Steve almost crashed the car as he skidded into the town centre. Abandoning it on the street he ran towards the gate of the fence surrounding the entire park. "Get Campbell and you tell him to let me in, right now!"

The two guards looked dubiously at him. Steve realised he must look crazed.

"You call him and tell him I'm not leaving until I get to see Eddie!" Steve resolutely waited as one guard spoke into his radio, glaring at the other who was looking him up and down. "What?"

"Would you like some shoes?"

Steve looked down, realising he was only in socks. "Uh, please."

The General arrived soon after Steve got his new shoes. He looked surprised to see Steve and then frowned. "I told you-"

"And I'm telling you, I will not leave until I see Eddie." Steve interrupted, folding his arms firmly. "He's asking for me, right?"

Campbell waved a hand and the guards let Steve pass. "I would ask how you know he's woken up - since it's not even been an hour - but you wouldn't tell me anyway."

Steve hummed, close on Campbell's heels as he traced the familiar path to Eddie. He noticed the room with the demodog had been blocked from view but didn't comment. Soon enough they reached the guarded room and they stood aside to let them enter. As soon as the doors opened, Eddie's voice reached his ears.

"I don't care what you want, I want to talk to Steve. I won't answer any more questions until he gets here."

"Mr Munson," One of the doctors said imploringly. "We haven't informed anyone you're awake yet, how could he possibly-" She cut off, eyes going wide as Steve stepped through the plastic curtains.

Eddie whipped around, grinning widely as his eyes landed on Steve. He tried to stand but almost immediately fell forward. Steve hurried to catch him, laughing as Eddie clung to his arms and took him in. "Hey, Eds."

"Absolute madman," he replied fondly, wiping Steve's face where tears had escaped down his cheeks. Tears were shimmering in his eyes too and he sniffed, shaking his head with a choked laugh. "You- you fucking... how?"

"Later," Steve promised, guiding him back to the table and helping him sit. "Not here."

Eddie nodded, looking around as if only just remembering they weren't alone. "So, uh, questions?"

It was hours before they were done pestering Eddie. He remained tight-lipped about the whole thing, only recounting the moments leading up to his death and then claimed to just wake up on their examination table. Steve could tell Campbell didn't buy it. He was looking between them with an increasingly suspicious expression but what could do without proof?

When Eddie started nodding off the doctors finally escorted him to a private room. Steve had to argue with them for ten minutes before he was allowed to stay. Glaring at the blinking red light of a camera, he settled in a chair next to Eddie's bed where he was already snoring. Steve wasn't tired so he spent the next few hours alternating from counting how many tiles were on the wall to watching Eddie sleep.

Maybe it was creepy but he felt an overwhelming sense of calm whenever he looked down at the sleeping man. Knowing he was safe and alive grounded Steve for the first in months. Possibly since Eddie's death.

When he inevitably fell asleep, he didn't dream of Eddie.

In fact, the next thing Steve was aware of was being woken up. Eddie smiled down at him, the most beautiful sight in the world and Steve couldn't help smiling back. "Morning, sunshine. Care to help me break outta this joint?"

"Don't think it'll come to that." Steve stretched, smiling as Eddie's hands came to rest on his shoulders and squeezed. "We'll call Hopper and... mmm, Eds?" His head rolled back as Eddie massaged his tense muscles.

"How's that feel, better?"

"Be better If was laying down."

"Later, big boy." Eddie kissed the top of his head and let go with a sigh. "We gotta get away from the cameras first. Unless you feel like putting on a show?"

"Nah, I'd rather save myself for you." Steve laughed as Eddie swallowed thickly. "Come on, let's find something to eat."

Back in the examination room, the doctors watched with interest as Eddie wolfed down the food offered. "I haven't tasted anything this good in years!"

Steve ended up giving him most of his food too.

