The Truth of the Matter
A Four Part Miniseries
@wonderland-girl143-blog @gregre369 @420-hun
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Steve, Robin, Nancy, and Chrissy stood in Steve's living room watching Eddie. He was sitting cross-legged on the coffee table pouring over his spellbook, his tongue poking out.
"You know, I have perfectly good couches," Steve said, crossing his arms, and Eddie hummed without looking at him. "He's lucky he's so cute."
"Okay. . .okay, it sounds like this spell is going to be difficult, especially with all of us, and it says I need to be. . .stronger for this. Fuck, I have to be a certain level? Well, what fucking level am I?" Eddie asked. "And how do I gain experience? More spells? You know, whoever wrote this book should have had this damn thing coded. You know, write in the margins which ones are for beginners."
"Well, considering the few spells that you have done, I think you're very much still a beginner," Robin said.
"If this is too much, we can wait. . .save up money. . . Buy plane tickets," Steve said.
"Baby, we're going to see this through, and your mother's waited long enough. . .you're worth it, Steve Harrington. . .now, shut up, I'm thinking," Eddie said.
"Oh, oh! I think I remember your father mentioning something about using magical creatures like conduits," Chrissy said.
"Yeah, no, I'm not using either one of you like that. And if my father suggested it, then I'm definitely not going to do it," Eddie scoffed.
"Well, what if we want to do it?" Steve asked.
"I can do the spell myself," he replied.
"Yeah, but it doesn't mean you should," he said.
"How in the hell is this relationship supposed to work if we're both equally stubborn?" Eddie asked with a scowl.
"Well, if we're both determined enough, we'll make it work," Steve replied.
"Eddie, it sounds like we both want to do this," Chrissy said softly.
"Are you sure?" Nancy asked.
"Very," Chrissy said, and Nancy smiled. "I want to do everything that I can to help Steve find his mom or dad. Not just because we're both fae but because it's the right thing to do."
"Thanks, Chrissy," Steve said softly and then paused. "Wait, what do you mean, mom or dad? My dad's dead, remember?"
"Oh. Did I not mention?" Chrissy asked with a frown.
"Mention what?" He asked.
"Fae can have children with anyone regardless of their gender. I had two mothers," Chrissy replied. "And some fae are what they themselves call genderfluid. . .depending on what they feel like. So, this person could be your mother, father, or both. Being transgender and queer is also more commonly accepted amongst fae. It's because of their beliefs that the fae had to remain hidden in the shadows, hiding with their illusion and glamor magic. They would come out of the shadows to help lost humans, whether they be fae, humans, or Wiccans, especially if they're children and rejected by their community because of who they love."
"Wow," Steve breathed. "Okay, so you know a lot more than I do."
"Do the fae have like their own city or country I could move to?" Robin asked.
"I don't know. If they do, it's probably hidden," Chrissy said. "There wasn't much in my mother's journal."
"Okay, let's do this shit. . .let's go find this Steve’s mommy or daddy. . .even more so now. Although, I suddenly realized that I'm going to be meeting my boyfriend's parent for the first time, and I hadn't even taken him on a date yet," Eddie said.
"And I just found out that my girlfriend neglected to tell me that she could get me pregnant," Nancy said.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! It slipped my mind. . .I was going to tell you, and then this happened," Chrissy said, looking guilty. "And besides, we can only get each other pregnant if we both wanted to. . .no accidents!"
"I figured you were going to say something like that when Mike barged into the house," Nancy said, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I'm messing with you, baby."
"I can get Steve pregnant!" Eddie yelped.
"Down boy, buy me dinner first," Steve said dryly.
"Okay, let's get to Lenora Hills before I get completely distracted," Eddie said. "Nancy, focus, and then we can study fae anatomy later. . ."
"I'm so getting a better grade than you," Nancy smirked, and Chrissy giggled.
"Fuck off, Wheeler!"
Lenora Hills, California. . .
"Fuck!" Eddie screamed.
