#with eddie slowly confronting jonathan for not being there for steve

[sp0o0kylights]

Today's Stranger Things idea that will go nowhere:

Instead of soulmarks, the majority of the population has two marks on the backs of their hands: a Protector mark, and a Ward mark--and your matches are almost always people your own age.

The Protector mark will show who in life is the person that will "protect" you in whatever form is needed--people will say it's literal, you are physically meant to protect your ward, but really it manifests more as you being their confident, their safe person, the lighthouse in a storm, the home they can always return to. You understand them.

Counter to it, the Ward mark shows who *you're* supposed to protect. Who *you* understand, on a fundamental level.

Its very 'circle of life' with one side of society widely leaning into "everything is balanced" and the other side hammering increasingly ridiculous rigid standards of meaning into something not well understood yet from a scientifical standpoint.

Knight imagery is very popular.

You find out who you're matched with the first time you touch. The marks light up, the world goes kinda bright, poets describe the feeling as euphoric but your English teacher described it as getting mildly electrocuted.

Steve met his Protector for the first time when Jonathan Byers punched him in the face.

He met his Ward when Eddie Munson slammed him up against a boat house and shoved a broken bottle against his neck.

There is so much angst, hurt/comfort, misunderstanding, emo teenage boy feelings potential in that scenario I am practically vibrating with it

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Things that lurk Chapter 4

Julie has a confrontation with Jonathan, Steve, Tommy and Carol. Julie tutors Eddie in History. Julie and Jonathan have a movie night.

Series Masterlist

November 9, 1983

Julie hummed to herself softly to herself, as her Walkman played her favourite song. Wham. She adored George Michael and had a poster of him in her bedroom.

Her smile slowly grew as she took in the music coming from her headphones.

Nothing was better than music.

Nancy came running up to her.

‘Hey Nancy. You okay?’ She looked worried and flustered.

‘Hey, have you-‘ Nancy swallowed. ‘Have you seen Barb?’

‘Umm, no. No, not yet. I’ve just arrived.’ Julie frowned concerned. ‘Are you okay?’

Nancy mumbled distractingly ‘yeah, yeah.’

Julie opened her mouth to reply but Nancy walked off the school’s public telephone.

Julie stared at the back of her for a moment, before shaking her head, and moving forward to the school’s entrance.

Moving towards her own locker, she noticed Nancy standing at her locker, looking forlorn.

Briefly walking towards her, Julie stopped in her tracks when she noticed Steve strolling towards Nancy.

Steve and Nancy spoke in hushed terms, before kissing softly. Julie smiled softly before turning away, a small tear rolling down her cheek. Brushing it away, she continued on with her day.

Jonathan and Julie were walking to his car, and chatting quietly to themselves. Julie was telling Jonathan about how she was helping Eddie Munson with history tutoring this evening, when she spotted Carol, Tommy and Steve sitting on Jonathan’s car.

She gently reached out to Jonathan’s arm, alerting him to the issue in front of them.

Steve noticed them, and slid off Jonathan’s hood.

‘Hey man.’

Jonathan froze, making eye contact with Steve.

‘Umm, what’s going on?’ Julie’s voice broke the silence. She frowned confused.

Brown met Blue. Steve’s eyes made contact with hers, and something flashed briefly in them.

‘Nicole was telling us about your work. We’d love to take a look, you know, as coercers of art.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Jonathan brushed past Steve and Tommy, causing the latter to grab his bag.

‘Please give me my bag back.’ Jonathan pleaded, his bag being thrown to Steve.

‘Steve. Leave him alone.’ Julie’s voice snapped sharply, defending her friend.

Steve pulled a cluster of photos.

‘Well, look what we have here.’ Steve flicked through the photos, his minions leaning over to peek at them.

‘What the hell!’ Julie heard Tommy exclaim.

‘I was looking for my brother.’ Jonathan reasoned.

‘No, no, this is called stalking.’ Steve accused.

Nancy appeared, looking between Jonathan, Julie, Steve and Carol, curiously. ‘What’s going on?’

Carol smirked ‘well, look who it is!’ She taunted. ‘the star of the show’

‘What?’ Nancy whispered, glancing around at the group of people.

‘the pervert was having a photoshoot of us last night.’ Carol explained, handing Nancy a photo.

‘He’s not a pervert. And you’re just a bully.’ Julie spat. Carol just smirked.

Nancy stared at the photo for a moment, quietly, before lifting her glaze to meet Jonathan’s eyes.

They stared at each other for a long period, before Nancy broke eye contact.

Steve took the photo from Nancy, and simply stepped towards Jonathan.

Steve tore up the photos, releasing them, and they sprinkled to the pavement, like confetti.

Julie noticed Steve had Jonathan’s camera in his hand, and she knew it would end badly.

She glared at Steve, coldly, staring him out.

‘Stop it Steve.’ Julie took a few steps forward towards him, before Tommy blocked her path.

his arms came around her like snakes on a tree, tight and unrelenting.

‘Ugh. Let me go, jerk.’

Tommy’s cruel laugh echoed in her eye. Julie shut her eyes tightly, reared her head back, and head butted Tommy hard.

He jerked back, clutching his nose, his eyes flaring with anger.

‘You bitch’ Tommy seethed, grasping Julie’s arms tightly. Julie winced in pain.

‘Let her go.’

‘Tommy. Stop it.’

Both Jonathan and Steve spoke at the same time.

Tommy smirked, ‘okay.’ and shoves Julie down.

She stumbles, before catching herself, straightening up.

Jonathan rushes forward, and checks on her.

‘Of course. You okay?.’ Jonathan replied.

‘Yeah.’ Julie smiled at her friend.

‘Dude, what the hell?’

‘What?!’ Tommy exclaimed.

Steve ignored him as he turned to Julie and Jonathan, Jonathan’s camera in his hand.

‘No. No. No, not my camera please.’ Jonathan implored.