Hopper arrived around noon, staring at Eddie like... well like he'd come back to life. It took hours before Campbell would let them leave and even then, Eddie had to come back every other day for checkups and there would be guards outside Steve's house for the foreseeable future.

"Love being tracked by the government," Eddie muttered to Steve as they left, glancing back at the car following them down the road behind Hopper's wagon. "Guess it's the price to pay for being alive again."

"They're not gonna be peering in the windows at us. They're just making sure you don't..."

"Go demonic and murder you?" Eddie supplied with a grin. Steve tensed as he slid a hand over his thigh, squeezing softly. "Stevie, you could throw me across the room just by looking at me. I don't think they should be worrying about you."

"I'm not gonna hurt you, Eds. Although... I do recall you saying something about being thrown around making you cream your pants."

"Hey, don't abuse your powers. With great power comes great responsibility."

"Is that supposed to mean something?" Steve asked because Eddie spoke with significance. He glanced over when Eddie scoffed and moved back into his seat, immediately missing the warmth of his hand. "What?"

"Can't believe I fell for you. Don't even know Spider-Man."

"You're such a nerd!"

"Hey, Spider-Man's a classic!"

"Nerd." Eddie scoffed again and folded his arms, pointedly ignoring Steve as he looked out the window. He softened, reaching over to squeeze Eddie's thigh. "I like you because you're a nerd, you know. You're different to anyone else I've been with."

Eddie hummed, fingers sliding over Steve's to hold his hand.

"It's fucking insane how easy it is to be around you. I just... I can't believe I get to take you home. I thought you were gone, Eds. I didn't think we'd get this chance to- to be together."

"Okay, okay, you've softened me up," Eddie laughed but he sobered up when he saw Steve's face. "Oh, you're being serious?"

"Yeah, of course."

Eddie didn't say anything, looking out the window again. Steve was glad to take his hand back as they turned on his street. Something heavy had settled in his stomach at Eddie's lack of response. Was he being too forward, too much?

He didn't have time to think about it because when he pulled up to his house there were cars already in the driveway. "What the hell? Nobody should be coming around today?"

"You didn't tell anyone about me did you?"

"No, I just kinda ran outta there yesterday, didn't have time to call anyone."

Hopper knocked on the window and jerked his head at the house. "Come on, they're waiting."

"Hopper." Steve shook his head in disbelief. "Come on, Henderson will start crying if he doesn't hug you first."

"I think you already stole that privilege."

"I don't count." Steve was surprised when Eddie tugged him away from the front door and around the side of the house. "Eds?"

"Shut up a sec, Steve. Let's get somewhere private." Eddie led him towards the garage and slipped inside. "Okay, let's get one thing straight; you absolutely count. The single most important person in my life - aside from Wayne, can I call him? Later. Christ, you brought me back to life how could you not count?"

"That doesn't mean you should feel obligated to..." He waved a hand between them. "...to do this!"

"Oh, obligated?" Eddie grinned, placing a hand on his chest in mock offence. "Imagine having to go home with your middle school crush and getting to date him. Like, seriously, Steve, I'm fucking nauseated at the thought of being alone with you. Do you- do you want me to get on my knees right now? I'll do it if that's what you need."

"Honestly a kiss would be fine."

Eddie grabbed his face, stepping closer to crush their lips together. Kissing Eddie, in reality, felt a lot different, it felt so much more real. Steve never wanted to stop and wasn't sure he could as he was pressed against the wall.

"Doesn't fucking count," Eddie chuckled between kisses. "I'm just gonna have to kiss you until those thoughts fuck off."

"So, you like me. No... bullshit?"

"No bullshit." He punctuated the words with two chaste kisses and stepped back. "Come on before Henderson cries for real."

Steve stopped again at the front door, pausing long enough to smile at Eddie. "I like you too, a lot." He swung the door open before Eddie could respond and they were greeted by several loud voices.

"Eddie!"

True to form, Dustin slammed into Eddie moments later and sent them stumbling backwards. "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have left you there alone!"

