Archive of Our Own

I. It’s A Cruel Summer With You

Steve still remembers how his tryst with Eddie Munson started.  It was a bonfire in late june. The field had a haze about it, the kind that only seems to come in summer. Steve had just finished his sophomore year and he, Tommy and Carol were finally deemed worthy enough of going to an upperclassman party.

Steve drank quite a bit that night, but not enough for him to be unaware of his actions. He had been moved up to the varsity swim team, and he felt he had the right to celebrate. He was also drowning his misery a bit, his parents had always been distant, but since he presented as an omega his freshman year, it had been getting worse. 

The fire burned bright as the sunlight faded into night. Tommy and Carol were off making out somewhere, Steve wasn’t exactly sure where. He was alone, surrounded by people he only really knew in passing.

 Due to his somewhat (not nearly enough in his opinion) inebriated state and the mosquitoes biting at his skin, Steve decided he would walk home. Driving was out of the question as Tommy had brought them to the bonfire. While stumbling away and lazily swatting at his exposed skin, he ran into someone. 

“Damn Harrington, you’d think junior class royalty would watch where they’re going.” 

Steve looked up from the ground and found himself looking into a pair of deep brown eyes. He shook his head for clarity before he began to look over the form in front of him.

He was about the same height as Steve with shoulder length dark hair, he was wearing ripped up tight jeans and a black shirt that hugged his torso. He had on a jean vest with a couple of patches. Steve’s eyes just kept roving over his chest. He could smell cedar wood and rosemary, an alpha, it was intoxicating. 

“I’m sorry I-” 

Steve cut himself off with a swat to his arm. The mosquitoes were really getting to him. 

“Hey, woah, don’t do that,” the alpha said, gently taking Steve’s hands. 

“It’s just- mosquitoes,” Steve said, taking his hand out of the alphas grasp so he could wave it around. 

“Are you trying to get out of here? You’re a bit far from the party?” 

“Well, you’re far from the party too,” Steve said, petulantly. 

“Not exactly invited, I’m just here to sell.” 

“Sell what?” Steve asked, confused. 

“You don’t know?” He asked. 

Steve just stared at him with wide eyes. The guy motioned as if he were smoking and it suddenly clicked for steve. 

“Weed?” He asked. 

He covered Steve’s mouth, “Not so loud, Pretty Boy!”the alpha then smirked, “Would you like to try a sample,” 

Steve lifted the corner of his lip, “Yeah, ok.”

He took Steve’s hand and led him to his van and that was that.

They spent the rest of the summer sneaking around with each other. It was just a fling, Eddie assured, no feelings involved and Steve was ok with that. They were different people, but it didn’t stop them from enjoying each other’s bodies, until it did…

II. I Can’t Pretend It’s Platonic (It’s Just Ended) 

“I don’t think we should do this anymore,” Steve confessed one night at the end of august. 

They were in bed, Eddie was laying down while Steve was sitting up, with a blanket draped over his legs. 

“What?” Eddie asked tensely. 

“I don’t think we should see each other anymore,” Steve said quietly. 

“Why? Nancy Wheeler makes goo-goo eyes at you once and you’re ready to end this?” 

“Don’t act so upset! You’re the one who said this was just a fling! You said no feelings, and I want something with feelings so it’s over,” Steve said sternly. 

There was more to the story than that. Eddie did not like the world Steve came from (Steve wasn’t such a big fan of it either) and he let his hatred for the popular kids be known.

Sometimes Steve wasn’t sure if Eddie saw him as an exception or part of the problem and the comments were starting to take a toll on his self esteem. He just couldn’t deal with it anymore. 

“Whatever,” Eddie said, throwing back the covers and grabbing his clothes. “Just wanted one last night, right?” 

Steve blushed, but didn’t answer.

 “Should’ve known, King Steve, once an asshole, always an asshole.” 

Eddie left soon after. 

They didn’t speak to each other after that, they didn’t even make eye contact in the hallways. Nancy and Steve started seeing each other in September, things were fine, until Will Byers went missing. Steve didn’t know it at the time, but his whole life was about to change. 

III. Do You See Us Getting Scraped Up Off The Pavement? 

Strangely, after the discovery of the Upside Down and the fight with a demogorgon, Steve and Nancy began to grow apart romantically.

Steve knew they were both contemplating ending things, but they kept putting it off due to Steve’s very persistent stomach bug that had seemingly morphed into extreme fatigue. It was early January and he’d been having this problem since September, but now Nancy had taken notice. 

“I think you need to see a doctor,” She said, with her lips pressed in a determined line. 

“I’m fine, Nance,” Steve sighed. 

“No you’re not, we’re going to the doctor,” She grabbed him by the forearm and pulled him to his feet. 

“Nance-” 

“No! You’re going to the doctor, I’ll go in the room with you if I have to, but you’re getting checked out!” 

Which is how Steve and Nancy found themselves sitting in Steve’s car with the results of his tests.

“Wow,” Nancy said looking at the paper. 

“Nancy, I haven’t- it was before- I’m so sorry,” Steve said, sobbing into his hands. 

Nancy put her hand on his thigh, “it’s ok, Steve, I’m not upset.” She was quiet for a moment, “but I don’t think we should stay together.” 

“I agree,” Steve said, wiping his eyes. 

“I still want to be friends though, maybe it’s selfish to ask that if you, but us, jonathan, the pups, Mrs. Byers and Hopper are the only people who know what’s really going on in this town. We need each other,” Nancy said nervously. 

“I feel the same way, I just don’t know if you’d want to be friends with a knocked up slut,” Steve said tiredly. 

“Oh, Steve,” Nancy said, leaning over to hug Steve in the driver's seat, “I’ll always be on your side and I bet Jonathan and the kids will too. I’m so sorry you have to go through this.” 

Steve leaned his head on Nancy’s shoulder.

“I have to tell the father.” 

“Is it safe to tell him?” 

Steve nodded, “it’s Munson, he won’t hurt me.” 

“The drug dealer?” Nancy said skeptically. 

“Yeah, he’s an ass, but he’s not violent. I’ll tell him in a few days.” 

“Please be careful, Steve. You can always call me if you need anything.” 

“Thanks, Nance.” 

***

“Kiiiiiing Steve,” Eddie drawled from where he sprawled out on the picnic table.

 This was where Eddie sold his drugs, this was where Steve knew he would be. Steve had his arms crossed and his head down. He took a deep shaky breath,feeling the tears welling in his eyes. 

“We need to talk,” he said nervously. The alpha snorted and walked over towards steve. 

“You could at least look at me,” he said, leaning in closer, “You had the decency to look me in the eye when you told me you were ending our tryst for prissy Princess Wheeler,” 

Steve flinched at the harsh tone. He’d ended his affair with Eddie for more than just Nancy. Eddie and Steve were from different worlds and he made it very clear how he felt about jocks and the popular crowd. Steve could only handle so much. 

He looked at Eddie, tears in his eyes, ready to bear everything on the table. 

***

Eddie was taken aback for a moment, seeing Steve Harrington standing before him with silent tears streaming down his face, his skin red and blotchy. He seemed so vulnerable. He looked miserable and if Eddie was a better alpha, he would pull him close and wipe those tears. Let bygones be bygones, but he wasn’t better and Steve was the omega who acted like he was too good for him. 

“Look just go back to Wheeler and-” 

“Nancy and I broke up,” Steve cut him off. 

“If that’s what you came here to tell me, I’m not going to say I’m surprised,” Eddie said, raising one of his eyebrows. 

Steve took another shaky breath, “I had to end things with her because-” he paused shuddering for a moment. 

“Look Harrington if you’re about to confess your undying love for me that ship has-”

“God could you just shut up for five seconds!” Steve shouted out of frustration, angry tears now falling. “I’m pregnant you asshole! And you’re the father!” 

Eddie was frozen, that was the last thing he expected to hear out of Steve’s mouth. He stood there just blinking, unsure of how to proceed. 

“Well? Say something!” Steve shouted, Eddie’s lack of response causing him to panic. 

“Pregnant?” Eddie said, still in shock. 

“Yeah,” Steve said, pushing a piece of paper against Eddie’s chest, “Got the results from the clinic yesterday.”

 Eddie couldn’t move. The paper fluttered to the forest floor. 

“I can’t- I can’t-” Eddie started, “I’m only 17” 

“And I’m 16!” Steve deflated, “Whatever, I just thought you should know. I guess I got my answer.” 

And with that Steve turned on his heel and left. Eddie watched him go, still thinking over and over again, “ I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…” 

***

“Wait so he just stood there?” Nancy asked over the phone. 

“Yeah basically, kept saying that he can’t and he’s only seventeen.” Steve replied with a sigh.

 He was on the phone with his ex-girlfriend turned (only) friend and confidant, Nancy Wheeler. 

“He’s a douche,” she said with finality. 

“Nance-” 

“No, Steve! He sucks! You tell him you’re pregnant and he just says he can’t? What an ass!” 

Steve couldn’t help but agree with her, he was not Eddie Munson’s biggest fan right now. 

“What’s this?!?!” Steve’s father shouts with such venom.

 Steve looks over from where he’s standing by the phone. His father had just come bounding down the stairs, he was angry, but that wasn’t unheard of. Steve was used to his dad being angry and worked into an alpha rage over something or other. Steve turned and froze at the sight that met him. In his father’s hand was the ultrasound he had gotten a few days before. 

“Nance I have to go,” he said quickly. 

“Steve are you-” 

He hung up before she could finish the question, he did not want her to hear what was about to go down. 

“Dad I-”

“No, Steve! What did you do!?!?” 

Steve was trembling where he stood. His father knew what the image meant, he knew what he did, he just wanted to hear Steve say it, to make him feel ashamed.  He knew his dad wouldn’t ask about Nancy and if it was hers (it wasn’t, she’s a beta, but his father wouldn’t know that because he’d have to give a shit about what was going on in Steve’s life.) His dad didn’t care who the father was, he only cared about how this would look to others. He was mad, Steve could smell it in the air. He’d never scented his dad this angry before.

 Steve felt himself being backed into a corner. His dad was in his face now. 

“Of all the things, Steven,” he seethed. 

Like a viper, his father struck him across the face. The stinging left him in shock, but before he could react a hand was around his neck, smashing his head against the wall. There was a crack and Steve could feel the blood dampening his hair. His dad still had his hand around his neck when he punched his nose with a sickening crunch. The blood began to gush covering his shirt. 

Steve could feel himself becoming drowsy, but then he felt his dad going towards his stomach, Steve swerved causing his dad to punch him on the side. A need to protect something bigger than himself took over and Steve kneed his dad in the groin. 

Richard doubled over with a growl. Steve squirmed out of his grip and ran towards the door. In nothing but a blood soaked sweater, jeans and socks Steve took off into the January night. 

***

Nancy was home, with just Jonathan and the kids, the parents having gone out. The events of November still haunted everyone and they often found themselves congregating together. 

The boys were playing that game they loved so much and Jonathan was downstairs supervising. Nancy was upstairs in the living room studying, while anxiously looking at the phone. 

It had been a half hour since steve abruptly hung up on her. She had heard his dad shouting in the background and she couldn’t help but have this gnawing feeling that something was wrong. 

Normally Steve would be here to keep her company while Jonathan was with the boys, but things had changed. It had only been a few days since she and Steve mutually decided to end their relationship (aka: Steve cried to her after finding out he was pregnant with the local drug dealer’s baby.) She wasn’t particularly upset over it, she had seen the relationship crumbling, especially since they were both still dealing with the trauma of the Upside Down. Steve hadn’t cheated on her or anything, apparently he was already pregnant when they got together (he just didn’t know it yet) so ending the relationship and remaining friends had seemed like the most natural decision. 

Being that she was the only one who knew about the baby, it was obvious that Steve would call her when things went south with Eddie. She never really liked Eddie Munson, he was loud and was always making a scene or trying to start shit. She was not surprised to hear he was less than supportive of Steve. So she had offered her friendship and support to him instead. 

Nancy had told Steve that if he ever needed anything he could come to her, but that did not mean she was expecting to find him broken and bloody in her doorway at 7:30 in the evening. 

“Steve?” She asked with a hint of terror in her voice. She reached out and pulled him inside. 

“I don’t know if he’s following me,” Steve mumbled. 

“Your dad?” She asked. 

Steve nodded and began to sway on his feet and the next thing she knew he was falling to the floor. She grabbed on to him, trying to break his fall. 

“Jonathan!” She shrieked. Heavy footsteps came bounding up the stairs (followed by a bunch of much softer ones) 

“Nancy! What- Steve? Nancy what’s-” 

Jonathan ran over and kneeled beside Steve’s unconscious body. 

“We have to call an ambulance, we have to, we have to-” Nancy was becoming hysterical. 

“Already called,” Dustin said from the kitchen. 

“Steve-” Nancy said, tears in her eyes. 

“Nance, did he say what happened?” Jonathan asked. 

She shook her head, “All he said was that he didn’t know if he was followed.” Nancy took a shaky breath before whispering, “He’s pregnant.”

 Jonathan cursed quietly. Time moved slowly. Finally, there were sirens all around as lights flashed through the windows. Mike ran and opened the door to Chief Hopper. 

“Heard the call over the radio, I would’ve gotten here faster than any ambulance, I’ll take him to the hospital. The rest of you start calling your parents to take you home.” 

Hopper then picked Steve up off the floor. Nancy grabbed on to his arm and tugged to get his attention. Hopper looked at her questioningly  as she moved close enough to whisper.

