Work Text:
It was dark. Steve was sitting in front of the TV. There was some movie and he didn’t even remember the name of it. His parents are on a business trip. It’s not a thing that happens rarely. Actually all the time he is lonely. He’s not sure that he can call this house his ‘home’. It feels like this when he hangs out with Robin or kids, but the last time he saw them was so long ago. ‘Course he couldn’t blame them. After Vecna they finally have time for their stuff, and he is happy for them, like really happy. But he had no one but kids and Robin. There were Nancy with Jonathan and Eddie, but the former have preparation for their first year at college, and latter Steve didn’t thought they’re close enough. Shared trauma is good reason to know each other better but Eddie didn’t seem to be interested in it. Steve still remembers their dialogue in the Upside Down, but he wasn’t sure that Eddie’s phrase about good guy was sincere. He has too many doubts about his relationships with everyone. He loves kids and he’d like to spend as much as possible time with them, but he heard nothing from them for a week. And Robin was talking with him only on their joint shifts. He listened about Vickie and how nice she is, about their dates and generally what’s going on in her life. But she didn’t bother to ask about his life. And he didn’t understand why she didn’t. No one did. His father acted the same way when Steve did something wrong. But Steve behaved well, he was taking care about kids and was protecting party. Right? So what was wrong? He knows Wheeler’s kid doesn’t really loves him and now he spends time with Byers and his girlfriend who eventually turned back in Hawkins and Max hangs out with Lucas. It’s okay. But why Dustin didn’t call him at least? Maybe he spends his time with Eddie. He could understand it. Eddie plays D&D and has good taste in music, he is nice guy and Dustin has been talking about him since he joined this Hellfire club. But Steve thought they’re still friends. He hoped that Dustin won’t forget about him. And now it seems like he was replaced by Eddie. Maybe they just tired of him. People always leaves him, so it won’t be shocking. His own parents stopped to care about his life when he was only seven and two best friends were full assholes and the girl he loved the most called their relationship bullshit. His real friends are a bunch of teenagers and only one girl his age. And now when they went through a lot of shits together shoulder to shoulder and back to back he has no one who cared about him. He just wanted people he cares about stayed with him. He’s sure it’s not that difficult. Does he need to try harder? He can do whatever they want. Maybe he’s not able to move the mountains but he always could listen to them and be their friend. Steve was so tired from this bullshit. He wanted to relax and forget about his problems at least for one day. He didn’t want to be high or drunk so he decided to bake a pie. He went to the kitchen and started to get off the products he needed from the drawers. When he put everything on the counter he understood there wasn’t enough flour. He has one pack but it wasn’t even half full. It was not too late and he could drive to the store. Steve took his keys and wallet and left the house. He was at the shop in ten minutes. He bought two packs of flour just in case and one jar of jam. He left the store with package and was going to the car as he looked up and noticed familiar van near the cafe where their party always hangs out. It has a panoramic window through which you can see the whole room. Steve noticed his party sitting right at their usual table. Everyone was there. Robin, Eddie, Nancy, Jonathan, Mike, El, Will, Lucas and Max, Dustin. Hell, even Vickie and Argyle were there. Steve felt like his eyes started burning out with tears. He saw the moment when Robin looked up right at the place where he was standing like in slow motion. Her smile abruptly faded and she turned to guys with worry on her face. Steve didn’t watched what happened next, he sat in his car and drove to his house. Tears were falling from his eyes.