"Nice to see you too, Henderson." Eddie ruffled his hair and smiled. "And I died butthead, no one blames you for leaving, especially not me."

"He didn't have much choice. I dragged him outta there," Steve supplied.

"See? Not your fault." Eddie gave Dustin a warm smile, looking a bit startled when he burst into tears and hugged him tighter. "Okay, let's hug it out. Anyone else?" He opened up to the group and Mike immediately joined them. "Sinclair?"

Eddie all but vanished under the three teens.

Robin came over to Steve and nudged him with a grin. "You did it."

"You doubted me?"

"Not even for a second." There were tears in her eyes as she beamed at him. "How do you feel?"

Steve looked at the still hugging group, chest filling with the warmth of adoration. "Happy."

Robin hugged him tightly. "You deserve this, Steve. Don't let anyone say otherwise."

"Couldn't ask for a better friend."

"Hey!" They broke apart to find Eddie glaring at them. "I'm the one who got resurrected, why does Steve get all the hugs?"

"Sorry, Eddie!" Robin rushed over to hug him, lifting him off his feet. "Oh, I've missed you!"

"Okay, okay, try not to break my ribs."

"Sorry." She let him go. "It's not like Stevie couldn't heal you anyway."

"Hey, we're not experimenting with my powers. Especially not on Eddie."

"Thank you, Stevie." Eddie grinned as everyone made noises of surprise and Steve glared at him. "I have been through enough for a lifetime. Now it's time to live it up in his highnesses castle!" He vaulted the back of the sofa and crashed down on it, making the kids laugh. "So, what did I miss?"

It took a while to get Eddie caught up because everyone needed to hug him several times before they settled down. Steve was sure he'd never received so much physical affection before because he was starting to look overwhelmed.

"How about some lunch first?" He asked the group at large and after a round of agreement, the living room was vacated.

Robin winked at him as she passed. "I'll bring you guys something."

"Thank you." Steve sat down next to Eddie and took his hand. It was still mind-blowing how real he felt. Warm skin and strong grip. "How're you feeling?"

"Exhausted." He was still smiling though and shifted closer to lean his head on Steve's shoulder. "Didn't realise people actually cared about me."

"Hate to break it to you, Eds but you're part of the family now. Get used to this."

He laughed loud and buoyant. "I'm not used to this. It was just me and my uncle before. I mean, I have friends but not like this. It's like being adopted or something." His eyes went wide and he sat up looking vaguely panicked. "Wayne!"

"He's not in town, don't worry. He got out before the lockdown. Dustin will have his number and you can call him once everyone's gone." Steve's breath caught as he remembered the grief still etched on Wayne's face when they visited. "He didn't believe you were dead, he'll be glad to know he was right. He asked for you to come visit but..."

"I know, I can't." Eddie finished quietly. "Stuck in Hawkins just in time for the apocalypse."

"I got something for you." Steve desperately wanted to cheer him up so led him to the garage. "Check it out." He pointed at the boxes and Eddie opened one, eyes going wide as he pulled out his books.

"Holy shit, Steve, is this my stuff?"

"Most of it. Before the government got into your trailer I kinda... took it. As much as I could."

"Why?"

"I dunno. I just... I knew what they'd do with it all. Tests and shit. I didn't want them to destroy you, this stuff was proof you existed, even if you were gone." Steve thought back to those first few weeks, the grief and the pain, how numb he'd been. He didn't know if he should hug or kill this Brenner guy for what he did. Experimenting on him, doing god knows what but... he'd given him the ability to save Eddie.

Eddie who was clutching a vinyl record and staring at him with big brown eyes full of wonder. Steve choked as a rush of emotion cut his words off.

"I lost you, Eds." He finally got out in a wobbly voice. "Before I even had you. I couldn't stop thinking about the what-ifs. I didn't think we'd ever get this chance to try."

