Chapter Text
Sometimes time slow down, sometimes time speed up. But somehow Dustin experienced both in the matter of a couple of seconds. When he watched the bottom of the abyss collide with the top of the tower, the last conversation he had with Steve replayed in his mind.
“Silver lining, if it fails we both go down”
“You die, I die”
“You die, I die”
Then the mast broke. Before Dustin could register anything, Steve disappeared over the edge. He didn’t know how he got there. Probably trying to save someone, his idiotic, self sacrificing best friend. He didn’t even register Robin yelling for her solemate.
Dustin let out a scream.
“Steveeeee!”
He could only watch as Steves fingers slowly lost their grip. Panic blossomed in his chest. Not again, not Steve. He had told him, he can’t deal with it again!
It feelt like hours drowning in misery. And then, Steve fully lost his hold on the tower. Dustin’s heath stopped. In slow motion he saw Jonathan throwing himself to the edge, reaching out a hand.
For ten horrible seconds Dustin had no idea if Jonathan had reached his older brother. The world seemed to stay still until he heard Jonathan shout.
“Just hold on! I got you dude, just hold on!”
Dustin was still completely frozen in shook, unable to move. Jonathan had him, but would he be able to pull him up? Distantly Dustin heard the older boy grunting och saw him struggle with Steve’s weight. It was not until he got a glimpse of Steve’s head peaking up that his hearth remembered how to function again.
He watched Steve climb back into safety with Jonathan’s help. Suddenly his body started working again as he pushed his way to Steve and tackeld him in a hug. Tears stung in is eyes as he fully realized how close he had been to losing the one person he could not lose.
Steve wrapped his arms around him too, holding him tightly. Dustin quickly pulled away to see his face, to be sure that he was still alive.
“I thought you were toast”
He laughed to cover up his panic. Steve smiled at him knowingly, still holding him by the arms and Dustin could not be more grateful.
Sure, they had a hard battle in front of them, but at least Steve was safe there and then. Even if the panic still lingered in Dustins chest and was threatening to crush him. Steve was alive.