‘Steve. Stop it. What is wrong with you? This isn’t you.’ Julie, staggered forward, her eyes meeting Steve’s.

Steve didn’t say a word, letting his hand drop, and Jonathan’s camera fell.

Smash.

Julie winced.

Jonathan fell to his knees in pure despair. An entire four months of wages went on his camera, and he was surrounded by its fragments. It’s a representation of how losing Will has shattered him, and how he feels so broken like the pieces of the camera lens. He’s lost all hope.

He barely noticed Julie laying a hand on his back, in support.

Nancy bent down to examine some of the photographic evidence, spotting Barb in one of them.

‘Nancy, are you okay?’ Julie asked, moving closer to the girl.

She nodded briefly, before Steve called her to come.

Nancy glanced at both Julie and Jonathan, before shoving the torn up pieces into her bag, and walked away.

Julie sighed softly, turning to Jonathan.

‘Are you okay?’

‘I’ll be okay.’ Jonathan replied.

‘You sure? Do you want me to come with you?’

‘No. No, I’ll be okay.’

Julie didn’t believe him, but nodded anyway.

She’ll check in on him later.

Right now, she needed to head to the Forest Hills trailer park to help Eddie.

Julie squeezed Jonathan’s shoulder, showing her silent support, before moving towards her bike.

10 minutes went by, and she spotted the welcome to Forest Hills Trailer Park sign in front of her.

She parked her bike up against the side of Eddie’s trailer and moved up the steps to his house.

She knocked gently, and heard muffled voices coming from inside.

A middle aged man, with greying hair, pulled the door open.

‘hi; I’m Julie, a school friend of Eddie’s and I’m here to help him with some schoolwork.’ Julie held out her hand, and the man shook it.

‘I’m Wayne, Eddie’s uncle.’ Wayne spoke, moving to one side, and gestures for Julie to enter.

‘Nice to meet you Wayne.’

‘Julie, you’re here.’ Eddie’s voice came from behind her.

‘hi.’ Julie smiled.

‘welcome to my humble abode. Ignore the mess, the maid took the week off.’

Wayne laughed, before gathering his keys and coat.

‘I’m off to work now, but I’ll be back later. It was nice to meet you Julie.’

‘You too, Mr Munson.’

Wayne smiled at Julie, before exiting his home.

‘Okay, shall we get started?’ Julie asked, holding out her history books.

Time passed quickly at Eddie’s, and they arranged another tutoring session next week.

Eddie offered to give Julie a ride home, and she really appreciated that, because she had a surprise for Jonathan planned.

Julie asked if Eddie could drop her off the Family Video in town briefly, before continuing on her the Byers house.

Once Julie had gathered all the necessary essentials, Eddie dropped her off at Jonathan’s.

‘See you later Eddie’ Julie called, as she exited his van.

Eddie sped off and beeped in response.

She smiled and waved, before entering the Byers porch.

Her arms were filled with snacks, drinks and plenty of movie options; everything you need for a perfect movie night.

She knocked on the door.

A frantic and frazzled Joyce opened the door.

‘Will?’

‘Um, hi Mrs Byers. Is Jonathan in?’

‘Julie, hey, it’s you.’ Joyce replied. ‘Yeah, Jonathan is in his room. Come on in’

‘Thanks.’ Julie stepped into the Byers house.

Julie noticed many Christmas lights hung up around the ceiling, but didn’t mention it to Joyce out of compassion.

‘Where’s Jonathan’s room?’

‘Down the hall. Second door on the right’

‘Thanks Joyce.’

Julie wandered down the corridor, reaching Jon’s door.

She was about to knock, when she heard something that saddened her.

Crying. Jonathan was crying.

Her heart hurt for him, and as she raised her fist to knock, she wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes.

She knocked.

She heard Jonathan clear his throat, and get up from his bed.

The door swung open. And there was Jon. His eyes puffy and red. His headphones wrapped around his neck. His eyes haunted.

‘Julie.’ He said surprisingly.

‘hey, so I was just worried about you, and well, I was thinking we have a movie night?’ Julie held up her resources, smiling.

‘oh, yeah, that sounds great.’ Jonathan smiled, deeply probably for the first time since Will went missing.

‘Okay, cmon then’ Julie hooked her arm around Jon’s, and pulled him out of his room.

‘So, as you’ve had a lot on your mind, you get to choose the movie tonight’ Julie grinned, pulling out her stack of movie options, and handing them to Jon.

Jonathan browsed through them, as Julie turned to Joyce.

‘Mrs Byers, do you want to join us? It might be the distraction you need.’

‘That’s a lovely suggestion, thank you Julie.’

Jonathan had chosen the movie ET, which released last year.

‘A classic. Good choice Jon’ Julie exclaimed, as she handed out the required movie snacks.

And as the three people snuggled down to watch the movie, Jonathan glanced around, and thought ‘I’m grateful for Julie Newby.’

Little did he know, Julie was thinking the same thing. ‘Jonathan Byers is so much better than people think.’

[rageagainsttheapathy]

MERLIN STRANGER THINGS STEDDIE AU

Prince Steve who starts off arrogant and prattish because of his strict father and asshole noble friends, but cares deeply for his people and wants more than anything to be a good ruler, who makes constant fun of Eddie as his new manservant but it gets fonder and fonder as time goes on and in the end can’t imagine living without him.

Newly arrived warlock Eddie who was born with magic and gets sent to live with his Uncle Wayne in Camelot in the hopes that he can learn to control his gifts and find his place away from the small village he grew up in, only to end up in the service of the Worst Man Ever ™️ who is loud and demanding and privileged and… strong, and kind of caring, he guesses, and also protected him that one time and tries to cheer him up in this really emotionally stunted but genuine kind of way and - no he does not like him!