"Hey, hey, I'm right here." Eddie hurried over and hugged him. Steve held him tightly, fighting back tears. "I'm not going anywhere again, okay?"

"I know."

"Nobody will take me away from you again."

"I will destroy him."

Steve inhaled sharply.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," He replied quickly. He didn't want to worry Eddie, let alone tell him Vecna had promised to kill him again. "Just a bad memory."

Eddie didn't look all that convinced but thankfully he let it drop. Instead, he packed away his stuff again and sighed, looking around at the boxes. "I'll have to sort through this later, see what I want to keep."

"You can have any of the rooms, only two are taken."

"Oh, I don't get to stay in your room?" Eddie waggled his eyebrows. Before Steve could even think about the implications of that, Eddie's eyes widened and he dove behind the boxes. "You saved my baby!" And he picked up the electric guitar that had been hanging on his wall. "Steve, you're fucking amazing! I never thought I'd see her again!"

"Do you two need a minute?" Steve didn't mean to sound so cool, tried to play it off as witty but Eddie only laughed and gently put the guitar back.

"Don't worry, I only have eyes for you," Eddie told him sweetly. His kiss however was anything but sweet and he pushed Steve against the wall and got in his mouth.

Before they'd even begun, the door swung open and Dustin bounded into the room. He didn't even hesitate to get between them. "Dude, you've had Eddie all to yourself for ages! Stop hogging him."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Steve hissed as Eddie sniggered. "Do you want to kiss Eddie too?"

"Ew, no." Dustin was already pushing Eddie back into the main house. He sent Steve a smug smile over his head. "You can make out later. Stop being selfish."

"Yeah Steve, you gotta share me now."

"Small price to pay, Munson. As long as you don't try kissing anyone else."

"I dunno... Jonathan might go for it."

"Eddie!"

He laughed, quickly enveloped in another teen hug. "Okay, okay, I'm still here guys. Steve was just showing me how much of a kleptomaniac he is."

"Steve!" Joyce turned to him, looking concerned. "You've been stealing?"

"No! It's Eddie's stuff. I kinda... liberated his trailer before the government got there." Steve shrugged and took his seat next to Robin who passed over a sandwich. "And he better appreciate me for it."

"Oh, I do." His suggestive tone made everyone groan. "So, can I get the low down now? Hawkins looks like hell and I've only seen a bit of it during the drive here. What's happened?"

It took a while but between them, they got Eddie caught up. He had that overwhelmed look on his face again as he gazed at the dark sky from a deck chair, having gone outside to smoke after an emotional call with Wayne that involved a fair few tears. It was getting dark so everybody was preparing to leave before curfew.

Nancy joined Steve in the kitchen and she too watched Eddie for a moment. "How do you think he's taking it?"

"Pretty well, all things considered."

"And you?" She smiled knowingly. "I'm assuming you guys have talked since you both looked... ruffled after disappearing earlier. Eddie's comments are a bit salacious."

"Uh, yeah. We've done some talking."

"Steve!" She laughed quietly and he flushed red.

"That's not what I meant!"

"Well, enjoy your alone time." She winked, patting his arm before opening the sliding door. "Eddie, we're leaving! You better come say goodbye!"

He stubbed out his cigarette and bounding inside, pausing only to kiss Steve's cheek. Then he hurried off to find the kids for another round of hugging. Steve watched him disappear in a swarm of teens again and swallowed thickly.

Alone with Eddie...

Wasn't that a dangerous thought.

"Alright, get outta here." He hurried into the hallway to rescue Eddie. "Eddie'll be here in the morning for you all to annoy."

The others graciously let him go, except for Dustin. He glared at Steve from under one of his arms. "No fair."

"Henderson-"

Eddie grabbed Steve and pulled him into the hug. "Come on Dustin, mom and dad need some alone time. We got a lot to talk about and some of that needs to be done with no children around, you get me?"

