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The euphoria of blowing Vecna up went by pretty fast, when Steve, along with Nancy and Robin, got back to the Upside Down version of Eddie‘s trailer. He was hoping that Dustin and Eddie would be waiting for them, unscathed, at the gate, ready to climb into their version of Hawkins again. After all, their kind of improvised plan worked out. Sure, there were some interruptions, like nearly getting choked to death, but they managed to escape Vecna‘s grip and set that son of a bitch on fire just like they planned on doing. It didn’t even occur to him that something might didn’t go well with the plans that the others had to execute.
That changed, when they got closer to the trailer, and saw a body lying outside of the of it on the dirty floor, Dustin’s shaking form hunched over it. Steve immediately knew then, that the person on the floor had to be Eddie.
Even though he was exhausted from fighting a Monster and nearly dying (again), he immediately started running over to the two boys, leaving Robin and Nancy behind, letting himself fall on his knees in front of Eddie. Dustin was sitting on the other side of Eddie’s body, crying. He didn’t even care what happened, he just cared for one thing. „Is he…is he dead?“ Steve could barely finish the sentence, biting his lip and clenching his fist before Dustin finally shook his head. „No he‘s…he‘s still breathing.“ Steve had to check that himself, slowly lowering his head next to Eddie‘s, listening to the slow and hollow breaths that were leaving his bloody lips. He couldn’t even feel relieved that Eddie was actually alive because his slow breaths were concerning to Steve.
„Steve, he needs help.“ Dustin sobbed, looking at Steve with wet, pleading eyes. But Steve couldn’t say anything back to the younger boy. He was too focused starring at Eddie’s motionless body in threatening red light the upside down had. The other man’s eyes were closed, his pale skin smeared with blood, coming from his mouth and nose. But the worst part were the several wounds on his stomach, blood leaking through his white Hellfire Club shirt.
Usually, vulnerable wasn’t an adjective that would come to his mind when thinking about Eddie Munson, but right now, he looked so exposed and hurt, Steve’s heart felt wrenched and his guts slowly started to turn around in his stomach. He explicitly told Eddie that he should not get himself in danger, that he should go to safety if things get to dangerous, because he wanted everything but come back to something like this.
The other man really grew on Steve during the last few days, because 1.) trying to save the city and escape death did help extremely with bonding. But also, 2.) Dustin was right. Once you get to know Eddie, you don’t just casually like him or think he’s an okay guy. No, you immediately love him. Because Eddie is fun, and supportive, and kind-hearted and sensitive. And it was not okay that he was currently on the floor of the upside down, where he didn’t even want to go to begin with, slowly bleeding out.
„Steve please, do something.“ Dustin pledged, interrupting his internal monolog. But truth is, even though he always wanted to give the kid‘s the feeling that they can rely on him and that he can do everything, right now, he was simply too overwhelmed to do something. He also tried to be the responsible adult but for once, he also needed an adult on his side. Preferably a doctor or paramedic who could tell him what to do with the bleeding boy. His hands were hovering over Eddie’s stomach wounds, unsure wether to apply pressure or not.
„We need to get him to a hospital.“ Nancy mumbled behind him. He didn’t even notice that she and Robin finally caught up and their little group was reunited. She was right and Steve knew that. He already wasted too much time just starring at the bloody boy, and not doing anything that would help him. „Alright, I’ll carry him, but we need to go now.“
Dustin was on his feet in a second and Steve immediately put his arms under the other boy‘s back and legs. „I’m sorry.“, he mumbled when he slowly started to lift a fragile Eddie, knowing the sudden movement would irritate his open wounds. A soft groan left Eddie’s lips, but apart from that, he was still unconscious. Even though it hurt Steve to know that the noise he made was because he was in pain, he was so relieved to get a sign of life out of the other boy, apart from his shallow breathing.
„I’m going to get you out of here.“ Steve whispered and started walking towards the gate, Eddie’s bleeding body, secure but limp, in his arms. „How do we get him up there?“ Robin asked once he reached the rest of the group, the rope to their world dangling from the gate. „One of us could get up there and the others lift him up to that person?“ Nancy suggested but Steve fiercely shook his head. „No, I’m not letting go of him.“ He knew it was stupid but guilt was tearing him apart. It was so stupid of him, thinking that leaving Eddie and Dustin all by themselves with all the Demobats was a good idea. Eddie probably tried everything he could to protect Dustin and got hurt in the process. If Steve would have been there, he would have not let that happen.
„Steve.“ Robin said softly, slowly touching his shoulder. „Just for a second. Then you can take him back, okay? We really shouldn’t lose any more time.“ That got him after all and he reluctantly gave Eddie’s limp body to Robin and Nancy, so he could go on the rope first. Once he was up there, they immediately lifted Eddie up and Steve pulled the other man up by his arms. It felt so wrong, Eddie just hanging there like a broken puppet, getting reached around by the group. Still, he allowed himself to feel relieved for a split second because at least Eddie was now in their world where hospitals, doctors and health care were a thing. They were so close to get him the help he needed.
Nancy had to drive the van, because Steve was still refusing to let go of Eddie’s body. Instead, he sat down on one of the couches, Eddies‘ head lying on his lap. He slowly stroked his fingers over his face, over the bandana and through his long, black hair, looking down at his bruised face. Robin was kneeling in front of the couch, applying pressure to the wounds because Nancy scolded them when she noticed they haven’t done that before, but in Steve’s defense, he was simply too overwhelmed to remember basic medical procedures.
