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“Don’t try to be cute or be a hero or something, ok? You’re just-“
“Decoys. Don’t worry about it, you can be the hero.” Dustin replied, rolling his eyes as he elbowed Eddie.
“Yeah, look at us. We’re not heroes.” Eddie laughed, making eye contact as the other smiled back.
They worked so hard to keep it a secret, to prevent everyone from hating or judging them…but this was dangerous, more dangerous than being outed. It doesn't matter anymore. This could be their last time together and Eddie refused to remain silent, to hide his true self. If their friends can't accept them, then so be it.
Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve and pulled him close, passionately kissing him. He licked into Steve’s mouth, savoring the way steve melted into the kiss and softly pulled his hair. He pulled away slightly to bite the other’s bottom lip and plant another kiss on his soft lips. He finally stopped as he felt a pull on his vest, letting go and kissing him one final time. Steve smiled, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Eddie’s
He felt his smile fade, remembering where they were, and what could happen.
“Look, just- just don't try to be a hero, please. Wait for me. Survive for me please, Eddie.” he begged, pulling the other closer to himself. They never seemed to be close enough.
“...yeah. Ok- I won't, I'll be waiting for you when this is all done. Then we can explain to everyone what they just witnessed.” he breathlessly laughed, “...be safe too, please. I- I love you, Steve.”
Steve held Eddie's face in his hands, bringing him into another passionate yet soft kiss. “I love you too. Wait for me. I can't wait to see you a-”
“Ok- look I'm sorry but the world might literally end. As much as I'd love to let you guys have your moment, we just don't have time. We need to go, please.” Nancy interrupted, pulling Robin with her as they began to walk down the street.
“Be safe kid, ok? I love you, man.” Steve stopped, pulling Eddie into a tight embrace. “Be safe, please. Take care of that little shit and yourself…I- I love you Ed. I love you so much.”
Steve turned around one final time to flash a sad attempt of a reassuring smile.
Eddie waved his goodbyes and turned to be greeted with a huge smirk plastered on Dustin's face.
“What Henderson?”
“No no- nothing.” he grinned, walking into the trailer.
“I know a shit-eating grin when I see one, Henderson. Tell me why you're smirking before I throw you out to the bats.” He warned.
Dustin walked into eddies room with a smile, knowing damn well Eddie would never hurt him, he was just saying empty threats. “I just didn't know my two favorite people are dating…though I need to know…Since steve is practically my dad, what are you?” he laughed playfully bumping his arm into the other.
“You're going to be an orphan soon, I'm taking your dad.” Eddie smiled.
They walked through the woods in silence other than the occasional thunder.
“Hey, steve.” Robin whispered as she ran to stand beside him, “Why- I’m happy for you…I just- Why didn't you tell me?”
“I didn't know how you would react…I thought you might find me gross.”
“Why would I-”
“Because I'm a guy. It's different when it's guys. Men like to see girls with girls but- but it's different when it's men. People think it's worse- that it's disgusting and I just wasn't ready to take that chance. I didn't…I didn't want you to hate me.”
Robin reached out to squeeze steves hand gently, “I…I get it. I’m sorry I wasn't there to guide or help you but I understand. I would never be disgusted by you, I mean you literally listen to me rant about Vicky and how much I like her all the time.” she laughed, “but…I know it's different. I know what you mean. I’m just- not that person. I don't care what or who you like. I only care about you, ok? Only you. If being with Eddie makes you happy then do that, you can always tell me these things, I- I love you, steve. Nothing can change that for me. I just wish you asked me for my approval on Eddie.”
Steve quietly laughed, squeezing her hand back. “Well, do you approve of him?”
“Absolutely. I've never seen a braver man.”
“He is. I- I really like him. I’m glad he kissed me…I'm glad he helped me be true to myself in front of you guys. I…I love him.”
“That's sweet but he totally frenched you in front of Dustin.”
Steve laughed, pulling his hand away to playfully push her.
“So Harrington, do tell. Have you slept with him?”
His face flushed almost immediately.
“Oh? I’ll take that as a yes. Even with men you can't help but get into their pants, I give you props,” she giggled.
“He did it…He was the one who got into mine, not me.”
“OH MY GOD. YOU'RE A B-” Robin yelled as Steve covered her mouth and Nancy turned around.
“Guys! Be quiet! We are near the house and those bats will hear us!” she whisper-yelled.
Robin quietly laughed, receiving a sharp glare from both Nancy and Steve.
As soon as they received their message Eddie was shredding the guitar with Dustin beside him watching with pure admiration. It was exhilarating. Yet the only thought that passed through his mind was Steve. Steve, the annoying popular guy who Dustin loved too much. Steve the fucking king of Hawkins. Steve, the boy who stole his heart…the one he loved. He had to do this right. Chrissy…he failed her. He refused to do the same now.
