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Everything was dark, speckles of gray floating in the air like sad snowfall. The air was thick and cold, making even breathing a burden, like you could pass out at any moment. Chills fell over Steve, running down his spine, but not good chills ,like when someone whispers in your ear, no. Steve knew this place. And he knew that he wanted out .
Then the screaming started. The sound of Dustin's anguish ringing in Steve’s ears.
“Help!” Dustin shouted, tearing through the frigid air. “Steve!”
A second went by and Steve was running, racing to find Dustin.
Through the woods, to the field by the trailer park, then there he was.
“Dustin!” Steve screamed, finally seeing the boy.
He was on his knees sobbing over… something, Steve couldn’t see what, it was too dark.
Eddie… where’s Eddie? Dustin is there but…
Did he run? Did he leave Dustin? No he wouldn’t leave a kid. Would he?
Steve had just reached the boy when he realized… Eddie was there.
Dustin’s muttering and sobs turned coarse and rough from screaming.
Eddie was there, he was what Dustin was sobbing over. Lying on the ground, blood running down his chin, whispering to the young boy.
“Henderson.” Eddie muttered. “It’s fine.”
Dustin finally realized Steve was there, turning to face him, face drenched with tears.
“Steve, you have to help him!” Dustin shouted, voice strained.
Steve knelt down next to the dark haired boy, still in shock.
Chunks of flesh were missing from his stomach. There was so much blood, a pool around his abdomen and splatter from what had fallen from his mouth, blood soaking into his raven curls. Shit.
“We have to get him out of here.” Steve stated, trying to sound as calm as possible as not to scare Dustin, “Eddie, we are gonna have to carry you.”
No response
When he looked back down at the older boy his eyes were fluttering shut.
“NO, Eddie, you have to stay awake for me.” Steve shouted.
“Stevie.” Eddie muttered.
“Yeah, I’m here you have to stay awake. We’re gonna get you outta here, okay?” Steve muttered, voice weakening.
“Pretty…b-boy” Eddie whispered, more blood rushing from his mouth and down his chin.
“Eddie?” Dustin sobbed.
Eddie’s eyes fluttered shut once again
“Eddie! Wake up!” Steve shouted, shaking Eddie’s shoulders, waiting, hoping for a response.
“Open your eyes dammit!” tears ran down his face, “Eddie, please!”
“Steve, wake up!”
“Please, just wake up, please.” Steve sobbed.
“Steve!”
Steve’s eyes shot open. Eddie was on top of him, shaking him.
“Sorry, it’s just-” Steve whispered, tears streaming. Eddie brought his hands up to the boy's face and ran his thumb over his cheek, wiping his tears.
“Same one?” Eddie whispered, so soft, like if he spoke too loud the boy below him would shatter into a trillion pieces.
Steve nodded, because he knew if he opened his mouth the only thing that would escape was sobs. Eddie planted kisses on Steve’s flushed cheeks tasting the salty tears that had fallen.
“I’m here baby, you saved me.” Eddie reassured Steve, “I’m safe with you, we’re safe.”
Steve took a deep breath and managed to muster, “I-I know, I just can’t- I can’t stop them.”
The nightmares of course is what Steve meant. They had already stopped the monster and saved Hawkins for good (at least he hoped so), but no matter what Steve did, he couldn’t make the nightmares go away. It seemed like every night Steve would be taken back to one of the scariest moments of his life. Having to watch his love die over and over again. It started to make him think, what if they are trying to warn him.
“What if it’s a sign?” Steve huffed, “What if he’s still out there, somehow? What if-”
“Vecna is dead, Steve.” Eddie interrupted, “He isn’t coming back, I promise you, darling.”
“Then why won’t they stop? It’s been months.” Steve questioned, “I just want to sleep.”
“It’s gonna take time.” Eddie hummed, rubbing circles on Steve’s hips.
“We have had this same conversation at least twenty times and they have yet to stop.” Steve said, regaining his snarkiness.
“Sassy Stevie.” Eddie laughed. Steve pulled Eddie down for a kiss and Eddie stayed, laying his head on Steve’s chest and sliding off of his lap, back to his spot on the bed.
“I’m sorry I woke you up.” Steve apologized, “What time is it even?”
Steve looked over at the alarm clock on his bedside table. It read 3:14am in bright red letters.
Steve had to get up at 5:30 for work that day. An hour and a half to get ready, thirty minutes to drive to get Robin, and fifteen to get to work by 7:45 to open.
He knew it was gonna take at least half an hour to fall back asleep.
“Looks like I’m up for the day.” Steve whispered, mainly to himself, but also to the world.
“Nooooo, don’t leave me.” Eddie whined into Steve’s t-shirt.
“But I-” Eddie cut him off with a kiss, wrapping his arms around his waist and locking his fingers together. Steve was not going anywhere.
“Okay.” Steve accepted his fate.
God how was I blessed with such a bossy boyfriend.
“I’m not bossy” Eddie muttered, knowing exactly what Steve was thinking.
“We spend too much fucking time together.” Steve laughed, honestly kinda impressed with there compatibility.
When he looked down at the boy laying on his chest he knew it was worth it. All the sarcasm, all the bullying. Eddie was worth every drop.
“Stop thinking and go to sleep.” Eddie whispered sternly.
“And you're not bossy?” Steve replied, “Sorry for thinking about how cute my boyfriend is.”
“Go to sleep, Steven.” Eddie ordered.
“Yes ma'am.” Steve rebutled, earning a jab in the side.
He stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours but when he looked at the clock it read 3:21am.
It’s too fucking quite.
And like the fucking psychic he is, Eddie started humming softly. A sweet slow hum, just what Steve needed to relax.
Steve’s eyelids started feeling heavy after a few moments and he let himself fall.
Eddie knew just what he needed. He felt the boy relax under him and his breathing slow into a low, deep breath.
“Goodnight, big boy.” Eddie whispered into Steve’s neck. He felt himself get hit with a wave of tiredness, and let the feeling take over.
Sweet Dreams