A week passed.

Every night Steve dreamed of Eddie.

Sometimes they sat downstairs with only a flashlight illuminating their faces and talked. Talked about how to save Eddie, about that place or even Dungeons and Dragons. Steve loved it when he started to ramble about the game, even if he didn't understand half of it. Other times they sat quietly together run shrouded darkness, holding each other. Maybe just hands but more often than not in each other's arms. Eddie was ecstatic when he saw Steve's moles had returned and spent an entire evening tracing them, much to Steve's secret pleasure.

Steve woke each morning with a nosebleed and an overwhelming sense of guilt over the dreams. It felt like an insult to Eddie's memory, dreaming about cuddling with him. Still, he went to bed every night with Eddie's jacket and when he opened his eyes there he was, perpetual smile in place and eager to see him.

If he was being honest, it was his favourite time of the day now, going to bed. He was always filled with nervous anticipation at the thought of sleeping that only Eddie could assuage.

"Are you real?" Steve would whisper at least once every time.

"As real as you want me to be." Eddie would always respond.

So one morning as Steve cleaned up his face, he looked in the mirror and made a decision. Eddie was real. And if he was real... Where the hell was he? It wasn't a question he could ask the others, they wouldn't understand. But maybe Robin. He was sure Robin would want to help him even if she didn't believe him.

"Robin, I need your help." Steve slid into the chair next to her and whispered urgently, very aware of Eleven and Max next to them.

Max had woken up from her coma after three days and thanks to Lucas' quick action with her walkman, the damage had been minor. She still had to use crutches but she was up and moving about. They were all piled into Hopper's cabin in the woods that morning, still trying to fix the place up.

Robin leaned closer to Steve. "What's up?"

"Outside." When he was sure nobody could overhear them he explained, "I need to find Eddie. Can you help me?"

"Steve..." Her expression was far too understanding. "You're still dreaming about him?"

"Every night. He's so real, Robs. I'm not making this up, I can't be making him up."

"Okay um... How about... Oh, I know! Get him to tell you about something you couldn't possibly know! That way you know it's not your brain." Steve looked at her in confusion and she scoffed. "You're such a dingus. If you don't know about it, how can fake Eddie created by your brain tell you about it? Ergo, he has to be real."

"That is actually sorta genius." He looked at Robin approvingly. "I knew you were the right person to talk to."

"Of course, what are best friends for?"

"I'll ask him tonight."

"Let me know how it goes, yeah?"

"Of course." Steve hugged her, feeling better than he had in days now he had a plan. Well, a start at least. "Thank you."

"Hey, you two!" Dustin was frowning at them from the doorway. "El needs to tell us something important!"

"Oh God, that can't be good." Robin sighed but grabbed Steve's hand. "Come on, let's get the bad news train rolling."

As soon as everyone was settled, Eleven took a deep breath and cast a nervous look at Hopper who nodded encouragingly. "There's another person like me in Hawkins. From the lab. I can sense them."

"We think it's another escaped patient." Hopper cut in loudly across everyone's noises of surprise.

"Can you locate them?" Dustin asked eagerly.

"No," Eleven shook her head. "They're hiding. I only sense them at night and it's faint."

"So we wait until tonight and go find this person." Steve looked around at the others. "Surely they'll want to stop Vecna just as much as us? If not we'll just have to convince them."

"I don't think beating them up is the solution." Nancy countered delicately. "They're hiding for a reason. I say we find them and talk."

"Tonight." Eleven agreed with a nod. "We wait."

The rest of the day passed brutally slow as they continued fixing up the cabin. Eleven disappeared into her room around ten pm to start searching for the other test subject. She rejoined them after a few hours with a shake of her head.

"Nothing."

"How often do you sense them?" Dustin asked.

"Every night."

"And it's just a coincidence that the night you try to find them is the night they don't use their powers?" Mike scoffed. "They're watching us!"

"I would know." Eleven told him firmly. "Just coincidence."

"We'll keep trying. For now, everyone find a comfortable place to sleep. It's too dangerous to send you all home now." Hopper got up and with Joyce's help, they all found somewhere to rest. Steve ended up wedged onto a sofa with Robin.

"Do you think you'll dream about him tonight?" She whispered.

Steve was very aware of the others in the room. "No."

And he didn't. When he finally fell asleep he didn't dream of anything and woke up the following morning with a sore back from the lumpy sofa. After a quick breakfast of bacon and eggs, he was on taxi duty, taking the kids back to the Wheeler house because Nancy was going with Jonathan to the War Zone. They asked if Steve wanted to go along but just hearing the name was enough to twist his heart so he volunteered to babysit instead.

"Shotgun!" Dustin hollered as Steve tossed him the keys.

"Wipe your feet!" Steve called after their retreating backs. With a sigh, he smiled at Robin. "Have fun at the War Zone."

