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1-Migraine
“Steve?” Eddie called out as he entered the younger’s house.
The house was quiet, and no lights were on. Something was wrong if all the lights were off, Eddie understood how unbearable the dark was for Steve. Eddie walked silently through the large house, grateful his eyes were adjusting to the dark to spot the door to Steve’s room was ajar. As he pushed the door open wider the sounds of someone throwing up met his ears. He quickly rushed to the en suite and found Steve clinging to the toilet.
“Oh, Stevie,” Eddie sighed.
His heart broke at the sight of his boyfriend so miserable. He crouched next to Steve’s shaking body, gently pushing hair from the younger’s face and rubbing small circles on his back. Steve’s heaving eventually slowed and he leaned back from the toilet into Eddie’s chest.
“Another migraine?” Eddie whispered.
Steve gave the smallest nod possible.
“Which kind?”
Steve weakly held up five fingers, and Eddie felt his chest tighten in worry. It had been awhile since Steve had a migraine, and for it to be one of his worse ones was concerning.
“It’s gonna be okay. I got you.”
Eddie carefully slipped out from behind Steve, rested an arm under his back and knees, then lifted the younger. He set Steve on his bed, and brushed away the tears that were slowly falling.
“I’ll be right back,” Eddie promised.
Knowing Steve’s migraine was one of the worst ones he’s ever had, Eddie made swift work of grabbing everything that would help. He rushed downstairs to the kitchen, grabbing a sleeve of crackers from the pantry and a bottle of water from the fridge. On his way back to Steve’s room, he made sure to grab the Tylenol from the bathroom in the hallway.
Sliding back into the bedroom, Eddie closes the door behind him. Steve was laying on his stomach with a pillow over his head.
“Can you sit up for me?” Eddie whispers, not wanting to cause Steve anymore pain.
Slowly, Steve shuffles into an upright position. Eddie passes two little pills over, and notices the shake in the other’s hands. He uncaps the water and holds it up to the other’s mouth, grateful the small sips seem to stay down.
“Can I get you anything? I have some crackers if you want?” Eddie offers.
“No,” Steve’s raw throat rasps out. “I don’t think I can eat.”
“That’s alright, no need to force anything.”
“Everything hurts. I wish it would stop,” Steve whimpers.
“I’m sorry, pretty boy.”
Eddie knew if his heart wasn’t broken earlier there’s no way it wasn’t now. He toed off his shoes and slid onto the bed next to Steve. Steve buried his head into Eddie’s chest and shook slightly. Eddie wrapped an arm around Steve and lightly ran his hand through the other’s hair. Steve relaxed into the soft movement, and sighed softly.
“Just rest, now. I’ve got you,” Eddie gently reassured.
Steve hummed and mumbled, “Love you.”
“I love you, too, Stevie.”
It wasn’t even a minute later that Steve’s soft snores were heard, and Eddie was glad his boyfriend was getting some relief. He was grateful he came over when he did, not knowing how Steve dealt with the effects of the Upside Down all alone for as long as he did.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Eddie whispered, determined to help wash away the pain left by the Upside Down.
2- Nightmare
Eddie woke to thrashing in the bed. Quickly flicking on the lamp, he looked over at the boy next to him. Steve had tears running down his cheeks as he tried to twist away from whatever tragedy his unconscious mind dredged up.
“Steve, wake up! C’mon, open your eyes. It’s a nightmare, it’s not real,” Eddie desperately pinned the thrashing body down. “It’s not real! Please, open your eyes! It’s not real, you're dreaming!”
Steve’s eyes shot open, his chest heaving, and he struggled to sit up. Sobs wracked though his body as Eddie moved from pinning the boy down to hugging him tightly.
“It’s alright, it wasn’t real,” Eddie quietly repeated into Steve’s ear.
Steve’s sobs slowed to hiccups as the fear that gripped his mind slowly melted away from Eddie’s reassurances. As Steve’s breathing came back to normal, he clung to Eddie’s body. Eddie never stopped hugging him, trying his best to ground Steve into reality.
“It was, though,” Steve shakily spoke. “We were in the Upside Down, you were being ripped apart. You were dying and I couldn’t– I couldn’t save you! I was running to you, but I wasn’t getting any closer–”
“It wasn’t real, not anymore. I didn’t die, I’m right here. I’m here and you’re here, and that place is gone forever.”
