Chapter Text
Who in the actual, ever-loving fuck was calling him at 2am? That was the first thought that Steve Harrington had before the reality of the situation set in and he bolted downstairs, slipping a bit on the wooden floors as he pulled the phone off the receiver. If someone was calling him this early, then something was wrong. Normally the kids called him through the walkie talkie so if they were using the phone...oh god. Steve barely had time to put the phone to his ear before a frantic voice was shouting down the line, setting all of Steve's nerves on fire with worry.
"Steve? Steve? Please, fuck, Will needs your help, shit. I'm still twenty minutes away, oh my god, please, Steve, I'll do anything you want, but please." Jonathans voice was wobbling, sounding on the verge of tears, and Steve was already reaching for his keys, pulling the phone cord as far as he could. He could feel the familiar adrenaline rush crashing through his body as he readied for a fight, mind clearing as he planned.
"Jon? Where is he? Tell me where he is, I'll go right now." He heard Jonathan let off a choked sob and a breathy thank you, the line going fuzzy for a moment as Steve fished his nail bat out of the cupboard, having to lean backwards to accommodate the phone line. He didn't question how Jonathan had his number, or what was going on. All he knew was that Will needed his help, bad enough that Jonathan had asked Steve to go there. That fact alone set off all the alarm bells in Steve's head.
"At home, he's at home. Lonnie came back and mom can't get him to leave, I think he wants to take Will back. Fuck, Steve, Lonnie can't get him, do you understand?" Steve understood and a cool anger flooded his bloodstream. With a quick reassurance, Steve hung up the phone and raced outside, not even pulling on a shirt or shoes as he jolted the car into drive and pressed down on the pedal. Steve didn't ask, but the pure terror in Jonathan's voice told him all he needed to know.
His car tyres screeched as he floored it to the Byer's residence, and somewhere in the back of his mind he dimly hoped Hopper wouldn't give him a speeding ticket. There was an fiery calm spreading through his body, soothing his shakes as he neared the Byer's residence. It simmered below the surface and sorted his thoughts, he couldn't bring the nail bat because Lonnie was human, but Steve could sure as shit make sure he was the one taking the punches instead of Will.
Steve hadn't heard much about Lonnie, only seeing both Jonathan and Joyce flinch at his name, but it told him all he needed to know. Will was just a kid, one that had been traumatised enough by the Upside Down, and Steve was going to make sure he didn't heap getting the shit knocked out of him by his father onto that list. Steve knew enough about parents that got a bit too handy with their kids, and judging by Jonathans aversion to being touched, Lonnie was one of them.
Considering he knew Joyce, and knew that all the kids adored her, he was certain she wasn't the one hurting her kids. That and the fact that Jonathan had told him Mrs Byers had tried to get Lonnie to leave. Steve's car fishtailed slightly as he turned onto the Byer's street and he saw their front porch light on, letting a sliver of amber illuminate the street, and Steve could see the rustling of the neighbours windows as they watched the show unfold.
It made something bitter and cruel curl in his stomach, especially once he heard the screaming from Joyce, and Steve wanted to yell and shake all the nosy neighbours for not doing anything. He could only pray that one of them had called Hopper already, or else Steve might get another concussion. This one would be worth it.
He skidded to a stop outside the Byer's house and was sprinting through the front door, barely managing to kill the engine and letting his door stay open with the keys inside. Steve registered the cold of the snow covered ground on his feet, and ignored the sharp pain he felt as he entered the house. Ignored it because Lonnie had a hand wrapped around Will's arm as he started dragging the boy to where Steve was standing, not even noticing his presence.
Steve noticed that Joyce was slumped on the ground, sobbing as Will's shirt slipped from her fingers and Lonnie stumbled backwards, back hitting Steve in the chest and he stilled. Steve could practically feel the anger oozing off himself, and he made sure to rise to his full height in the doorway as Lonnie spun around, yanking Will with him and growling at him. Will was crying, his eyes wide in panic as he begged for his mom, and something in Steve snapped.
Before he could fully register what he was doing, his fist was colliding with the side of Lonnie's face, forcing him to drop Will and stumble sideways, a hand coming out to stabilise himself on the wall. Steve chose to let him get his bearings, instead focusing on the kid in front of him. Steve gently grabbed Will by the shoulders and ran him over to Joyce, who just cried and pulled Will into his chest, thanking Steve profusely as Will continued to stare open mouthed at him.