 “He’s pregnant, Hop,”

Hopper's face became graven as he nodded in acknowledgment. He tightened his grip on Steve and took him to his patrol car before speeding off, sirens blaring. 

“Jonathan?” Nancy asked, watching as Hopper drove away. 

“Yeah?” He asked quietly. 

“Once the parents are back, I need you to take me to the trailer park. I need to talk to Eddie Munson.” 

***

Eddie was sitting on the picnic table a few feet from his trailer. With a cigarette in hand, he watched the smoke curl around as he blew it out of his mouth. 

He was still in a state of shock about what Steve had told him earlier. Eddie was sure that they had been careful during their affair, but based on the flimsy sheet of paper he picked up off the ground, that must not have been the case. 

What was he supposed to do with a baby? He was a drug dealer for Christ’s sake! He couldn’t be a dad, but something stirred uncomfortably within him at the thought of leaving Steve and their pup alone. He felt very conflicted.

 Eddie was broken out of his thoughts when he heard a car door slam and muffled shouting. 

“Do you even know which one is his?” He heard an exasperated voice say. 

“I don’t need to, I’ll knock on every door in this goddamn park until I find him!” A second, much sharper voice said. 

Eddie turned and looked to where he heard the voices and standing there under a street light was none other than Nancy Wheeler. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she looked frazzled. Her face was red, partially due to tears, partially out of anger.  She looked determined and ready to kill. 

He must have been staring for too long, because all of a sudden their eyes met and Nancy’s face morphed into pure rage. Her eyes were narrowed into a glare and she began to stomp over. 

“Munson!” She shouted. 

Eddie wasn’t sure what to do at this point. Does he run? Is he about to be murdered by his baby mama’s ex-girlfriend? 

“Cool it Wheeler!” Eddie said standing up, arms outstretched to keep her away, “If you’re here to attack me over Harrington-” 

“Shut up!” Nancy squeaked. 

She was red red now. Eddie looked behind her to see Jonathan Byers standing awkwardly off to the side. He was giving Eddie a look that screamed “you brought this on yourself”.

 “I’m not here because of the breakup! I’m here because you’re a massive gaping asshole!” 

Now Eddie was confused. 

“It sounds like you’re mad about the breakup, if I’m being honest,” Eddie said with his hands still up in surrender. 

“You told Steve you “can’t”?” Nancy asked with an eyebrow raised. 

And oh, now he got it. Nancy wasn’t angry about the breakup, or even that he and Steve were sleeping together before they got together. No, she was pissed that he was a coward who said nothing when he was informed of his impending fatherhood. 

“I uh-” he stammered. 

“You what? You just let him walk away? You're a bastard? Yeah I know!” 

She had her hands on her hips and she was glaring up at him with a ferocity he had never seen before. How could someone so tiny, hold so much anger? “Let’s go, we have to get to the hospital.” She said, gesturing to the car she emerged from.

Eddie felt stupid again, “Why would we do that?” 

Nancy rolled her eyes, even though it was she who had left out details.

“Because Steve’s there! His dad beat him and he passed out in my living room!” 

Eddie felt his blood run cold, Steve was hurt? If Steve was hurt that meant- 

“The pup?” Eddie asked, horrified. 

Nancy’s face dropped and she looked sullen. Her eyes drifted to somewhere else, and Eddie wondered if she’d be able to come back.

 “I-I don’t know, it was all so fast. All I could see was the blood on his face.”  

Eddie felt the air leave his lungs.

“ Shit,” he cursed, “You take your car and I’ll take my van, I’ll meet you at the hospital.” 

Quickly, Eddie took off towards his van, his heart in his throat and pure fear in his veins. 

***

The hospital was cold and bland. The walls were white, the tiles were gray and the smell of chemicals permeated every corner of the place. 

Eddie couldn’t help but feel like it mirrored his own demeanor. He felt numb, like the world was moving in slow motion. He was in a chair outside of Steve’s room. The upholstery was a dark gray and the arms were a black plastic. The chair was hard and stiff, but Eddie couldn’t focus on that. He leaned forward with his elbows on his shaking knees. His hands were clasped together and his chin was resting on them. His mind was blank, the quiet ringing heavily in his ears. He felt nauseous and a tiny bit guilty. 

Eddie was broken out of his spiraling thoughts, when a hand clapped him on the shoulder. 

“Munson?” Eddie turned and looked up to see the Chief of Police. 

“Sir?” Eddie startled. 

“You here for Harrington?” Hopper questioned gruffly. 

Eddie nodded, not trusting himself to speak. 

“You should probably go in then, he’s awake.” 

With that Hopper stalked off to god knows where. Eddie was afraid to go in, he was afraid to face Steve and he was afraid to face Nancy (again). She and Jonathan had been in the room since they arrived. Eddie knew he’d have to alpha up and go in there, there was a lot that he and Steve needed to discuss. He also felt like he probably needed to apologize, for being such a dick about the pup. Another part of Eddie was still hurt over the way things went down. 

The door behind him opened again and Jonathan was soon standing in front of him. 

“He’s going to be ok.” Eddie nodded absently. “His face is beaten to hell and his neck is bruised,” Eddie’s head snapped up at that.

“But he made sure to keep any hits away from his abdomen.” 

Eddie took a deep shaky breath and leaned back against the chair. Tears stung in his eyes. He rubbed his hands over his face and into his hair. He felt so…helpless? Eddie wasn’t sure of the word to use. He just wanted to cry, he didn’t feel like someone who would be a father in a few months, he felt like a kid. He was a kid! 

“You can go in if you want,” Jonathan said, “he knows you’re out here, Nancy told him.” 

Eddie just nodded and shakily stood. He looked at Jonathan, who shot him a small encouraging smile. Eddie turned and entered the room. 

***

When Steve first woke up in the hospital he felt disoriented. The last thing he remembered was running from his parents’ house. He looked over and saw Nancy, Hopper and Jonathan and then it hit him, he ran to Nancy’s house. In his panic he ran to his ex-girlfriend, he didn’t know how to interpret that. 

Hopper left soon after the doctor informed them that Steve and the pup would be ok.

“Eddie’s outside,” Nancy said, picking at imaginary dirt under her fingernails. She was nervous. 

“Is he going to come in?” Steve asked. 

“Do you want him to?” Jonathan asked. 

“He can, if he wants,” Jonathan nodded and headed out, presumably to let Eddie know he was allowed to see him. 

“You should go, Nance,” Steve said. 

“Are you sure? I can be here when Eddie comes in,” Nancy replied. 

“I need to talk to him alone,” Steve asserted. 

Nancy nodded as Eddie opened the door. She stood and walked out, but not without shooting a glare at Eddie. 

“Hey,” Eddie said quietly as he sat down beside Steve’s bed, “I’m so-” 

“I don’t want to hear it,” Steve cut him off, “I don’t want to hear how sorry you are. All I want to know is if you’re in or out.” 

Eddie looked contemplative for a moment. 

“I’m in, for all of it,” Eddie said, his voice heavy with sadness. 

Steve nodded, “Ok.” 

“You can’t go back to your parents’ house. I-it’s not safe for you or the baby,” Eddie was looking at him so sincerely. 

“Where am I supposed to go?” Steve asked softly. Eddie grabbed his hand. 

“Stay with me,” Eddie said, “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but-” 

“Eddie I can’t,” Steve said, “I can’t live with you if we’re not mated or married, not if I want the money my great grandfather left to me when I'm 21. There’s a morality clause.” 

“Wouldn’t the morality clause come into play because you’re pregnant out of wedlock?” Eddie questioned, unthinking. Steve’s face crumpled as tears began to fall. 

“Oh god, I didn’t even think about that! I-I-,” Steve began to sob. 

“Hey, hey, it’s ok, um, let’s get married,” Eddie said. Steve removed the hands from his face.

“What?” 

“We’ll get married and mated and then when you’re 21 the money will be released to you and you can use it for whatever. Plus if we’re married and stuff we might be able to get you on my uncle’s insurance, I’ll have to ask him,” Eddie rambled. 

“Eddie,” Steve said, “are you sure about this? You’ll be stuck with me.” 

“Well we’ll already be stuck with each other because of the pup, I think we could do it, besides it doesn’t have to be forever.” 

“Ok,” steve said 

“Ok?” 

“Yeah, we’ll get married,” 

Eddie smiled at him before squeezing his hand, “As soon as you’re outta here, we’ll do it.” 

Steve nodded, with anxiety swirling in his gut. 

***

One thing Eddie knew he had to do was call his uncle. He knew Wayne would be disappointed, mostly in him, but he would never turn Steve away, especially since he was pregnant with Eddie’s kid. 

Eddie slumped over to the phone, already feeling chastised. He quickly put some coins in before dialing the number for his uncle’s work. After letting the supervisor know who he was and who he was looking for, Wayne got on the phone. 

“Eddie? What’s wrong, son?” Wayne asked, concerned. 

Wayne was an alpha like him. He had had an omega, his Aunt Sherleen, but she had passed when Eddie was 12. Eddie was the closest thing to a child Wayne had. 

“I messed up,” Eddie found himself saying, “I messed up and now I’m getting married.” 

Wayne was silent, Eddie could almost see him blinking disbelievingly. 

“What’d you do, Eds?” He sighed. 

“I got the omega I was sleeping with over the summer pregnant and now he’s in the hospital because his dad beat him up and he can’t go back there. I-it’s not safe,” 

“And now you’re marrying him?” 

“Yeah, there’s a morality clause in his great grandpa’s will. I told him he could stay with us too, is that ok?”

Wayne sighed, “Of course he can. What’s his name?” 

“Steve Harrington,” and the silence was deafening. 

***

“So uh, this is it!” Eddie said, gesturing around the trailer. 

“It’s nice,” Steve whispered. 

He didn’t really feel like talking. He was still in pain after being discharged from the hospital. 

“You don’t have to lie,” Eddie snorts, “I know it’s not a McMansion like you have.” 

“Had,” Steve said quietly. 

“Oh, right,” Eddie deflated, “I’m sorry.” Steve just shrugged. 

Eddie led Steve down the hallway to the only bedroom in the trailer.

“This is where we’ll be sleeping- or uh, you’ll be sleeping, I don’t want to presume anything-“ 

“It’s fine Eddie, if we’re going to get married we might as well get used to sharing a room and a nest,” 

“Right, yeah,” 

“Is your uncle home?” Steve asked as he scanned the walls of Eddie’s room. 

“Uh, not yet, but he will be soon. Why?” 

“I wanted to meet him and thank him for letting me stay,”

“He wouldn't ever turn anyone away, especially not my future mate and child.”

 Steve just nodded as he continued to look around.  Steve could feel himself getting tired. He didn’t realize he had started to sway on his feet until Eddie had caught him. 

“Hey, you ok? Do you need to lie down?” Eddie asked, holding Steve up slightly. 

“Yeah, I- yeah,” Steve said tiredly. 

Eddie helped Steve over to his bed, sitting him down on the edge as he threw his notebooks, pencils and clothes onto the floor. He pulled the covers back and helped Steve get under. 

“Sorry it’s such a mess, maybe we can clean it up together since this is going to be our space- well ours and the baby’s,” Eddie said. 

He felt Steve nod before he reached out and grabbed Eddie’s hand. Eddie perched on the side of the bed, still keeping a hold of Steve’s hand. 

“Are we crazy?” Steve whispered. 

“Maybe,” Eddie answered, laying down next to Steve, “but all the best people are.” 

Steve huffed a laugh before shifting to his side, his back close to Eddie's front. Eddie could hear Steve’s breathing even out, he was asleep. Eddie watched him for a moment. Steve really was beautiful, but damn was Eddie scared of starting a future with him. With a pup on the way, he had no other choice. He and Steve were in this together, for better or for worse.

IV. And I Was Wearing Beige

They got married at the beginning of February. It took time to convince the courts to allow two teenagers (one of which was unable to get parental consent, due to the fact that said parent refused to speak to him) to marry. The court granted the wedding certificate in the end because Steve was pregnant. 

They stood across from each other, hands clasped, in front of the justice of the peace. Eddie was fidgeting in Wayne’s long sleeve collared shirt and tie. He was wearing his own black pants and he felt ridiculous. 

Across from Eddie was Steve, in a slightly oversized green sweater. He was almost six  months pregnant and he was really beginning to show. Steve was trembling, but he was trying very hard not to show it. Eddie’s hands were clammy with nerves. 

The judge told them to repeat after him and they did, but if you asked them what was said later, they’d have no idea. Wayne and a random guy in the lobby were their witnesses. 

Wayne took them to a diner a little ways out of town to celebrate, but neither of them truly felt like it. They both knew that the life they had known was over. They weren’t carefree teenagers anymore and by June they’d have a baby. It was a terrifying thought. 

The night of the wedding found the two alone. Wayne had to go to work, so it was just Steve and Eddie in the trailer.

They were both sitting on the bed. Eddie had changed out of his button down and was now in a pair of flannel pajama pants and a black t-shirt. Steve was still in his sweater, but a much more comfortable pair of pants. Steve was looking down at his lap, while Eddie was fidgeting with his fingers. 

“So uh- what do we do now?” Eddie asked. 

“Um, I think we’re supposed to get mated,” Steve said quietly. 

“Oh um- d-do you want to?” 

Steve shrugged, still not looking at Eddie. 

“Well I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do!” Eddie said, getting a bit frustrated. 

“I don’t want to do anything if you don’t want to do it either!” Steve said back, sharply. 

“Well I want to get mated!” Eddie shouted. 