He was about to beg for Nancy to just go a little faster, when he heard another groan, coming from the boy in his lap. Eddie‘s eyelids slowly fluttered, revealing those big, scared, brown eyes that were looking at him. Eddie looked like he was in so much pain but Steve was yet so happy that the other man was still with him, alive and breathing, even after changing dimensions and getting straddled around different pairs of arms.
„Hey.“ Steve said softly and brushed his thumb along Eddie’s bloody cheek. „I didn’t run away.“ Eddie whispered weakly, looking up at him and Steve’s eyes started to tear up. „You didn’t. But next time, if staying means you get killed, please, for the love of god, just run. For my sake.“ Steve’s voice turned into a sob, and he couldn’t stop his tears from falling anymore.
Actually hearing Eddie talk, looking into his brown eyes, it made Steve realize that he was actually still with them. That he didn’t carry his dead body around, but rather that Eddie Munson was in his lap, alive and safe.
„Hey, hey, I‘m okay. I still need to graduate. Can’t die before I do that.“ Eddie weakly smirked and slowly lifted his arm up to wipe some of Steve’s tears away, which resulted in a laugh turned into another sob, coming from Steve.
„And i’m gonna be in the first row when you do. So hold on a little longer please.“ He slowly put his own hand over Eddie’s, which was still resting on Steve’s tear stained cheek. Eddie nodded, still looking fragile, his eyes slowly closing again.
„Eddie no, c‘mon, you can sleep in the hospital, yeah? Does that sound good?“
„It hurts so much Stevie.“ Eddie whispered faintly, and Steve gently squeezed his hand. „I know, I know. It will stop soon, yeah?“ He lifted their squeezed hands down on Eddie‘s chest.
Steve looked down on Eddie again and saw that the other man started to play with Steve’s fingers as an distraction from the pain and god, he felt his heart jumping a little at that view.
Following what his heart screamed at him to do, Steve slowly bend down and pressed a gentle and short, but sincere kiss on Eddie‘s forehead, right unter the bandana. Robin, who was still kneeling in front of them, gave him a proud smile, when they finally arrived at the hospital.
Steve fell asleep immediately, once his body hit the chair next to Eddie’s hospital bed.
He was pacing through the hospital floor restlessly, until after 3 hours and 47 minutes, a doctor finally came up to the group and told them that Eddie was expected to make a full recovery. Robin and Nancy agreed to take Dustin home, who, in exchange, only agreed to go home if someone stays with Eddie. Steve planned on doing that anyway but calming Dustin down had a nice side effect.
When he entered the sterile hospital room, he pulled a chair next to Eddie‘s bedside and gently took his hand, which had an IV put into it, into his own. Eddie didn’t even stir at the touch, thanks to painkillers and a sedative running though his veins.
He really wanted to watch over Eddie through the night, in case the other boy woke up or was in pain, but the exhaustion, worry and fear from the last few days washed over him and even though the chair was far from comfortable, he fell asleep, Eddie’s hand still secure in his own.
He woke up to said hand being squeezed, immediately startling and looking frantic around the room, fearing that something is wrong. But instead of danger, there were only Eddie’s soft eyes that met his own, and a soft smile that formed on the other man’s lips.
„Hey sleeping beauty.“ Eddie mumbled and turned his head, that was lying on a hospital pillow, slowly to the side where Steve was sitting. Steve snorted at that remark. „You were the one that was knocked out and didn’t even notice me last night.“
„My body was ripped apart by supernatural bats so I do think I deserved some sleep. Wait…did you stay the entire night?“ Steve just shrugged and grinned at Eddie.
„Someone has to look over you, Munson. Look what happens when I leave you alone?“ Steve said and Eddie’s face went from playful to serious.
„I should probably thank you. You know, for saving my life and stuff. I don’t remember much of it, but I do remember feeling safe with you in the van.“ Eddie said sincere and Steve nodded fiercely.
„You don’t need to thank me, Eddie. I would do it again. I just hope I don’t have to do it again. Really. But I‘m still so proud of you. Dustin told me, when we were waiting for you to get out of surgery, that you basically were willed to sacrifice yourself for our shithole of a town. They don’t deserve you. I know you don’t practically think of yourself as someone who is brave but without you, and your absolut selfless act, we would all be dead by now.“ Steve’s eyes welled up with tears again, and so did Eddie’s.
„No one ever called me brave before.“, he whispered, before slowly moving his body on the left side of the bed, hissing when he puts too much pressure on his stitches. Steve immediately looked worriedly at him, already getting up to help him, but Eddie already moved.
„Lay down with me? Please?“ Eddie asked Steve, his eyes looking at the other man pleading yet fully afraid of rejection. A fear he didn’t need to have.
„Of course.“ He carefully lay down, trying not to move Eddie’s healing body too much. The hospital bed was definitely too small for two grown men, but with Eddie’s head on Steve’s chest and Steve’s arms around Eddie’s smaller frame they fit together just perfectly. Maybe not only on terms of the bed, but in general, they were a good fit. Once Eddie gets better, Steve promised himself to find out what was going on between them, but for now, he would just hold Eddie.