"Angry hicks with their conspiracy theories? You know, last time we went some dude tried to convince me the government want to level Hawkins for a UFO landing base or something. Absolute bonkers stuff."

"Yeah, sounds like a blast."

Robin caught his arm in the doorway. "Hey," She spoke softly and squeezed his hand. "Good luck tonight."

"Thanks." Steve squeezed back and they both jumped as his car horn went off. Max was waving vigorously as Dustin shook his head, looking appalled. "I better go."

"I think you need all the luck with that lot." Robin chuckled. "Later."

Steve waved goodbye and hurried to his car before they decided to leave without him. "Alright you terrors, do we need to make any detours?" After several stops, they finally made it to the Wheeler household. "Be good!" Steve called after them.

He got waves back and Dustin turned, cupping his hands around his mouth to call, "See you tomorrow, Steve!"

Steve stopped to buy more gas on his way home so by the time he was pulling up in his driveway it was getting dark. He had enough time to check the new perimeter and make sure it was still standing though. Everything looked good and he made note of the weak point in the left corner before heading inside. The security light came to life minutes later, bathing the kitchen in white light, bright enough that he didn't need to turn on the actual light to see.

Sitting at the table, Steve stared outside at the shadowed backyard and thought about Eddie. Trapped in a similar place with nothing but darkness outside every window and door. Where could he be? That was a question for later though. Steve decided to follow Robin's advice and ask Eddie to tell him something he couldn't know. Once he knew for sure Eddie was real, they could bring the others in and figure out a plan.

All Steve had to do was sleep.

So of course when he tried to go to bed he found himself too nervous to sleep.

What if Eddie couldn't tell him anything? Did that mean he wasn't real?

If he was forced to face that realisation, Steve honestly thought he'd break.

What followed was a very sleepless night and no visit to Eddie. When Joyce appeared on his doorstep with a pot roast in the morning her concern only grew. "You've not been sleeping well, have you?"

Steve shrugged and led her to the kitchen. "Not the past two nights at least."

"Steve, honey," She set the dish down and grabbed his hands. "What's on your mind? You seem... different. I know everything with the Upside Down makes us feel a little... crazy but this seems like something else?" Her smile was a little too knowing. "Is this about Eddie?"

"H-how did you know?"

"The kids talk about him sometimes, Dustin a lot. He says you two were close?" Steve nodded, not trusting his voice. "Oh, honey, come here." She pulled him down into a hug. "It's not your fault. You can't save everyone. I know what it's like to lose someone before you can even say anything. When Jim… died it was like I lost a piece of myself too. I know how lucky I am to have him back and I know it's not the same as what happened with Eddie but I'm here for you, Steve if you ever need to talk… or cry."

Yeah, maybe Steve broke a little bit at that moment. He'd never had someone hug him like this... like a mom. Joyce continued to make hushed, comforting sounds as Steve tried to get a hold of himself but he found once he started crying he couldn't stop. It took a long time, what felt like hours to Steve to get it all out. When he was sure there was nothing left to cry out he pulled back and smiled, well he hoped it was a smile anyway. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Joyce patted his cheek and then let him go. "Why don't you clean up and I'll warm this up for you? It'll do you some good to have some proper food."

Steve washed his face clean in the bathroom and took a moment to collect himself. He didn't know what magic Joyce had but it worked wonders. He felt so much better. By the time he rejoined her in the kitchen his smile was genuine as he took a plate of hot food. "Seriously, thank you, Joyce."

"You're so busy taking care of the others that it's hard to remember to take care of yourself sometimes." She patted his hand. "Don't forget, Steve. I'll let you eat in peace, I've got to go see Karen."

Steve nodded, mouth full of food as she left. By the time he finished and cleaned up he could hear yelling outside and car doors slamming shut. Moments later his front door flew open and the kids tumbled in, all talking loudly about something. Steve caught a few words, enough to understand it was about some movie they had watched the night before and smiled. It was good, to see them have moments of normalcy like this.

Robin came up to him and handed over a piece of paper. "Have you seen this yet?"

It was a notice about a curfew being imposed in two days. "Do you think they know something?"

"Not sure. They must do to be starting a curfew. You don't think something's escaped the gates, do you?"

Steve balled up the paper and threw it in the bin. "No, we'd know. Eleven would know." He reassured her and she visibly relaxed. "They're just being cautious. We all are."

Robin cast a quick glance around then leaned closer. "So, how did it go? What did Eddie say?"

"Nothing. I mean, I haven't slept yet." Steve shrugged. "Couldn't sleep last night."

She looked at him shrewdly. "Couldn't or didn't want to realise he isn't real?"