He dropped Steve and Chrissy's hands immediately as he fell to his knees. Eddie bent over and began to make retching sounds. Steve pulled his hair back just as he vomited. He wiped Eddie's face with a tissue Chrissy gave him and helped him stand up. Eddie's whole body shuddered, and Steve wrapped his arms around him to hold him up. Steve watched as the other man's eyes turned purple.
"Eddie?" Steve asked.
"Is anyone else hearing music?" Eddie asked as blood gushed from his nose. "Did I just gain another level? Hmm, maybe it's something I ate."
Eddie's fading purple eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed into Steve’s arms. Steve picked him and held him close.
"I don't want to be a bummer, but I think Eddie missed by a few blocks," Robin said.
"Well, it was his first time performing the spell," Steve said. "Let's go."
They finally found the house they were looking for, and when they did, they discovered that the front door had been left wide open. Someone had clearly left in a hurry. When they entered, they found it in a stay of disarray, like someone had packed quickly. It was similar to the one in Indianapolis, except the furniture had been left behind. Drawers were opened and emptied. . .papers and takeout menus were littering the floor. Someone had clearly lived here a while, but it looked as though someone had left recently. Steve hurried to lay Eddie on the couch for a moment. He cleaned his face and listened closely to make sure he was just sleeping. He was.
"Is he okay?" Nancy asked.
"Yeah, just sleeping. That spell took a lot out of him," Steve replied. "Let him sleep, and we can look around. Maybe whoever left here is going to come back."
Of course, they searched the house for hours and came up with nothing. Robin, Nancy, and Chrissy let Eddie have the bedroom in the back, considering he drained his batteries getting them all to California. He laid Eddie on the bed and sprawled out next to him. He watched the man snore loudly before flopping onto his stomach. Steve ran his hand over his back, smiling when Eddie sighed in his sleep. He laid down on the pillow, wondering if his parent had laid their head on this very pillow. Steve closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Steve was dreaming. He was sure of it. He felt smaller than usual, and he was lying in a . . . Cage? No, a crib. He was a baby, and he was looking up at his mobile made of stars. A face appeared above him. It was a younger, fresher faced Bob Newby. He had hazel eyes just like Steve.
"He's made of stars just like you," Bob said proudly.
"Freckles and moles, my love," a garble voice said.
"Stars, stars to guide his way back to us," Bob said softly.
"He's not going to be like the others, I won't allow it," the voice said.
"There's more of them than there are of us," Bob said sadly. "It's happening more and more lately."
"Bobby. . ."
Wait, was his other parent British? Steve tried to reach for them as they moved closer to the crib.
"I'm right here," Steve tried to call out. "I'm right here!"
When he woke up, Eddie was staring at him.
"Hey, you feeling any better?" Steve asked as he immediately sat up.
"A little, but I don't think I'm at full power yet," Eddie said. "I'm fucking hungry."
"Yeah, okay, we get out of here, and we can find something to eat," Steve said.
"Just a moment," Eddie yawned.
He pulled Steve closer to him and nuzzled his neck. Eddie pressed his lips there, peppering his soft skin with tiny kisses. Steve sighed for a moment and leaned into it. He rolled over onto his side to face Eddie.
"Why are you going through all this trouble? I mean, I know you care about me, but we barely started whatever this is, and you're nearly killing yourself to help me," he said.
"I don't know. . .I mean, I guess it's because of the assumptions I made about you but also because I would give anything. . .chase any lead that gives me any hope that my mama's alive and looking for me. She's not, though. She's been dead for a long time. I can't do it for myself, but I can do it for you," Eddie replied.
Steve wrapped his arm around him, pulled him closer, and kissed him deeply. He poured every ounce of affection he had for the man into that kiss. He broke away and leaned his forehead against his.
"Come on, let's see what the girls are up to," Steve said.
They wandered into the kitchen to find Nancy, Chrissy, and Robin leaning over a phone book.
"Eddie!" Chrissy exclaimed. "How are you doing?"
"Better once I get some food in me," Eddie said.
