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In the Byers’s living room there were lots of blankets stacked on the floor in one spot, an air mattress in another, and the pull-out couch set up and made. Hopper made the arrangements: himself, Joyce, and Will on the air mattress, the teens all on the pull-out couch, and the rest of the kids on the blankets on the floor. Which meant Steve was crammed on the same bed as his ex-girlfriend and her soon-to-be new boyfriend. He couldn’t decide if it was better or worse than being on the cold, hard floor.
He laid awake in the bed, unable to sleep. His head hurt like a bitch, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the demodogs in the junkyard. Every time he heard a noise, Steve panicked. He was ready to fight anything that might come his way. Anything that might want to hurt him or the kids.
Steve felt defenseless without his bat. It was sitting in the kitchen, too far away for him to grab if he needed it. He got up and quietly moved to the kitchen, picking up the weapon and feeling the weight of it in his hand. He smacked the wood against his palm a few times, feeling security in having it. He couldn’t help but think about the tunnels; how they nearly died. If the demo-dogs weren’t focused on getting to El, he and Dustin would’ve been goners.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He shouldn’t be thinking about those monsters right now. They’re gone, the gate is sealed, it’s all over.
Until he heard footsteps behind him. Steve whipped around, bat at the ready, looking for whatever made that noise in the darkness. He made out the shape of a kid, holding his hands up in surrender. He lowered the bat, realizing he’s not in any danger.
“Don’t do that shit,” Steve whispered. He set the bat back down on the ground, leaned up against the wall, like it was before.
“S-sorry,” Dustin said, quietly. He sounded like he was on the verge of tears and Steve’s heart dropped.
He walked up to Dustin, panicking. He just scared the poor boy, after everything he’s already been through. Not thinking before acting, Steve pulled Dustin into a hug. It was a little weird, they hated each other until today, but they both needed it. Dustin took a second, then threw his arms around Steve’s waist. He sniffled against his chest, making Steve hold him tight, putting one hand on the back of his head to bring him in.
He tucked the boy’s head under his own and they stayed there for a minute, not moving. Dustin was the one who pulled away first. He moved back back, but kept holding onto Steve’s jacket, and resting his forehead on the teen’s chest. Steve put his hand back in his hair, the other one on his upper arm.
“You doing okay?” Steve whispered, looking down at the boy.
Dustin didn’t say anything. He had a huge ego and a reputation to uphold, though Steve was pretty sure everyone saw through his act. “Just came to check on you,” he mumbled.
Steve smiled at the kid. “I appreciate it,” he said. He offered another hug, getting the air knocked out of him when Dustin threw himself back into it. “It’s over now,” he whispered. Obviously they knew it was over, being reminded didn’t help that at all, but he didn’t know what else to say.
It was really late, they had to get some sleep. Steve didn’t think he could fall asleep if he tried, but they should at least lie down to rest. He couldn’t bring himself to let go, especially not after he felt Dustin start to shake.
“Stay with me,” Dustin whispered, as if he could read his mind.
The tough guy act was gone, all that was left was a fragile little kid who just went to hell and back, and there was no way Steve could ever say no to him after what they went through together.
“Let’s go sit down,” Steve said, rubbing his back.
He felt Dustin nod against him, but he made no move to start walking. Gently, Steve took Dustin’s arms off of him and held his hand, watching him as they walked back to the living room with everyone else. He sat down by the wall, the furthest point away from everyone else, and patted the spot next to him. Dustin didn’t let go of his hand once. He sat down and huddled up next to Steve, tucking his head.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Steve said, wrapping his arm around Dustin’s shoulders. Dustin immediately grabbed Steve’s hand again, making Steve hold him tighter. “Did you get any sleep, at all?”
Dustin shrugged. “Okay, I don’t know what that means,” Steve laughed, getting a small laugh out of Dustin. It was probably out of pity, but he’d take anything he could get that wasn’t tears.
He just shrugged again and Steve figured he’d have to find a different way to get answers. Dustin obviously wasn’t up for talking, so he wasn’t going to make him.
“Here,” Steve said, getting an idea. “Put one finger up for yes, two for no, okay?” He put up one finger for yes and two for no, giving a visual of what he said.
Dustin watched and nodded. Steve smiled, proud of himself for finding a way to talk to him.
“I’ll ask again, but with follow-up questions so you don’t have to be unsure of an answer,” he told him. “Now, did you get any sleep?” Dustin held up one finger. Steve nodded, resting his head on Dustin’s where he can still see his hand. “Did you have a nightmare?” He didn’t answer for a moment, making Steve worry, before putting up one finger.
“I’m here now,” Steve reassured him. Dustin rubbed his face on Steve’s chest like a cat, getting comfortable. “Do you want to try going back to sleep?” he asked. Dustin didn’t respond with the numbers. Instead, he grabbed at Steve’s shirt as if he was going to disappear.
“No, don’t leave me,” he whispered, tears in his eyes.
Steve put his other hand around Dustin again. “I won’t,” he whispered into his hair, “I promise. You can stay right here with me.” He could feel Dustin relax against his chest. “Do you want to do that?” The hand on his shirt didn’t let go, giving Steve his answer.
He put his hand on top of Dustin’s, covering it completely. “I’ve got you,” he whispers, “I’m right here.”
Steve waited until Dustin fell asleep again before relaxing. He still didn’t get any sleep, but he was comforted by the fact that he was helping someone else. When morning came around and everyone else started waking up, Steve made sure they’d keep the volume down for Dustin.