“Shit! Eddie! The bats are super close! Let's go in!” Dustin yelled.
Eddie dropped his guitar and followed the other down, he needed Dustin to be safe.
So he pushed him inside and blocked the door with as many objects as he could find.
He was going to be ok, so was Steve.
He just needed to buy more time.
“Eddie? Eddie what are you doing! Let me out! Come on- Please get inside! Steve said to abort if anything happens! We did our job please!” Dustin begged, hitting the door.
“You did your job. Now I need to do mine, kiddo.” He smiled, looking through the window.
“Please! Please stop! Stop Eddie! Please just go home with me!” He screamed, pounding on the glass, “Please! Let's go home, Please! What do you need to do? We’re done! We did our job!”
“I need to get Steve home safe.” Eddie smiled as he approached the window one final time, “I love you kid. Tell steve I love him too.”
“No! Eddie wait! You have to tell him! Please! Don't go!”
Dustin watched as Eddie walked away, nothing but a trashcan lid and knife in hand. He curled himself up on the floor of the trailer, crying. He couldn't stop Eddie, he was helpless. He shouldn't have gone, Dustin would've helped. He wanted to help. He couldn't lose him, not yet. He still needed to walk up on that stage, give the bird and run the hell out of there. He needed to make it.
Dustin stood up, making some distance between himself and the door before running full force.
It hurt but he didn't give up. He continued to do this many times before the door finally broke.
Dustin fell forward, yelling as his body smacked into what might've been a rock.
He saw the bats. There were so many. So fucking many.
Yet he didn't stop, he ran forward as fast as he could, “Eddie! Eddie wait!”
They all stopped, dropping to the floor in complete silence.
“Eddie! Eddie please!” He yelled, falling to his side.
Eddie laid still, smiling as his eyes met Dustin’s.
“Oh shit! Shit! Shit! You need to go! We have to get you to the hospital!” he yelled, sliding his arms under the other, attempting to lift him.
“Ah- fuck. Wait. I need a moment, please.” Eddie groaned as Dustin laid him back down. “I’m too heavy, kid. Don’t worry.”
“No- we need to try. We need to get up there- I can help you- just try to stand up. Please try to stand up Eddie!” He yelled, crouching over to hug Eddie, crying as he begged Eddie to try.
“Kid its-”
Dustin hugged tighter, choking as he sobbed into the crook of his neck.
Eddie hissed in pain, forcing himself to wrap an arm around the other…Dustin was in as much pain as he was. They could try to go get help but it wasn't worth it. Steve was ok, and so was Dustin. That's all that matters. He did his job.
He was ready to let go.
“Eddie? Fuck! Eddie, what happened?”
Dustin looked up, watching as Steve's eyes ran down eddies body, “He-” was all he could get out before his throat betrayed him and forced out another sob.
“Hey, hey kiddo, it’s ok. It’ll be alright, see your dad is here.” Eddie smiled, holding Dustin’s face. “He’s here, it's ok. See? I can’t make you an orphan now.”
“Eddie-” Dustin choked.
“Shh. none of that. O-ok? You need to be s-strong for me, please…I love you kiddo.”
“I…I love you too.” Dustin sobbed, hugging him.
“Can I…talk to- steve privately- please.” Eddie choked, spitting blood out of his mouth.
Dustin nodded, standing up and hugging Nancy who did her best to soothe him as she cried.
“H- Hey steve.” He smiled, reaching up to hold his cheek.
“Hey, Eddie,”
“Can you-” he gasped, “can you do a fr- freak a final favor?”
“No. No Eddie this…this isn't going to be a final anything, ok?” Steve cried, allowing the tears to run own his face. “It's not- it won't happen. It-”
“Steve, please. Please give me one final kiss. Just one of those good movie kisses, please.” Eddie smiled.
Steve nodded, tears running down his face as he leaned down and held Eddie’s hand.
He was met with the taste of blood. He pulled away, only to reposition himself so he was over Eddie, returning to the kiss. He felt as Eddie ran his hands through his hair, smiling into the kiss, finally allowing himself to cry.
Edie pulled away, sobbing and choking slightly, “Thank…thank you steve. I’m…I’m so sorry.”
“Wait what- no it's ok. it's going to be ok. Let's go home, ok?” He replied, kneeling to his side so he could lift him.
“No- steve. Please. I’m just…” he choked, feeling as more blood came through his nose and mouth. “I’m sleepy. Let me sleep.”
“No no no no- No Eddie! No- Wait! Please wait!”
“It’s…its ok steve.” he smiled, spitting up more blood as he stared into his eyes. “I…I love you.”