"Well, we were actually going to order something. I was thinking pizza. Laura never lets me have any," Chrissy said.
"Pizza sounds fucking awesome," Eddie exclaimed.
As they waited for the pizza to arrive, they sat in the living room to discuss their options. Eddie still needed to recharge and get some food in him before doing any sort of spells. In the meantime, they wait it out here and see if the person comes back. Steve was trying not to get his hopes up, but the closer they got to find his parent, the more hopeful he got. Robin leaned over the arm rest of the couch. Nancy, Chrissy, and Eddie were talking amongst themselves.
"You doing okay?" Robin asked.
"Trying to keep it all in, you know?" Steve said and paused. "I had a dream about my dad, about Bob. I think it was a memory. I couldn't see my other parent, but I know they were British, and Bob said I was made of stars like them. They have moles like me. . .what else did I get from them? Will I ever see them again? Do they know what happened to Bob?"
"I'm sure that you'll find your way back to each other," Robin said.
"That's what Dad said. . .that my stars would guide my way back to them," Steve said. "It was happening to so many fae children. . . They knew it was going to happen to them."
"You're going to find each other," Robin said softly.
Before Steve could say anything else, the doorbell rang. Nancy went to answer it but paused when they heard arguing coming from the other side. Steve shared a look with Nancy.
"Is that Jonathan?" Steve asked.
"I didn't even think about it," Nancy laughed quietly. "I ordered from Surfer Boy."
"Argyle! What are the odds that my ex-girlfriend is here in Lenora Hills while my current boyfriend is the one delivering her pizzas?" they heard Jonathan yell. "It is not the same Nancy Wheeler. She's still in Hawkins."
"Man, fate has a funny way of bringing people together!" Argyle laughed loudly.
Nancy covered her giggle with her hand and went to answer the door, but Chrissy stopped her. Chrissy pulled the front door open and grinned.
"Hi, I'm Nancy Wheeler," she laughed.
"Oh, shit, man, you were right," Argyle said.
"No. . .that's Chrissy Cunningham. She goes to Hawkins High," Jonathan said.
"Oh, what are the odds?" He asked, and Jonathan elbowed him in the side.
Nancy nudged Chrissy out of the way and appeared in the doorway.
"Nancy?!" Jonathan asked.
"Hey, Jonathan," Nancy said meekly.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"It's a long story," Nancy said. "And I'll tell you later, I promise."
Jonathan looked at her doubtfully and then looked at Argyle before sighing. He knew that something strange was up, but he couldn't say it in front of Argyle. He accepted their tip and dragged Argyle back to the yellow van, leaving them with their pizzas. Once they ate, Eddie took a nap, and when he awoke again, he started to work on doing the location spell again. Eddie looked down at the paper and made a disgruntled sound with his mouth.
"What?" Steve asked.
"It says Hawkins, but it doesn't give me an address. . .just a bunch of random letters and numbers. It's like someone doesn't want us to know. . .hm, maybe there's a spell preventing us from knowing," Eddie said.
"Well, people place runes on the fae children to prevent the parents from finding them. Maybe they put runes on their houses too," Chrissy said.
"Shit, maybe it's my house or rather the Harringtons," Steve scoffed.
"Well, the only thing left to do is to check it out," Eddie said. "I'll start preparing the spell to travel back to Hawkins."
"Eddie, are you sure you're well enough for that?" Steve asked.
Eddie smiled. He cupped Steve’s face and pressed a hard kiss to his lips before he leaned his forehead against his.
"I'm fine, big boy."
Once they were in Hawkins, Eddie once again vomited and collapsed. They were just outside of Steve’s house. Steve picked him up and carried him into the house. Eddie's eyes fluttered open, and he groaned as he tried to sit up.
"Eddie!" Steve exclaimed. "You should be resting."
"I don't want to miss this," Eddie said sleepily, wiping the blood from under his nose.