Eddie held Steve closer, repeating that they were finally safe. Steve was still tense, and Eddie was going to wash away the fear left by the Upside Down with gentle reassurances and love.
“You are my sunshine,” Eddie softly sang. “My only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey,” Eddie felt Steve’s shoulders droop. “You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Steve’s body stopped fighting to stay awake as Eddie continued the lullaby that Uncle Wayne had always sung. Eddie remembered how much comfort the song gave him, and was glad Steve found a similar comfort in the song. Making a note of how much Steve was comforted by the lullaby, Eddie repeated it until he heard soft snores once again.
“Sleep well, Sunshine,” Eddie whispered as he tucked the younger into his hold once more. “I’m right here. I’ve got you.”
3- Panic Attack
Eddie was glad the kids convinced Steve to let them use the pool, after everything they’d all gone through together they needed some time to just be kids. He was inside ordering pizza for everyone when he heard yelling from the pool. He looked over as Steve was pulled in by the ankle and didn’t come up immediately.
Eddie ran to the pool and dove in, grabbing Steve under his arms and pulling them up to the surface. He swam them to the edge of the pool where Johnathan and Robin pulled Steve out while Nancy got the kids out of the pool and away from the situation at hand. As he turned away from them, Eddie heard Max yelling at Lucas, Dustin, and Mike about how they shouldn’t have pulled Steve in.
“Steve, can you hear me?” Eddie asked.
When no response came, Eddie started going through the steps of CPR they all learned in gym class every year. He told Johnathan to help Nancy with the kids and asked Robin to grab towels for Steve. As Robin returned, Steve finally coughed up water and Eddie slowly sat him up against his chest.
“Steve, can you hear me?” Robin asked.
Steve’s eyes had a far away look, and his breathing was picking up.
“He’s in shock and going into a panic attack,” Eddie said. “Pass me a towel and dry his legs please.”
Robin passed the towel to Eddie’s out-stretched hand and began drying Steve off. Eddie wrapped the towel around the unresponsive boy’s shoulders and gently rubbed the water away from his face. Steve didn’t even blink as Eddie wiped the water from around his eyes.
“Stevie? Where’s your mind at?” Eddie tried. “Which time is it?”
Steve was still quiet, but now he was trembling. Eddie watched as Robin lightly patted Steve on the cheek, and Steve curled on himself in fear. Eddie wanted to cry seeing Steve bring his arms around his head and knees to his chest while moving to lay on his side, trying to be as small as possible while protecting everything.
“Steve? I’m gonna pick you up, okay? I’m gonna bring you inside,” Eddie tried again.
The only response they heard were sniffles. Eddie gently placed his hand on Steve’s shoulder, earning a flinch.
“Robin, can you open the door and make sure the living room is clear?”
“On it,” Robin darted off.
“Alright, Steve, I’m gonna pick you up now. I’m going to bring you inside,” Eddie spoke to deaf ears.
He wrapped his arms around Steve’s huddled position and lifted. Cradling Steve into his chest, he heard a repeated murmur of “I’m going to die.”
He walked past the kids in the kitchen and set Steve onto the couch. Nancy saw the state Steve was in and began yelling at the three boys that caused this. Eddie was faintly aware of her words as he tried to talk Steve back into reality.
“I don’t know what you’re seeing Stevie, but you aren’t there. You’re in your living room, on your couch, the kids are in the kitchen, I pulled you out of the pool, and you’re having a panic attack,” Eddie rambled. “I need you to come back to me, Stevie. You aren’t there anymore, you’re in the present with us. Everyone’s okay, you’re okay, we just need you to come back to us.”
“Eds?” Steve’s voice faintly asks.
“Yeah, Sunshine. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got you, you’re gonna be alright.”
“I feel like I’m dying.”
“You’re not dying, you’re having a panic attack. What’s going on in your head?”
“Barb died in the pool, the demogorgon got her.” Steve cried. “It was my fault.”
“No it wasn’t, you didn’t know.”
Eddie looked across to the kitchen, seeing Nancy was getting the kids and their things together. He mouthed his thanks and pulled Steve close.
“I’ve got you. Let’s clean up, and you can sleep, okay? I know how hard panic attacks hit, and how drained you feel after. I’m gonna take care of you, be with you the whole time,” Eddie reassured.
