They reached their first obstacle when trying to locate the address. "Steve, this isn't in Hawkins. How are we gonna get around that blockade?" Robin looked up from the map spread across the table and bit her lip. "I don't think we'll be able to see him."

"Shit." Steve fell back into a chair and rubbed his face. No one was allowed into the town anymore, much less out. "There's got to be some way to get through. Maybe someone we can talk to?"

"Hopper!"

Twenty minutes later they were outside Hopper's cabin and Jonathan answered the door. "Whoa, whoa! What's got you two in a rush? Has something happened?"

"Is Hopper here?"

"Sure, I'll go get him." Jonathan moved aside to let them in and disappeared.

Five minutes later, Hopper joined them. "This better be good, I've got to go into town and talk to that damned General again about the perimeters. Has something happened?"

Robin cast a nervous glance at Steve. He took a deep breath, figuring it would be easiest to get to the point. "We need to leave Hawkins, at least for a few hours."

Hopper looked between them for a long moment. "No."

"It's important. We-"

"More important than keeping those things inside Hawkins? You know the blockade is there for a reason. I can't allow anyone to leave, not now."

"Eddie's alive." Steve blurted out and Hopper really did look surprised at that. "I need proof and I need to see his Uncle to do that. He's not in Hawkins anymore so please, just a few hours so we can see him."

"You're sure?"

"I mean, no." Robin laughed nervously. "But Steve is and if Eddie is alive... We've gotta save him."

Hopper considered them both. "Fine, come with me. And, no talking until I say so, okay?"

"What about my car?" Steve asked as they followed him to his jeep.

"If and I mean if you get clearance they'll give you a vehicle." He opened the back door and ushered them both inside. "I'm not promising anything but I'll see what I can do. If Eddie is alive, we'll get him back."

"Just, don't tell the others yet." Steve leaned between the front seats to look at him imploringly. "Not until we've got proof."

"Alright, kid."

"I'm twenty."

"And I'm forty-four, what's your point?" Hopper caught his eye in the rearview mirror and grinned. "Still a kid to me, just like those little ones. Now sit back and put on your seatbelt."

When they finally reached the military headquarters, Hopper told them to stay put and went inside. Robin began looking through the cassette tapes and snorted. "He's got better taste than you!"

"Seriously?" Steve asked, unimpressed.

"You have the music taste of a housewife."

"Thank you?"

"You know, say we get Eddie back, he's gonna throw a hissy fit when he sees the cassettes you have in your car." She looked up and smiled. "Sounds kinda nice, doesn't it?"

"Yeah." Steve quickly looked out the window before she could see his blush. Eddie had already gone through all his music, made fun of him for it and promised to educate him once he was back in the real world. Steve had responded without thinking, "sounds like a date."

Eddie had smiled back, expression unreadable at the time but now Steve understood it had been repressed hope. "Only if you want it to be."

He was jerked back to the present as Hopper opened his door. "Alright, you got three hours. If you're not back before two, they won't open the gate for you."

"Thank you," Steve told him as they were ushered towards an unmarked vehicle by the gate, the only way in and out of Hawkins now. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"I do." Hopper gave him an honest to god smile. "I'd do the same for Joyce. Now go, you're wasting time."

Steve nodded and slid into the driver's seat. They stayed quiet as they passed through the gate and sped down the road away from Hawkins. Within minutes the sky brightened. "Wow, I see birds." Robin breathed and she rolled down her window. "Oh, the air's so fresh!"

He rolled down his window too and the cool breeze was invigorating. As the sun broke out from behind fluffy clouds, Robin popped a cassette into the car and they sang along to some cheesy song Steve couldn't remember the name of. It took forty minutes to reach the next town and another ten to find the address. He pulled up outside a block of flats and killed the engine.

"So we just gotta ask to see Eddie's necklace? Easy, right?"

"Right." Before he could chicken out, Steve was out of the car and heading up the short steps to the flat and ringing the doorbell. A man answered the door a minute later. "Uh, hi, Mr Munson. Can I talk to you about Eddie?"

At the mention of Eddie's name, his face became enraged and he went to shut the door. Steve managed to stick his foot in the way, wincing as the door bounced off it.

"Please, Mr Munson, I'm Eddie's friend. I wouldn't be here if this wasn't important. He asked me to do something before he... died."

"Who are you?" The man squinted at them suspiciously. "I've never seen you two with my nephew before."