Before Steve could say anything else, they heard a figure coming from upstairs. Everyone downstairs tensed up, preparing for a fight. A woman entered the room. Her hair was long and carmel colored with warm golden highlights like Steve’s with moles scattered across her tan skin. She had Steve’s nose and his lips, but her eyes were a bright blue. Her flowered colored dress was as blue as her eyes.
"You're my mom," Steve gasped.
"Today, anyway," she smiled Steve’s smile.
Steve ran into her arms without even thinking. She hugged him tightly, sobbing. This felt right. . .her hug held more warmth than the hugs he received from the Harringtons, theirs being nothing more than cold detachment. His mother's hug felt like home. He could feel her now, too, in the back of his mind. There were so many emotions going through his head, and there was one question that was on his forefront of his mind. He pulled back, tears in his eyes.
"I don't even know your name," Steve said.
"Farran Kelley," she laughed, tears in her own eyes, and she tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "Oh, you have your father's eyes."
"Yours too," Steve grinned as he felt his eyes glow green.
Farran laughed as her eyes glowed green as well.
"Your father was a fairy too, you know," she chuckled, and her smile dropped. "He should be here. . ."
"I'm sorry. . .I was there. . . I mean, I didn't watch him die, but I was in the middle of all of it," Steve frowned.
"Well, we warned the humans for years about meddling with that world. . .if I had known you were in the middle of all of it. . .I missed so much," Farran said sadly. "You're so grown."
"There's so much left to teach me. I still don't know everything there is to know about being a fairy," Steve said.
"Oh, so many wonderful things," Farran said and cupped his face. "My sweet boy. . .however, did you get that rune removed?"
"That was me!" Eddie exclaimed, waving from his spot on the couch.
Farran peered around Steve with a grin. Steve moved beside Eddie, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Mom, this is - "
"Eddie, my God, you've grown so much!" Farran said delightfully. "I haven't seen you since you were an ankle biter."
"You know me!" Eddie exclaimed.
"I was mates with your mum," Farran said.
"You were at her funeral!" He realized. "If you were friends with my mom, then why would my dad. . .I know he's an asshole. . ."
"So, you figured out that he was the one who kidnapped my son?" She asked.
"Well, I had to remove the rune that was on his back, and I had to be blood related, so. . .and kidnapping fae children is the kind of shit my dad would do," Eddie scowled.
He sat all the way up, and Farran sat down next to him.
"Your father loved your mother very much. She was the only person in the world who could make him cut all his bullshit but even though he loved her. . .he still didn't treat her very well. He left her all the time, and I was there for her when she had all those miscarriages. She had complications when she gave birth to you, and after that, it was harder to get pregnant. I did what I could being a fae healer, but not even magic has the answers to everything. It's something your father could never understand. Lizzie and I became close when she got to town. I was there when Al refused to be. That's what really drove him mad. He couldn't forgive himself for it. When I became pregnant, Lizzie became so excited. She hoped our children would be friends. A few months after we had you, Steve was taken from us. I didn't believe it at the time that Al had anything to do with, but his jealousy had been too obvious over the years. He always thought there was something between Lizzie and I, but she had become enamored with someone else. Even though Bobby and I split up, my heart always belonged to him," Farran said.
"My father's a dick," Eddie spat, and then his furious face fell. "Is there anything redeemable about my dad?"
"There's a part of me that still hopes that his love for Lizzie, for you, and Wayne will wake him up, but the rational part of me knows that will probably never happen. You know that you look like him, but I always knew that you got your heart from your mother even when you were a child," Farran said. "It's not wrong to hope that your father might do the right thing by you or the right thing, period."
"It's a small world, isn't it? You were best friends with my mother, and now I'm dating your son," Eddie laughed, and then he slapped a hand over his mouth. "I've gotten a little too comfortable."
"It's alright," Steve grinned.
"Oh! That's wonderful," Farran gasped. "Oh, Lizzie would be so happy!"
"Don't get too excited, mom. It's only been - wait, what day is it?" Steve asked and paused. "Eddie's only recently found out he's a witch, but he's the reason we found each other at all. He's exhausted himself so much to do it."
