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Steve doesn’t know how he gets himself in these stupid fucking situations. Why he finds himself agreeing to things he knows he’ll hate. Why he can’t say no to those kids that just give him hell all the time anyway.
Who would even want to do this in the first place? Especially this group who has run from literal monsters. Why any of them would ever want to come to a haunted corn maze is beyond him. But, of course, he said yes. And figured he would just drive them here and hang out until they were done. And then Robin had decided to tag alone. And Eddie. And then Eddie offered to drive since there’s more room in his van. And then they were all telling him he didn’t have to go if he doesn’t want to since he’s not even driving and–
Steve suddenly felt very left out…and a little protective over all of them. Really didn’t want to sit at home and think of all of them wandering through a dark corn maze, with who knows what popping out at them. So now he’s in this stupid maze, his heart racing, people screaming in every direction, and his group is scattered. He rushes up a row, eyes flashing to take in his surroundings as the panic rises in his throat. He knows he’s being irrational. Knows none of this is real. That it’s supposed to be fun . But running around in the dark, with the air around them hazy from smoke machines, and dust catching in the minimal light shining through the corn…it feels too familiar. Too much like all the times he was running to find his friends that were life or death and he freezes . Can’t make his body move in any direction. Can’t figure out which of his people to rush to first. Can’t get his body to realize this isn’t real. That they’re all fine.
Steve’s hands tremble where they hang at his sides and he fights against himself, trying to make himself move . To get out of this stupid maze, or at least out of this spot. Steve squeezes his eyes shut, sucking in a shaky breath, trying to get control over himself. To steady his nerves and stop being so ridiculous to–
Steve jumps as a hand slips into his and his eyes shoot open, locking onto Eddie’s face as he smiles sweetly at him and tugs him forward. “Come on, baby. This way.”
Steve lets out a heavy sigh feeling all the panic wash away. Eddie is okay. They’re all okay.