“Fine! I want to get mated too!” Steve yelled back. 

“Fine!” 

“Good!” 

“Perfect!” 

Eddie then grabbed Steve’s face and crashed their lips together. It was heated and desperate, but by the end of the night they were mates.

***

Going back to school was not something either Eddie or Steve were looking forward to. They had been able to hide what was going on for a little while, but they knew that after the courthouse wedding (and the mating bites on their necks) everyone would know. 

Steve was especially scared of people finding out about the baby, but he knew it was only a matter of time. He found that he wasn’t scared for his reputation, instead he was scared of what others might do to him, he wouldn’t put it past some of the crueler students (Tommy) from getting rough with him. 

Eddie had the same fear as well. Ever since the bonding he’d found himself to be far more protective over steve. At night when they went to sleep, Eddie would just watch over him for a while. They’d also become more touchy feely, holding each other while they slept and Eddie often had the urge to just touch Steve. They exchanged soft touches and gentle glances. They were falling into a pattern and they were really behaving like a mated couple. 

The first day back was nerve wracking. Everywhere Steve went in the school felt like he was being watched and judged. This went on for a few weeks. As Steve’s stomach grew the whispers became louder and louder, until one day…

“I can’t believe you let Munson hit it?!?” Tommy laughed, leaning menacingly over Steve. 

They were in the library and Steve was sitting in the back by himself. Tommy had both palms flat on the table as he loomed over Steve. 

“I mean him? Really? I thought you had standards,” he growled. 

Steve didn’t know how to respond. 

“Please just leave me alone, Tommy,” Steve whispered. 

“Leave you alone?!?!? I tried so hard to get you Steve, I did everything for you, but you never even noticed and then you show up at school mated to Munson? The freak? You really are nothing but a slut!” Tommy snarled. 

Steve knew about Tommy’s feelings back when they were in middle school, he just never felt the same way, he thought Tommy understood, especially after he got with Carol. 

“I-” 

“No! No, Steve! You don’t get to talk after what you did to me!” 

“What I did to you?” Steve questioned. “I never did anything to you. Just because you were my friend does not mean I owe you anything, especially not sex!” Steve was standing now, nose to nose with Tommy. “And Eddie is ten times the alpha you could ever be!” 

Steve was fibbing a bit, he and Eddie were still getting to know each other beyond sex so he had no way of being sure, but Tommy didn’t need to know that. 

“Both emotionally and physically. And I do mean physically. ” 

It was a low blow, but Steve was mad. Tommy was too, apparently because all of a sudden his hand reached out and grabbed Steve by the hair, yanking him forward. Steve’s bump pressed painfully into the edge of the table, pure panic began to well in him. 

“You take that back-” 

As soon as it had started it was over, Tommy had let go of his hair. Steve looked up to see Tommy on the ground, as if he’d been physically thrown on to the floor. Above him stood Jonathan Byers. 

“What the fuck, Byers? He fucking you too?!?!?” Tommy screeched. 

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to lay your hands on pregnant omegas?” Nancy said stalking from behind Jonathan, arms crossed. 

“Wheeler-” Tommy snarled 

“What is going on here?” A teacher shouted. 

So now they show up, Steve thought. 

“Tommy was hurting-” Nancy started. 

“That’s enough Miss Wheeler! I expect this kind of behavior from Byers, but not you. All of you to the principal's office. Now,”  

Nancy and Jonathan got a week's worth of detention. Steve got suspended for three weeks for “facilitating violence” and “riling up an alpha”. Tommy got a slap on the wrist. 

Steve dropped out of school a week after the incident. 

***

“Do you think it was the right decision? Dropping out?” Steve asked one night while he and Eddie were in bed. 

Eddie was thumbing through a comic book as he replied.

“To keep you and the pup safe? Yeah I think it was right, besides you can get your GED after it’s born,” 

Steve just laid on his side, rubbing a hand over his bump, feeling like he was talking to a brick wall, Eddie wasn’t once for the deep conversations Steve needed right now. He winced a bit as he brushed over the tender spot where he had been held against the table. 

“Hey, are you ok? Is something wrong?” Eddie’s asked concern laced in his voice. 

Steve turned towards him, “Yeah, I’m ok. It’s just- when Tommy pulled my hair, he yanked me into the corner of the table. I think I’ve bruised a bit.” Eddie’s eyebrows knit together in concern. He reached out for the hem of Steve’s shirt. 

“Can I?” He asked.

Steve nodded.

Eddie gingerly lifted his shirt. Steve’s pants were already below the bump. The bruise was stark against Steve’s skin. Eddie shuttered a breath as he reached out and gently touched the bump. 

“I’ll kill him,” Eddie said, with a quiet rage.

“Don’t, you can’t go to jail,” 

“Fine, but it won’t stop me from kicking his ass,” 

“Eddie,” Steve admonished. 

“He hurt you!” 

“We can’t risk you getting suspended,” steve whispered. 

Eddie sighed, “you’re right,” 

He knew he had to stay on the straight and narrow, but that did not stop Tommy from seeking him out in the days after the incident. 

“Munson!” 

Eddie was walking with some of his friends when Tommy shouted for him. Eddie rolled his eyes and sighed. 

“What do you want, Hagan?” 

“No fighting back? Nothing to defend your omega? Stevie really knows how to pick ‘em huh?” 

Eddie narrowed his eyes, “Steve asked me not to start shit with you, so this is me, not starting shit.” Eddie turned to walk away. 

“You know what, you two deserve each other. The freak and the slut. Bet your kid’s gonna be an absolute dumbass. Won’t be surprised if it ends up a total idiot.” 

That snapped something inside Eddie. Call him what you want, but don’t bring his mate or child into it. Eddie whirled around and found himself pinning Tommy against the wall. 

Eddie growled, “leave them out of this.” 

Tommy laughed before he reached up and punched Eddie in the face. Eddie didn’t even think before he began to hit back. 

He wasn’t sure how long they were throwing hands, but soon enough Tommy and Eddie were pulled apart. Once again Tommy faced no consequences for his actions, and Eddie had to take the fall. He ended up home with Steve for a month. 

“What happened?” Steve asked as Eddie walked through the door. 

“Hagan,” Eddie said simply as he made his way to their room.

 Steve followed, but not before stopping at the freezer and grabbing a bag of peas.

“How? Why?” Steve asked as he settled on the bed next to Eddie, gently placing the peas over a forming black eye. 

“He was starting shit, I tried to finish it. Don’t know how well I did with that though,” 

“Did he get in trouble?” 

“You know he didn’t.” Eddie sighed, “He laid his hands on a pregnant omega and got nothing . Starting a fight with a town freak resulted in a stern talking to. I’ve been suspended though, I’m sorry,” 

“I’m not upset, well I am, but not with you. I’m just upset with the way the school has handled things.” 

“Me too,” Eddie sighed as he leaned back against the wall. 

Steve was still sitting next to him. Eddie reached his arms out and pulled Steve in so he was laying against his chest.

 “Maybe things will be different when this one goes to school.” 

“Maybe,” Steve whispered. 

***

At the beginning of April, Eddie is informed he won’t be graduating due to his suspension.

He comes home angry, slamming his van door. He stormed into the trailer, ignoring Steve who was sitting on the couch. Eddie marched into his room and slammed the door shut. He felt like a failure. He couldn’t even graduate high school, how the hell was he supposed to be an alpha and a father? 

There was a timid knock at the door, Steve came in and sat gingerly on the bed next to where Eddie was lying face down. Eddie felt a tentative hand on his back. 

“Do you- would you like to talk about it?” Steve asked quietly.

Eddie rolled over and looked up at Steve. His hair was longer now and he hadn’t styled it today. His eyes were big with worry as he looked down at Eddie. He felt his insides swell with fondness, he tried to tamp it down, but damn was Steve pretty.

Eddie sighed and took Steve’s hand.

“They’re not letting me graduate this year. Mrs. O’Donell says she can’t “comfortably” pass me with how distracted I’ve been. Along with, you know, the suspension.”  

“I’m sorry,” Steve says in a small voice. 

“It’s not your fault,” Eddie replied. 

“Kinda is though,” Steve said with a hand splayed across his stomach. 

“Nah, if it wasn’t this, it would’ve been something else,” 

Eddie rolled over and placed his hand next to Steve’s, his face eye level with the bump.

 “Is this ok?” Eddie asked. 

Steve nodded. Steve could feel the pup moving around, but he didn’t know if Eddie could. Then there was a thump!

 “Was that-?” Eddie asked. 

“Yeah,” Steve smiled. 

“Shit,” Eddie said with a wild smile, “Hi baby!”

Steve smiled a little watching Eddie interact with their unborn pup. Maybe things would be ok…just maybe…

***

The first time Steve really talks to Wayne, like really talks to him, is in mid-April, when he was just about eight months pregnant. They were in the living room of the trailer, Steve on the couch and Wayne in the recliner. They were folding laundry and watching TV when Wayne started to talk.

 “You know, when Eddie said he was mating with a Harrington, I was concerned.”

 Steve sat quietly, still folding laundry, terrified where this was going. He knows his family had a reputation for being cruel to those they deem below them. 

“But you’re all right.” 

Steve looked at Wayne. 

“Um, thanks?” Steve says cautiously. 

“Don’t get me wrong though, I think Eddie could be better as a mate to you,” 

That made Steve look over in surprise.

 “I know this was all a shotgun thing for you both, but you’ve been trying. Ed- he’s just scared.” 

“I don’t think it’s just that,” Steve sighed, “it’s my fault too. When I ended things at first- I told him that we were too different. He didn’t like the music I listened to, or the clothes I wore or my friends- but he was right about them and-” Steve sniffled, cutting himself off.  

“My boy can be difficult”,  Wayne started with a hand comfortingly placed on Steve’s shoulder, “he’s been through a lot, his dad’s in jail, his mom left him and it can make him jaded at times, but he means well and he’s trying.” 

“Left him?” Steve asked. 

“Yeah, up and left when he was 9, his dad, my brother, was thrown into jail two years after that, he’s been living with me since he was 11.”

 Steve nodded. He wasn’t sure what to make of this new information. He just hoped that things would work out, for the pup’s sake. 

***

Steve turns 17 just before April turns to May. He had planned on keeping quiet, he didn’t feel like celebrating anyway, but it seemed that Wayne had other ideas. They were all sitting at the table for breakfast when Wayne asked.

 “When were you going to mention that today's your birthday, Steve?” 

“It’s your birthday?” Eddie asked. 

“I- uh I wasn’t planning on mentioning it,” Steve said timidly. 

“Why not?” Eddie asked. 

“It just doesn’t feel important right now,” Steve says. 

“Your birthday is important, son,” Wayne said, with a sadness behind his eyes. 

“My parents never really made it a big deal, so I just didn’t think it’d matter,” 

Eddie stood up abruptly, he grabbed the stack of pancakes on the table and began to dig around in one of the drawers in the trailer. 

“Eddie? What’re you doing?” Wayne asked.

 Eddie soon found what he was looking for. He places the pancakes in front of Steve before jabbing a small candle on top. He quickly pulled out his lighter and lit the candle. 

Eddie looked at Wayne, “I’m celebrating Steve’s birthday.” 

Steve was stunned, he didn’t know what to say. There was a warmth that filled his chest, Eddie cared, at least it seemed he did. 

Steve was saved from having to speak when Eddie and Wayne started singing “happy birthday”. Steve had to hold back tears. 

Later that night Steve and Eddie were in bed when Eddie started to speak. 

“I don’t want you to think that you- your birthday doesn’t matter. It matters.” 

“Ok,” Steve whispered, turning towards Eddie. 

Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve, pulling him as close as he could with his bump in the way. Steve began to cry, Eddie could feel his tears dampening his shirt. He began to pet his hair. 

“Your parents suck, Steve,” Eddie said. 

Steve just nodded. 

Eddie could still sense his mate’s distress so he pulled his head towards his neck and began to release what he hoped was calming pheromones. He also began to hum and that’s how Wayne found them on the morning of the 30th, asleep and wrapped in each others arms. 

***
V.The American Dream on a Shoestring

May came and went without much of an event. School ended and Eddie didn’t graduate. He was still upset about it, but he remained calm and determined to finish in 1985. 

Steve grew bigger with each passing week. They went to doctors appointments and bought second hand baby items at the thrift store. 

Nancy also showed up once with some stuff she assured them her mom wouldn’t notice was missing. Jonathan did too, but his mom actually gave him permission to give the hand-me-downs to Steve and Eddie.

Cleaning up Eddie’s room was a bit of a fiasco. It wasn’t that he was dirty or anything, he actually kept his stuff very clean, it’s just that he had so much of it. He saved everything. He even had boxes of filled notebooks. 

“Did you save all your school notes?” Steve asked from the bed. 

Eddie popped out from where he was buried in his closet, digging out years worth of clothes (he had stuff in there he hadn’t worn since middle school). 

“Um not exactly,” Eddie said, walking over to Steve and the box of notebooks. “They’re campaign notes.”

 Steve looked confused as he flipped through the notebook.

 “You know, like D&D? Dungeons and Dragons?” 

“That’s a game, right?” Steve asked. 

Eddie sat down next to him. Hooking his chin on Steve’s shoulder, Eddie looked down at the notes, 

“Yeah, Stevie, it's a game. It’s tabletop fantasy. There’s a club for it at school, I kinda run the thing.” 

Steve hummed in contemplation. 

“It’s good,” Steve says, “Your writing.” 

Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve’s middle and pulled him closer. 