"It was a recent friendship." Steve winced and elbowed Robin. "I-I mean, we were totally his friends, traumatically bonded and all! We just... didn't get much time with him. But he asked Steve to do something so here we are!"

"Asked you to do what exactly?"

"Can I see his necklace? The guitar pick one."

"Steve right?" He was still squinting at him but less hostile now. "You better come inside."

Steve and Robin stood awkwardly in the small living room as he went off to grab the necklace. He came back and handed it to Steve who turned it over carefully. There was a reason Eddie asked him to do this so he better do it carefully. At first, he didn't understand what he was supposed to be doing and then he saw the ridges on the back of the pick. Squinting, Steve held it up to the light and saw they were initials.

SH

Steve Harrington.

His breath caught in his throat as a long-forgotten memory was forced to the forefront of his mind. Middle school, giving some buzz-haired kid his pick because they didn't have one. Steve had long given up playing the guitar but Eddie... Eddie had kept this pick?

Looking up he found Mr Munson still watching him. "Steve Harrington, right?"

"Right." His voice came out in a croak, throat constricted with the rush of emotion he felt at seeing his name on Eddie's necklace.

"Eddie thought fondly of you, even if he'd never admit it."

"Yeah, I thought he was pretty cool too." Steve handed back the necklace. "Thank you."

"You got what you needed?"

"Yeah." He felt very seen under this man's gaze, so much so he wanted to run. "I'm sorry but we can't stay, we gotta get back to Hawkins. Robin, let's go."

"Steve," He paused in the doorway and Robin turned on the steps, looking between them.

"I'll be in the car." She said softly and Steve tossed her the keys.

"Mr Munson, I-"

"Is Eddie alive?" There was a burning hope in his eyes that Steve understood all too well. "I don't care what anyone says, I can't accept he's gone. He still feels alive to me and you turning up here can't be a coincidence."

"I don't know." He finally replied. "I don't know if he's alive but I really hope he is. I'm trying to find out."

The man nodded and then handed him Eddie's necklace. "Give this back to him and tell him... tell him to come visit me when he can."

"Sure." And to Steve's surprise, he hugged him.

"You find my nephew and you bring him back home safe."

"I will." When he was finally released, Steve quickly wiped his face free from tears. "We really have to go. Got a curfew."

"Good luck."

Steve hurried back to the car, shoving the necklace into his pocket. Robin patted his leg as he fumbled with the seatbelt and turned the car on. "What's with the necklace?"

"In a minute." Once they were back on the roads and Steve felt more in control, he explained, "I gave it to Eddie when we were in middle school. I didn't even remember until I saw my initials on the back of the pick. Eddie told me to go look at it, he wanted me to see that."

Robin bit her lip. "Steve…" She spoke softly, trying to soften the blow. Steve gripped the wheel tightly in anticipation of her next words. "I don't think this counts. It's a memory so somewhere in your brain, you knew. Maybe you saw his necklace at some point? You just didn't register it consciously."

"Damn it, Robin!" Steve smacked the wheel and hissed at the jarring pain. "Do you want him to be dead? Because you sure seem hell-bent on shooting down every scrap of proof I've got."

"Of course not. You don't think the others will pick you apart too? This isn't enough." She took his hand as they drove onto the interstate. "I'm trying to help, Steve. We need solid, irrefutable proof. This isn't enough."

"But-"

"Ask him to tell you a secret only I would know. Something I've told him that I'd never tell you."

"You two were friends?"

Robin shrugged. "We hung out after band sometimes. Even smoked once or twice and got talking. Kinda stuck together being gay and all, solidarity. Point is, we talked. So get him to tell you one of my secrets."

"I'll ask."

The drive back wasn't nearly as enjoyable. Dark clouds covered the sky and there was a chill in the air. By the time they reached Hawkins and had gone through quarantine, Steve was exhausted. But the day wasn't done yet. Hopper drove them back to the cabin so Steve could get his car and then they were helping to fortify the Wheeler house. There was barely any time to speak, let alone discuss what had happened.

Steve finally got Robin alone as everybody was getting ready to leave. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. I know it's not your fault. It's just... difficult."

"I know." She hugged him tightly. "I've always got your back, Steve. Everything I do is to help you."

"I'm so sorry." Steve hugged her back and tried to convey how guilty he felt. She was his closest friend and he couldn't afford to get mad at her, to push her away. "I'll ask Eddie tonight."

"Okay. Call me when you wake up."

"Sure."