"Steve?" The small voice broke something deep in Steve's heart. "He'll-He'll kill you. Why are you here?" Steve opened his mouth to reply, to reassure Will that he was safe now, and Steve wouldn't let anything happen to him, but he saw the boys eyes widen impossibly further. Before he knew it, he was being spun around by a hand on his shoulder. A fist collided with the side of his face, and Steve felt pain explode along his cheekbone. He only got a second of reprieve before another was snapping straight into his nose, and Steve heard a sharp crack and felt the warm pooling of blood begin to pour from his nose.
He saw Lonnie's fist coming at him again and let instinct take over, let his thoughts cool and wait until after the fight. The world slowed down as he focused, and Steve bought his forearm arm to block to blow before using his other to shoot a quick and brutal uppercut to Lonnie's jaw. Steve smirked in satisfaction at the way Lonnie's eyes rolled briefly, the bigger and older man fumbling backwards from the force.
Steve was on him before he could recover, kicking him in the knee and throwing all his weight behind a punch to Lonnie's face. It was a good hit, one that made Steve's hand ache and pulse in agony, but he didn't let that stop him. Lonnie got back up quickly, and threw himself at Steve, fingers reaching to wrap around his throat, and Steve felt as Lonnie lifted him up and pressed him into the wall, the back of his head thumping against the plaster, causing flakes of it to rain down his shirt.
That was going to hurt tomorrow, he thought dully as Lonnie's fingers tightened and Steve found himself unable to breathe. Steve let himself settle, let Lonnie take his full weight, and then waited. He'd done this before, and he knew that Lonnie would ease up in a second, rage and adrenaline making him think he'd held Steve there long enough. Even when black spots danced around his vision, Steve let Lonnie choke him, and right...now.
Lonnie's grip shifted and Steve moved, jolting forward and slamming his forehead into Lonnie's nose, grinning when he heard a crack and Lonnie curse, fingers leaving Steve's neck to grab at his face. Although Steve noticed that he's missed his forehead and ended up hitting Lonnie with his brow bone, which was now thudding with a dull ache. Steve used his arm to wipe under his nose, briefly noticing the worrying amount of blood that smeared across his bare arm before Lonnie was back on him.
A sharp hit was landed on his ribs and Steve half crouched, which was a bad idea because Lonnie's boot was kicking into his side. He felt himself sprawl across the floor, eyes locking with Joyce as she cried harder, clutching onto Will who was begging Steve to get up. He tried to rise but felt a stomp on his back and a loud snap. White hot pain coursed through his side and he heard Will scream his name.
He had to do this for Will, he was the last line of defence against Lonnie, and Jonathan wasn't there yet. He had to get up.
He felt Lonnie rear up to kick him again, and braced himself before rolling out of the way, grabbing Lonnie's leg and yanking. Hard. Lonnie fell to the floor with a crash and Steve groggily got up, trying desperately to ignore the burning in his side as he stumbled back towards the front door. Determined to make sure Lonnie didn't leave with Will. Lonnie slowly got up and limped over to Steve, fists already curled together as he took another swing, and Steve dodged under his arm, quietly hoping this next move wouldn't get him put in jail.
He ducked and shoved his entire shoulder into Lonnie's face, feeling his cheek cave under the pressure before Steve was behind him, grabbing his neck and throwing him into the wall, watching as Lonnie fell to the floor, bloody and cursing. Steve waited as Lonnie tried to get him arms under him, but Steve knew what that move felt like, it felt like the sun had just exploded behind your eyes and you were going to vomit. Lonnie promptly vomited and tried to push himself up again.
Steve kicked him back down and bared his teeth at the man, adrenaline starting to wane and pain coming back in. Jonathan would be home soon, and he could drive Will and Joyce away. Maybe Hopper would get here, if the neighbours had done one right thing tonight. He could hear Joyce and Will crying in the background, and noticed a blue and red flicker across the wall, and Steve let out a shaky breath. Hopper was here. Lonnie snarled an insult at him and Steve let the building pressure in his chest burst.
"You're a pathetic excuse for a father, Lonnie, and an even shittier man. What makes people like you so sure you can waltz in and take what you want, huh? Well I have news for you, motherfucker, you punch like a little bitch, and you're never, ever going to lay a hand on Jonathan, or Will, or Joyce again. Not on my watch. My dad's done this shit since I was kid, you think I'm gonna let another kid get fucked up by their parents?" Lonnie was laughing at him. Laughing at him, and Steve pressed his foot into the man's shoulder, pushing him back to floor, and vaguely saw blood coming from the sole of his foot.
"You are nothing, and your only legacy is going to be unmarked grave. You can rot in hell next to my parents, and all the other parents like you." Steve could feel himself beginning to shake as Joyce and Will ran past them and outside, and a sick sense of pride bloomed in his chest. He'd done it. He'd done what Jonathan asked, and Will was safe. He was okay.
