for him.
He makes a promise to himself that if Steve gets out of this one, he will confess his feelings.
Everyone arrives. Still no news. Hopper and Joyce try to get some information out of the receptionist and medic staff, angrily arguing with them because it's been three hours.
Just when it's about to get ugly a doctor approaches.
- Which one of you is a family member of Steve Harrington?
- Me -Robin lies - I'm his sister.
If the doctor knows she is lying he doesn't say anything about it.
- Okay. He was in a really bad state. I've looked into his hospital history, and he already had 3 concussions in a span of 3 years, making this the fourth and worst one. I'm going to be honest with you, he's stable for now, unconscious but stable. But we are not sure if he's going to wake up and even if he does, we are not sure how much brain damage he is going to suffer.
He makes a pause; Robin is silently crying.
- His injuries were not an accident. He didn't fell down the stairs. They were inflicted by someone. And this hospital has the obligation to order a police investigation. So Chief Hopper, if you need me to, I can give you a full detailed statement on the young man's injuries.
- Yes, please do. - Hopper makes his move to follow the doctor into a nearby office and disappears from view -
Robin and Eddie are the ones who break down first. Full on crying on their knees in the hospital floor.
It’s been a month. Steve hasn’t woken up. The only positive thing is that he is stable, the machine monitoring him beeping constantly.
His parents never come. Joyce called them and they said they didn’t want to do anything with Steve and never call them again. Joyce had ended the call with a “Go fuck yourself Joseph Harrington. Oh, wait you can’t because not even your stupid wife can fucking stand you.”
Eddie decided that if they ever returned to Hawkins, they were dead.
They take turns to visit Steve. Robin and Eddie being the ones staying the most. The nurses don’t bother to kick them out of the room when visiting hours are over. They don’t leave unless Nancy or Joyce forces them.
The kids tried to light the mood, talking to Steve about how they were doing in high school, DnD, Lucas basketball games. Hoping he can listen to their rambling.
Hopper finds out what happened to Steve.
Hell breaks loose. Because Tommy Hagan and Jason Carver are responsible for Steve’s condition.
The whole party sees red. They want Tommy’s and Jason’s heads on a silver platter, the adults try to calm them down but it’s no use.
- If you do something, they could sue you and the whole case would fall apart!
- So, we just wait until they get arrested and their parents bail them out? – Robin is practically screaming at this point –
- You wait. We arrest them. They go to jail and rot. I’m pissed about this whole situation myself but you guys taking revenge it’s going to complicate things up!
- Let’s all calm down please – Joyce makes a move to grab Robin’s shoulder, trying to comfort the blond – I know you want to take matters into your own hands, but resolving violence with more violence, it’s only going to make more violence. And the cycle never ends. Besides, take a moment and think, would Steve want you to get your hands dirty?
A moment of silence. Everyone is sad and pissed in equal matter. They know Hop and Joyce are right. It’s Eddie who breaks the silence.
- It’s been a month, and he still hasn’t woken up, and it’s their fucking fault. Of course, we want to do something about it!
- Munson, I’ve already-
- I know Chief! Fuck. I know!
Eddie cries and so do everyone.
Another month. It’s December now. Christmas Eve. Wayne and Eddie stay in Steve’s room, because they don’t want him to spend Christmas on his own. The kids tried to decorate the room, so there are a few color lights and a tiny Christmas tree besides Steve’s bed.
They drink apple juice, hug each other, and wishes themselves (and Stevie) a merry Christmas when midnight strikes.
- He is going to wake up kid. Just you wait.
He hopes Wayne is right. Because he already feels like he’s losing Steve.
The first thing Steve notices when he wakes up are the bright lights of his hospital room, and he winces because it’s too bright. He feels dizzy. Like he had too much wine. Which he knew he didn’t.
- Steve?
He knows that voice. He opens his eyes and sees Eddie’s blurry face.
- You’re awake! – The metalhead whispers enthusiastically – I’m going to go find a nurse, be right back Stevie.
The brunette doesn’t give him time to respond that he is already running through the hospital hallways.
He tries to recall what was the last thing he was doing but nothing comes to mind. He gives up the instant the dizziness gets stronger.
A few moments later, a nurse and a doctor come into the room alongside the metalhead.
- Hi, young man. I’m Dr. Hazard and I’ve been on your case since the beginning. Mind if I ask you some questions?
He tries his best to slowly nod. He manages to focus his eyes a little more and sees Eddie by his side, holding his hand showing support. He tries not to blush.
- What’s your name?
- Steve Harrington. – That one falls easily from his mouth. Is this doctor fucking with him? He knows who he is –
His throat fells awful thou. Eddie must have noticed, because he gently makes him drink the cup of water that was next to his bed.
- What year we are in?
That one, he actually hesitates. But he manages to answer.
- 1987
- It’s okay, Mr. Harrington. How many fingers do you see?
Dr. Hazard shows three fingers, but Steve has to work hard to focus his vision.
- Three? I’m sorry I can’t see pretty well.
- It’s okay. Your answer is correct. Maybe later, we could bring an ophthalmologist to check your eyesight. Are you feeling dizzy, having any headaches?
- Um, I feel dizzy but other than that I think I feel fine.
- Okay, look Mr. Harrington, you’ve had a really bad concussion. You’ve been unconscious for two months. It’s normal if you feel dizzy, and you might develop migraines. I’ll leave, I suggest you try to rest and don’t try to force yourself to remember it may worsen the dizziness. I’ll come back later for checkups.
The doctor and the nurse leave. He closes his eyes, and he immediately starts spiraling.
What the fuck? Two months? Two months. He’s been unconscious for two months. His dad is going to kill him. How much money is everything going to be? He can’t remember anything. How did he managed to get another concussion? Did he fell down the stairs? Can he be that stupid? Did his father beat the shit out of him? Maybe he did because he always says something stupid and fuck everything up. He’s a failure and a constant disappointment.
- Steve? I need you to breathe.
When did he started hyperventilating? Oh god, he’s probably scaring the shit out Eddie.
- Stevie, please look at me.
He obeys. Eddie’s big brown eyes are full of concern, like he cares.
- Good boy. Now, I need you to try to match my breathing, okay? Deep breath in, hold it for 4 seconds and then out. In, hold, out.
He follows the instructions and manages to calm down a little. He suddenly feels wetness in his cheeks.
Oh god, was he crying?
- I’m sorry.
- You don’t have to apologize Stevie. It’s okay.
He wants to argue. Because his father always told him that real men don’t cry, but he doesn’t have the strength to do it. So instead, he asks…
- What happened?
Eddie hesitates. He doesn’t want to upset Steve any further.
- Carver and Hagan assaulted you. Dustin found you lying on your living room floor. He got worried because you were supposed to give him a ride and you never made it. He called me so we could take you to the hospital.
Holy shit.
- Are you and Dustin okay?
Only Steve Harrington could be worried about someone else while being in the hospital.
- Yeah big boy, we are okay. We were really worried about you thou.
- I’m sorry.
- You have absolutely nothing to apologize for sweetheart. What happened was not your fault.
He feels tired. Like everything is going slower and he has a hard time avoiding closing his eyes.
- Go to sleep Stevie, I’ll be here when you wake up.
- M’ kay.
He relaxes and closes his eyes.
- Eddie?
- Hm?
- I like it when you call me Stevie
After that he was out like a light.