Work Text:
Dustin
Steve woke up that day his head already pounding, only on the left side but it was practically unbearable. He’s positive he only woke up because of the pain, with a sigh he gets up from his bed and immediately regrets it. His head spins and he feels nauseous just from moving. Steve groans breathing deeply trying to will nausea away, then there’s knocking on his front door.
The knocking is rapid with no sign of stopping until he opens the door, Steve gets up making his way to the front door and when the noise gets too much he yells “shut up I'm coming!”. Now he’s irritated and his head hurts even more now than it did when he woke up. Steve yanks open the door ready to yell at whoever is standing on his doorstep, his mouth closes when he sees that it’s Dustin. Of course, it’s Dustin who is surprised about it.
Dustin for his part doesn’t notice anything different and pushes past Steve and into the other’s house. Immediately launching into some rant that Steve tries to listen to but at this point, the words sound like sounds. After a few minutes, Dustin stops talking and just stares at Steve. “What?” he asks and he’s surprised at this point he can even get words out. Dustin doesn’t say anything for a second just staring at Steve, squinting and Steve feels like Dustin is looking right through him. “Did you hear a word I said? Come on Steve this is very important”.
“I'm sorry can you repeat it again, maybe in fewer words please” Steve rubs the palm of his hand into his left eye trying for some relief. He thinks that this headache is too strong for medication now. Dustin sighs and rolls his eyes “I said the fair is this week and my mom said I can only go if you’re there” he mutters something about how he’s fought monsters from the upside down so he could handle the fair without being babysat.
If Steve wasn’t in so much pain he would have laughed, “yeah yeah I’ll take you alright? Just get out of my house already i have things to do”. Things like trying to not throw up and try to fall back asleep with his head under the pillow. Dustin laughs rushing to hug Steve yelling about how grateful he is, still unaware of the intense pain Steve is in, and rushes out the door. Steve sighs in an equal amount of pain and relief, now he can go back to bed. He does swaying on his feet at this point as the room spins again and he practically falls onto his bed and shoves his head under the pillow.
Robin
Working at Family Video isn’t all bad, for the most part, it’s super chill. Steve gets to hang out with Robin most of the time and Keith doesn't bother them as often anymore.
The day has been unusually busy, which paired with Steve’s current migraine isn't helping. An older lady whose voice is especially high pitched is grating on his ears.
He has to hold back from sighing, barely listening to whatever her complaint is. After what feels like forever she leaves and he groans, bending over and leaning on the counter with his head in his hands. Steve is so tired and in so much pain . Robin pats his shoulder in support which unknowingly to her sends jolts of pain through steve. Just even being touched hurts when he’s like this.
She must miss the flinch because she doesn’t say anything about it except “how have the nightmares been?” Steve sighs again standing back up straight and looking at her. “Fine, how are yours?”. Robin shrugs and tilts her head back and forth in a ‘so so’ gesture. The conversation ends there, Steve leaving the counter to put movies back on the shelves. His eyes prick with unshed tears from the pain that he blinks away. God forbid he starts crying at work in front of Robin.
Shelving movies doesn't make the pain worse or less, it is constant. Steve thinks maybe he should take more pain medication, maybe enough to knock him out for a while when he’s home. What does make it worse is the bell when the door opens, one time, in particular, catches him off guard. Steve flinches hard dropping the movies in his hand, he curses softly crouching down to pick them up which increases the pain. He can't wait until he can go home.
Joyce
Since the Byers moved back to Hawkins, Steve has started going over on Sundays. He gets along well with Joyce who he secretly thinks of as his second mother. He gets along with Will and Eleven very well too. Eleven thinks he’s ‘bitchin’ and he lets Will talk to him about D&D. Steve is slowly learning, much to Will’s delight. Hopper likes him and makes jokes about busting him for his parties.
Steve always helps Joyce wash dishes after dinner, it’s become a routine at this point that he enjoys a lot. They talk while doing them, about anything really. However today he could barely drive over, Steve would never cancel on them. He knew he should have but being stubborn he wouldn't. Steve isn’t as talkative today, finding his mouth feels like sandpaper and his brain moving too slow to get words out.