"Definitely Elizabeth's son," Farran said fondly. "Oh, sweetheart, you look exhausted. We should probably get back to my house. Steve, we should probably get you back to our house."
"We have a house?" Steve asked.
"Well, your father's family home. It's nestled out in the woods," Farran said. "You and your friends are more than welcome to come with us."
"OH! Mom, these are my friends. Well, Nancy's my ex-girlfriend, but now she's one of my best friends," Steve said, and Nancy smiled softly at him. "This is Chrissy. She's also a kidnapped fae child."
"If you don't mind, how did you know Steve’s name?" Nancy asked. "Didn't he have a different one?"
"No, Steve is the name we gave him. It was my father's. I guess the Harringtons were too lazy to change it," she replied, scowling.
"Oh! And this is my best friend in the whole world, my platonic soulmate, Robin Buckley," Steve grinned.
"Hi, Steve’s mom!" Robin exclaimed, hitting his chest. "I told you would find each other, dingus!"
Farran laughed and hugged her tightly.
"So, we're going to your house then?" Eddie asked.
"Steve, is there anything that you want to bring?" Farran asked.
"Oh, I've been wanting to leave for a while now. What I need is already packed," Steve grinned and ran up the stairs.
He came back downstairs with his hands carrying two large suitcases. He had the largest grin on his face. Farran helped Eddie up while Chrissy did the same on his other side as Farran promised Chrissy that she would teach her all about being a fae.
"How are we getting there?" Eddie asked.
"By car," Farran said. "Why? Did you think I had a carriage being pulled by unicorns?"
"Well, now I don't," Eddie scoffed, looking disappointed.
"Unicorns live in Scotland," Farran replied with a laugh. "And are a protected species."
"They're real," Eddie gasped with delight.
Steve laughed as he followed them to the front door. He walked out the front door with them, leaving the name Harrington behind. The name Newby-Kelley slid back into place. He was going home.
Months later. . .After the spring break from hell. . .
Steve stumbled through the trees, clutching his sides. Despite all the medicines Farran used on his son, the bites still hurt.
"It's just up ahead," Steve said.
"So, why did you move?" Hopper asked.
"It's my family home," Steve said.
"Figures John Harrington has more than one home in Hawkins," Hopper snorted.
"John Harrington isn't my father," he sighed. "He never was. Him and his wife hired someone to kidnap me. This is my real family home."
"Jesus," Joyce said.
"It's okay. I found my parents. I mean, my father is dead, but my other father, who is also sometimes my mother, is very much alive and is waiting for us," Steve said.
"I'm lost," Hopper said.
"No, it's just up ahead," he replied.
"That's not what I - "
It was a spacious four bedroom cottage type house in the woods with a stone pathway leading up the front door. Vines covered the house, sealing over every opening as though they were protecting it. There were vines sprouting around the house like a bubble as well. Steve approached the vines, and his eyes glowed green. The vines moved to create a doorway for them.
"What the hell?" Jonathan asked. "Hey, does this have anything to do with you guys being in Lenora a few months ago?"
"You were in Lenora?" Joyce asked.
"We were tracking down my father," Steve said. "We had to come back to Hawkins, though, because he had been tracking me too and tracked my last location to the Harringtons. He was my mother then."
"I'm lost again," Hopper said.
"Man, we're here," Steve said. "How are you getting lost? You're right behind me."
Hopper sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Joyce laughed and patted his arm.
"I think he doesn't understand about your parent being both your mother and your father," Joyce said.
"Oh! Some faes can change their gender if they wish. Today, Farran Kelley is a man," Steve said. "He's been my father the last few weeks."
"Faes. . .as in fairies?" Will asked.
"Oh, yeah, I'm not human," Steve grinned. "Let's get inside, and we can talk about this."