“You haven’t actually read anything good then,”  

Steve reached up and tugged lightly on Eddie’s hair.

“Stop, it is good.” 

“What is your favorite book Steve?” 

“I don’t know, I don’t read that much. It always takes so long for me to get through a page. Tommy used to tease me about it when we were kids.” 

“The more you talk about him, the more I dislike him,” Eddie said. 

“Yeah, I don’t know why I stayed friends with him so long. My parents liked him I guess,” Steve replied. 

Eddie squeezed Steve a bit, “I really hate your parents, especially your dad.” 

“I think I hate him too,” Steve says, smoothing a hand over his bump, “come on,” Steve said, taping Eddie’s leg, “we gotta make a space for this pup.”

Eddie untangled himself from Steve with a smile, before going back to the closet. 

“I think some of these are from middle school. Donation bin?” 

Steve nodded, “Donation bin.”

 By the end of the night Eddie’s room no longer looked like just “Eddie’s room”. It now had a bassinet next to the bed and several of his drawers that once held D&D stuff were now taken up by baby stuff, but Eddie couldn’t find it in himself to be upset. 

Especially not after the way Steve smiled while holding a small yellow onesie against his abdomen. 

***

One night, just before May turned to June, found Eddie and Steve lying in bed. Eddie was pressed against Steve’s back, with his arm draped over his bump. Steve got tired easily these days and Eddie liked to lie down with him. They could feel the baby moving around lazily. 

“Not much time now,” Eddie said. 

Steve nodded, lying quietly beside him.  

“They’re not gonna have that much room anymore,” Eddie chuckled. 

“Eddie?” Steve asked softly. 

Eddie hummed to indicate he was listening. 

“I’m scared.” 

“I’m scared too,” Eddie replied. 

“I’m afraid we’ll mess them up,” Steve confessed.

“Me too,” Eddie squeezed Steve tighter, “but I do know we’ll be better than our own parents.” 

“I hope so.” 

***

June 5th is the day everything changes. It starts out normal enough, well at least it does for Eddie. Steve, on the other hand, wakes up feeling crampy. It’s common for him now, he was full term. 

Steve still hadn’t gotten out of bed and it was already 12 in the afternoon. Eddie was bringing him food periodically. 

“Steve?” Eddie asked, walking into their room. 

“What?” Steve groaned. 

“Are you feeling ok?” 

“Not really, but I’m kinda used to that by now.” Steve was laying on his side, his hand gently caressing his bump. Eddie sat down next to Steve on the bed. 

“Do you think it’s time?” 

“I’m not sure,” Steve sighed, “I don’t want to rush in or anything.” 

“Are you sure? You lost the mucus thing and your stomach dropped. Plus you’ve been having-” 

“No, I know! I just don’t think we have to go in yet! I’ll let you know if anything changes.” 

Eddie sighed, “ok, Steve.” 

Later that night, just before Wayne left for work, he went over to talk to Eddie. 

“Keep your eye on him, Ed. Somethings happening,” Wayne said, with a hand on Eddie’s shoulder. 

“Yeah, I know, it’s just convincing him,” he sighed. 

Wayne nodded, “Call me if anything happens.” 

Soon after Wayne went to work, leaving Eddie and Steve by themselves until the next morning. 

Around 7 Steve came out of their room. 

“I need to be out of there,” he said. 

Eddie nodded as he helped Steve walk to the table and sit down.

 “Do you feel like eating?” 

“I’m not sure. Nothing too heavy, maybe? I don’t feel well.” 

Eddie went over to the cabinet and grabbed a box of saltine crackers. 

“These good?” Steve nodded. 

Eddie dumped some out on a plate. They sat together in silence as Steve slowly ate a cracker. He had one hand resting on the top of his stomach. Eddie watched him quietly. He was very concerned for Steve. 

All of a sudden Steve felt a pain that wrapped around his middle. He leaned forward with a wince and Eddie was out of his chair at once. 

“Hey, hey, you good?” Steve just nodded as he remained hunched forward with his arms around his middle. 

Eddie bit his lip,“Stevie maybe we should-” 

“No no, not yet,” Steve breathed as the pain receded. 

“Ok,” Eddie said with trepidation. 

“Help me up, please?” Steve asked, turning his eyes towards Eddie. 

He nodded and hefted Steve up. Steve braced himself against the table and moaned in pain as another cramp wrapped around his middle. 

“That was really soon Steve. How long have you been feeling like this?” 

Eddie had his hands lightly wrapped around Steve’s upper arms. 

Steve shook his head.

“Maybe since last night? But they weren’t this painful or close together.” 

“Ok,” Eddie said seriously, “I think we’re going to have to get ready to go to the hospital.” 

“Let’s just wait, they could still go away,” Steve said breathlessly. 

“Ok,” Eddie sighed incredulously. 

“Can we go back to the room? I think I need to lay down again.” Steve said.

 Eddie nodded and helped him down the hallway. Then Steve just stopped, tensing in Eddie’s arms. 

“Steve?” Eddie asked, concerned. Then he heard it, a gush of water hitting the ground.

 “Did you spill something?” 

Eddie looked over and saw Steve’s face. His eyes were wide with fear, his mouth open in shock. 

“No,” he whispered.

 Steve’s eyes went to the floor and Eddie’s soon followed. There on the floor was a growing puddle. “I-I think, I think my water just broke.” 

“Oh shit,” Eddie said. 

“Can you take me to the bathroom, please. I need to clean up I-” Steve said, trembling. 

“You got it,” Eddie said, leading Steve to the toilet. 

He helped Steve take his sweatpants and underwear off and handed him a towel. Steve started to clean up what he could before turning to Eddie. 

“C-can you get the bag and put it in the van? I think we should go now,” Eddie nodded and took off for their room. 

He grabbed the duffle by the foot of the bed before he ran off to his van. He put the key in to get the thing started, but it wouldn’t go. 

“Come on!” Eddie said, trying to get the engine to turn. He hopped out, kicking one of the wheels. Smoke plumes out as Eddie popped the hood. “Shit!” He cursed. 

Eddie raced back into the house. “Steve?!?” He called. 

There was no answer. Entering the bathroom he saw Steve hunched over in pain.

 “Hey, Stevie, the van won’t start, I’m going to call an ambulance all right?” 

Steve was in too much pain to speak, but he nodded to let Eddie know he heard him. Eddie called 911 and told the operator what was going on. She assured him that an ambulance would be there soon and for him to just stay with his mate. Eddie hung up as he heard Steve calling from the bathroom doorway. 

“Eddie!” He shrieked. 

Eddie ran to where Steve stood bracing the doorframe. 

“Steve? Hey, what’s going on, talk to me!” Eddie said. 

“It’s happening too fast,” Steve said. 

Eddie stood with his mouth agape, unsure how to proceed. All of a sudden Steve doubled over, causing Eddie to reach out and catch him. 

“What do you mean?” Eddie asked, helping Steve lower to his knees. 

“I can’t wait!” Steve shouted before his face scrunched up, groaning deeply in pain. 

“What?!??” Eddie asked, panicking. 

“This baby is coming n-OOW” Steve said, cutting himself off with a scream. 

Eddie didn’t have to be told twice. He spread Steve’s legs and looked between them.

“Holy shit, I can see it,” Eddie said. 

“Yeah, well, I can feel it!” Steve said, agitated. 

He grabbed onto Eddie's shoulders, his grip tightening as he bore down. 

“Um ok, that was good, really really good!” Eddie said, rubbing Steve’s inner thigh. 

Steve moaned again, his nails digging painfully into Eddie’s shoulders. Eddie had his hands between Steve’s spread legs, ready to catch the pup. 

“Come on Steve, come on!” Eddie said, his voice heavy with tears. 

Steve pushed again, the crown of the head inching out slowly. 

“It burns,” Steve said between gritted teeth. 

“The top of the head is right there,” Eddie said shakily. 

Steve felt another contraction building. He squeezed the back of Eddie’s shirt as he pushed with a drawn out moan. The head slid out and Eddie placed his hand on the little head, hoping to give it some support.

“The head- the head is out,” Eddie said, shock heavy in his voice. 

All too quickly Steve was groaning again, bringing more of the pup forth. Steve could feel everything  as the baby moved down. Eddie could only watch as the shoulder started to push through. 

“Catch it!” Steve screamed as the second shoulder came out. 

One last push and the baby was born in a burst of fluid. Eddie caught it and quickly pulled it close. He looked down at the infant in his arms as it began to squirm and cry. 

Steve was taking deep heaving breaths, his head laying in the crook of Eddie’s shoulder.

“Is it okay?” He asked tiredly. 

“Y-yeah,” Eddie said. He was in awe of the little thing in his hands, “it’s a girl.” He whispered. 

“Eddie, let me see, let me see her, please,” Steve said. 

Eddie quickly moved to help Steve lay back against the thin wall of the trailer. He then kneeled between Steve’s legs and gently laid the baby on his chest. 

Steve took one look at her screaming and goopy face and began to cry.

“She’s beautiful.” 

“Yeah,” Eddie said, a tightness in his voice.

 He quickly pulled the flannel he was wearing off and draped it over the baby. Steve began to rub her back, quietly shushing her. 

“You’re ok, you’re ok,” Steve soothed.

 He and the pup were still attached. The cord was stretched over his abdomen as he held her. 

Eddie went and sat next to Steve. He looked at the crying infant and felt himself tearing up. He laid a hand on her back.

 “Hey there, little one. You weren’t gonna wait, huh?” 

“No, I guess she wasn’t,” Steve chuckled tiredly. 

Lights and sirens soon began to surround the trailer and Eddie raced to answer the door. The EMTs flooded in and quickly began to work on Steve and the baby. 

Without even realizing what was happening, all three of them were in the back of the ambulance, the baby still wrapped in Eddie’s shirt in Steve’s arms. 

“We’re gonna have to call Wayne,” Eddie said, still slightly in shock. 

“Yeah,” Steve said, looking down at the baby. 

“It’s gonna be ok, right? No yeah it’s gonna be ok, we’ll be ok,” Eddie said, mostly to himself as the ambulance pulled out of the trailer park. 

***

Eddie stood in front of a massive window, looking in on a room filled with babies, but he could only focus on one. Her tag read “Baby girl Munson” as he and Steve didn’t have a name yet. 

Steve was back in his hospital room sleeping, but he begged Eddie to watch over their daughter, to keep her safe. Safe from what, Eddie didn’t know, but Steve was borderline delirious with exhaustion at this point. 

He had called Wayne and the moment he heard his uncle’s voice he broke down in tears.  

“She’s here. I have a daughter, Uncle Wayne.” 

Now he was just standing, watching her breathe beyond the glass as his uncle approached. 

“So which one is my grandniece?” Wayne asks as he puts a hand on Eddie’s shoulder. 

Eddie points to the bassinet right in front, “that’s her. 7lbs 9oz. 20 inches long.” 

Eddie had memorized what her little card said. 

“She have a name yet?” 

“Not yet, Steve was a bit out of it when we got here. Haven’t had time to talk about it.” Wayne nodded. 

“How is he?” 

“He’s sleeping right now,” Eddie sighed, “he asked me to watch over her.” 

“And how are you doing?” 

With that Eddie crumbled. Wayne quickly wrapped him in a hug. 

“I was so scared, Uncle Wayne. It was all so fast, I thought something bad would happen.” 

“But it didn’t and they’re both safe. You did good and I’m so proud of you Ed.”

Eddie just burrowed into his uncles shoulder further, knowing that this was the start of the rest of his life. 

***

Steve gazed down at the infant in his arms. She was wrapped in a soft blanket with a hat on her head. He had never seen something so little, he never felt so much love for someone else. He teared up as he gently stroked his thumb on her cheek. 

They were still in the hospital, Eddie was in the chair next to him, asleep. Steve had already taken a nap after the birth. He could hear the door creak open as Wayne entered. 

“Well would you look at that,” he said quietly, coming over to look at the baby. “She’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she?” 

“Yeah, she’s perfect,” Steve whispered back. 

“Have you boys come up with a name?” Wayne asked. 

Steve nodded, “Laurel Katherine Munson. We’re going to call her Lori, sometimes.” 

“Good name,” Wayne said with a smile. 

“I’m sorry about the mess,” Steve said in reference to the blood and fluids that stained the hallway now. 

“Don’t apologize for that, boy. I’m just glad you’re both ok,” Wayne said. 

Eddie woke up just as Wayne entered the room, he had kept quiet as Steve and his uncle spoke. 

“You wanna hold your grand pup, old man?” Eddie asked, his voice still heavy with sleep. 

“Oh, only if it’s ok with Steve,” Wayne said. 

Steve just held the baby out towards him, indicating that it was ok to hold her. Wayne gently took the little one into his arms.

 “Hi, sweet girl,” he whispered. 

The baby looked up at him with those dark blue eyes all newborns have. Wayne smiled, she looked so much like Eddie did as a baby. He looked over to Steve and Eddie. They were both so young, he prayed that they’d be able to handle this. 

***

In the months following Laurel’s birth, Steve began to study. He wanted to get his GED so he could get a job. Eddie was still in high school and based on the way he was already failing English, Steve wasn’t sure he would be graduating this year either.

 Steve went to Nancy for help. She was the smartest person he knew and she was very open to helping Steve study for his test. 

It was a few days after Halloween. Steve had found a second hand flower pot costume for Lori and he spent the evening handing out candy to the kids at the trailer park. It was vastly different from his previous halloweens where he’d drink to excess and pass out on Tommy H’s floor.