Steve was half asleep by the time he stumbled into his bedroom and fell on the bed. He pulled the necklace out of his pocket and ran the fine chain through his fingers, wondering why Eddie had kept it after all this time. The pieces were all there but he still couldn't see the full picture. Maybe Eddie would finally tell him. Steve sighed and held onto the necklace tightly, falling asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

"How'd it go?" Eddie asked before Steve realised he'd gone. Opening his eyes he found the other man sitting on the bed looking at him expectantly. "Well, does Robin believe yet?"

"No." Steve got to his knees and rubbed his face. When he looked at Eddie he was struck with a sudden shyness. "You kept my pick?"

"I, uh, yeah?" Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, looking nervous. "It was a pretty sweet pick."

"But it's a memory for me too so Robin said it doesn't count."

"You remember?"

"Only after I saw it." Steve moved closer, knees bracketing Eddie's thighs. "Eds, you gotta give me more."

He laughed, more like a broken chuckle and shook his head. "What else can I give you? There's nothing left. This isn't enough?"

"Tell me a secret, Robin's secret." Eddie looked confused so he continued, "You guys hung out after band she said. So give me something she'd never tell me."

"Oh," Relief flooded his face, quickly clouded by a thoughtful frown. "Give me a second."

Steve took the time to study Eddie. He was thinner than Steve remembered, with flat hair and he looked somewhat diminished in his clothes. When their eyes met though they were still bright and alive and his smile was just as Steve remembered. "What happened to your stuff?"

"Been trying to fix it up. Stupid bats ripped my shirt to hell and it cost a lot which sucks." Eddie pointed at the desk and Steve could just make out the white shirt. "Good thing you're bigger than me."

"Not really, we're pretty much the same height."

"Yeah but fighting monsters has given you some muscle, Harrington." Eddie squeezed his bicep and Steve felt like someone had shocked him, the electric current pooling low in his stomach. "Not that I'm complaining."

"The secret Eds." Steve got out in a strained voice. If he wasn't careful he'd lose track of the conversation and it'd be a waste of a trip. Maybe not a complete waste though, his traitorous mind supplied. Steve squashed it immediately. He wasn't here to make out with Eddie, he was here to save him. "Focus."

Eddie rolled his eyes. "All business, no play. It's not a healthy lifestyle, Stevie."

"Later." Their gaze held for a long, charged moment. "Later," Steve promised again.

"You're going to kill me."

"I'm going to save you."

"Robin said she'd marry you." He said it so casually that Steve had to take a moment to process. Eddie helped him out. "This was like, at the beginning of the year? We got high after band as she said something about if she had to marry a guy it'd be you because you understand her and would never force her to do anything. She also made me promise never to speak about it because it made her sound like a selfish bitch. Her words, not mine."

"I- wow." Steve sighed and sat back. "I mean... I get it. God knows I'd do it. It's not like I'm getting married anytime soon. Might as well help each other out."

"Jesus Christ," Eddie muttered with an eye roll. "You do realise at least half of the female population our age still drool over you?"

"Yeah until they see how awkward I am now. I can't charm them like I used to." Steve replied frustratedly. "And you know what, I don't want to. I don't want the popular high school cheerleader anymore. I'd rather be with someone who understands me, all of me instead of some girl who wants King Steve."

"Someone like..." Eddie prompted and his grin was back as his fingers fisted Steve's shirt to drag him closer. Steve took his weight in his hands as Eddie lowered them back on the bed. "Say it, Stevie."

"You," He breathed. "I want you, Eds. You and your stupid nerdy games and heavy metal and curls, fuck I love your hair."

"Love?" Eddie teased. "You've only kissed me once, that's a strong word."

"I'm not a casual person anymore. And I said your hair, not you."

"Ouch."

Steve couldn't help it, he closed the distance and kissed him. Yeah, it was way too soon to be saying love. Even as every beat of his heart betrayed that thought. It was real, it was so real having Eddie there in his bed. Every kiss, every touch set his body on fire and it wasn't enough. He pulled back and it took all his willpower not to dive back in and take more. Eddie's face was flushed, eyes bright and lips were swollen with his hair forming a messy halo around the pillow. Steve thought he looked perfect and absolutely ravishing.

He clenched the bed sheet into his fists and forced himself to sit up. "This is too much."

"What's that?" Eddie reached out to grab one of his hands and entwined their fingers.

"I'm gonna wake up and you won't be there." Steve felt tears pooling in his eyes and quickly rubbed his face. "It's not fair."