He still helps with the dishes, much to his body dislike. Everywhere feels aching, almost on fire. Even still that doesn’t stop him from helping Joyce with the dishes. His hands shake slightly and he wills himself to not drop a dish. “-Steve?” He jerks his head up turning towards Joyce, she looks concerned. “I'm sorry?” he says trying to recall whatever she had said to him and coming up with nothing. She smiles “I was saying it’s very sweet of you to go with the kids to the fair” Joyce turns her attention back to the sink. She laughs “Will told me that Dustin acts like he doesn’t want you there, yet he hasn’t stopped talking about how he’s so excited you will be” She smiles, passing a plate to him to dry “Those kids adore you, you know?”.
Steve chuckles as he grabs the plate to dutifully dry it and place it in the rack, he opens his mouth to speak. Nothing comes out, he panics for a moment, and when she turns her attention to him. Steve clears his throat trying again, “They better after all I let them use my house for D&D and drive them everywhere” there’s no malice in his voice. He genuinely doesn't mind, makes that house feel fuller and more comforting. Plus he drives Robin everywhere too so it’s nothing new.
Speaking made the pounding in his skull worse, quickly ruining his mood. The dishes are done, he’s free now. Quickly saying goodbye to everyone and rushing out the door he gets to his car and his pain medication.
Eleven & Max
Sometimes the girls have a ‘girls' day plus Steve’ normally this includes Robin and Nancy however they were both busy. Suspiciously Max tells Eleven and Steve, who both laugh about it.
Steve also never misses these days, they don't happen as often and he will be damned if he missed one. Today the girls are over at his house, currently sitting on the floor in his living room. Once again his head is pounding, he feels nauseous, his mouth slick with bile that keeps swallowing down. The girls seem oblivious which he is extremely thankful for. His left eye feels like it’ll pop out, the throbbing and piercing pain seemingly increasing every second. Steve jolts his eyes wide and stomach dropping, he can't keep the bile down and rushes to the kitchen spilling vomit into the sink. He turns on the faucet to drown out the sound of him puking. His whole body is lurching every time he gags and it makes his head feel worse.
He doesn’t hear El come into the kitchen until she says something and he quickly wipes his mouth and turns around using his body to hide the sink. She frowns at him, staring right through him as she does with everyone. “What's up?” he asks desperately hoping she doesn't question him. After a moment of her staring at him, she speaks, “Max and I were wondering if we could order a Pizza and if we could paint your nails”.
Steve nods, “yeah of course i’ll do that in a second ‘kay?” seemingly satisfied the girl nods and walks out of the kitchen. Steve squeezes his eyes shut rapidly as if that would help the pain. It doesn't, after rinsing the sink and getting a cup of water to rinse his mouth he turns off the faucet.
The Party
The day started out fine, Steve was taking Dustin to the fair with the rest of the party. He’s confident he’ll be fine so he leaves his pain medication and the prescription migraine medication he finally got at home.
He feels great, the best in days actually headache free and in control of his body. The fair is loud as ever and the party is extremely hyper. Steve spots Robin and joins her leaving Dustin to loudly mingle with his friends.
Its been a couple of hours, the Indiana heat beating down on them. They’ve all been on many rides and stuffed their faces with cotton candy and various other fair food. Naively Steve thinks he’s fine, he’s talking to Eddie when the first sting of pain shoots through the right side of his head. Sharp enough he stops talking mid-word, noticeable enough that Eddie has a slightly concerned look on his face.
Steve laughs shaking his head, “Sorry about that, um Will told me you started a new campaign right?” Eddie quickly gets distracted easily getting into his newest campaign with Hellfire. Steve doesn’t see El watching them, she’s worried and she knows something is wrong.
The group decides they want to go on the Ferris Wheel, they’re all walking over laughing and talking with each other. Steve has gone quiet the pain getting worse, feels like the pain has traveled from the right side of his head to the left. Getting worse with every step he takes. The sun isn't helping, nor the loud noises from every direction. Eleven is very aware and has been watching him since the moment with Eddie, she walks with Robin “something is wrong with steve” she says. Robin tilts her head confused “what do you mean he looks fine” Eleven shakes her head in disagreement. She knows something is wrong with him.