He stayed there, pressing Lonnie into the floor as the older man groaned until a gentle hand grabbed his shoulder and he whirled around, eyes wide in fear. His heart was pounding at the threat, and he unsteadily bought his hands back up, trying to focus on the figure as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Steve blinked at the scene in front of him. Two cops were handcuffing Lonnie and dragging him out the front, and Hopper was in front of Steve, hands out as he slowly moved forwards.
"Kid? You with me?" Hops voice was soothing, low and unthreatening, and Steve could feel himself beginning to crumble. He didn't nod yet, he had to ask, had to check before he let himself be okay.
"The Byers, Will, he needs-he needs to get his arm checked, Lonnie grabbed it pretty hard. I think-I think I saw a bruise on Mrs Byers face, she should get that checked out." Steve knew he was rambling, but he also knew that Hopper might need the information. Someone had to know that the Byers were hurt, someone had to protect them, someone because Steve could feel the last of his strength fading, breaths coming in short bursts over the screaming from his ribs.
"Kid, they're alright. I'm more worried about you right now." At Hoppers insistence on making sure Steve was okay, he crumpled to the floor, legs finally giving out as he fell, laughing a little at the dizzy feeling crawling through his head. He could see Hopper racing towards him, and instinctively flinched, head ducking to avoid the collision. There was a sharp intake of breath and an apology before he heard another voice pipe up, softer this time, but laced with an edge of something that Steve couldn't recognise. He blinked and Jonathan was crouching in front of him, arms out to steady Steve's shaking form, and blissfully Steve didn't flinch. Jonathan was nothing like Lonnie, or Steve's dad, not in the way that Hopper was, and Steve felt himself relax at that.
God, his head was pounding, and his ribs felt like they were on fire. He let out a wince when Jonathans hand settled on his shoulder, but brushed off the fearful look in the others boys eyes. With a groan, Steve pushed himself upright, swaying violently until he felt an arm under his shoulders and saw Jonathan leading him outside to the police car that was parked there. Steve looked around and saw that Lonnie was already gone, so were Joyce and Will. The question was forming on his lips, but Jonathan managed to beat him to it.
"Mom and Will are down at the station with Lonnie, they're giving reports, the cops are gonna make sure they're okay." Steve was nodding now, that was good, getting them safe was good. Jonathan went weirdly quiet, and Steve got the impression that there was something else he wanted to add. Instead, the other boy led him to the car, presumably Hopper's, telling Steve to shut up when he complained, and Steve got in silently. He was honestly grateful, because the idea of driving home right now sucked. He was pretty sure he had another concussion already, if the probing pain in his head was anything to go by.
What really surprised him was Jonathan climbing into the back seat next to him instead of the passenger seat next to Hopper, who was watching the two of them carefully in the rear view mirror. Steve could feel his eye starting to swell shut, and he pressed a hand into his ribs, trying to alleviate the burning feeling that was growing. He could see Jonathan fiddling in the seat next to him, hands shaky and face still pale. Steve let the burning thought in his head out.
"Sorry I didn't get there sooner, man. He already managed to grab Will, so I hope he's not too roughed up." Steve saw both Hopper and Jonathans eyes snap to him, but he didn't have to energy to flinch, only barely enough left to lock eyes with Jonathan. Jonathan, who was staring at him like he was crazy, with his jaw open and eyebrows scrunched together. Steve could see Jonathan working words around his mouth, a guilty and angry look on his face. That look hurt, so Steve let his gaze drop.
"Jesus Christ, Steve. You literally save my brother, don't apologise for it. I should be the one apologising, I shouldn't have dragged you into this mess, and now Lonnie's caved half your face in." Steve cringed at the image, and tried to push away the pain radiating across his nose, but it was no use. He could feel blood still trickling out of it, sliding down his chin and throat and dripping onto his bare torso. Right, he hadn't grabbed a shirt.
Jonathan must have seen how uncomfortable he suddenly got, because there was a flannel shirt being pulled over his shoulders and tucked around him. Steve smiled weakly up at Jonathan and they sat in comfortable silence the rest of the way to the police station. Steve tried to get out of the car but let out a sharp whine at the pain in his ribs and the way his vision darkened when he stood up, but then Jonathan was back next to him, arm under his shoulder as he made him sit down and got the first aid kit.
Steve could feel the last of his adrenaline leave him, and he gratefully took the icepack from Jonathan, pressing it onto his eye and groaning in relief when the cool feeling woke him up. He sat silently as Jonathan placed butterfly clips on his face, but shoved him off when he got to his ribs.
