Chapter Text
1:57
Steve thinks if the clock had a mind of its own, it would be laughing at him, sprawled out on the floor in the middle of the night alone with his own mind and thoughts.
Every now and then the word bullshit will bounce around his brain, and it seems to be the only functioning part of his mind intact after having it beaten in by Hargrove.
He really wishes those pain meds would kick in by now, he’s not sure how much more thinking he can take.
Steve heaves himself upwards with a sigh, taking in the empty room, in an empty house that he had driven alone to in an empty car, everyone else being whisked off home.
They had families to return to. His mind supplies, worried parents and tense siblings. Steve’s not sure he can even remember the last time his parents were home, nevertheless concerned about what was going on with their only child in Hawkins.
Jesus Christ. He needed to get up and do something before he started wallowing in those thoughts any longer.
He stands slowly, taking smaller paces around his room. He’s distinctly aware of the bottle in his hand, uncapping it and swallowing two more dry in hopes to feel the effects faster.
His face hurts, his whole body feels like it’s screaming at him, bruises littering his face and gashes down his head from where the plate had smashed down into it.
But he did what had to be done and would do it over and over again if it meant keeping those kids; his kids safe, even if it meant the ringing in his ears stay and another concussion to pile onto the others.
He shoves the bottle given to him by the shitty government hospital deep down into his dresser before he gets any stupid ideas and shuts it with an audible thump, tossing himself onto his un-made bed and closing his eyes.
Tomorrow he’ll get up and play the role of the fierce protector, falling into the role easily. He’ll check up on the Byers, drive each of the kids back and forth between the hospital and each of their respective homes, he knows that at some point he’ll have to actually talk to Nancy; decide where they stand minus the we saved the world again stress into it. Maybe he’ll congratulate her and Johnathan on their new relationship.
Tonight, tonight he hopes that his face will start to hurt a little less with each passing minute, that his thoughts will quiet down a little and try to sleep without nightmares plaguing his mind.
(He knows that's not possible)