Lady Nancy, the King’s ward who is furious at the injustice she sees throughout the kingdom, who champions druids and magic users and isn’t afraid to confront Steve about his worst tendencies. (No Evil! Nancy in this au - she has an arc that involves her stepping close to vengeance, because she’s tired of being nice and wants so badly to go apeshit, but in the end is saved from that path by the power of friendship and this Big Sword she found) she ends up advisor to the throne once King Jackass finally dies, and forces Steve to promote Robin to the same position, even though Steve planned to do exactly that anyway, that’s his Best Friend, Nancy, what do you take him for?

Maidservant Robin who becomes fast friends with Eddie when he first arrives, who is fiercely loyal to Lady Nancy and constantly annoyed with Steve - right up until they start spending time together and save each other’s lives and there’s a brief moment when Steve thinks that he’s in love with her because she’s pretty and clever and isn’t afraid to yell at him but they very quickly realise that they’re better as friends, not least because Robin is totally in love with Nancy.

Jonathan as a knight, who appears and saves the day and also kicks Steve’s ass on the training field, who protects Eddie when he finds out his secret and then goes off to do his ‘lone wolf’ thing à là Lancelot

Argyle as a Druid who hangs around outside Camelot and gives cryptic but helpful advice and also takes in wounded travellers and nurses them back to health (cough, Jonathan, cough) who later helps Eddie to accept the hard parts of being destined for something.

All the kids are there too, of course, but I haven’t decided what I want them to be and Hopper should be a Leon-Esque figure who starts of a distant and stoic knight of the Old Guard but slowly becomes closer to the main group, acting as a father figure and also occasionally going Beserker mode in battle because why not

Joyce gets to be a whole new character! Because there is a tragic lack of women in Merlin canon who show up for more than one episode. Something something convoluted side plot in which she shows up in Camelot looking for her missing eldest son who ran away to be a knight, cue Steve sending Hopper, his most mature and loyal knight to accompany her on her quest, during which they encounter multiple obstacles, engage in Shenanigans, and fall in love, much to the horror of Jonathan who has to watch them kissing after they slay the Generic Magical Beast of the week

[sophie0197]

For the collective sanity of everyone, here are my ideas for season 5 :

- max is alive, recovers from her broken bones, learns to walk again and is still left blind but that makes her cared for and loved and nurtured and she matters to everyone, meanwhile she can still kick ass. She is the Toph of the gang.

- lumax date at the theater and Lucas describes scenes where they don't talk in the movie to help her follow it, bonus they are loud and annoying everyone at the theater and laugh about it together

- Dustin is now leader of the hellfire club, will and Lucas joined, they spend a lot of time together and become very close friends again. Dustin talks about Eddie "the freak" all the time to will and how awesome he was a'd the love they shared, Lucas also talks about his struggles with max being in a coma and disabled and his love for her, and will ends up feeling safe enough to come out to them and they are the first to know outside his family. Possibly they could know also he likes mike but that's a stretch. And they'd keep it a secret for him the way Steve does with Robin.

- Mike and eleven have a fallout, fight often bc they can't communicate to each other, they struggle but eventually manage to discuss it openly to each other and decide to end their relationship on good terms because they love each other platonically. They recognize the codependency they were having, mike having self worth insecurities and El thinking she has worth only as a superhero. They hug a lot and it's important to notice that they do love each other deeply, but it's about platonic love and it's very important to value it.

- Mike mentions the painting to El. El reveals to him she never commissioned or saw any of will's art. He's shocked and realizes will made that painting for him and meant all the things he said as his own feelings and it hits mike so hard he falls in love.

- Joyce and hopper wedding. Shenanigans with Murray. The byers/hopper family moved in the cabin in the woods and they expanded it together so everyone fits under that roof.

- hopper becomes a dad to will. Teaches him how to work hard for himself no matter what life throws at him, to gain confidence, and to not be lazy and escaping in games and conforts like hopper used to be. Will gets ripped by chopping wood with hopper and expanding the house litterally it's their dynamic. Hopper learns to draw with will too why not.

- hopper also being a dad to El and Jonathan, he is just this kind more patient being and Jonathan is happy and feels at home in this place. Hopper helps him get rid of the addiction to drugs. With El, they go hunt for food together in the woods. Hopper doesn't fully understand El's powers but tries to train her anyway for the battles to come. He is patient and nurturing which improves her abilities somehow. El's powers shifting from a place of anguish and trauma to developing in a supportive and loving home would be good. Think of zuko's firebending type of growth.

- Nancy chooses neither Steve nor Jonathan, she leaves Jonathan and goes on to follow her career dreams and is a girlboss. Jonathan is relieved they finally talk openly to each other too and break up on good terms and this would directly parallel Mike and eleven breaking up by finally opening up and communicating.

- Will gets to hang out regularly with Mike, learns he broke up with El, he stays very polite but we all know this teenager would jump around like a maniac the moment Mike's gone. Let him be happy lmao

- Will and Mike slowly talk more openly to each other about all kinds of stuff. About growing older and wiser mostly. The hints at mike being more and more into will as they grow closer again multiply. The climax hits when he learns about the painting. Suddenly it all make sense to him, will was always the one to give him the love he wanted.

- before he gets to confront will about this, will is in danger again. Becomes a puppet again and the group unites to save will back. It goes full circle. Evil will moments, angst. He is shown nightmares about his homosexuality and has to overcome it.

- Mike's love for will saves him. Litterally they have a full on catradora moment near the end where their love is giving them strength to free will from vecna's grip. Will also has a moment of self love from that btw. Will's love for himself also saves him.

- El's love for every person in this show defeats the upside down. She does not die sacrificing herself because stop it with the unnecessary self sacrifice deaths it's annoying. Her survival despite everything thrown at her is powerful and important. She is a hero because she chooses to, not because it's her duty to the world and she's meant to die for it. She chooses, and everyone is helping her this time instead of watching in the back. Major scene where others are the ones saving her life in a critical moment instead.