 Eddie was also home for Lori’s first Halloween. He had wanted the baby to wear a more “metal” costume, but Steve pointed out that this one was only $2 at the thrift store and Eddie couldn’t argue with that. 

They had taken photos together and they truly felt like a real family, but the next day saw them back to reality with school and the fact that they were two teenagers trying to raise a baby. 

Steve pulled up to Nancy’s house with his old backpack over his shoulder. Eddie was at home with Lori and Steve was ready to get to work. 

“Steve?” He heard a voice call. 

He turned to see a young boy, one of Nancy’s brother’s friends. He had brown curly hair underneath a baseball cap. Strangely, he had a headset with a microphone over top of his hat. 

“Yeah?” Steve asked, confused. 

“Are those books for Mr. or Mrs. Wheeler?” 

Steve blinked at the kid, “um, no.” 

“Nancy’s not here, do you still have the bat with the nails?” 

Steve just stood there, confused as all hell. 

“Yeah?” He answered. 

“Good, let’s go,” the boy said. 

“Now?” 

“Yes, now.” 

And this was how Steve found himself hunting another creature from the Upside Down. 

***

Steve was surrounded. Hiding in an old bus covered with scrap metal for protection. He could hear the demodogs on the roof. He could hear the red-haired girl scream as one broke through the roof. He began to swing his bat wildly. He could hear the squelching as the nails on the bat pierced the skin of the beast. 

“Get back!” He shouted at the kids. 

Lucas and Dustin were standing in front of the girl, trying to protect her, but there was a thumping from behind as another one of those dogs slammed its head into the bus. It was like a battering ram trying to get in. 

All of a sudden there was a howling and the creatures retreated. 

“Where are they going?” The girl asked. 

Lucas climbed up the bus and looked out across Hawkins. 

“I don’t know,” he said, eyes still fixed in his binoculars. 

Steve just stood on the bus, he could feel his adrenaline quickly dropping. He was shaking as he realized what had just happened. He put himself at risk, he put himself at risk knowing that he had a pup at home. He could have died and then what would happen to Laurel? Eddie would be her only parent- and even though it shouldn’t- it made him nervous. Could he trust the father of his child with her? 

It didn’t matter as he followed the kids to Hawkins Lab. 

***

Eddie pulled up the dark driveway. He wasn’t sure where he was, but his instincts told him to get his ass there and find Steve. 

Steve had been acting strange since the night before. He was on edge and jumpy and he made sure Eddie knew to keep a close eye on Laurel. And Eddie was, until white hot fear flooded through the bond and he knew Steve was in trouble. 

Wayne was already at work so he darted to his neighbors and begged them to watch his pup. The little old lady next door took Laurel without complaint and all too quickly, Eddie found himself speeding through town. 

He walked up the gravel path to the door, there were hushed whispers coming from inside. He knocked and everything went silent. Slowly the door creaked open and Nancy Wheeler stood there, glaring. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked. 

Eddie ignored the question, “Where’s Steve?” Eddie tried to look past Nancy into the house. She quickly blocked his view. 

“None of your business. Go away,” 

“Not til I know he’s ok,” Eddie snarled. 

Nancy’s eyes narrowed, “Eddie, I’m serious, you need to leave. Now.” 

“And I’m serious, Nancy,” he growled, “Where is Steve?” His voice was beginning to rise. 

“Eddie,” he heard from behind Nancy, “You shouldn’t be here,” it was Steve. 

Seeing Steve was all he needed to push past Nancy. In two strides he was standing in front of Steve, who looked ashen.

 “You-you can’t be here, where’s Laurel-” 

“She’s with a neighbor, Steve, what’s going on, what the hell?” Eddie asked angrily. 

“Eddie, it’s not safe you need to-” 

“No shit it’s not safe, Steve! I could feel your terror through the bond! What the fuck is going on?” Eddie was starting to shout. 

“Keep your voice down!” Steve snapped, “There are kids here, don’t do this now.”

 Eddie took a minute to look around, there standing around a table were a group of middle schoolers. He knew one of them was Nancy’s brother, but he hadn’t ever seen the others. 

“Eddie-” Steve started, but he was cut off by the phone ringing. 

“Shit!” One of the kids shouted. 

Steve bolted to the phone and ripped it off the wall. 

“This is bad,” another of the kids said. 

There was a small chaos as Mrs. Byers, Jonathan and Hopper (with little Will Byers over his shoulder) came bursting into the house. 

“Everybody get ready!” Hooper said, “Can you shoot?” Hopper asked looking at Jonathan. 

“I can,” Nancy replied. 

Hopper tossed her a revolver. 

“What the-” Eddie whispered. 

He turned to Steve, only to see his mate wielding a nail studded baseball bat. 

“Steve? Where did you- why do you-” 

“Eddie,” Steve said, “shut up.” 

Steve handed him a crowbar.

 “I don’t have time to explain, just be ready to fight.” 

“Fight what-?” 

Then Eddie heard growling. It was like a dog or a wolf was circling the place. The grotesque snarling chilled him to his bones. He looked at the others, they were all holding some sort of weapon. What the hell was this? 

The growling grew closer, it was right outside. All of a sudden it cut off and something burst through the window. Glass shattered all over the floor and there, laying on the carpet was a…dog?

 It was green, slimy and scaly, with a deformed face. Eddie had never seen an animal like this. The door unlocked- by itself- and a girl with a bloody nose entered. He could see Nancy’s little brother’s shoulder drop in relief. He must know this girl. Eddie turned back to Steve. 

“Steve,” Eddie asked. 

“Yeah,” Steve said shakily. 

“What the fuck is going on?” 

Steve sighed, “Come on, there's a lot I’ve got to tell you.” 

And that was how Eddie joined the Upside Down crew.

VI. No Words Appear Before Me in the Aftermath 

Steve stumbled out of the mall with Robin at his side. She was helping him stand up. The air was thick with smoke from the burning mall, each breath he took made his head hurt more. 

He had been feeling an intense stabbing pain in his abdomen since the Russian guard kicked him in the gut, but he couldn’t stop moving, not while that thing threatened the town.

“Steve?!?!” He could hear Eddie calling desperately in the crowd. 

“Do you want to go over to him?” Robin asked softly. 

Steve nodded, still leaning on Robin as she  helped him walk. 

“Holy shit, what happened to your face?” Eddie asked, as Steve fell into his arms. “Where have you been? What-?” 

Steve just held on tighter, the pain getting worse. 

“Please, I can’t-” steve sobbed 

“You were missing for three days,” Eddie said tensely. 

“What? Can’t take care of your own baby, you piece of shit?” Nancy said coming over out of nowhere. 

Jonathan was with Will, hoping that Joyce and Hopper would come out. 

“Wheeler don’t start-” 

“No! I’m not going to let you say anything to him! Clearly something bad happened!” 

“It’s ok, Nancy,” Steve whispered, his face pressed against Eddie’s shoulder as he held him up. 

“No it’s not!” Robin shouted, shocking herself. “We-we just almost died! We were held captive-” 

“Robin,” Steve warned, his voice shaky from the pain.

“Captive?” Eddie asked. “Does this have to do with what happened in November?” 

Steve could only nod against Eddie with his eyes squeezed tight. The pain was still searing through him, like a red hot poker to his abdomen.

 Nancy just kept glaring, “the Russians tried to open the gate El closed. They got Steve and Robin.” 

“Shit,” Eddie whispered. 

Steve tensed in his arms. 

“Steve? Are you all right?” Eddie asked, his voice laced with concern. 

Robin and Nancy anxiously  moved closer. 

“Somethings wrong, it hurts,” Steve sobbed, unable to hold back anymore. His one hand gripping his middle as he leaned forward.

“They beat your face pretty good,” Eddie replied. 

“No it-” 

Steve’s knees buckled as tears began to roll down his face. Eddie helped lower Steve to the ground, keeping him steady as he fell to his hands and knees. 

“Keep the kids back,” Steve murmured. He didn’t want them to see him like this. Eddie nodded as he gently ran his hand over Steve’s shoulders. They were face to face as Eddie looked over at Steve, seeing the drying blood around his nose and mouth. 

Steve then lurched forward with a small scream, one arm still wrapping around his abdomen. Eddie grabbed him, trying to hold him upright. Steve looked down at his shorts, he could feel them starting to get damp. 

With shaking hands he reached down. It was warm and wet. Steve brought his hand up to his face and he could see that his fingers were soaked with blood. 

“Oh god…” he whispered.  

There’s a dark patch at his crotch, and on his legs there is a redness slowly trickling down. The blood coats his thighs making them sticky and tacky.

 “I’m bleeding,” he said, horrified. 

“What?” Eddie asked, his eyes fell on Steve’s fingers. 

He then looked down, seeing Steve’s bloody thighs. “Oh my god” 

Nancy’s eyes widened before falling to her knees next to him, “Steve-” she whispered. 

“I didn’t know!” he cried as he squeezed his middle tighter. 

The pain was getting worse. Eddie pulled Steve into his lap, gently guiding his face to his neck. He could feel his tears through his shirt. Steve’s blood was smearing on his clothes, staining them with a deep dark red

“Robin! Please get an emt!” Eddie shouted, slightly hysterical.  

Robin took off wildly towards the ambulances. 

“I didn’t know, I didn’t,” Steve cried quietly into Eddie’s shoulder. 

“I know, it’s ok, it’s ok,” Eddie whispered, rubbing his back, trying really hard to keep his own tears from falling.  

***

Steve and Eddie sat in the sterile hospital room, the quiet overwhelming both of them. 

Steve sat stone still on the bed, staring at his hands in his lap. The silence rang in his ears as his tears blurred his vision.

 Eddie was in the chair next to him, staring unblinking at the wall. The doctor had just finished talking to them. It was a very early miscarriage. He said it was normal that Steve hadn’t known, but that did not stop the guilt and pain he felt. 

Eddie felt guilty as well, for yelling. He felt like all the stress he’d put Steve under due to not graduating again had helped lead to this. Maybe if he had graduated and gotten a real full time job, Steve wouldn’t have felt the need to investigate Russians under the mall with the hope of a monetary reward. 

They still had a few years until great grandpa Harrington’s money came through, and they were d getting desperate. Baby things were not cheap. They sat in silence, unsure of how they were going to move forward knowing that there was almost another baby.

 The conflicting emotions surrounding that left Steve dizzy. Was he relieved? Sad? Grieving? Guilty? He didn’t know. 

Eddie wasn’t faring any better, he could feel an intense headache coming on. The guilt was overwhelming. This must have been his fault. He couldn’t provide and he pushed his omega to desperation. How do they move forward after this? How can he look at Steve and not feel guilty? How could he look at Laurel? 

How?

VII . Are  You Sleeping with Your Own Regret? On Your Side of the Bed?

Distance grew between the two. They still shared a bed, but their feelings were numb. There was grief that hung in the air.

 Eddie began to pull away. He was still around sometimes, he still helped put Lori to bed once in a while and he kissed Steve goodnight (when he was home). There was a blankness behind his eyes, like he was just going through the motions unable to truly connect anymore. 

Steve did all he could to try and bring Eddie back, but he also felt the grief and guilt. He felt lonely, he wondered if Eddie felt lonely as well. 

Sometimes Steve’s emotions would boil over and he’d attempt to pick a fight, just to feel something, but it always ended the same way. They’d sleep together, but by the next day they’d be back to their distance and the cycle would continue, or at least it did, until Steve was looking down at a new sheet with his blood panel results and he was hit with a sudden case of deja vu. 

***

“Robin?” Steve asked over the phone. 

“Yep, yep, I know be ready for-” 

“I’m taking Laur to the hospital, I’m sorry I can’t take you to the game.” 

“What? Why? What’s wrong?” 

“I don’t- she’s running a high fever and her breathing is shallow. She’s not responding to me when I talk to her and I-I think she had a seizure. I’m sorry I can’t-,” 

“Steve it’s ok, I’ll get a ride with Nancy,” Robin soothed. 

“Can you let Eddie know when you get to the school?” 

“He’s not with you?” Robin asks sharply. 

“Uh, no. he went to hellfire tonight,” 

Robin felt her cheeks grow hot with anger. His pup was sick and he just left to play some dumb game? 

“Don’t worry, Steve, I’ll tell him ,” 

***

“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Nancy asked as they entered the school. 

“No, Nance it’s fine. I don’t want you to kill him,” Robin said. 

“I wouldn’t kill him, I’d just confront him!” 

“Last time you “confronted” him you called him a piece of shit,” Robin said. 

Nancy had screamed at Eddie outside the burning Starcourt mall after he freaked out about where Steve was for the last three days.  

Nancy and Eddie did not have a good track record and honestly, neither did Robin and Eddie. After working with Steve at Scoops and later at Family Video, Robin came to the realization that Steve deserved better, like way better. 

Munson was on his third try at senior year and it’s like- don’t you think that since he has a child he’d work his ass off to graduate and get a real job? Not to mention the way he’s been acting lately.

 Robin really didn’t know why Steve put up with him. 

Nancy huffed, “Fine, you can handle this, but if you need back up-” 

“I know I know, I’ll send one of the gremlins down to get you.” 

They split up and Robin headed to the theater room. She knew that Dustin would be there. He had been growing more and more distant from Eddie due to the way Eddie had been treating Steve and Laurel. 

“Munson!” Robin shouted bursting into the room. 

“Robin?” She heard Dustin ask. 

“What is it, Buckley? If you’re going to chew me out-” 

“Steve is taking Lori to the hospital,” she said, cutting him off, “he asked me to let you know.” 