Robin hums turning her attention to Steve, he does look off annoyed maybe she thinks. She watches him more and notices his face scrunching up every so often and how he’s slowed down. Unusual but not alarming she thinks, he looks tired it’s been a long day, and it's a hot day. Robin goes to tell Eleven as such but she’s left her side to go talk to Will.
She tells Will the same thing she told Robin, he nods listening to her intently. “We should ask him if he’s okay, he might be tired El,” he says always looking for a rational reason. El frowns not liking his answer, she relents however nodding. The girl is determined to figure it out.
They’re all in line now and Eleven pushes past everyone to stand in front of Steve, she crosses her arms and demands “what's wrong with you”. Her tone isn't mean or rude but surprises Steve and he blinks a few times. “Nothing’s wrong El I'm fine” she clearly dislikes that answer because her frown deepens and her eyebrows tilt down.
Her confrontation has got the rest of the party’s attention, WIll laughs nervously coming up to them and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Sorry Steve I tried telling her you were fine”
Steve forces a smile shaking his head in a dismissing tone, “I appreciate the concern El but I'm fine”. He gets saved from her clear disbelieve by it being their turn. He gets in a cabin with Max and Dustin, both are loudly talking to each other. Steve feels fine until they start moving and it isn't even fast. The height and movement paired with his nausea make things worse. He feels light-headed and sick to his stomach. It must show because both kids are suddenly asking if he’s okay. Repeatedly and not listening when he tries to wave it off. Max shuffles around the cabin until she’s sat next to him. “Do not tell me you’re fine. Do you feel sick?” He nods breathing in deeply, “Okay slowly move your head between your knees and close your eyes.” Without question or complaint, he does as told.
Both kids share looks of concern over his head, they’re talking but it's muffled and it hurts too much trying to decipher what they’re saying.
Steve feels fainter as time goes on, nausea rising and the pounding unbearable. He feels stupid, why did he think he would be fine? The ride must have ended because max is gently shaking him which he protests. He can barely stand and exit the cabin without stumbling over his own feet. The world is blurry and he hurts so much, several hands have grabbed him. Steve tries to tell them to stop, he’s unaware nothing is coming out of his mouth just moving.
The world tilts and he shoves at whoever is in front of him, just in time to bend over vomiting onto the ground. If he was more aware he’d be embarrassed at the fact he’s started crying now. The pain and his humiliation were too much for him to handle.
Eddie has grabbed him by the shoulders, moving him to sit down on a bench. Everyone is crowded in front of them all worried. Steve doesn’t respond to anyone just sitting there with his eyes squeezed shut, still crying from the pain. After a while, his shaking body slows and he opens his eyes.
The pain hasn't stopped in fact he isn't sure how he’s awake still, he doesn't get much time to think about it with Eddie grabbing his attention. “What going on Steve? We’re all worried about you” Eleven speaks before he can “Don't lie about it”, he sighs defeated “It's just a headache, I didn't bring any medication”. It’s not a lie just also not the truth.
When no one seems convinced and Mike goes as far as to tell him that was bullshit he caves. “From the concussions I’ve gotten I get bad migraines. It's really not a big deal I just didn't bring my medication with me, I'm fine really”. Dustin is suddenly in his face, he looks upset. “You couldn't speak or stand on your own” the way he speaks says he has more to say so Steve doesn’t dare say anything yet. “That's not something you brush off Steve, how long has this been going on and why didn't you tell us”.
He feels very scolded under Dustin's gaze and he almost doesn’t want to answer knowing he will be upset. His silence says everything however and Dustin sighs throwing his hands up in the air exasperated. “What the fuck Steve, never mind we’re going back to your house now.” The speed at which Steve’s head shoots up sends a spike of pain through his skull that he winces at. “No! Why? The day isn't over yet, don't stop just because I can't handle a bit of pain.”
Robin scoffs holding her hands out to him “Doesn't matter, it's hot and I'm tired and you need your medication and to sleep. No ifs or buts we’re going now, plus we’ll raid your fridge while you sleep” Steve laughs taking her hand, he smiles just slightly and lets them help his unsteady feet get back to the car. He argues with Eddie about who’s driving and Max gleefully says she can to which Steve immediately denies and throws the keys to Eddie.
Steve sits in the back with Robin, his head on her shoulder. The pain hasn't stopped but he oddly feels better anyway.