"I so didn't need to know." Dustin detached himself with a groan and hurried out the door after the others. "Bye!"

"Finally." Steve hurried to shut the door and turned to smile at Eddie, back pressed against it. The lock seemed deafeningly loud in the charged silence. "So… we're finally alone."

"For the first time, I believe. It's a lot quieter without anyone around." Eddie pushed himself away from the wall and met Steve halfway, dragging him into a fierce hug. "God, it feels good to touch the real you."

"Better?"

"So much better."

Steve buried his face in Eddie's curls, pulling him closer than he thought possible. Eddie felt so much more alive now, here in the real world. Steve didn't think he'd ever be able to describe how happy he was at that moment. His hand brushed under Eddie's shirt, fingers touching warm skin and that, that was something new. His fingertips burned at the contact. Hand splayed against his lower back, Steve pulled away to look at Eddie properly when he hummed appreciatively. He smiled back, cheeks flushed a gorgeous shade of pink.

Steve wanted him.

Eddie, reading his mind apparently, pressed a finger to his lips. "Hold that thought. I'd really like to shower first. Feeling kinda gross, especially next to you."

"Yeah, yeah of course. Anything you want." Steve reluctantly let him go. He lead the way upstairs, showed Eddie the main bathroom and got him some supplies. "I'll shower too and meet you downstairs?"

"Sounds like a plan." Eddie ran his hand along Steve's shoulder as he passed and winked. "Try not to think about me too much."

"Right." He got out weakly as the bathroom door shut. Steve stared at it for a long moment before coming back to his senses and hurrying to his room.

He was cleaned up in record time but got stuck in his room deciding what to wear. Did he go all out to impress or act casual? Then he remembered Eddie didn't have any clothes and cursed. Throwing on the first things he found, Steve rummaged around for some sweatpants and a shirt that wasn't a polo. At the last moment, he grabbed his varsity jacket too and left the clothes in a neat pile for Eddie outside the bathroom.

"Eds, I've left fresh clothes out here for you!"

"Thanks!" The shower was still running so Steve left him to it.

Down in the kitchen he turned on the oven and decided to use up the last of his chicken nuggets. He was trying to empty his freezer before the inevitable power outages. Nuggets seemed like good welcome-back food. He also grabbed a brownie mix from the cupboard and got to work on that too. By the time he was washing up the mess, he was starting to get nervous because Eddie wasn't down yet.

"Eddie's fine," He told himself quietly. "He's fine, he's upstairs and he'll be down soon. Get your shit together, Steve." It was only when he heard Eddie coming down the stairs that he relaxed. "Feeling better?"

"Much. Hot water is heaven." Steve turned as Eddie hoisted himself onto the countertop. "What're you making?"

"Chicken nuggets and brownies."

"Ooh, sounds amazing!" Eddie sniffed the air and nodded his approval. "Smells good too."

"Alright, now you're just flattering me."

"Maybe." He leaned back on his hands and grinned lazily. Steve watched a water droplet run down his neck and soak into the collar of his jacket. He moved forward to tuck the wet lock behind his ear. "Steve," Eddie's voice softened as he grabbed his wrist. "How about after we eat? I'm starving."

"Sure thing." Steve stepped back as the timer went off and grabbed the plates.

He took his usual seat, pleased when Eddie sat next to him. He turned in the chair and swung his legs onto Steve's lap. Although neither of them spoke about it, Steve couldn't help smiling when he saw Eddie was blushing. "What, I can't touch you?"

Steve reached down to gently rub a thumb over Eddie's ankle. "Thought you would've jumped me by now since we've been alone for over an hour?"

"Stevie…" He leaned forward and stroked Steve's idle hand, squeezing his wrist. "This is all part of the fun. I'm not just gonna drag you to bed. Half the fun is in the build-up."

He squeezed Eddie's ankle and grinned when he dropped his fork. "You like to tease?"