- everyone rebuilds the town together. As much trauma as it left them, it was their true home and their community bond is bringing life back into it.

- Mike and Will rebuild castle byers and kiss there it's the only cliché I wanna see lmao.

- Steve has a wife and kids. He invites the party over to his home, each time they visit there is a new kid and they joke about it.

- the show ends in the new year's eve of 1989, they all celebrate together as it turns to 1990.

[strangerthingfanfic]

It's the end of summer 1984 and you wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep. You're still anxious about the move from the big city to the smallest city your parents could find on the map, Hawkins, Indiana.

Sitting against your pillows you wonder how they could do this to you just before starting your senior year of high school. You had to leave all your friends behind and hope you meet the criteria to graduate from Hawkins High.

The only upside is all the rumors that Hawkins is Hell on Earth and that makes it somewhat interesting.

Looking at the clock you realize its after midnight and you need some sleep for the first day of school. Closing your eyes you allow yourself to drift into a sleepless state.

Day 1: start of Term

Pulling into a empty parking space near the front of the school you put the car into park and just sit. Breathing in and out slowly you keep telling yourself it's going to be alright and there's nothing to worry about.

You are smart, funny and have always made friends easily so what could be any different about Hawkins High?

While giving yourself the pep talk of the century you didn't notice the blue Chevrolet Camaro pull in next to you.

You open your door to get out and hear a young voice say “ouch”. You look over and see a redheaded girl with a skateboard rubbing her ankle.

“Damn, I must have hit her with my door,” you think to yourself but before you have the chance to say anything a guy with eyes that radiated blue fire and perfect brown hair grabbed you by the collar and dragged you out of your car.

“Hey shit head, you hit my sister with your ugly ass car door, what are you going to do about it?” the guy said, causing the fire dancing in his eyes to flare brighter. Not being one for confrontation you just say “I'm sorry”. The guy just glared at you.

”Billy please it was an accident” the young girl said softly as she slid behind her brother. Billy looked back at the girl who nodded like they had a silent conversation and Billy put you down.

“I'm really am sorry. I wasn't looking, is she ok?” you ask worried due to the girl's reaction.

“Our dad was an abusive asshole so she gets nervous easily, especially at raised voices. My name is Billy and this is Max, what's yours?” Billy asked, wrapping his arm around Max protectively.

Amazed at his gentleness you almost miss the question. “Oh huh sorry my name is Y/N and I'm new here” you reply blushing slightly.

Billy smiles and your heart skips two beats.

“Hey sorry I went off but I am Max’s guardian and I worry a lot about her. Also we are new as well. We can help each other” Billy said, placing a free hand on yours.

Billy removed his hand and said “I will see you later Y/N I have to get Max to the middle school before my class starts” Billy says and the two of them head off.

As soon as they were out of sight, you looked down at the hand he was touching and told yourself that nothing will ever happen because he was pretty much the epitome of Male straightness plus no one could know you liked other men or things will go south, they always did.

The week goes by better than expected. You make a bunch of new friends including the King of Hawkins High, Steve Harrington, and his girlfriend Nancy Wheeler. Also, Jonathan Byers, Eddie Munson, Chrissy Cunningham, Robin Buckley, and Barbra or Barb Holland round out your small and comfortable friend list.

You barely saw him again though as you only had one class with him and he was always surrounded by the popular girls.

By the time Friday rolled around you had concluded that he was definitely the straight jock that didn't have any interest in you whatsoever which made seeing him every day seem like a jail sentence.

“Hey, Y/N how would you like to be my wingman to the Halloween party this weekend? I was going to go with Tommy but he got sick. I am going to take down Beer keg king Harrington” Billy said interrupting your train of thought and flashing that smile of his.

I could almost feel the jealousy manifesting from the popular girls. Worried it might make some people question your relationship with Billy you became reluctant to answer.

But when he placed his hand over yours purposefully, you relax and reply “Yeah, I will come”.

“Great, I will swing by and get you at 7pm,” Billy said just as the teacher came in and that was the end of that conversation.

As the teacher discussed the importance of math in the real world your mind went over the million different scenarios that this weekend could lead to, mostly horrible but some really nice.

You dare to look over at Billy and he flashes you that smile that makes you melt and all that worry fades away, well until after class at least.

[weirdspaceowl]

Everything hurts and I’m dying chapter 3

It was slow going. Steve wanted to avoid a second incident at all costs and thus walked very carefully. His attention partly on the ground and partially on Eddie. Every minute or so he would have to gently shake the trembling metalhead to make sure he was still conscious. It scared him how quiet and still he’d gotten. It was unnerving to say the least. Steve has seen Eddie fall out of a locker before that he had been in for hours, bruised and bleeding, all flailing limbs and attitude and bloody grins. Steve could not recall a moment when he had seen Eddie so outwardly exhausted and listless.

“Hey Eddie, you wanna hear about the time Jonathan Byers beat the shit out of me?”

Eddie slowly pulled his head away from Steve’s shoulder to look at him. “w-what?”

“Yeah man, beat the shit out of me. He was right to do so though.”

“I can vouch for that.” Nancy quipped.

Although Eddie didn’t say anything, he was still looking at Steve with large eyes, giving him his full, if a bit shaky, attention. Steve took that as a sign to start telling his story.

“I uh, I was with Nancy at the time and I thought she and Jonathan were seeing each other behind my back. They weren’t, but I had seen them together and I guess it made me insecure. I was a real asshole back then.”

Eddie hummed in acknowledgement at that and Steve gave him an offended look. “Hey! I get enough crap from Robin okay, I don’t need to hear it.”

Eddies lips stretched in a wobbly smile, but his eyelids started to droop again, head falling against Steve’s shoulder. Steve quickly continued his story, deliberately nudging his shoulder forward to jolt Eddies head, making sure he wasn’t falling asleep.

“So anyway, Tommy H. spray-painted the signs of the cinema saying that Nancy was a-…” He looked at Nancy who rolled her eyes.