Eddie hates how vividly his boyfriend remembers what the Upside Down did when he’s having a panic attack. He wishes there was some way to ease the memories away instead of having to relive them.
“I’m sorry,” Steve whispers, voice laced with guilt.
“Hey, listen to me,” Eddie stares into Steve’s eyes. “There is absolutely nothing for you to apologize over. You’ve been through so much, and I’m staying here to help you through it. You mean so much to me, and I will never stop being by your side through the good and bad. Okay?”
Steve clumsily nods and holds onto Eddie’s hand weakly.
4- Bullshit
It was Hellfire Club night, and the campaign was going strong. Everyone called a ten minute break, and went to grab snacks or use the bathroom. On his way upstairs, Eddie couldn’t help but smile as he saw Max teach El how to braid hair on Steve. Eddie was coming back downstairs to the Wheeler’s basement when he heard it.
“Dude, just stop with your bullshit!” Mike yelled.
Eddie stepped down the last step as he watched the light in Steve’s eyes extinguish. Steve quickly stands from where he’d sat on the floor with El and Max and walks to the basement door and once he’s outside he runs.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Eddie yells at Mike.
“He’s an asshole, and isn’t going to change. I don’t get how you all think he’s changed–” Mike starts.
“Because he has changed! He’s worked so hard to make up for who he was when he was sixteen, and you just invalidated all of that to him. Three years of progress down the fucking drain !” Eddie starts heading toward the door leading outside.
“That’s bullshit! Why don’t we just get back to–”
“No. You’re on probation from Hellfire,” Eddie looks around the room. “That’s it for tonight, I got to go find him. Dustin and Will, can you two pack it all up?”
“Junkyard,” Max says. “Go on the other side of the fence, and keep walking until you reach the train tracks. Then turn right and follow them until you see the old rusted vehicles. Steve goes there when he’s upset.”
“Thanks,” Eddie rushes outside, hoping that’s where Steve is going now.
Eddie loses track of time while running where Max had directed him, and his lungs are burning when he reaches the junkyard. There’s more cars and buses there than he’d expected, and he hopes Steve is here somewhere. He’s walking around about to call out for Steve when he sees a light going on for a few seconds then away before reappearing. Eddie walks over to the bus that’s surrounded by sheets of tin and old car doors.
“Steve?” Eddie calls out. “Can I come in?”
“Go away, Eddie,” Steve’s emotionless voice responds. “You know he’s right, I’m bullshit .”
“No you aren’t. You aren’t bullshit, big boy.”
“Even after everything, they probably all think so. “
Eddie sighs, silently cursing both the Wheelers for using that stupid word to ruin everything. With a tug, Eddie manages to open the bus door. He sees Steve sitting on the floor with his head on his knees, flicking a Zippo lighter on and snapping it closed. Eddie walks over and sits across from him, resting his own head upon his knees.
“They don’t think that. Mike’s a dumbass, and is the only one who thinks that. The others, they were all glaring at him while I was yelling at him. He’s wrong about you,” Eddie confesses.
“He’s not wrong, Eds. I’m still the shitty person I was three years ago. I’m the stupid guy that peaked in high school that knows how to take a hit. I don’t know why I ever thought they’d believe I’d changed,” Steve hollowly states. “I’m just the babysitter, I don’t do anything. I’m just bullshit .”
“Dammit, Steve, you’re not bullshit!” Eddie yells. “You’re one of the most intelligent people I know! You care about those kids so fucking much! You’ve practically adopted Max and Dustin, you don’t get frustrated when explaining something to El, you’re the reason Lucas can do anything with basketball, Will talks to you more than anyone in the party, and you’ve saved Mike’s ass so many times. You were the one that got Jonathan the new camera when you broke his old one to try and fit in with Tommy and the other meatheads. Even after the Halloween party with Nancy, all you’ve ever done is look out for her and protect her. Robin loves you like you’re actually related, and she insists upon working wherever you work. I’m absolutely crazy for you, and I get the privilege of seeing the real you. The one that doesn’t feel like he has to impress his shitty parents, or protect everyone when there’s danger, or be what society expects. I got the privilege of meeting the real Steve Harrington, and I can guarantee that he is the furthest thing from bullshit.”