"Dude, no offense, but you're not a doctor, and I've had plenty of broken ribs before. Just let 'em be, I'll go get them wrapped in the morning when my head isn't trying to split itself open." Jonathan winced and Steve could hear the apology brewing again. Steve just pointed at the chair next to him, and let Jonathan settle, the two of them looking out into the empty police station. Everyone on shift was at the back near the holding cells, questioning Lonnie. Steve knew Hopper would be back in a few minutes to take Steve to the hospital, despite the fact that Steve knew exactly what they were going to say. Instead he focused on the conversation with Jonathan.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat, Jon. Don't doubt that." He could feel Jonathan staring at him, but Steve just closed his eyes and slouched back. "No kid deserves that shit, and I'm glad I was there to stop Lonnie from doing anything worse. Seriously, man, don't sweat it. This shit will heal, Will's brain isn't some popped blood vessels, this isn't gonna fade in a few weeks." Steve was being serious, he'd take a hundred more concussions if he could protect any of the kids from this bullshit.
Jonathan must have been stunned into silence, because he only offered Steve a broken sound of thanks before settling back into the quiet. Steve was pretty sure he could hear Jonathan crying, but he wasn't going to be an asshole and mention it. Heavy footsteps approach and Steve cracked open his non-swollen eye to see Hopper frowning at him in concern. He and Jonathan exchanged a few words and Jonathan gave Steve's shoulder a quick squeeze before darting off to find his brother. It left a hollow feeling in Steve, the knowledge that they could go back home and be a family, and Steve was going back to an empty house. Better it empty than full of his parents, he supposed.
"Kid, we need to talk." Steve groaned and tried to pout at Hopper, but the expression only caused him pain. His vision blacked out for a second and his breath stopped at the agony in his ribs, and when he came to, Hopper was kneeling in front of him, hand on his ribs and the other on the back of his neck, grounding him. He blinked and forced himself to focus on Hopper, offering him a shaky smile and an even shakier thumbs up. Hopper only looked at him, and Steve gestured for him to continue.
"You did a good thing today, kid. Reckless and incredibly stupid, but good. I can't even fault you for it, I would've done the same in your place." Steve chest grew warm and fuzzy at the words, thankful Hopper wasn't mad at him for not waiting. "But Steve? We really need to talk about the shit you said." Steve's eyes flew to Hopper in shock, partially because he couldn't entirely remember what he said, and partially because Hopper had actually sworn in front of him.
God, what sort of rambling nonsense had Steve said? Judging by Hoppers grim face, it wasn't good, and Steve wracked his brain trying to think. Oh. The stuff about his parents. He prayed that wasn't what Hopper was referring to. Hopper kept a hand on the back of his, but used the other to air quote as he spoke.
"'Doing this shit since I was a kid', 'another kid', 'next to my parents'." Steve could feel his heart beginning to race and his trembling return, and he couldn't make eye contact with Hop. "Steve, I'm the chief of police, if your parents have been hurting you, I need to know." Hopper was being so nice, and Steve could feel his resolve crumbling.
"It's fine, Hop. They're not home much anymore, and I'll be 18 next year, so there's not much you can do 'til then." Steve tried to ignore how tired and dejected he sounded, voice gruff from the strain of what had just happened. Hopper took a deep breath and Steve braced for the chew out of his life, preparing mentally for all the shitty lines Hopper could throw at him. Instead, the older man just pulled him into a gentle hug and made sure Steve looked him in the eye when he responded.
"I want you to come stay with El and I for a little bit, at least until you're healed, okay, kid?" He was so tired, and so ready to sleep, that he just nodded. Pride bubbled in his throat when Hopper smiled at him and let out a breath of relief.
"Alright kiddo, the Byer's are crashing with us tonight as well, so I'll go grab them and we'll figure this all out." Steve nodded and Hopper rushed off to get everyone, bringing back the Byers who were huddled together closely, each of them unwilling to let go of the others. Steve pulled himself upright and tried to blink away the way his head swam. Clearly he didn't do a good job of hiding it, because Hopper was walking him to the car, and Steve got to sit in the passenger seat as the Byer's pooled into the back, Joyce hugging both her son's tightly and mouthing 'thank you' to Steve.
Steve chose to ignore the sad look on Hopper's face when he nodded and looked away, knowing his own face betrayed how he felt. Lonely. This wouldn't change anything, but Steve knew how to appreciate something good when it was given to him, so he let himself drift off in the front of Hopper's car, trusting the people around him to keep him safe.