“Why? What’s wrong?” Eddie asked. 

“He thinks she’s had a seizure. Plus she’s running a high fever and she’s not responding to him. You’d know that if you actually gave a shit,” Robin snarked. 

Eddie narrowed his eyes, “ I give a shit!” 

When he left he assumed it was just a little cold, but a seizure was serious.

“Coulda fooled me!” Robin snapped back. 

“Ed,” Gareth said quietly from beside him, “You should go, Lor and Steve need you.” 

Eddie nodded, he never planned on ignoring this. He was currently kicking himself for not being at home to help out. 

“I know, I’m going- I just- how is she Robin?” 

Robin deflated, “I don’t know, Steve sounded pretty upset on the phone.” 

Eddie swallowed before standing up. 

“Hellfire’s canceled for tonight. I’m sorry- I can’t give any rides I have to-” 

“Eddie, it’s ok, go,” Jeff said. Eddie didn’t need to be told again as he took off down the hall towards the parking lot. 

Robin’s eyes scanned over the room. 

“You kids,” she said pointing to Dustin, Mike and Erica, “You’re coming with me to the game. Let’s go!”  

***

Steve sat in the hospital bed holding on to Lori. She’d cry if Steve wasn’t holding her, so he sat with his baby draped over his shoulder. She was whimpering slightly in his arms, he knew she was uncomfortable, but he did not know how to fix it. She was trembling and all Steve could do was try and pump out calming pheromones.  

There was a clattering at the door as Eddie burst in. The commotion caused Lori to cry out. 

“Eddie!” Steve snapped. 

“Sorry- I- sorry! I came as soon as Robin told me. How is she?” 

Eddie came over and kissed the top of Laurel’s head. Her dark curls were stuck to her forehead with sweat. 

“They don’t know what she has. She’s had a seizure, but they don’t know why. The fever could be viral or bacterial, maybe an infection? Pneumonia? No one’s giving me any answers,” Steve said, slightly hysterical.

Eddie rubbed his hand over Steve’s back as he sat next to him on the bed and leaned their heads together.  

“Then we’ll make them give us answers,” Eddie said.  

“Daddy?” A little voice asked. 

“Hey, Lori bug, I’m here,” Eddie murmured as he pressed his lips to the top of her head. 

“Daddy!” She cried, rubbing her face against his chest. 

Eddie felt his heartbreak, there was such pain in her voice. Steve had tears rolling down his cheeks as he buried his face in Eddie's shoulder. He did not want Lori to see him cry, but he just felt so helpless. 

Once she had drifted off to sleep again, Eddie had slipped out to call Wayne at work, letting him know that he and Steve were at the hospital with Laurel and not to worry if comes home and they’re not there. Wayne told him he’d always worry when his grand pup was involved.

“You should try and rest,” Eddie said, coming back into the room. 

“I can’t, I’m too worried,” Steve said. 

“I get that,” 

“Do you?” Steve asked sharply, “Cause you’ve been  so distant lately.”

“Steve-” Eddie sighed

“No! You’re pulling away! It’s like you’re distracted whenever we’re home! And I don’t care about me, but Lori misses you! And you just-!” Steve cut himself off with a sob, “you can’t even look at her. It’s like you’re just going through the motions.” 

“I,” Eddie sighed, “It's not you. It’s because I feel ashamed-not of our family - but of myself. I’m on my third try at senior year, I have a mate and a pup I can barely provide for and everytime I look at you guys all I can feel is my failure. I failed to protect you with Starcourt and I failed our unborn pup. I can’t help but hate myself! I'm not worthy of either of you. I’m a failure as an alpha and as a father.” 

It was silent for a few moments until Steve spoke, his voice trembling with anger.  

“The only thing that would make you a failure is if you gave up on this family,” Steve said, “our mating and marriage wasn’t normal, but shockingly I’ve grown to love you, and I’m not going to let you throw that away because of your perceived failures.” 

“You love me?” 

“Yeah, oddly enough I do,” 

“I think I love you too,” 

They stayed quiet for the rest of the night, taking turns staying awake to watch over Lori and resting. It took until morning for the doctor to officially diagnose the pup with a nasty ear infection. 

“We’re probably going to have to keep her for another night, just to make sure the antibiotics are working, but if all goes well she should be able to go home tomorrow,” the doctor said, “The seizure was a response to the fever, they’re called febrile seizures and they’re normal for her age group. We just want to observe her and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”. 

Lori had been in and out of sleep for a few hours now. Eddie was standing in the corner of the room listening, while Steve sat on the bed, gently running his fingers through her curls. 

“She’s going to be ok?” Eddie asked. 

“She should be, it just depends on how her body reacts to the medicine and when her fever breaks. I’m confident she’ll be fine though,” the doctor assured. 

“Thank you,” Steve whispered. 

“I’ll be back to check on her periodically, if she needs anything before then do not hesitate to contact a nurse,” the doctor left after that. 

Eddie went over and wrapped his arms around Steve. Steve hugged back as he felt a few tears slip free. 

“She’s ok,” Eddie whispered, rubbing Steve’s back. 

“I know,” Steve said, pulling away so he could wipe his eyes, “I just-” Steve stopped himself to take a few breaths. 

“I know, I was scared too.”

 Steve looked at Eddie, he knew he couldn’t keep his news from him forever. 

“Eddie?” Steve asked quietly. 

“Hmmm?” Eddie asked, still rubbing his back. 

“I uh, went to the doctor finally,” 

“Yeah? Did they say what’s going on with your stomach? Is everything ok?” 

“Yeah, I uh have to tell you some-” 

There was a frantic knocking at the hospital door. Eddie went to open the door as Steve stood with his arms crossed, concerned of who it might be. 

“Chief Powell?” Eddie asked, stepping aside to let him and Officer Callahan in. 

Steve stood protectively in front of Lori. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the chief, it’s just that he felt she was extremely vulnerable right now and that sent his instincts haywire. 

“Munson. Your uncle said you would be here,” the chief said. 

“Wayne? Is everything ok? Is he all right?” Eddie’s eyebrows knit together in concern. 

“He’s fine, we just need to talk to you about your whereabouts last night,” 

“Uh, I was here?” Eddie said, “my kid had a seizure, I’ve been here all night.” 

“Mr. Munson, could you step out into the hallway for a moment?” Powell asked. 

Eddie looked at Steve who just gave him a slight nod. He followed the chief out the door. 

“You did not meet up with Christine Cunningham last night?” 

Then Eddie remembered speaking to Chrissy about selling to her, but all of that went out the window when Robin burst into the theater room. 

“I was supposed to after the game, but I never got the chance. I've been here since like 6:30/7 last night. Did something happen?” 

“Miss. Cunningham was found dead last night. A note from you was found on her body.” 

Eddie stood frozen. Dead? Sure Chrissy seemed off in the woods, but he didn’t think she would turn up dead. 

“You can ask Steve, the nurses, the doctors. I haven't left the hospital since I got here.” 

“Oh we will,” Callahan interjected. 

“Stand down, Callahan,” Powell said sharply. He looked back at Eddie, “Please just stay in the area while we talk to everyone.”

 Powell then nodded towards the door, “I hope she feels better.” 

Eddie just nodded and went back into the room. 

“What was that about?” Steve asked anxiously. 

“Something happened last night and they think I was involved,” Eddie sighed as he flopped into the chair. 

“But you were here all night?” 

“I know, that’s why I’m not worried ,” Eddie said. 

He was lying, of course, he was worried. Small towns seem to have a way of blaming people for things they definitely did not do. 

“Stay with her,” Steve said, getting up. 

“Steve? Where are you going? Hey!” Eddie said as he followed Steve to the door. Steve was already following the cops. 

“Excuse me, officers?” He said, catching up with them. 

“Yes son?” Powell said, turning around. Callahan just looked at him skeptically. 

“Eddie was here all night, with me. Whatever you think he did, he didn’t.” 

Powell sighed, “We just have to verify with a few more where he was last night. We wouldn’t even be doing this if it wasn’t for the note we found on Miss Cunningham.” 

“What?” 

“Chrissy Cunningham was found murdered last night with a note from your mate in her pocket. We just have to rule him out before we can move on.” 

Steve blinked and nodded. Hearing that one of your classmates was murdered felt like having cold water dumped over you. It was a shock to the system. Steve didn’t know how to react. He just walked back to Laurel’s room in a daze. 

“Steve? Are you all right?” Eddie asked concerned from where he was sitting next to Lori on the bed. Steve just shook his head. He felt his stomach start to churn as he turned towards the trash can and threw up. 

“Steve, Stevie, hey, are you ok?” Eddie asked, rubbing at Steve’s shoulders. 

“Chrissy Cunningham was murdered last night,” Eddie stilled for a moment before continuing to rub his back.

“Yeah, I heard,” 

“And they think you did it, because of a note.” 

“Baby, I was here-” 

“Why’d you write her a note?” Eddie gently pulled Steve over to Lori’s bed. Steve quickly bundled his baby into his arms and held her tightly. “Eddie, why did you write her a note?” 

Eddie sighed, “She uh- she wanted to buy from me.” 

“I thought you stopped selling?” Steve said with an edge. 

He was trembling with repressed anger now. Laurel could smell her mother’s distress as she started to squirm in her sleep. 

“I did! I swear I did, steve! But she was begging me and I had some weed and stuff left over. I was supposed to bring her to the van after hellfire to make the deal, but I forgot all about it when Robin came to get me.” 

Eddie sat down on the bed facing steve. He took his face gently in his hands.

“Please, Stevie, I just thought we could use the money-” 

“What $20 for some weed?” Steve said, yanking his face away. 

“She didn’t want weed,” 

“What did she want?” Steve asked, nervous for the answer. 

“Ket.” 

“Oh my god,” Steve pulled Lori closer, “You can’t do this anymore you can’t.” 

“I know,” Eddie said, ashamed. 

He placed both his hands on Steve’s face and pressed their foreheads together.

 “I’m sorry.” 

VIII. I Never Said I'd Be Alright, Just Thought I Could Hold Myself Together

Bringing Laurel home brought on a whole new set of anxieties. Steve didn’t want to leave her alone for a moment. If he wasn’t holding her, he was watching her breathe. 

Eddie wasn’t any better. Her stay at the hospital really scared him. They were laying in bed, Steve facing the crib, with Eddie holding him from behind. 

“She’s ok, sweetheart. You really should get some sleep,” Eddie whispered. 

“I know, I just- I’m afraid to look away from her,” Steve sighed. 

“I get that,” Eddie replied. “She’s gonna get too big for that crib soon. We probably should think about getting a bigger place.” 

“What?” Steve asked, a bit startled. 

Did Eddie know what he was going to tell him back at the hospital? 

“Yeah, I mean Lori’s gonna be 2 in June and she’s going to need a toddler bed which I doubt will be able to fit in here with us,” Eddie rambled. 

“Eddie?” Steve said shakily. 

“Hmmm?” 

“Remember what I was trying to tell you earlier? At the hospital?” 

“What the doctor said? You were interrupted, are you ok?” Steve began to cry. Eddie became alarmed, “Steve? Stevie? Hey? Was it bad?” 

He had pushed himself up so he was slightly above Steve, looking down at him. Steve rolled over onto his back and looked up at Eddie with tears in his eyes. It was eerily similar to that day in the woods back in 1984 and- oh. OH. Oh shit.

 “You’re pregnant,” it was a statement, not a question. 

Steve nodded as he burst into tears. Eddie just pulled him up and held him close. 

“How long?” He asked 

“9 weeks,” Steve whispered. 

“Ok,” Eddie said shakily, rubbing Steve’s back, “We can do this, we’ll figure it out. We figured it out the first time, right? We’ll be ok.” 

Steve just continued to cry into Eddie’s shoulder. Would they be able to do this?

***

They didn’t talk about it the next day, too on edge about Lori to think about anything else. 

“Eddie?” Steve called from their room. 

“Yeah?” Eddie asks, poking his head around the doorframe. 

Steve was standing holding Lori against his shoulder, rocking her and trying to get her to calm down. She had been fussy all morning. 

“Could you run to the store and get more baby tylenol? She keeps saying her head hurts.” 

“Of course,” Eddie said. He walked over and stroked a hand over Lori’s hair.

 “Be good for mommy, ok?” Eddie said, kissing the top of her head. 

The baby just whined and burrowed into the crook of Steve’s neck, breathing in his calming scent. 

“I’ll be right back,” Eddie said, pecking Steve’s cheek. 

“Thank you,” Steve whispered. 

Eddie nodded and headed to his van. Steve continued to rock Lori til he heard a rapid knocking at the trailer door. He didn’t even have to look, he knew it was Dustin. 

“Steve!” Dustin shouted from outside the door. Steve opened the door with an annoyed look. 

“Could you be any louder?” He asked. 

Behind Dustin was Max. She had been pulling away from the pack since Starcourt so he was surprised to see her there. 

Dustin quickly pushed past Steve and into the trailer.

“Steve something bad has happened and we think the Upside Down might be involved,” Dustin said, unpacking his bag on the kitchen table. 

“What are you talking about?” Steve asked. 

“The murders, we think it’s the Upside Down,” Max said. 

“The gates closed,” Steve said, trying desperately to keep his scent neutral so as to not upset the pup in his arms. 

“Yeah, but it’s the only explanation we can come up with for what Nancy saw! She saw Fred’s body all crumpled.” Dustin said. 

“Dustin, I can’t deal with this right now,” Steve sighed. 

“Yeah, Nancy told us not to tell you, but I think you should know just in case someth-” 

There was more knocking. This time it was sharper, more aggressive. 