“A slut Steve. It said I was a slut.”

“Yeah… as I said, I was a jerk. I just stood by while he did it. That’s when Jonathan and Nancy confronted me and I started picking a fight with him. Said some horrible things. Called him a slur.” Steve winced at the memory. “I wanted a fight. I was real arrogant about it too, totally thought I would win.” Steve looked down at Eddie, who was still looking at him with half lidded eyes and a small smile. Steve couldn’t help but smile too.

“So he punches me and I punch him back, but soon enough I’m on the floor and he’s just bashing my face in.”

“I tried to stop them, but they were too busy being Neanderthals to hear me.” Nancy chimed in.

“Right. And then the cops showed up.” Eddies tired eyes widened at the twist. “I booked it with Tommy H. and the others. I think Jonathan got arrested right?” Steve directed his question at Nancy.

“Yeah he did. I went with him. Hopper was not happy.”

“Figures. But you didn’t get in trouble right?”

“No, in the end they let us go. Considering the circumstances they took pity on us.”

“Man, I’m sorry I never asked about that before.”

“That’s okay, we had different things to worry about, right?”

“Right.” Steve looked down to check on Eddie and saw his eyes had slipped closed.

“Eddie? Eddie! Wake up man!” Eddie jolted awake and immediately grimaced heavily at the pain his movements caused. Despite the pain, his eyes almost immediately started to close again. Eddie was wheezing and fighting to stay awake, but he was slipping away fast. Steve could see the terror in Eddies eyes.

“s-steve.” He sounded so lost. “I’ve got you Eddie, come on. You can do it” Steve started to pick up his pace as he knew they had almost reached the road.

“i c´n´t-...” Eddie choked

“Yes you can Eddie. Yes you can. Just a little further.” Of course those were all empty words. Even if they reached the car with Eddie still clinging to consciousness, they would still have to drive somewhere safe and then patch Eddie up. There was no way he could stay awake for that long. But Steve had told himself that if he could just get Eddie set up comfortably in his car before he passed out, at least then he might get Eddie to settle without being so scared. Now Eddie was actively losing his grip on reality, terrified out of his mind, and all Steve could do was pick up his pace once again.

“sor-sorry.” Eddies eyes rolled to the back of his head and his head lolled against Steve’s shoulder.

“Nonononono. Eddie! Please wake up!” Steve helplessly looked to Nancy. “I don’t know what to do!”

Nancy ran over and pushed her fingers against Eddies throat, looking for a pulse. She sighed in relief. “It’s fast, but there. Let’s keep moving, we’re almost there.”

Steve nodded and continued walking. Eddie now completely limp in his arms. “Okay. Alright. A f-fast pulse is normal with blood-loss.” He panted while walking as fast as he could. Nancy nodded, but looked very worried as she bit her lip. They broke out of the treeline, frantically walking over to Steve’s car.

“Steve! What took you so long! Is he…?” So fast that Steve barely registered the movement Dustin was in front of him. Frantically checking his friend over, hands hovering over the unconscious metalhead, wanting to touch him, but afraid to do so.

“He’s alive Henderson, but we’ve gotta move.”

“Shit o-okay.” Robin was ready with her arms full with several blankets and balancing the first aid kit on top of it. Dustin basically ripped all of it out of her arms in favour of carrying it himself. Robin just looked at the scene with wide eyes.

“Oh my God is he okay? Of course he’s not. Stupid question. How much blood has he actually lost? I heard that when someone loses too much blood all their organs slowly stop working one by one because there’s no more blood coming to them, you know? Maybe one of us should give him some blood but I don’t even know what his blood type is. Omg! I don’t even know what MY blood type is! Do you think we can patch up his ribs if we just wrap them up with something? I don’t know how to do that so he can still breathe. Omg! Is he still breathing? Did anyone check? Does he have a pulse? Did you ch-“

“Robin!” Nancy got Robin to look at her. “Let’s… let’s just take this one step at a time okay?” Robin nodded sheepishly. “Sorry. I guess I’m just really worried.”

“It’s okay, I’m worried too." Nancy comforted. "I checked his pulse. It’s a bit fast. He is breathing, but not very well. He lost consciousness not even a minute ago.” As she recounted Eddies condition, Nancy’s eyes flicked over to Eddie, unsure of what to do. “I don’t know guys, maybe we should just take him to a hospital…”

“No. Everyone already assumes he’s a serial killer. He’ll be arrested or probably lynched by people who like an easy scapegoat.” Steve immediately interjected, only half-looking at Nancy, most of his focus still on the limp body in his arms and on Dustin who was nervously covering the backseat of Steve’s car with one of the blankets.

“But at least he’d get the medical attention he needs and he’d be protected by the police.” Robin said, anxiously biting her lip.

“Two cops really can’t stop an army of angry hillbilly’s.” Steve reasoned.

"But-"

“I’m not trusting anyone with Eddie except us. That’s final.” Dustin cut through their conversation. He glared at Nancy. “I’ll steal any supplies we might need from the hospital if that’s what it takes. I’m not gonna let anyone touch him. Not after what happened.” He looked close to tears.

Everyone fell silent. Steve pressed his lips together. There really was no arguing with Dustin, so he guessed the discussion was over. “I guess we’re going to my house then. Nobody’s home and I’ve got room, so it’s perfect.”

Steve gently lowered Eddie onto the backseat, laying him down flat on his back. He immediately thought better of it when Eddies breathing instantly became more strained. He climbed in and sat behind Eddie, pulling him into a sitting position against his chest.

“Nancy?” Steve asked. “Could- could you please drive?”

Nancy looked over and smiled at the sight of Steve with his arms full of Eddie. “Of course Steve.”

“I’ve got water, we can wash the cuts and wounds.” Dustin offered.

