Live In Defiance
Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.
A/N: For Whumptober 2022 #29 What doesn't kill me...-defiance
Steve lifted his head inches from the couch cushion. His living room swam before his eyes. His eyes watered as he tried to focus on the kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. He had just woken up yet he still felt exhausted. His body had mostly healed from the beating he'd taken at the Byers' house back in November. But when he was stressed or tired he was prone to migraines. Last night had made him both, but he refuse to give in to the pain.
The new year was starting out wonderfully, he thought to himself sarcastically as he fought down the waves of pain and nausea. At least there was nothing trying to kill him, man or monster, that he had to fight. His track record wasn't the best at winning fights if his face said anything about his ability to win. He'd like to say you should see the other guy but he knew for a fact from what Max had told him, her stepbrother Billy, looked loads better than Steve felt.
Since he had found out about the Upside Down it had turned his world upside down. Once he had been the King of Hawkins High, drinking and parting with the best crowds. New Year's Eve had always been a long-anticipated party, full of booze and making out, it was any teenager's dream. He had rung 1985 in a little differently. Soda had replaced the alcohol, nerdy middle schoolers replaced the highest tier of the high school hierarchy and he had no one to share a midnight kiss with. Nancy was with Jonathon at his house while Steve hosted the little shitheads at his house.
His parents had gone to see the ball drop in New York like they always did. He had planned to spend a quiet night alone in his brightly lit home until the kids had literally planned a party at his house without any input from him. What could he do but provide copious amounts of pop and snacks and his collection of mix tapes to keep the music from being lame. He may not be the king anymore but nobody could say he didn't know how to throw a party, even if he had to keep it PG-rated. He didn't want an angry Sheriff or worse an angry Joyce Byers after his head. So he had no choice but to go all out. Not because he cared that the kids had a good time, but to protect what was left of his reputation and to keep furious parents off his case.
He had stressed cleaned and baked all morning of the thirty-first. He didn't know why he'd bothered. The party had inhaled the food, hardly tasting it or even stopping to chew. He looked around the destroyed house, not a surface or room had remained clean. It had been loud, messy, and fun. They watched movies, danced to music, and they even tried to teach him how to play D&D. Finally as the clock struck midnight he, Will, and Dustin headed outside to give the new couple some alone time to share a traditional kiss. Colorful fireworks exploded in the night sky. The crisp winter air had felt good to the trio after the energetic party. Steve stood listening to the two boys tell him all about the intricacies of D&D. Even after sitting in for a game it still went over his head, but he dutifully nodded and asked questions, trying to understand. His head was starting to ache from all the fantasy knowledge and noise he had been exposed to. He reached down, gathering a ball of snow in his hands before he tossed it at Dustin's face. The curly-haired boy's stream of words ceased immediately as he stared in shock at his laughing friends. Recovering he gave a battle cry. Snow was flying everywhere when the two couples came outside to see what the commotion was all about. The free for all snowball fight began to form alliances and strategy, Eleven used her powers once to drop heaps of snow from the roof onto a group of unsuspecting players.
When the fireworks finally tapered off for good he ushered the shivering kids back into his house. He turned on another movie as he whipped up a batch of hot chocolate, with marshmallows when Dustin complained about his cup not having any. Steve may have started a small food fight when he'd thrown the marshmallows at the complaining boy. Once they were warm and settled down once more he waited for the movie to end.
He had seen the kids home around two in the morning after the celebrations had died down. The movie credits were rolling and the kids had been dozing all over his house. He thought it best to drop them off before the little shitheads fell asleep and he was too tired to drive.
He had arrived back home around three in the morning after playing soccer mom manning the carpool. He had looked around his house taking in the crumbs and half-filled cups and plates. Streamers, confetti, and party hats were strung from one end of the house to the other. With a tired sigh, he sat on the couch to take a breather for a second before he started to tackle the mess. He never got back up.
The light of the early afternoon sun was streaming in from the window. Hitting his eyes at just the right angle to cause spikes of pain to ignite in his brain.
"Steve, that party was wicked!" Dustin shouted as he let himself into his older friend's house. Steve had forgotten to lock the door. Panic seized his chest, he hadn't forgotten to lock the door since Barb had gone missing out of his backyard. Paranoia ate at his brain as his wide eyes darted around the room, looking for any threat that may have gotten in when he had stupidly let his guard down.
"Hey, buddy, you okay?" Steve jumped slightly as a hand landed on his shoulder.
"What the hell, dude?" Steve breathed out in annoyance, slapping his hand away.
They stared at each other, uncomfortable and unsure about what to do next. Steve's life had changed dramatically in the last couple of years. Everything he thought he was and what he wanted to do and be had changed. First, he had changed for Nancy. She made him want to be better. To fight for what was right and never give up. Even though they were no longer together he still wanted to be someone she thought was good and worthy. Now he was a damn good babysitter. Dustin, Max, Lucas, and the rest of the shitheads made him want to be better. They were so loyal and courageous. They fought for each other no matter the threat. Each day they all lived was a sign they had defied the evil of the Upside Down. Steve planned to keep living, enjoying each day with these new wonderous people he had been given the pleasure to get to know.
"You want breakfast?" Steve asked heading to the messy kitchen. He would clean later. He'd make Dustin, and whoever else showed up at his house unannounced and probably without knocking either, help him too.
Dustin followed behind him, "It's actually lunch."
"Whatever, dude, I haven't eaten yet," Steve said defiantly, "You don't get food anyways, 'cause you trashed my house."
"No wait, Steve, it wasn't me," Dustin started picking up some trash, "See I'll help clean, though."
Steve smiled, he was still tired and his head still hurt but at least his house would get cleaned. He turned to the fridge when he heard the front door open and kids' voices rise in arguments. Yes, his life sure had changed but he wouldn't give it up for the world.