"I'll show you everything I like later. Now eat."

Steve did as he was told but kept ahold of Eddie. Not that he complained. It was nice to have another person in the house indefinitely, it already felt more homely. Eddie grabbed his plate as soon as he was finished and dumped it in the sink. When he turned around there was a coyness to his smile as he leaned against the side. It made Steve's skin prickle. No girl had ever made him feel so hyper-aware of his own limbs.

"Let's sit." Eddie grabbed his hand and led the way into the living room, settling on the sofa. Steve joined him and for the first time fully appreciated that this was real. Eddie Munson was alive and sat there on his sofa. They were holding hands and Eddie was smiling so sweetly at him that it was hard to breathe. "Doing good, Stevie?"

"Yeah," He breathed. "It's hard to believe you're real."

"I'm very real." Eddie pressed Steve's hand to his chest so he could feel his heartbeat. "Feel that?" His hand came to rest over Steve's chest and his smile made everything better. Maybe they really would be okay. Steve felt he could take on Vecna if his reward was Eddie's smiles. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I know. I wouldn't let you anyway."

"Gonna lock me away?"

"If I have to." Eddie shifted closer, knees brushing Steve's thighs as his hands slipped into his hair. "Can I kiss you? Please, Eds, it's been hours."

"Hmm, since you asked so nicely pretty boy." Eddie's full weight settled on his lap as their lips met in a soft kiss.

Steve melted into the touch, letting Eddie take the lead as his hands settled on his waist. He smelled like citrus fruits and coconut, Steve's body wash and shampoo and if that wasn't a turn on he didn't know what was. Eddie tugged on his shirt and Steve quickly threw it somewhere, too focused on the warm hands now exploring his chest.

"Yeah, you've been holding out on me."

"I have?"

"This, this is not what it was like before." He smiled and guided Steve's head back by the grip on his hair. "Steve Harrington, reality suits you."

Steve laughed. "What's that mean?"

He hummed, tracing a finger over the sensitive scarring on Steve's sides. "You're thinner, scarred and in definite need of a good night's sleep-"

"Gee, thanks."

Eddie grabbed his chin and shook him gently. "Shut up. I was going to say, you're perfect."

Warmth flooded his cheeks but he found he couldn't look away from Eddie's smile. "Shut up."

"No, I'm serious. You're perfect because you're real." He started kissing Steve again, murmuring between each press of lips, "I want this. Every fight, every tear, every fucking nightmare. I'll take it all because it's real."

He groaned, hips bucking against Eddie's solid weight. "Enough teasing, Eds. I gotta get out of these pants."

"Lead the way, handsome."

Steve grabbed Eddie's hand and hurried upstairs, stumbling slightly in his haste. Incredibly, Eddie didn't laugh, he just steadied him and kissed him sweetly. "Relax, Stevie. We got all night."

"Good because I've been wanting to do this for a while." When he finally got Eddie out of his clothes, Steve took a moment to take him in. He was thinner too, scars less pronounced than his own and he gently traced the one just under his ribs. Eddie inhaled sharply and Steve withdrew. "Did that hurt?"

"No, just sensitive." Eddie pressed his hand back and smiled. "You can touch me, it's fine."

Hand splayed on his stomach, Steve brushed back his now-dried curls which had never looked so fluffy. He got distracted running his hands through the softened locks, having gotten used to the more grungy look Eddie had in the Upside Down. This clean version of him was nicer but also new.

"Steve," Eddie huffed after a few minutes of hair petting. "If you don't touch my dick in the next ten seconds I'm gonna go jerk off somewhere without you."

"What happened to the build-up?"

"We're naked in your bed, that ship has sailed." Eddie pulled him down into a heated kiss. "Now shut up and touch me."

Steve found out very quickly that Eddie was just as confident in bed as he was with everything else. He was immediately wrapped around his finger, doing whatever it took to please Eddie and get him to make all those wonderful sounds. Steve didn't know if it was because he was a guy or simply that he was Eddie but it was the best sex of his life.