They went inside the brick house where they were led into an open space living room and kitchen. On the other end of the house was a fireplace where a cool, blue fire crackled. The walls were lined with shelves, and the shelves were stuffed with books. Pictures hung on the walls very neatly. Sitting on the couch in front of the fire was Nancy. Robin and Vickie sat on either side of her, rubbing her back as she cried. Steve felt his chest tighten painfully. Mike pushed his way through the group and ran towards his sister. Farran came down the stairs with Dustin. It always startled Steve to see how much Farran looked like him as a man. It was a good thing, though.
"Holy shit, is that a picture of Bob?" Jonathan said as he glanced at a picture on the wall.
"It is," Joyce said. "Why do you have a picture of Bob?"
"He was my husband," Farran said. "And this was his family home."
"Bob never said he was married," Joyce said, frowning.
"Divorced. We split after Steve was taken from us," Farran said.
"Steve is Bob's son?!" Will asked.
"He never said. . . ," Joyce trailed off. "Actually, he said he didn't have kids he was aware of."
"Steve was kidnapped and hidden from us by wiccan magic. We searched for years, and then Bob stayed here, waiting for him to come home, never knowing he was right in front of us," Farran said softly.
"He does have Bob's eyes," she said as she smiled at the both of them.
"I'm glad Bobby had love in his life before he died," Farran said, patting her hand.
"Okay, tell us everything from the beginning," Hopper sighed.
Farran shared a look with his son before launching into the story.
". . . And we did everything we could, but Vecna overpowered us," Farran said.
"Eddie. . .," Steve choked. "He and Chrissy. . .they died."
Suddenly, everything was hurting. Eddie wouldn't be here anymore. Steve wouldn't wake up next to him. . .no more dinners with Farran, Wayne, and Eddie. It would he a somber affair now with a piece of their family missing. No Chrissy coming in with Nancy to join them. No more double dating with Nancy and Chrissy. No double wedding under fae law. They were supposed to travel to Saoradh, the hidden land of the fae, this summer. Not to get married yet (that was far off) but to view the beautiful land and all it had to offer. Chrissy and Steve were supposed to learn more about their magic, their ancestors. Now, Chrissy was gone, and so was Eddie. Eddie.
"I'm so sorry," Joyce said softly.
Steve glanced at Nancy, who was hugging Jonathan tightly. Argyle stood somberly off to the side. Nancy pulled away and shared a glance with Steve. They moved towards each other. Nancy threw her arm around Steve, still crying. Steve sniffled and wrapped his arms around Nancy. What was going to happen now?
"I am here now," El said. "And I am stronger than ever. I believe together we can destroy Henry."
Meanwhile, in the Upside Down. . .
A figure jumped down into the gate from the Munsons' trailer. The hooded figure moved outside and glanced at the red sky filled with lightning. He pulled the hood down. Al Munson moved through the Upside Down, not stopping until he came to his son's body. He fell to his knees and placed his hands on Eddie's cold forehead.
"I've fucked up, son. I've done everything wrong, and I let my anger get the best of me. I wasn't there for your mom, not the way I should have, and I spent so much time blaming other people. You shouldn't have had to pay for my mistakes. There's one thing that I did right, and that was bringing you into this world with your mom. There's one other thing that I could do, and that's bringing you back. . . I still have time. It's going to take everything that I've got," Al said. "I love you."
Al cut up his son's shirt and began painting runes on his chest. Al took off his shirt before painting the same rune on his chest. He opened his spellbook and began chanting. Al felt his lifeforce begin to flow out of him, purple light floating from his chest. With the spell, Al told it where to go. The light began to pour into Eddie's rune. The last bit of light escaped Al's body and went into his son's. He collapsed on the ground, and as he took his last breath, Eddie gasped for his. Eddie awoke, clutching his chest. Shit, didn't the bats eat him alive? There were no wounds. . .only purple scars. Eddie turned his head to find his father's lifeless eyes staring back at him.
"Dad?" Eddie asked and knelt over him. "Dad?!"
Eddie sobbed. He already knew what Al did for him. . .but why? Why?! Eddie hated him for so many reasons, but now he was grateful to him. It was twice now that this man gave him life. Eddie sat up and took his dad's hand only to discover there was a note in his palm.