"Hey, we'll be together soon. Properly together." Eddie sat up and pressed into his side, arms wrapping firmly around his waist. "Get Robin on board and we're golden."

"Tomorrow. I'll tell her the secret and then... tell the others I guess. Eleven can help."

"Superpower girl?"

"Yeah." Steve sighed and pressed his face into Eddie's hair, frowning at the greasy texture. "When did you last shower?"

"Oh excuse me, I forgot to use the luxurious ensuite today." Eddie punched his arm lightly. "There's no electricity or running water. I've been using that stockpile of water you got in the garage. Which reminds me, why do you have hundreds of water bottles down there?"

"Uh... My mom I think?" Steve had to think hard, remembering the stockpile himself and the months it had taken to use them. "Yeah, she got it in her head that to be a good parent she had to buy me all this shit whilst they were gone. So she got loads of water bottles for me and canned goods. It's like she didn't trust me in the kitchen or to go to the shops. Have you been eating the food too?"

"Yeah. I checked your fridge but that shit smelled rank. Thank God your mother decided to give a shit."

"What makes you think she doesn't normally?"

Eddie eyed him speculatively. "An outsider recognises an outsider. You had that look about you like your parents didn't care enough to make you a packed lunch or tuck your shirt in. Kinda like me but you put more effort into hiding it."

"You lived with your Uncle?"

"Yep. My mom didn't stick around long after I was born. Not cut out for motherhood apparently. My dad was in jail by the time I turned five and I landed on my uncle's doorstep. He tries his best but there isn't enough money to go around. He's always working to try and keep us going."

Steve wondered how different his life would have been if he hadn't had the money and reputation to look after himself. "Do you think we would've been friends? If I realised you were just like me?"

"Maybe." Eddie shrugged. "But we're from different sides of the track aren't we, rich boy?"

"Not so different underneath it all," Steve replied softly.

"I guess so."

In the silence that followed, Steve settled back against the headboard and pulled Eddie into his arms. He thought about what could have been. If he'd been friends with Eddie during middle school or something. How different would his life have been? Would he have even been dragged into the Upside Down shit? Would they both be none the wiser? Or would they have always ended up here in this place?

"Eds?"

"Hmm?"

"I just want to let you know... In this reality or the next, one where we might've been friends sooner or not... I think I would always end up falling for you."

Eddie laughed into his chest, soft and warm. "And you say you've got no charm."

"I'm serious."

"Maybe I'd always have an embarrassing crush on you too then. Always think I'm not good enough for you." Eddie was playing with a button on Steve's shirt as he spoke. "The King and The Freak? Doesn't seem possible."

"Not good enough for me?" Steve repeated faintly. He sat up straighter and caught Eddie's chin, lifting his head so their eyes could meet. "If anything I'm not good enough for you. I was an asshole during high school, to you, to everyone. Yet here you are, you still want me?"

"Yeah, well, you weren't that bad." Eddie rolled his eyes but he was smiling. "Still got an ego though, haven't you?"

"I'm trying to be better." Steve smiled and kissed him again. "Give me a chance."

"Come on, Stevie, I'm already giving you everything."

"When I get you back, you're staying with me," Steve murmured between kisses. "Stay in the real version of this place with hot water and electricity and-"

"You?"

"Yeah, me." Steve searched his face, caught in Eddie's hands and gaze. "If you want?"

"Sounds kinda perfect to me."

Before Steve could respond the world gave an alarming jolt. "Eds-"

"Don't forget to tell Robin!"

Steve's eyes snapped open to stare at his lightened ceiling. He could hear people moving around downstairs, more than a few and recognised some of the kid's voices. The bedroom door opened and Robin backed in, firmly shutting it behind her. "Right, I can hold them off for a few more minutes. You better get cleaned up before they see all that blood. Did you know it's all over that security console downstairs?"

He stumbled into the bathroom to clean up. "What?"

"Yeah, there's blood smears all over it. Freaked Dustin the hell out when he walked in. Hopper's cleaning it up now." She waited until he rejoined her on the bed to ask, "So?"

"You'd marry me?"

Her face turned bright red, eyes widening with shock. After a couple of seconds of staring wordlessly at him, she broke into laughter. "Holy shit! Eddie's real?!"

"Shh!" Steve was laughing too though. The relief of someone else believing him, validating these dreams or whatever was almost too sweet to bear. "What are we gonna tell them?"