“Good thinking Henderson.” Steve looked a bit uncertain for a moment, feeling useless with a passed out teenager in his arms. “Uhm, can you maybe do it? I’m not going to be of much use.” He asked.

He really didn’t want to put this much on Dustin, but found he had little choice in the matter.

In any other situation Dustin would have made a joke about how helplessly out of his element Steve looked with a wounded boy in his arms who he barely knew. But there was nothing funny about any of it and if Dustin was completely honest, this caring side of Steve suited him just fine. Great even. Dustin didn’t waste time on words. He kneeled behind the driver’s seat so he could easily reach Eddie. He slowly started to peel back some of the blood saturated fabric of the once proudly worn hellfire shirt.

Steve looked over at Robin, who looked just as lost as he felt.

“Robin, help me with the blankets.” That snapped her out of her stupor. Robin ran over and started to tug blankets around Eddie’s lower half, leaving his chest exposed for Dustin to clean. Then she lifted Eddies legs and sat down, pulling his legs onto her lap.

“Let’s go Nance.” She said, absentmindedly rubbing Eddie’s shin with her hand while she frowned at his pale face.

“Got it.” Nancy nodded, and they were off. While they were driving Dustin cleaned the cut on Eddies arm with water and a cloth. It was deep, but the knife hadn’t hit a major artery and the bleeding had almost stopped completely. He tried not to remember the sound Eddie made when Jason used the knife on him for the first time, making the cut in his arm. In that moment that was the worst thing Dustin had ever had to witness, and then Jason had stabbed him and it got so much worse. Stop thinking about that, he's gonna be fine. Dustin tried to reassure himself.

When Dustin moved on to the cuts on Eddies chest, covered in so much blood he could barely tell where one started and the other ended, Eddie started to shift against Steve’s chest. Dustin immediately shot up and took Eddies face in his hands, trying to wake him up.

“Eddie! Eddie wake up. Wake up, man.” He got a soft groan in response. Robin joined in with the encouragements and carefully wiggled his leg.

“Come on Eddie, open those beautiful eyes. You can do it.”

Steve had started to run his hand through Eddies curls, softly prompting him to wake.

With a monumental effort, Eddies eyelids slowly lifted up, revealing tired and unfocused eyes. They immediately locked with Dustin’s, who smiled at him with tears in his eyes.

“Hey, we got you man. We’re in the car. You made it.”

Eddie blinked a couple of times and slowly seemed to gain some more awareness, his gaze trailed around the car. Taking everyone in and eventually focussing back on Dustin. He swallowed.

“d’stin” he slurred.

“Yeah Eddie. I’m here and I’m gonna help you get better.”

“a-are you ‘kay?”

“Yes, what kind of a question is that? You’re the self-sacrificing idiot here.”

“l-liar, you’re cryin’”

Dustin frowned and felt his cheeks. Eddie was right, there was a wetness there that he hadn’t noticed. Even exhausted as he was Eddie managed to convey so much concern in his eyes. Dustin sighed exasperatedly.

“I’m worried for you, alright? So just focus on getting better and I’ll be fine.”

As he was speaking Eddies eyes were already losing focus again, his eyelids drooping once more. Eddie made a frustrated noise and tried to blink his eyes back into focus. He was desperate to stay awake for Dustin. All he knew was that Dustin was worried for him and had wanted him to wake up. Now he was failing at that again and he could tell he was worrying the shit out of the poor kid. Eddie tried his best to muster a smile for him.

“d-didn’t run away this time, right?” He choked out.

Hearing that almost hurt Dustin more than having to hear Eddie scream.

“No, no you didn’t.”

“and-and you’re s-safe right i d’dn’t mess it u-up”

“I’m safe Eddie. I’m okay.”

Eddie sighed softly and closed his eyes again, giving up his fight to stay awake. Dustin furiously wiped his eyes. “Goddammit.” Robin reached over and rubbed his back.

“He’ll be okay, remember? Don’t worry.”

“But he still believes that he’s somehow to blame for all of this. Like, I don’t know how he can think the way he does. I’m not even sure I know exactly what he thinks, but I know I don’t like it.”

“Yeah, we need to talk to him when he gets better Henderson. He said similar things to me and I don’t like it either.” Steve said.

Dustin bit his lip and nodded. He poured more water onto his cloth and started to gently clean away the blood on Eddies chest. He was dreading it, because he knew that Jason had carved something there. It was the last thing he had managed to do. He couldn’t see the result of it through all of the blood, but he was slowly revealing it now. After all the horrible things Jason had said, he would hate to see any of it immortalized on Eddies actual skin. More water and more rubbing slowly but surely confirmed his worst fears. An onslaught of emotions overtook him and confined between the front and backseat of Steve’s car there was very little he could do with it. His anger and horror came out in the form of a choked sob that had everyone, even Nancy in the rear-view mirror, look over at him.

“Dustin? You okay man? is it Eddie?”

“That bastard. That f-fucking bastard.”

“What? Henderson, what?” Steve looked over to where Dustin was staring and his eyes widened. There in jagged and ugly capital letters an awful slur was cut into Eddies skin.

FAGGOT

[shesinchargeareyoukidding]

Everything hurts and I’m dying Chapter 3

It was slow going. Steve wanted to avoid a second incident at all costs and thus walked very carefully. His attention partly on the ground and partially on Eddie. Every minute or so he would have to gently shake the trembling metalhead to make sure he was still conscious. It scared him how quiet and still he’d gotten. It was unnerving to say the least. Steve has seen Eddie fall out of a locker before that he had been in for hours, bruised and bleeding, all flailing limbs and attitude and bloody grins. Steve could not recall a moment when he had seen Eddie so outwardly exhausted and listless.

“Hey Eddie, you wanna hear about the time Jonathan Byers beat the shit out of me?”

Eddie slowly pulled his head away from Steve’s shoulder to look at him. “w-what?”

“Yeah man, beat the shit out of me. He was right to do so though.”