"I know sorry isn't going to be enough for how much I fucked up. I let you down so many times. Let Lizzie down. If you've discovered what I've done. . .no apology is ever going to be good enough to make up for what I did to those kids. On this paper, there is a list of names. Kids I sold, witches who have also sold kids. . Do with it what you will. You're already a better man than I am. . .I love you, kid. I know wherever your mom is. She's proud of you. Your story isn't over yet."
A couple of hours later. . .
Everyone stood their ground in the woods. Steve was fighting off the demogorgons and the demobats. His father was fighting beside him. Red lightning flashed over head. Steve held his nailbat, his eyes glowing green as emerald flames erupted around his bat. He swung the bat and hit a demogorgon. It whimpered as it hit the tree and exploded into green flames. More demogorgons came out from the trees, ready to pounce. The party was surrounded. The demogorgons launched themselves into the air.
"ENOUGH!" Henry's voice rang out.
They all heard him but they couldn't see him. The demogorgons paused, standing before them and waiting for their next orders. Steve scanned the treelines for any sign of the bastard. Silence fell as the party gathered together in a circle, back to back. Dustin was one side of him while Farran was on the other. Suddenly, they heard footsteps move closer, the snapping of branches echoing throughout the forest. She appeared, her eyes red and her smile menacing.
"Chrissy," Nancy gasped.
Fred followed after her, then came Patrick, and finally, Max.
"Max," Lucas gasped and moved to get to her, but Nancy grabbed his arm.
"Let me introduce you to my wonderful puppets. . .why would I kill them when I can use them for their power? Oh, I would have gotten to you too, Steve. . .if it hadn't been for Eddie. . .I had to do away with him - "
Suddenly, Henry was cut off by the sound of music. . .specifically the strumming of a guitar. Purple smoke, flashing with light, started to spill through the trees.
"What the fuck?" Will asked.
The purple smoke surrounded Chrissy, Fred, Patrick, and Max. Amongst the smoke, their eyes turned a bright, furious green. The smoke swirled around the bats and the demogorgons as well.
"NO! NO! NO!" Henry screamed as he appeared through the smoke. "WHAT IS THIS?!"
A shadowy figure appeared and started moving towards them. The music got louder and louder until a person appeared carrying a guitar covered in runes. Steve grinned at the familiar guitar and at the ring covered hands playing them. He recognized those hands. He came out of the smoke like a god, his eyes a furious purple and his grin feral. He was shirtless and covered in runes.
"Eddie," Steve gasped.
Eddie grinned and began to sing his spells. He was an angel and devil. Both menacing and beautiful. Steve was ready to get down on his knees for Eddie right then and there. The demogorgons and the demobats turned on Henry. Chrissy, Fred, Patrick, and Max all turned on him as well.
"NO! YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE MINE!" Henry screamed.
"We belong to no one," Chrissy said.
Her hands lit up with green flames. She Fred's then Fred took Patrick's, and then Patrick took Max's. All their hands glowed with a bright green flame, and they shot out at Henry. The green flames encircled him, and he screamed as they began licking at him, burning his flesh. The demogorgons growled and dove into the flames along with the demobats. They all began tearing at his flesh, not caring that they were dying in the process. They all watched the flames until everything died out. Henry Creel was dead. The purple smoke was gone now, and the skies had cleared. Lucas rushed to Max immediately, hugging her tightly. Max crashed her lips to his. Nancy ran to Chrissy and immediately jumped into her arms, wrapping her legs around her waist. She kissed Chrissy deeply, shaking with sobs. Chrissy gripped Nancy's thigh and pressed her up against a tree to steady her. Steve stood and stared at Eddie in shock. The runes disappeared from him and his guitar. Eddie gave his guitar to Dustin.
"I'm real, big boy," Eddie said softly.
Steve let out a sob, and Eddie pulled him close. He dipped Steve and kissed him. Unable to keep their balance, Steve and Eddie stumbled to the ground.