"Something like that." He busied himself with stacking the crates of fireworks against the garage wall. Robin followed him in and shut the door behind her. "Robin…"

"You can't keep this up forever. You've gotta know, one way or the other. And if he's not real… then you can move on."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Dreaming about Eddie won't bring him back." She spoke softly but she might as well have slapped him as he flinched. "You need closure, Steve. Don't run away from it."

"Right." They both jumped as the door swung open and Mike stumbled in with another box of fireworks. He dumped it on top of Steve's box and frowned between them. "What?"

"Can't you two keep your hand to yourselves? We've got a lot of stuff to move out there." He grumbled and without waiting for a response, left as quickly as he'd joined them.

Steve caught Robin's eye and they both hastily tried to stifle their laughs. "I miss when they were kids." He sighed and followed her back to the main house. "Little shit's got attitude now. Does he really think we snuck off to make out?"

"Must do." Robin winked at him. "Hate to break it to you but you're not my type."

"So I've been told."

"I don't think I'm yours either." She fluffed up her hair. "I don't have curls."

"What?"

"Oh Steve, surely you've noticed?" At his blank look, she rolled her eyes. "You have a type."

"I… do?" He was pretty sure Eddie didn't match any of his previous relationships.

"Big brown eyes, curly hair, no-nonsense attitude? Ring any bells?" She held out both hands. "Nancy, Eddie?" And she clasped them together. "You got a thing for the independent brunettes, dingus."

"Holy fuck." Steve never noticed before. "Oh, I have a type!" He groaned and covered his face as his cheeks burned.

"Yep, not even gender changed that," Robin replied smugly then she patted his head. "Come on before Mike tells the others we're still making out or something."

"Gross!"

That night, Steve felt more ready to face Eddie. He grabbed the jacket at the end of his bed and got comfortable. After two days of non-existent sleep, it was easy to drift off. When he opened his eyes it was pitch black. Sitting up, he was disappointed to find the other side of the bed empty but he could hear something downstairs. Standing, he made his way down to find Eddie reorganising the shelves. "Eddie?"

He jumped and the record he was holding clattered to the floor. "Shit, Steve! Make more noise coming down the stairs or something!"

"Sorry." Steve grinned and hurried over to him to scoop up the record. "What are you doing?"

"Being nosy." He replied unabashedly. "Since you abandoned me I got bored and started looking through all your stuff. Did you know your parents have a box full of kinky shit upstairs?"

"Uh, no." Steve would've been quite happy to never know about that. "I'm sorry I haven't been here. It's been busy in Hawkins."

"What's up?"

"They're imposing a curfew. I don't think this calm will last much longer." Steve grabbed Eddie's hand and led him over to the sofa, guiding him to sit with him. "We can talk about that later. Right now, Robin and I have been talking and well… we've agreed to try and get you out of here."

"Seriously?" Eddie looked like someone had told him Christmas had come early. His grip around Steve's hand tightened painfully. "How? What do you need me to do?"

"Actually, there's a condition first. I need you to prove you're real and not y'know… a figment of my imagination or something." He mumbled the last words abashed. "Robin's not convinced your real."

"So… what do I need to do?"

"I dunno, tell me something I couldn't possibly know. Do you have… a secret stash or something hidden in the woods?"

Eddie laughed. "No, I don't. Give me a minute." He pulled free and started pacing around that godawful footstool. "Got it! Where's my necklace?"

"Uh, I don't know. Dustin had it I think… No, he gave it to your Uncle!"

He snapped his fingers at Steve. "Go look at it."

"Why?"

"You'll understand when you see it." Eddie almost looked nervous as he smiled. "Trust me, okay?"

"Okay."

"So then what? When Robin's convinced I'm not imaginary, what will you do?"

"Get the others involved and figure something out. I can't tell them unless we're absolutely sure you're alive."

Eddie spread out his hands and indicated his body. "This ain't enough?"

"Not for the others. They'll think I'm crazy."

"But you believe me?"

"Yeah." Steve found he couldn't look Eddie in the eye as he said the next part, "because I can't stand the thought of this being made up."

Eddie sat down next to him and reclaimed his hand. "Steve, we're gonna have a long talk when I'm outta here but for now… can we skip that part?"

"What do you mean?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

Steve's stomach jolted and his head snapped around to look at Eddie in stunned silence. He looked back expectantly, even raising an eyebrow. Was that what he wanted? Steve didn't even have to think about it. He leaned in, eyes fluttering shut as their noses brushed and lips met. No, Eddie couldn't be a figment of his imagination. Steve could never dream up the feeling of those chapped lips pressed against his own or the soft noise Eddie made. He moved closer, wanting more of this impossible man and Eddie obliged, tugging him down onto the sofa.

"Eds," Steve broke free and looked down at him, breathless not only from the kiss but the smile he received. It made butterflies storm in his stomach, he almost felt sick. "You better be real."