Steve looked at Dustin and Max. 

“One of you take her,” he said. 

Dustin quickly took Lori  and Steve went to the front door. He opened it and peered out, quietly locking the screen. Outside stood Jason Carver, two of his friends and Lucas. 

“Can I help you?” Steve asked with an eyebrow raised. 

“Is Eddie here?” Jason asked. 

He was trying to sound casual, but Steve could tell he was seething underneath. 

“You just missed him,” Steve said. 

“Well, we can wait, right guys?” Jason said. 

Steve narrowed his eyes, “What do you need with him? He doesn’t sell anymore.” 

Steve was bending the truth a bit since he knew full well that Eddie almost sold to Jason’s dead girlfriend two nights ago.

“We want to talk to him about what he was up to a couple of nights ago,” Jason said, his calm exterior starting to crack. 

Steve looked at Lucas and he could see the fear in his eyes. 

“Lucas, are you ok?” Steve asked. 

“Don’t,” Jason hissed, putting his arm out in front of lucas, “don’t talk to him.” 

Steve’s eyebrows knit together in concern. 

“I don’t know what you think Eddie did,” Steve was lying again, he knew exactly what Jason was blaming his mate for, “but two nights ago he was in the hospital with me and our daughter. She’s sick right now, so I would appreciate it if you left.” 

Jason glared and motioned for the other guys to follow. 

“Not you Lucas,” Steve said, “I want you to stay here.” 

Lucas looked around nervously before he walked up the rickety steps. Steve quickly let him in and locked the screen again.

 “The rest of you can go.” 

They left with a glare while Steve watched with his hands on his hips. 

“What was that about?” Max asked. 

“They think Eddie is using the dark arts to kill people,” Lucas says. 

“What?!?!” Dustin shouted. 

Lori began to cry after hearing her uncle upset. 

“Mama!” She called out. Steve gently took her into his arms. 

“It’s ok, I’m here, baby. Uncle Dusty didn’t mean to scare you,” he soothed. 

“Sorry, Lor,” Dustin said sheepishly. He then turned to Lucas, “it’s not “the dark arts”. It’s the Upside Down.” 

“Shiiii-” Lucas started, before seeing Lori in Steve’s arms, “I mean shoot.”  

“Oh god, what are we gonna do,” steve whispered. There was a car door slam outside as Eddie came up the front porch steps. 

“Hey, I got the-” he paused, looking at the kids in his living room, “Uh what’s up guys?” 

“The Upside Down is back,” Dustin said. 

“Oh, fuck.” 

***

“You’re not getting involved,” Eddie said. 

They had stepped back into their room in order to keep the kids from hearing their conversation. 

“Eddie,” Steve sighed, “I can’t just do nothing!” 

“You’re not doing nothing! You’ll be with Lor and keeping her safe while Nance, Rob, the kids and I deal with this.” 

Eddie put their foreheads together.

“Please, sit this one out. I can’t- I can’t lose you, any of you.” 

“I can’t lose you either,” Steve whispered. “Be careful, please.”

 Eddie nodded with their foreheads still touching. 

“Of course,” 

***

Steve was a mess. He did not know how to handle not being involved in the Upside Down drama. For the last three years he had been in the thick of it. He’d been beaten and tortured all while trying to protect those kids and now? Now he was just expected to sit back.

He knew the reason why Eddie was so insistent on him staying back. Lori needed at least one of her parents and this next pup- they needed this next pup to survive. Steve placed a hand on his abdomen, they couldn’t lose this one, especially since they knew it was in there.

 He stepped into his room and gently lifted Lori out of the crib, “come on pretty girl, nap times over.”

He carried his still sleepy baby to the living room where he sat with her in his lap. He had put on Wayne’s old tape of the Wizard of Oz.

Lori was fascinated by the red slippers Dorothy wore and she did not seem to be scared of the wicked witch, the wizard or the flying monkeys. In fact she seemed to be delighted by them, there was no doubt she was Eddie’s daughter.

Her head was resting on Steve’s chest as she drank her water out of her cup, entranced by the yellow brick road. 

Steve was starting to doze a bit when he heard a banging at the door. 

“Mama?” Lori asked, turning her head to look at him. “Daddy home?” 

Steve stood holding her in his arms, “I don’t know baby,” he said.

Waking slowly to the door he opened it. On the other side was Jason Carver, he was alone this time.

“Jason?” Steve asked, trepidation in his voice. 

“Where’s Munson?” He growled. 

Steve knew it wasn’t the time, but he could not stop the sass that came out of his mouth.

“Well both of us are technically Munsons, but I don’t think we’re who you're looking for.”

Jason slammed his fists against the screen door causing Lori to whine and bury her face in the crook of Steve’s neck. 

“Don’t play with me Harrington! I know you know where he is! And I know you know he killed Chrissy!” 

“Jason,” Steve said as if he were placating a wild animal, “Eddie was nowhere near Chrissy when she died. He was with me and Laurel at the hospital. Just ask Powell.” 

“Powell doesn’t know shit!” Jason snarled, “You don’t need to be near someone to fucking possess them!”

Jason was deep in it now. He was out of his mind and looking for anyone or anything to blame and he wasn’t exactly wrong about what happened, it just wasn’t because of Eddie.

Steve could feel Lori starting to tremble in his arms. She was getting scared, the thick scent of anger and frustration covering Steve’s calming one. 

“Jason, you’re scaring her,” Steve said. “You need to leave, now.” He was trying to be as firm as possible. 

“Not until you tell me where Eddie is! I need to know! I need to know what he did to Chrissy!” Jason shouted. 

“He didn’t do anything!” Steve yelled back. “You better leave now, I will be calling the police.”

Jason snarled and slammed on the screen again. Steve grabbed an umbrella by the door and held it up to try and threaten him. 

“Go. Now.” He said, trying to hide the shake in his voice.

Jason bared his teeth, but backed off. Steve immediately slammed the door and ran to the phone to let the police know that an alpha had just tried to intimidate him and his pup. 

***

“So we’re going to have to stay here until this kid stops blaming Ed?” Wayne asked as he and Steve pulled up to the motel a little ways out of town.

The police had gotten them two rooms there in an effort to protect them from Jason and whoever else he had convinced that the Devil was in Hawkins. 

“It’s just a precaution, Wayne,” Steve said quietly as he unbuckled Lori from her car seat.

Wayne was digging through the trunk getting their bags. 

“Doesn’t he know Eddie wasn’t with any of the people who were killed?” 

“He knows. I told him, the cops told him, but he’s got it in his head that Eddie’s a demon or something.” Steve said tiredly as he unlocked his and Lori’s room.

Wayne followed him and placed their bags on the floor. He would be staying in the conjoining room next door.

“Go get some sleep Wayne, I’ll try to get in contact with Eddie.”

Wayne nodded before kissing his granddaughter on the head. 

“Come get me if you need anything,” he said before heading to his room.

Steve sighed as he placed Lori on the bed. There was only one bed in the room, but Steve had planned on having her in the bed with him anyway. 

“What are we gonna do now, baby girl?” Steve asked as he laid down on the bed.

He took a moment for himself. Lori was distracted with the toys he had brought with them from home. He turned towards the phone. He knew he needed to start making calls in order to locate Eddie, but part of him just wanted to lay there and do nothing. But he couldn’t just do nothing, he had a baby to take care of. 

Sitting up he reached over to the phone and began to dial the number to the Wheeler’s house. He had a feeling that if they were grouping up somewhere it would be there. 

“Hello?” Steve’s heard Mrs. Wheeler say cheerily into the phone. 

“Hi Mrs. Wheeler, it’s Steve um Harrington,”

He wasn’t sure if Mrs. Wheeler even knew he was mated. 

“Oh hi Steve! Are you looking for Nancy?” 

“Um, I was actually wondering if Eddie was there, I’ve been looking for him,” Steve said nervously. 

“Oh, yes! They’re all here! It’s so sweet that Nancy and Eddie are helping the kids “investigate”,” she rambled. 

“Can I please speak to him? It’s kinda important,"Steve said, cutting her off. 

“Oh, of course, let me go get him.”

Steve could hear her place the phone down. A moment later he heard Eddie over the phone. 

“Steve? Are you ok? Is Lori ok?” He was nervous, Steve could hear it in his voice. 

“We’re ok, Eds, but um, Wayne Lori and I have been relocated to the motel outside of town,” 

“What? Why?” 

“Jason showed up the trailer ranting and raving. He thinks you’re killing people, no matter what I or the cops say. I called the station and they moved us for our safety.” 

“Shit,” Eddie cursed under his breath, “did he threaten you?” 

“More or less,” Steve said quietly. 

“Oh god, baby I’m so sorry. I’ll- I’ll be there as soon as I can-” 

“Eddie,” Steve cut him off, “what’s going on with the upside Down?” Steve could hear Eddie sigh over the phone. 

“I don’t know, there’s something on the other side killing teenagers. We’ve been calling him Vecna.” 

“Oh god,” Steve said, fear pacing his voice. 

“He’s um, he’s targeting Max,” Eddie said quietly, almost like he didn’t want Steve to hear. 

“No, no, not Max. I’ll- I should be there,” 

“Steve, you can’t,”

“He’s threatening one of my kids!” 

“Steve! Nance, Robin and I have got her, you need to be with Lori. Please, please say you’ll stay away from this,” Eddie pleaded. 

“Ok,” Steve said quietly, “but I need you to check in and let me know everything is ok. Please Eddie,” 

“Ok, just give me the number for the motel and I’ll call and give you updates.”

IX. The Trouble With Forever

Steve did not hear from Eddie again until days later. He had been worried sick, going between pacing and sipping ginger ale in hopes of putting off his inevitable need to vomit.

Lori was watching Sesame Street on the TV in the room, while Steve sat with his back against the headboard biting his nails, knees bent up towards his chest. He felt nauseous and tired and all around not ok, but he couldn’t let it show, not in front of his pup.

The ringing of the phone cut through Steve’s catastrophizing thoughts, he jumped quickly to answer it. 

“Hello?” He asked with bated breath, hoping that it was Eddie on the other end. 

“Steve,” he heard Eddie breathe.  

“Hey,” Steve whispered as tears welled in his eyes. 

“Hi, baby. Is Lor with you?” 

“Yeah,” Steve said wiping his eyes, “she’s just watching tv. Do you want to talk to her?” 

“Please?”

Steve scooted over to where Lori was sitting and held the phone by her ear. He could hear Eddie speaking to her. 

“Loribug?” He called. Steve watched as her little face lit up. 

“Daddy!” She said. 

“Hi, sweetheart!” He said softly. 

“When you come back?” She asked. 

“Soon, baby, soon,” Eddie said, his voice choked up. 

“Ok,” she said, cheerily, completely unaware of her father’s sadness on the other side. 

“Lori, I want you to know how much I love you, ok?” Eddie said shakily. 

“love you, daddy!” She chirped. 

“I love you so much sweetheart, so so much. Can you give the phone to mommy?” 

“Otay” she said, going back to her plush ballerina doll. 

“Eddie?” Steve asked. 

“Hey, sweets. I have something I’d like to tell you.” 

“Eddie-” 

“Please, Steve, let me talk.” Eddie said quietly.

He took a deep breath.

“I love you, Steve, a lot. And I know,” he took a moment to collect himself, “I know that I haven’t been the best at showing it, but marrying and having Laurel with you was the best thing I ever did. The only good thing I ever did. You and her are my everything and I love you so much.” 

Steve was crying now, “why does this sound like a goodbye?” 

“It’s not a goodbye, it’s a just in case.” 

“Eddie, what does that mean? What are you doing?” 

“We’re doing what we have to. I love you, steve and I’ll see you soon.” 

“Eddie don’t-” but he had already hung up.

Steve could feel his heart pounding. He quickly stood as the nausea overtook him and he bolted to the toilet. Steve threw up everything he had in his stomach. Tears fell down his face as he cried quietly to himself. 

“Mama?” He heard Lori call from the bed. 

Steve took several breaths before standing.

“I’m here, baby, I’m here.”

He picked her up and held her close, breathing in her milky puppy scent. He squeezed her tight and rubbed her back.

“It’s going to be ok,” he whispered into her ear, but he wasn’t sure if that was the truth. 

***

It was later that night when the ground started shaking.

Steve had been laying under the covers after soothing Lori to sleep. She was currently passed out in his arms, he was too afraid to let her go.

The trembling began small, Steve didn’t even realize it was happening, thinking it was all in his head. Then he noticed the light fixture swinging back and forth. Things only got worse, there was cracking noises coming from the foundation of the motel and Steve began to fear a ceiling collapse.

He quickly grabbed a still sleeping Lori and dove under the little desk in the room. He hoped to protect their heads. Steve was currently shielding Lori with his own body, protecting her from whatever he could. 

“What happen?” Lori asked. 

“It’s an earthquake, baby,” Steve answered, though knowing what he did he wasn’t so sure.

The violent shaking continued and Lori began to cry. Steve tried to comfort her as much as he could, but he too felt like crying.

The quake felt like it went on for hours, but Steve was sure if he asked it would only have been a few minutes. He stayed under the table with Lori, too afraid to come out, terrified of what he’d see. He wasn’t sure how long he was under there before he heard a voice calling for him. 

“Steve? Steve!”

It was Wayne. Steve crawled out from under the table, still clutching his pup to his chest. He unbolted the door and let Wayne in. 

“Wayne,” Steve said tearfully. They embraced each other with Lori in between them. 