“But what about–”
“No buts, you were a stupid sixteen year old that wanted to fit in. When I was sixteen, Hopper had already threatened to arrest me four times, I was always in detention, and I’d set one of the banners for the championship game on fire.”
“That was you,” Steve laughed past the lump in his throat.
“Sure was, big boy. Now, we can do two things. We can go home and I can tell you all the ways you aren’t bullshit, or we can stay here and I can tell you all the ways you aren’t bullshit. Which one?”
“I want to go home, I hate it here.”
Eddie tilts his head, “Then why are you here?”
“It helps me feel a little less shitty when I’m upset. I kept the kids from being eaten by the demodogs here; I felt like I was starting to make some progress away from being who I was,” Steve shrugs.
“Well, you’ve made a lot of progress from who you were. And no matter what your brain tells you, or what that snot nosed shithead wants to say, you’re my favorite person ever. And I’m not going anywhere until you understand just how wonderful you are.”
Eddie had never seen Steve blush so hard, knowing that it was going to be fun assuring him how much he’s improved.
5- Zoned Out
Eddie was lost in thought while working on his newest campaign for Hellfire– one that would need three party members instead of four. Eddie didn’t care how much Mike pleaded to be off probation from the club, he wasn’t letting him play in any campaign he wrote until Mike admitted he was wrong.
Eddie was blankly staring at a page in his monster manual, music blaring in his ears from his headphones, and sat in the kitchen waiting for Steve to get home. It was then that he was pulled from his thoughts by a hand lightly grabbing his shoulder. He turned around to see Steve, eyes filled with fear and tears, and his nail bat in hand.
Eddie ripped away his earphones, “What’s wrong?”
“You’re you? Like, actually you?” Steve's voice shook.
“Of course I am, Stevie? Why wouldn’t I be?” Eddie eyed the nail bat that had begun drooping from the other’s hand.
“I walked in and yelled for you, but you didn’t respond, and you were so still. I thought that he was back, and that I was going to lose you.”
“Steve, I’m so sorry. He’s gone, for good. We don’t need to worry about that any more. I was just listening to my music too loud, and I was thinking. I didn’t know you came in, I’m so, so sorry.”
Steve just sagged to his knees, and Eddie watched as relief and fear washed through his boyfriend. Eddie sat next to the stressed boy and guided his head to rest on his shoulder.
“I can’t lose you, Eds. You mean so much to me,” Steve breathed into the other’s neck.
“I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere,” Eddie promised and kissed Steve’s cheek. “I’ve got you, it’s alright.”
+1 (Steve Asks for Help)
Eddie was washing dishes when he felt two arms snake around his waist and a gentle squeeze as Steve settled into the hug. With a smile, Eddie turned the tap off and dried his hands. Turning around in Steve’s hold, he hugged back.
“What’s up, Sunshine?” Eddie asked, gently scratching the hair at the nape of Steve’s neck.
“Bad day,” Steve mumbled tiredly. “There’s supposed to be a thunderstorm.”
“I see,” Eddie leaned back to meet the younger’s gaze. “Want a distraction?”
“Please,” Steve practically begged.
“Alright, c’mon. Let’s get you changed.”
Eddie helped as Steve struggled out of his sweater and jeans, easing on some soft sleep pants and Eddie’s old Black Sabbath shirt. On their way out, Eddie grabbed the extra blanket off the bed. Holding onto Steve’s hand, the two trailed into the living room.
With a small smile, Eddie grabbed the well-loved VHS of The Breakfast Club and pressed play. As Simple Minds began playing, Eddie turned off the lights and laid down on the couch. With a gentle tug, Steve flopped down on top of Eddie and cuddled into his chest, watching as the kids were dropped off for detention. Eddie tossed the blanket over them and wrapped his arms around Steve.
“Better?” Eddie asked, heart warming as Steve finally settled against him.
“So much, you have no idea. Thank you,” Steve softly kissed Eddie.
“No problem, Sunshine.”
Eddie wasn’t going anywhere, and Steve knew Eddie would always be there for him. As the movie continued, rain began to patter against the windows, and there was a steady roll of thunder. When Steve tensed from the flashes of lightning, Eddie would hold him a little tighter and hum “You Are My Sunshine” until Steve relaxed.