"Oh I am, trust me." He yanked Steve into a bruising kiss. "Besides, there's no way you've ever imagined this."

"Wanna bet?"

"I'm gonna get you to tell me all those dirty fantasies one day." Eddie hummed against his mouth and it sent shockwaves down Steve's spine. He'd never felt so in tune with another person before. "For now though, keep kissing me before you disappear."

Steve did, fingers tangling in Eddie's curls like he'd wanted to do the moment he'd been shoved against that boathouse wall. When he wrapped his free arm around Eddie's waist to pull him closer however he froze and hissed in pain. Steve immediately backed off and sat up. "Shit, I'm sorry!"

"It's fine." Eddie waved away the apology and sighed. "Stupid bats. First, they apparently kill me and now they're cock blocking me. What a drag." He cocked his head to the side and eyed Steve with what could only describe as hunger. "You're a better kisser than I thought. No wonder all the girls used to chase you."

"Shut up." Steve leaned down to kiss him chastely. "You're not too bad yourself, Munson."

"Munson." He snorted. "You just had your tongue in my mouth I think you can call me Eddie."

"Eds?"

"Better."

"I'm gonna get you out of here, Eds," Steve promised. "Once Robin's convinced we'll tell the others. We'll figure something out."

"Yeah… as much as I like the thought of living it up in the Harrington Palace, this place gives me the creeps. I miss sunlight."

"You'll see the sun again, soon." Steve kissed his hand. "Until then, I'll try to visit as often as I can."

"Good because it's sucked since you stopped coming. How long has it been?"

"Two days."

"That's all?" Eddie looked surprised. "Felt more like a week."

"And this?" Steve pulled up his shirt, running his fingers over Eddie's ribs. "How does this feel?"

"Fucking ticklish, get off, man." He laughed and grabbed Steve's hand, pinning it to his chest. "Promise you'll go see my Uncle tomorrow, yeah?"

"I promise." Steve could feel his racing heartbeat under his palm. "Nervous?"

"Oh you know, I've only been making out with King Steve. Why would I be nervous?"

"You shouldn't be." He grabbed Eddie's chin, leaning down to kiss him again. "You make me feel so alive, Eds. I can't wait to get you back for real."

"Hurry the fuck up then."

"I will, a few more days I promise, I-" He fell forward as the world tilted. "Shit, I'm going."

"Steve, you better-" But he was gone.

Steve jolted upright in his dimly lit bedroom to the sound of an alarm. It wasn't his personal alarm though but the new security system. Steve fell out of bed and grabbed his bat, hurrying downstairs to the box. Hopper had set up the new system a week ago and showed him how to look through the cameras. He did that now, cycling through the grainy images until he found the source of the disturbance. A fat black cat was standing on the other side of the fence, heckles raised and hissing at the sensor it had tripped. Steve sighed in relief and deactivated the system. At least he knew it worked.

Still, he cursed the damn thing for pulling him away from Eddie sooner than intended.

Hopefully, it got a good enough scare not to come back.

Absently he touched his lips which were still tingling. Had that been real? It must have. Trying not to think about how much further they could've gone, Steve busied himself with cleaning up yet another nosebleed and eating.

When it was finally an acceptable hour, Steve went back upstairs to grab his radio. "Dustin? Hey, Dustin? Uh… Code Purple?" Steve was guessing but that sounded right. "Code Purple, Henderson. Pick up!"

"Steve?" Dustin's voice came through sleep riddled and confused. "What's wrong, are you sick? Over."

"Sick? No, I'm not sick."

He sighed in that way only he could to convey Steve was being an idiot. "Dude, Code Purple means your ill! Like super ill can't get out of bed. And you've gotta say over when you're done talking so I know I can speak. Over."

Jesus Christ this kid and his radio rules. Steve knew he'd throw a hissy fit if he didn't use the codes. "Oh, well I'm not. I need to ask you a question it's important… Over."

"Code Yellow. Over."

"Fine, Code Yellow. Do you know where Eddie's Uncle is? Over."

"The government moved him after the whole 'gate opening in your trailer' thing. Over."

"Do you know where? Over."

"Uh, I think I have the address. Give me a minute. Over." Steve waited patiently for almost five minutes before the radio came back to life. "Got it!" He proceeded to rattle off an address and Steve scribbled it down. "Why do you need to talk to him? Over."

"I'll tell you later, thanks, Dustin. Over."

"Dude, when the conversation's finished you gotta say over and out."

"Fine. Thank you, Dustin. Over and out." Steve tossed the radio on his bed and got changed before grabbing the actual phone to call Robin. "Hey, fancy a trip into town?"

"Sure. What are we doing?"

"Eddie asked me to go look at his necklace so I gotta see his Uncle. I can pick you up in ten?"

"Sounds good."