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It all started that day they stole the van to go to a gun shop near the city. Then they prepared themselves to take down that evil creature from the Upside Down.
The children were tense, but they all still tried to cheer each other up.
Steve is driving the van, with Nancy beside him, guiding him. It's not exactly the best time to talk about the future, when anything can happen on the other side. However, a stronger desire is present within Harington.
Then he tells her that when this is all over, he wants to, I don't know... live a good life, you know, with those desires to be a father. Having six children seems nice. A full house. Steve is an only child and always hated being an only child. Being the babysitter of these children for three years made him get along well with kids, so he thinks he would be a good father, you know?!
Nancy laughs.
'Six kids is a bit much, Steve.'
He doesn't think so.
Well, maybe she's right after all. It's just that, okay. Steve's going to miss this when those kids graduate and leave. When his friends leave. Robin said she's going to try for a university in New York, Nancy has similar plans too.
Steve doesn't think he could ever leave Hawkins. This town seems to hold him back. Maybe it's all in his head. Steve never thought about going to college because he's not exactly the smartest guy for it.
In a way, it seemed right. This dream of having several children. An wife. And a full, lively house. Everything he ever wanted when he was a child.
But that doesn't happen. The dream is put aside as they defeat Vecna and fight for their lives, almost losing Eddie and Max's along the way. They return. Injured. But alive. First stop: to see those who remained at Henry's house in the real world. It's painful to find Max unconscious and with broken arms, but she's alive. Nancy, Robin, and Lucas drive to the hospital to take care of Max.
Steve is driving home, with Dustin and Eddie in the back seat.
Even though the Upside Down thing is over, Eddie is still wanted for the murders. They can't just erase that overnight. Eddie can't stay in the trailers, and the last place they'll look for him is the Harrington house. Steve's parents weren't there, and never are, which makes this plan even easier.
Steve tends to Eddie's wounds, cleaning the blood and carefully bandaging them. Then it's Dustin's turn, he only has a few scratches that he couldn't prevent. Eddie feels guilty, he was the one who was there, he should have stopped it anyway. He knows Steve blames him a little for not having helped the boy further.
Dustin seems oblivious to it, finding it amusing to have a few scars. Scars are signs of adventures, however horrible they may have been.
It's too late for Dustin to go home, he had already told his mother he would sleep at a friend's house so she wouldn't worry.
So, he's sleeping in Steve's bed. All that fighting has left them exhausted.
Steve tells Eddie he can sleep with Dustin, the bed is huge, and Steve will find another place. As big as his house is, there aren't guest rooms like many expect, there's only Steve's room and his parents' room, where he definitely won't be sleeping. The downstairs rooms are occupied by an office for Mr. Harrington and a junk room. Yeah, his house isn't as big as many people think. It only seems that way, especially to Steve who lives here alone. Well, that's why he tries not to stay home too much.
At least the sofa in the living room is comfortable.
Exhaustion sets in, but so do the nightmares. Steve doesn't know what time it is, it's still dark outside. Sleep just won't come, so he gets up, grabs the pack of cigarettes, the lighter, and walks outside. He observes the pool and the darkness of the forest as he lights a cigarette.
One, two drags. The cold wind passes by him. Nothing like the cold of the Upside Down. Three, and his cigarette is snatched from him by fingers adorned with silver rings.
"Can't sleep either?"
"What do you think, Steve?"
"I think with those injuries you wouldn't wake up before noon."
Steve looked at Eddie. His shirt was so torn that after tending to his wounds, Steve lent him one of his own. It was strange to see Eddie in his clothes, but something about it also affected him. Eddie looks adorable.
"Yeah..." Eddie passes the cigarette to Steve, who takes a drag and passes it.
A silence settles between the two, broken only by the sounds of the trees rustling in the wind, the icy breeze gently ruffling their hair, and their shared cigarette.
"You know, I could give you the six children you want so badly, Steve."
"What?" Steve coughed through the smoke, of all the strange things he'd ever heard from Munson, this was one of the worst.
"I'll give you all six children you want."
"I don't know if you remember, Eddie. But you're a man."
"Look, if I try harder, maybe I can get you pregnant, Steve."
Steve couldn't help but blush slightly at the suggestive way the other man had said it. Eddie was so determined, and handsome, and… damn. What the hell. Steve hated that idiot for making him feel all these things he definitely shouldn't feel for another man. Besides…
“You’re ridiculous.” Steve shakes his head, disbelieving what Eddie is saying, as if that were possible! They’re two men. Simple. You can’t have children like that.
"But you seemed interested in my idea of fucking you until—"
"Fuck you Eddie."