And he didn't want to let go.

Eddie stayed, even kissing back enthusiastically long after they were finished. It was new and a fantastic feeling to be with somebody who was just as receptive to touch. Nobody had stayed the night before, not even Nancy. She always had some reason to leave. Not Eddie though, he got comfortable in Steve's bed and smiled sleepily at him.

"About that spare room… do I need it?"

Steve laughed, diving in to kiss him again because he couldn't get enough. "Yeah for your stuff."

"But I can stay here?"

"You're not leaving this bed for at least another eight hours."

"Can you really last that long? I know you're like a superhero now yet I'm certainly not. Maybe got another round in me but you've wiped me out right now. Christ, I can't feel my toes." Eddie grinned, kissing across his chest. "In a good way of course."

"Good because you had me worried there for a second."

"In a phrase, you've fucked my brains out." Eddie mimed an explosion around his head. "I'm still debating whether you rescued me or I finally got out of purgatory and went to heaven."

"Shut up, Eds. You're really here."

He hummed, cradling Steve's face as they kissed. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be." And with a smirk he pushed Steve onto his back, kneeling over him. "So… about that second round?"

Eddie was insatiable but so was Steve.

For the second night in a row, Steve didn't dream. When he finally woke to the sound of yelling downstairs and Eddie still in his arms, he wondered if he'd ever dream like that again. He looked down at Eddie and smiled, heart brimming with affection as he snuffled and buried closer. No, he didn't need to go searching anymore.

He roused Eddie after a few minutes and dragged him into the bathroom to shower. He didn't comment on the cracked glass, just touched it and raised an eyebrow at Steve before dragging him under the warm spray. Downstairs they were greeted by a round of wolf whistles from Argyle and Robin, making Steve blush but Eddie only winked back at them.

As they sat down to eat, Vecna's words came back to him.

"I will destroy him."

Steve swore to himself he'd never let that happen. Vecna wouldn't get the chance to lay a finger on Eddie again. He looked at Eleven, surprised to find her already watching him. She knew, he could see it in the grim determination of her eyes. This was far from over and he had a lot to learn before the inevitable fight.

Eleven would help him and when the time came, they would be ready.

Three weeks passed and in that time, Steve and Eddie were inseparable.

Wherever Steve went, Eddie followed and vice versa. The others quickly gave up on separating them.

It gave Steve a new perspective on life, having Eddie with him. He wanted to fight not just to protect his friends but his own life too. He had something worth defending now and he wouldn't allow Vecna to take it from him again.

He'd spent most of that three weeks training with Eleven, trying - and sometimes succeeding - in using his powers. Robin had been right, he reacted emotionally rather than logically and it made it hard to control. But Steve had been able to throw Eddie on the bed as he'd requested.

That had been a very fun evening.

After a long day of trying to mentally block Eleven in case Vecna tried to attack his brain, Steve's head felt like goop. It helped that Eddie was currently coddling him, taking him to bed and making dinner for them before joining him. Tangled together under the sheets, Steve felt at peace.

They broke apart at the sound of thunder, red lightning illuminating their faces in the darkened room. "Steve…" Eddie gripped his shoulders tightly. "This is it, isn't it?"

"I think so." They got up and looked out the window. The sky was completely black, more red lightning illuminating the sky and the shadowed creatures flying above. He reached out and took Eddie's hand, holding it tightly. "At least we had some time."

"Not enough." It was true. Three weeks wasn't enough, forever wouldn't be enough. "Angband has awoken."

They glanced at the radio as it crackled to life and Dustin's voice echoed through, "Code red! Code red!"

Eddie took a deep breath, his face set. "We've got this… together."

Steve kissed his forehead and closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment to enjoy their closeness. Who knew when they'd ever be like this again? "Together."