"I dunno!" Robin managed to calm herself but was still smiling. "Who cares? All we have to do is tell them Eddie's alive. We'll figure out the rest."

"Do you think they'll believe us?"

"No, but... There's no way you could've guessed that. I've only said it out loud once and it was to Eddie."

"And he told me."

"So he has to be real."

Steve grabbed her hands, face aching with how hard he was smiling. "We're gonna get him back, Robs."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Not a clue. Eleven can help. She can do that remote travelling thing and find him." Steve didn't really care how they were going to do it. All that mattered was that they were. "I've got his jacket and necklace, she can use them to find him."

The door flung open, making them both jump. Dustin frowned at the two of them, hands on hips. "When you two are done kissing or whatever," He sent Steve a particularly nasty look. "We need you downstairs."

"Wow," Robin muttered as they listened to Dustin stomp away. "What was that about?"

"Probably thinks I'm insulting Eddie's memory or something. I did tell him I had a crush on Eddie. If he thinks we're up here kissing then he won't be happy. I'm moving on too quick."

"Little does he know you've been dreaming about Eddie every night for weeks." Robin cooed, pinching his cheek. "Come on, let's go give them the good news!"

Downstairs was a riot of noise and bodies. It took Robin shouting and banging a pot to get everyone quiet. She looked at Steve and nodded encouragingly. He took a deep breath, feeling nervous under everyone's expectant gazes. "Eddie's alive."

The silence that followed only lasted for a second before everyone exploded into arguments. Steve couldn't make out a single word in all the din. Robin banged the pot again to regain order. "Everyone shut up! I know it's hard to believe but I think it's true. Eleven," She turned to the younger girl. "Can you find him?"

"If I had something of his."

Steve held out the necklace. "Please."

Eleven took it and nodded. "I need quiet." She wandered upstairs and left them all in a tense circle.

Dustin stood abruptly and left the room. Steve was pretty sure he was crying. He stood to go after him but realised everyone was still staring at him and slowly sat back down. "Eddie's alive. I don't know where he is but I see him, every night, every time I sleep. I know he's real and he's proven it. We just need to find him."

"You're dreaming about him?" Mike asked disbelievingly. "Doesn't make him real."

"I know that but he's told me stuff I couldn't know. Secrets and..." He looked around at their faces. All he saw was pity and understanding reflected on him. "You don't believe me?" He could already tell they didn't.

"He had no pulse," Nancy said gently as she came over to take his hand. "Steve, he can't be alive."

"You haven't seen him."

"They're just dreams."

"No. Okay, um, I can prove it! He said… he said there's a box of stuff in my parent's room!" Steve hurried upstairs and rummaged under the bed. Finally, he found a box and took a quick look inside, trying not to imagine why his parents had this stuff. Back downstairs he dumped the box on the table. "See? I didn't know this was upstairs but Eddie found it." When Max went to peek inside he grabbed her hand. "Ah, maybe not."

Hopper opened it instead and rose an eyebrow, delicately replacing the lid. "Steve… you could've seen this when you were a kid and repressed the memory or something. Besides, most people do have things like this hidden under their beds."

"But I didn't know! And Eddie's necklace! Okay maybe I did know that one because I gave it to him but what about Robin? He knew stuff about her she never told me!" He looked around again but could tell it was pointless. They didn't believe him. Robin was watching him too, tears in her eyes. "Forget it."

He pulled free and escaped to the kitchen where mercifully, no one followed him. A hushed conversation broke out but he tried not to focus on the words. There was a pile of dirty dishes in the sink and he hurried to clean them. Whenever he felt tears on his cheeks he quickly rubbed them away.

Whatever came next, he had Robin.

Steve stared at the now pristine plate as laughter echoed in from the living room. Seized by sudden anger he threw it at the wall, a second then the third plate followed seconds later. The mug he'd intended to throw fell at his feet as his breathing hitched and shattered. Steve slid down to join it, gripping at his hair tightly, pulling on it to try and break out of the overwhelming sadness he was drowning in.

"Steve!" Robin faltered in the doorway but quickly knelt next to him and grabbed his wrists. "Hey, hey, it's okay. You're okay, Steve."

"They don't believe me! How are we going to find him without their help?"

"Shh, we'll figure it out." Robin pushed his hair back and touched their foreheads together. "Me and you, we got this."

"Why don't they believe me?"

She sighed. "Because they don't want false hope."

"We gotta get him back, Robs."

"We will. I promise, Steve, we will."