“I can vouch for that.” Nancy quipped.

Although Eddie didn’t say anything, he was still looking at Steve with large eyes, giving him his full, if a bit shaky, attention. Steve took that as a sign to start telling his story.

“I uh, I was with Nancy at the time and I thought she and Jonathan were seeing each other behind my back. They weren’t, but I had seen them together and I guess it made me insecure. I was a real asshole back then.”

Eddie hummed in acknowledgement at that and Steve gave him an offended look. “Hey! I get enough crap from Robin okay, I don’t need to hear it.”

Eddies lips stretched in a wobbly smile, but his eyelids started to droop again, head falling against Steve’s shoulder. Steve quickly continued his story, deliberately nudging his shoulder forward to jolt Eddies head, making sure he wasn’t falling asleep.

“So anyway, Tommy H. spray-painted the signs of the cinema saying that Nancy was a-…” He looked at Nancy who rolled her eyes.

“A slut Steve. It said I was a slut.”

“Yeah… as I said, I was a jerk. I just stood by while he did it. That’s when Jonathan and Nancy confronted me and I started picking a fight with him. Said some horrible things. Called him a slur.” Steve winced at the memory. “I wanted a fight. I was real arrogant about it too, totally thought I would win.” Steve looked down at Eddie, who was still looking at him with half lidded eyes and a small smile. Steve couldn’t help but smile too.

“So he punches me and I punch him back, but soon enough I’m on the floor and he’s just bashing my face in.”

“I tried to stop them, but they were too busy being Neanderthals to hear me.” Nancy chimed in.

“Right. And then the cops showed up.” Eddies tired eyes widened at the twist. “I booked it with Tommy H. and the others. I think Jonathan got arrested right?” Steve directed his question at Nancy.

“Yeah he did. I went with him. Hopper was not happy.”

“Figures. But you didn’t get in trouble right?”

“No, in the end they let us go. Considering the circumstances they took pity on us.”

“Man, I’m sorry I never asked about that before.”

“That’s okay, we had different things to worry about, right?”

“Right.” Steve looked down to check on Eddie and saw his eyes had slipped closed.

“Eddie? Eddie! Wake up man!” Eddie jolted awake and immediately grimaced heavily at the pain his movements caused. Despite the pain, his eyes almost immediately started to close again. Eddie was wheezing and fighting to stay awake, but he was slipping away fast. Steve could see the terror in Eddies eyes.

“s-steve.” He sounded so lost. “I’ve got you Eddie, come on. You can do it” Steve started to pick up his pace as he knew they had almost reached the road.

“i c´n´t-...” Eddie choked

“Yes you can Eddie. Yes you can. Just a little further.” Of course those were all empty words. Even if they reached the car with Eddie still clinging to consciousness, they would still have to drive somewhere safe and then patch Eddie up. There was no way he could stay awake for that long. But Steve had told himself that if he could just get Eddie set up comfortably in his car before he passed out, at least then he might get Eddie to settle without being so scared. Now Eddie was actively losing his grip on reality, terrified out of his mind, and all Steve could do was pick up his pace once again.

“sor-sorry.” Eddies eyes rolled to the back of his head and his head lolled against Steve’s shoulder.

“Nonononono. Eddie! Please wake up!” Steve helplessly looked to Nancy. “I don’t know what to do!”

Nancy ran over and pushed her fingers against Eddies throat, looking for a pulse. She sighed in relief. “It’s fast, but there. Let’s keep moving, we’re almost there.”

Steve nodded and continued walking. Eddie now completely limp in his arms. “Okay. Alright. A f-fast pulse is normal with blood-loss.” He panted while walking as fast as he could. Nancy nodded, but looked very worried as she bit her lip. They broke out of the treeline, frantically walking over to Steve’s car.

“Steve! What took you so long! Is he…?” So fast that Steve barely registered the movement Dustin was in front of him. Frantically checking his friend over, hands hovering over the unconscious metalhead, wanting to touch him, but afraid to do so.

“He’s alive Henderson, but we’ve gotta move.”

“Shit o-okay.” Robin was ready with her arms full with several blankets and balancing the first aid kit on top of it. Dustin basically ripped all of it out of her arms in favour of carrying it himself. Robin just looked at the scene with wide eyes.

“Oh my God is he okay? Of course he’s not. Stupid question. How much blood has he actually lost? I heard that when someone loses too much blood all their organs slowly stop working one by one because there’s no more blood coming to them, you know? Maybe one of us should give him some blood but I don’t even know what his blood type is. Omg! I don’t even know what MY blood type is! Do you think we can patch up his ribs if we just wrap them up with something? I don’t know how to do that so he can still breathe. Omg! Is he still breathing? Did anyone check? Does he have a pulse? Did you ch-“

“Robin!” Nancy got Robin to look at her. “Let’s… let’s just take this one step at a time okay?” Robin nodded sheepishly. “Sorry. I guess I’m just really worried.”

“It’s okay, I’m worried too." Nancy comforted. "I checked his pulse. It’s a bit fast. He is breathing, but not very well. He lost consciousness not even a minute ago.” As she recounted Eddies condition, Nancy’s eyes flicked over to Eddie, unsure of what to do. “I don’t know guys, maybe we should just take him to a hospital…”

“No. Everyone already assumes he’s a serial killer. He’ll be arrested or probably lynched by people who like an easy scapegoat.” Steve immediately interjected, only half-looking at Nancy, most of his focus still on the limp body in his arms and on Dustin who was nervously covering the backseat of Steve’s car with one of the blankets.

“But at least he’d get the medical attention he needs and he’d be protected by the police.” Robin said, anxiously biting her lip.

“Two cops really can’t stop an army of angry hillbilly’s.” Steve reasoned.

"But-"

“I’m not trusting anyone with Eddie except us. That’s final.” Dustin cut through their conversation. He glared at Nancy. “I’ll steal any supplies we might need from the hospital if that’s what it takes. I’m not gonna let anyone touch him. Not after what happened.” He looked close to tears.