"Well, hell, is anyone going to kiss us?" Patrick asked.
"We could kiss each other," Fred joked.
Patrick stared at him, and the smile slipped off of Fred's face. Patrick grinned as he looked him up and down.
"Yeah, okay, you're cute," Patrick said.
"What?! I mean. . .yeah!"
FIVE YEARS LATER. . .Saoradh. . .
Steve couldn't believe he was here, standing in his homeland with Chrissy, Eddie, and Nancy. Robin brought Vickie as well. All of their family and friends were there, including all of the fae children they had saved over the years. It had taken Eddie, Steve, Chrissy, and Nancy traveling in a cramped RV all over the country to find them all. Eddie hadn't been able to use his magic all the time. He was still amazed every time they came here. Steve gazed at the purple and pink sky, sighing happily. This is it.
"You nervous?" Robin's voice asked.
"Not at all," Steve grinned.
"He's totally nervous," Dustin said.
He pulled his head from the window and back into the small wooden building. He turned towards Robin and Dustin, glaring playfully.
"I'm ready for this," Steve said and tucked his hair behind his ears.
He clipped the fairy wings to his ears and checked his makeup in the mirror one last time. It had been centuries since the fae had lost their wings, but they still made sure to remember they once had them. Steve adjusted his yellow suit. It had been tough choosing between the suit and the fairy wedding robes, especially since the robe had lovely flowing sleeves. Steve chose the suit because his ass looked great in the pants, and he loved to see Eddie drool. Steve was more than willing to wear the jewelry, and if he knew Eddie, which he did, he had chosen the long flowing robes. Farran popped her head in, wearing fairy robes with glittering and moving flowers. Her carmel hair was piled on top of her head, with strands of hair framing her face.
"Oh, you look so beautiful, my love," Farran gasped.
"Thanks, Mama," Steve grinned. "You look beautiful too."
"Oh, I can't believe this is happening. Bobby and Lizzie should be here to see this," Farran said tearfully.
"In a way, I think they are," Steve grinned. "I feel them."
Farran patted his cheek and pulled him down to kiss his forehead.
"Are you ready?" She asked.
"Yeah."
Farran took his arm and led him outside. Dustin ran ahead to stand beside Eddie as his best man. Robin took Steve’s other arm.
"Hey, you're supposed to be my best man," Steve said in amusement.
"I've decided to give you away as well," Robin said. "I feel like it's my right as your platonic soulmate."
Farran and Steve laughed. Farran and Robin led Steve towards a cluster of trees. The tree branches moved aside, opening up to a large clearing where a lot of people were gathered. Eddie was up there already, Wayne crying and trying to get him to settle down. He adjusted Eddie's red, long flowing robes before stepping aside. Dustin was grinning with tears in his eyes. There was a large space next to them where Fred was standing up as Nancy's best man, and Patrick was standing up as Chrissy's. The music had already started. Nancy appeared first in her pastel blue suit, and her wild curls set loose. Ted and Karen stood on either side of her, crying. Steve watched as they led her down the aisle, and he laughed when Eddie high fived her before she got in place.
Next came Chrissy in her pink pastel suit, and her strawberry blonde hair loose around her shoulders. Argyle was happily giving her away, laughing when Eddie high fived her too. Finally, Steve was next. Farran and Robin guided him down the aisle where Eddie was waiting for him. With tears in his eyes, Steve couldn't help but think about how all of this started. Eddie had been in robes then, too, clueless about the unknown. He had guided Steve home, led him to discovering the truth about himself, and in the process, they had done so much good. It doesn't matter where you were, really, the people who were the most important to you, they were what made a house a home. As Steve walked towards Eddie, he had the same feelings as he did the day he met Nancy, the day Dustin came into his life, the same emotions swirling around him when he became friends with Robin and it was like when he hugged his mom for the first time since he was a baby. The truth of the matter. . .is that coming home happens more than once, and Steve was lucky to get so many.
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