“Are you guys ok?” He asked. 

“We’re ok, a little freaked out, but ok,” Steve said, gently wiping the tears from Lori’s cheeks. 

“Good, good,” Wayne said. He began to look around, “Where’s Eddie?” 

Steve began to tear up again, “I’m not sure.”  

Wayne quickly took Lori into his arms before leading Steve to the bed. Currently the light fixture in the room was on the floor and anything that was not nailed down was toppled over, but other than that the room was mostly intact. Steve and Wayne sat on the bed, while Steve cried into his shoulder, both wondering what happened to Eddie. 

***

It was an hour later that there was a knock at the motel door. Wayne handed Lori to Steve and went to answer it. 

“Chief?” Steve heard Wayne ask. 

“Mr. Munson, is Steve with you?” Powell asked. 

“Yes, he’s right inside,” Wayne said, stepping aside to let the police chief in. Steve stood up and watched as the chief entered. 

“Is everything ok?” Steve shakily asked. Powell took his hat off his head and sighed. 

“I don’t know any of the details yet, but it seems that Eddie was injured in the earthquake, he is currently in the hospital in surgery.”  

“Oh my god,” Steve whispered, putting a hand over his mouth. 

“Is he all right?” Wayne asked.  

“I’m not sure, the hospital won’t tell me any information, but I think you guys should head over there as soon as possible.” Powell said gently, “if you pack up now, I’ll escort you all there.”

Steve nodded and began to pack a bag with Lori’s things. He didn’t know how long they would be waiting for Eddie, nor did he know if there was anyone who could take her. He grabbed toys, changes of clothes, diapers and some snacks. 

“We’re ready,” Steve said, walking closer with Lori on his hip. Wayne nodded and they climbed into the car. Fear and anxiety filled the space as they followed the chief to the hospital. 

***

The first thing Steve hears when he arrives at the hospital is Dustin. 

“Steve!”  He shouted. 

“Dustin?” Steve asked, looking over at him, “why are you limping?”

Steve was concerned. Dustin was covered in blood and mud and… moss? Steve wanted to run over and bundle him up. 

“Steve,” Dustin cried, wrapping his arms around him. “I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry.” 

“Dustin, Dustin,” Steve said, running a hand through his hair, “What’s wrong, why are you apologizing?”

“The bats- I couldn’t stop him, I’m sorry,” Steve realized he was talking about Eddie.

“Dustin,” Steve said, taking Dustin’s face into his hands, “whatever happened was not your fault.”  

“He cut the rope and went back in. I-I couldn’t stop him and when I got to the other side the bats, they had already- they had bit him.” 

Steve squeezed Dustin tighter.

“Nothing that happened was your fault. Eddie chose to go back in and when he comes out of this- and he will come out of this- we can yell at him. Ok?”

Dustin nodded against Steve’s shoulder as he sobbed.

“How’s Max?” Steve asked hesitantly.

He wasn’t sure he could handle it if she was severely hurt. Dustin let go and wiped his eyes. 

“Both her arms are broken, but she’s ok. Lucas stopped Jason before he could get to her. And El stepped in. Vecna’s gone, I think.” 

“El?” Steve questioned. 

“Yeah, I don’t know how, but she saved Max.” 

“Thank god for that,” Steve said, pulling Dustin back into another hug.

He needed the comfort of one of his pups. He wasn’t sure how long they were standing there when Wayne came over with Lori. 

“They say the trailer park is completely destroyed. Basically leveled by the quake.” 

“Oh god,” Steve whispered, the realization coming over him about how close he was to dying- again.

In a weird way, Jason saved their lives. 

“Holy shit,” Steve said, all of a sudden feeling light headed. He put a hand to his head as he felt his knees weaken. 

“Steve?” Dustin questioned. 

“I’m ok,” he said, but it wasn’t convincing.

Dustin quickly leads Steve to a chair. Steve tried to take deep breaths, but he felt like he was gonna puke.

“Is there a garbage can nearby? I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Dustin took off to the nurses station and one raced over with a kidney shaped puke bin. 

“It’s ok, let it out honey,” the nurse said, rubbing Steve’s back. He could feel Dustin and Wayne hovering by his side. 

Steve leaned his head back against the chair, “I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be sorry, sweetie,” the nurse said, “I’m going to leave some bags with you in case you feel sick again, ok?” 

Steve nodded, “thank you.” 

“Ma?” He heard Lori ask tearfully. Wayne tried to soothe her, but she wanted Steve. 

“It’s ok, baby. Mommy’s ok,” he said, taking her into his arms, her head in the crook of his neck.

He rubbed her back gently as he hushed her. He could feel her curls tickling his cheek. They were so much like Eddie’s and her eyes, her eyes were all Eddie too. Steve just hoped that they’d be able to look into each other's eyes again. 

***

Steve sat in Eddie’s hospital room by himself. Wayne and Lori were at the temporary shelter in the high school. Steve was terrified about having to go back there and go sleep in a room filled with people he did not know. For now though he was sitting with his unconscious mate.

The doctor said that Eddie was lucky to be alive. He said that Eddie was so close to having had one of his major arteries hit. He said that Eddie was in a coma and probably would be for some time. But none of that truly registered with steve. Seeing Eddie laying there with a breathing tube and wires coming out from all over made him want to throw up-again.

It had been two days since the earthquake. Max was still in the hospital while the authorities looked for her mom. Steve hadn’t left Eddie’s side. Wayne had tried to get him to rest, but Steve couldn’t. He just wanted to stay up and make sure Eddie was breathing. Stroking the back of his hand, Steve began to speak. 

“I know it’s only been a few days, but I’m going to need you to wake up,” he paused, “or maybe just let me know you’re fighting to come back to us?”

Steve could feel the tears welling in his eyes as he sniffed.

“Lori’s been asking for you. She keeps looking for you. I’ve told her you’re here, but I don’t think she fully understands yet.”

Steve brought Eddie’s hand up to his face, gently pressing it against his cheek.

“I stayed safe, just like you asked. Why didn’t you listen to me? I told you to be careful.” His voice began to tremble, “You can’t leave us, ok? You can’t leave me a widow with two pups at 19. You hear me? You fight and you come back to me, because you promised, you promised we’d be ok. So be okay, ok?”

Eddie just laid there in silence and Steve felt more tears rolling down his cheeks. 

***

The insurance money from their home being destroyed came in fast (probably due to one Dr. Owens pulling strings) and Wayne wasted no time in buying a three bedroom trailer. 

“Wayne…” Steve said in awe as he walked into the new place with Lori. “This is too much, Eddie and I can’t keep imposing on you, we’ll find a place.” 

“You’re not imposing, son. You are family and look, now we all can get our own rooms,"Wayne said with a grin. Steve froze where he stood. He was going to have to tell Wayne about the baby. He had hoped to have Eddie with him when he did this, but it seems that the universe had other plans. 

“Wayne?” Steve asks shakily. Wayne turned towards him with a concerned look.

“Are you alright son?” 

Steve shook his head, trying to hold back tears.

“I wanted Eddie to be here when we told you, but um, that’s kinda impossible right now.” Steve shuddered out a breath before just going for it, “I uh- I’m pregnant again, and Eddie and I were planning on getting our own place before- before it was born but-but.”

Steve covered his face with his hands as he began to sob. Lori was crouched on the floor, running her hands through the shaggy carpet when she heard Steve begin to cry. 

“Mama?” She questioned, toddling over.

She grasped onto his pant leg, looking up at him with big watery eyes. Steve quickly scooped her up and held her close. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered looking at Wayne.

Wayne’s eyes were kind as he pulled Steve and Lori into his arms. 

“It’s ok, steve. We’re all gonna be ok.” 

***

X. I Hope You’re the End of My Story 

It took ten days for Eddie to wake up.

During those ten days Wayne and Steve furnished the new trailer with whatever they could get their hands on from the shelter and the surviving thrift stores. Nancy also gave some hand me downs to Steve (with her mother’s approval this time). He was so relieved to have Holly’s hand-me-down crib. Lori could use it until the new baby was old enough to go in it and by then he would hopefully have saved enough to buy Lori a real bed. 

Steve had tried to get her to sleep in the crib in her new room, but she was having none of it. Steve figured she was still scared from the earthquake as she had been very clingy over the last few days. So he continued to let her sleep in bed with him. 

The stress of not knowing if Eddie would wake up was taking a toll on Steve. He couldn’t sleep, he spent most of the night awake, watching over Laurel. 

Her ear infection and subsequent fever had cleared up completely, but Steve still feared another seizure. 

One night, while Steve was keeping his quiet vigil over his daughter, the phone rang. Wayne was at work so Steve silently crept out of bed to answer it. 

“Hello?” He asked. 

Steve felt so exhausted and his voice showed it. It was slightly raspy and weak. 

“Is this Steve Munson?” A voice asked. 

Steve rubbed his eye with his free hand. 

“Yeah…?” He asked, really not in the mood for whatever this about. 

“My name is Dr. Ravens, I’m calling about Eddie.” 

Steve woke up fully at that. Was this it? Was his worst fears about to come true? Was he a widow at 19? 

“I just wanted to let you know that your mate is awake and asking for you.” 

Steve felt his heart stop. Eddie was awake. Eddie was awake! Tears came to Steve’s eyes as the relief flooded his body. 

“He’s ok?” Steve choked out through his tears. 

“Yes, he is.” Dr. Ravens said. Steve could hear the smile in his voice. 

“When-” Steve stopped for a moment to catch his bearings. “When can I see him?” 

“He’s still very weak right now, and visiting hours don’t start until 8 am. I would suggest waiting until then.” 

“Ok…ok.” Steve breathed. 

Eddie was awake, Eddie was alive. Things would be ok. They had to be. 

***

Steve was waiting just outside Eddie’s room. He wanted to go in, he really did, but he was scared. Of what, he wasn’t sure. 

He took a deep breath and walked in. 

Eddie was sleeping, so Steve just sat down and waited. He didn’t want to interrupt Eddie’s rest. He knew he needed it. 

Steve waited for two hours. He himself started to fall asleep (his sleepless nights catching up to him) when he felt Eddie’s hand move in his. 

“Eddie?” Steve whispered. 

“Hey, babe.” Eddie said with a sideways smile. 

“Eddie!” Steve said a bit louder. 

He pulled Eddie’s hand to his face and held it there. He began to cry, feeling so overwhelmed with emotions. 

“Don’t cry,” Eddie said. “It’s just little ole me.” 

“Shut up,” Steve said, trying to wipe away his tears with his free hand. 

Eddie smiled tiredly at him. 

“I thought I lost you…” Steve whispered. 

“Gonna take a lot more than that to get rid of me, Stevie.” 

“You were supposed to be careful!” 

“I know,” Eddie sighed. “I couldn’t stop picturing something happening to you or Laurel. I had to do something to protect you both, even if it meant dying myself.” 

Steve just cried some more and clung tighter to Eddie’s hand. 

“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” 

“I’m sorry, baby” Eddie was quiet for a moment. “How’s Loribug? Is she feeling better? Is she still sick?” 

Steve smiled through his tears. 

“She’s fine. She’s been asking for you.” 

Eddie smiled.

“And you? How are you? And you know…” 

“We’re ok. Been giving me a hell of a time with the nausea, but everything is good.” 

“Good,” Eddie breathed. “How’s Wayne and the trailer?” 

Steve looked down at that. 

“Wayne is fine, but the trailer… the trailer is gone.” 

“What? What does that mean?” Eddie asked, starting to panic. 

“It got destroyed when the earthquakes started. The whole park was leveled.” Steve said sadly. 

“No, no, no!” Eddie said, covering his face with his hand. 

“But it’s ok, Wayne got the insurance money and bought a new place! We have even more room now!” 

But Eddie still looked troubled. 

“Was anything salvageable? Like in the rubble?” 

Steve looked at Eddie strangely. 

“No, there was a fire and the most we could get was a few metal sheets.” 

Eddie’s eyes showed his heartbreak. 

“So the bed is gone? And everything in my room?” 

“I’m so sorry Eddie.” Steve said. “But we can remake all your tapes and Corroded Coffin stuff! I’m sure if we get the guys and the kids to help it won’t take too long.” 

Eddie sighed, “That’s not it Steve.” 

Now he was confused, what else could Eddie be upset about losing? 

“I saved a box of things under my bed. Stuff from my parents, Wayne, friends.” He paused, “I uh began saving stuff from Laurel.” 

“Oh Eddie.” Steve said, running a hand over his cheek. “I’m sorry” 

“It’s just- it had the shirt.” Eddie said. 

“The shirt?” 

“The one- the one uh, I put over Laurel when she was born.” Eddie sniffled. 

Steve was stunned. 

“You saved it?” 

“I couldn’t throw it out.” 

Steve felt tears sliding down his face. He (gently) threw himself into Eddie’s arms. 

“I love you” he whispered. 

Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve. He was holding on tightly. 

“I love you too.” 

They held onto each other for a long time. Steve was crying openly into Eddie’s shoulder and Eddie had his own tears running down his cheeks. 

“I thought I lost you,” Steve whispered, even more reverently than before. 

“I know, I’m sorry,” Eddie replied. 

Steve pulled back and held Eddie’s face in his hands. Eddie smiled as he stared at Steve. 

“I’m not going anywhere, ever again. You are the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.” 

Steve let out a small sob, before he pressed his lips against Eddie’s. It wasn’t their first kiss by a long shot, but it was the first one that felt real. This was their fresh start, their ending and their beginning. And for once the future truly looked bright. 

End