Everyone fell silent. Steve pressed his lips together. There really was no arguing with Dustin, so he guessed the discussion was over. “I guess we’re going to my house then. Nobody’s home and I’ve got room, so it’s perfect.”

Steve gently lowered Eddie onto the backseat, laying him down flat on his back. He immediately thought better of it when Eddies breathing instantly became more strained. He climbed in and sat behind Eddie, pulling him into a sitting position against his chest.

“Nancy?” Steve asked. “Could- could you please drive?”

Nancy looked over and smiled at the sight of Steve with his arms full of Eddie. “Of course Steve.”

“I’ve got water, we can wash the cuts and wounds.” Dustin offered.

“Good thinking Henderson.” Steve looked a bit uncertain for a moment, feeling useless with a passed out teenager in his arms. “Uhm, can you maybe do it? I’m not going to be of much use.” He asked.

He really didn’t want to put this much on Dustin, but found he had little choice in the matter.

In any other situation Dustin would have made a joke about how helplessly out of his element Steve looked with a wounded boy in his arms who he barely knew. But there was nothing funny about any of it and if Dustin was completely honest, this caring side of Steve suited him just fine. Great even. Dustin didn’t waste time on words. He kneeled behind the driver’s seat so he could easily reach Eddie. He slowly started to peel back some of the blood saturated fabric of the once proudly worn hellfire shirt.

Steve looked over at Robin, who looked just as lost as he felt.

“Robin, help me with the blankets.” That snapped her out of her stupor. Robin ran over and started to tug blankets around Eddie’s lower half, leaving his chest exposed for Dustin to clean. Then she lifted Eddies legs and sat down, pulling his legs onto her lap.

“Let’s go Nance.” She said, absentmindedly rubbing Eddie’s shin with her hand while she frowned at his pale face.

“Got it.” Nancy nodded, and they were off. While they were driving Dustin cleaned the cut on Eddies arm with water and a cloth. It was deep, but the knife hadn’t hit a major artery and the bleeding had almost stopped completely. He tried not to remember the sound Eddie made when Jason used the knife on him for the first time, making the cut in his arm. In that moment that was the worst thing Dustin had ever had to witness, and then Jason had stabbed him and it got so much worse. Stop thinking about that, he's gonna be fine. Dustin tried to reassure himself.

When Dustin moved on to the cuts on Eddies chest, covered in so much blood he could barely tell where one started and the other ended, Eddie started to shift against Steve’s chest. Dustin immediately shot up and took Eddies face in his hands, trying to wake him up.

“Eddie! Eddie wake up. Wake up, man.” He got a soft groan in response. Robin joined in with the encouragements and carefully wiggled his leg.

“Come on Eddie, open those beautiful eyes. You can do it.”

Steve had started to run his hand through Eddies curls, softly prompting him to wake.

With a monumental effort, Eddies eyelids slowly lifted up, revealing tired and unfocused eyes. They immediately locked with Dustin’s, who smiled at him with tears in his eyes.

“Hey, we got you man. We’re in the car. You made it.”

Eddie blinked a couple of times and slowly seemed to gain some more awareness, his gaze trailed around the car. Taking everyone in and eventually focussing back on Dustin. He swallowed.

“d’stin” he slurred.

“Yeah Eddie. I’m here and I’m gonna help you get better.”

“a-are you ‘kay?”

“Yes, what kind of a question is that? You’re the self-sacrificing idiot here.”

“l-liar, you’re cryin’”

Dustin frowned and felt his cheeks. Eddie was right, there was a wetness there that he hadn’t noticed. Even exhausted as he was Eddie managed to convey so much concern in his eyes. Dustin sighed exasperatedly.

“I’m worried for you, alright? So just focus on getting better and I’ll be fine.”

As he was speaking Eddies eyes were already losing focus again, his eyelids drooping once more. Eddie made a frustrated noise and tried to blink his eyes back into focus. He was desperate to stay awake for Dustin. All he knew was that Dustin was worried for him and had wanted him to wake up. Now he was failing at that again and he could tell he was worrying the shit out of the poor kid. Eddie tried his best to muster a smile for him.

“d-didn’t run away this time, right?” He choked out.

Hearing that almost hurt Dustin more than having to hear Eddie scream.

“No, no you didn’t.”

“and-and you’re s-safe right i d’dn’t mess it u-up”

“I’m safe Eddie. I’m okay.”

Eddie sighed softly and closed his eyes again, giving up his fight to stay awake. Dustin furiously wiped his eyes. “Goddammit.” Robin reached over and rubbed his back.

“He’ll be okay, remember? Don’t worry.”

“But he still believes that he’s somehow to blame for all of this. Like, I don’t know how he can think the way he does. I’m not even sure I know exactly what he thinks, but I know I don’t like it.”

“Yeah, we need to talk to him when he gets better Henderson. He said similar things to me and I don’t like it either.” Steve said.

Dustin bit his lip and nodded. He poured more water onto his cloth and started to gently clean away the blood on Eddies chest. He was dreading it, because he knew that Jason had carved something there. It was the last thing he had managed to do. He couldn’t see the result of it through all of the blood, but he was slowly revealing it now. After all the horrible things Jason had said, he would hate to see any of it immortalized on Eddies actual skin. More water and more rubbing slowly but surely confirmed his worst fears. An onslaught of emotions overtook him and confined between the front and backseat of Steve’s car there was very little he could do with it. His anger and horror came out in the form of a choked sob that had everyone, even Nancy in the rear-view mirror, look over at him.

“Dustin? You okay man? is it Eddie?”

“That bastard. That f-fucking bastard.”

“What? Henderson, what?” Steve looked over to where Dustin was staring and his eyes widened. There in jagged and ugly capital letters an awful slur was cut into Eddies skin.

FAGGOT