The plan was that Eddie would stay put, while they tried to figure out what exactly was going on, and if the police were getting any leads on where he might be.
It had taken Eddie awhile to calm down in Steve's arms, until finally he nodded and agreed. Dustin told him they would be over as early as dawn with food, and hopefully information about what was going on. Eddie seemed grateful as they all got up, ready to leave. Steve watched as Eddie twisted his hips, cracking them, a habit he had noticed with Eddie ever since they started dating, then patted Dustin lovingly on the head thanking him, and nodding to Robin and Max saying the same. Steve, looking around the dark boathouse, and the open door leading out to the nearly pitch black lake, sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Guys, I'm gonna stay with Eddie tonight."
Eddie sighed, shaking his head.
"Naw man. It's okay. I'll be fine. I'll be stay in my hiding spot."
Steve looked at how frightened Eddie's dark eyes were, and shook his head. He had lost Billy because he was too wrapped up in other bullshit, to truly understand he was in trouble. Shaking his head, deciding to stay stubborn on the subject, he shook his head.
"Absolutely not. I'm staying. Or you're going in the trunk and heading home with me."
Eddie smirked, seeing how concerned Steve was, and reached over, and gently held onto his shoulder.
"You said your parents are coming home Monday. Besides, we can't risk it. I'll be fine."
Robin nervously chewed her lip before shrugging.
"I think it's the only way Steve. I don't have a license."
Eddie and Steve turned towards Robin, eyebrows raised.
"How do you not have a license?"
Robin just stood there.
"I'm...poor."
Max grinned for the first time today.
"I mean I can..."
Steve pointed his finger at her.
"No! Absolutely not! Never again!"
Sighing, Steve took a second before nodding and looking at the others.
"I'll drive you guys back, then head back here. I'll hide my car in the woods, set Eddie's watch alarm and get up before sunrise and pick Robin up first, then the rest of you guys. We'll see if anything is up with the cops, and get you some food."
Eddie sighed.
"Steve..."
Eddie began, before Steve turned and stared at Eddie, showing he wasn't messing around.
"No arguments. I'm coming back tonight."
Seeing there wasn't any way to talk him out of it, Eddie held up his hands defense, before Steve nodded.
"Alright, let's get going."
He turned towards Eddie again.
"You, under that tarp and don't move until you hear my voice...only then. Understand?"
Eddie nodded, looking too scared to crack a joke or talk back. Dustin, always the hopeful one, gave Eddie the thumbs up.
"We'll be back before you know it. What kind of cereal do you like?"
Before Eddie could answer, Steve almost on autopilot answered for him, remembering when he had eaten cereal dozens of times in front of him either at his house or in the trailer. "He likes HoneyCombs." He saw Max kinda do an eyeroll, before heading out with Robin. Dustin smiled, clearly loving the fact that the two guys he looked up to the most were clearly in a pretty serious relationship. Steve knew it was crazy, but in the brief time Eddie and him had started fooling around and dating, he got to know him better than anyone else in his life. He knew that Dio was his favorite band, that Charlie Sheen was his celebrity crush, that red was his favorite color, and that he always lightly snoored if he was on his back, which Steve found extremely cute. What killed him was, even though Billy and him had dated much longer, he had only known a few things about him. What kind of cigarettes he smoked, and beers he liked. His taste in music, and that he knew how to surf. Any other details were lost the second Billy was killed.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he nodded, and turned towards Eddie now alone.
"Here..."
He tried to hand him his flashlight, but Eddie sadly smiled and shook his head.
"I'm fine, you'll need it if you park in the woods. If anything comes up, don't risk it Steve. I mean it. I already feel awful dragging you into this."
Steve sighed staring at him, hating that he was seeing tears glimmer in his eyes. He reached up, and gently cupped the side of Eddie's cheek.
"It's alright. Remember...we're fucking experts on this bullshit."
Eddie turned his face slightly in towards Steve's warm hand.
"Yeah..."
Steve took a step closer, gently kissing his lips before pulling back.
"I'll be back as soon as possible. Hang tight."
Eddie nodded, before Steve offered his hand to help him back into the boat. As much as he hated to do it, he picked up the broken piece of glass Eddie had tried to use earlier, and handed it back to him. Eddie laid back as the boat gently rocked back and forth.
"Be back soon. Love you." Eddie starred up, looking on edge. "Love you too."
Steve softly smiled, hating to leave him, before he pulled the tarp over, and examined it, making sure you couldn't see Eddie hiding underneath. Once he was satisfied, he left the boathouse, to find Dustin waiting for him smiling softly. Steve raised an eyebrow as they began walking back up to his car and the girls.
"What man?"
"So? How long have you and Eddie..."
"Shut your face Henderson."
Steve snapped, making Dustin grin even harder. Gently in the distance, the wind had picked up.
Later...
Robin promised she would be ready as soon as he came by early the next morning since she was the last one he dropped off. Feeling terrible about splitting up, he made Dustin and Max promise to be careful, and not go out that night. as much as they rolled their eyes, they promised, and made Steve make his own when they told him they wanted to be picked up right after Robin. Steve promised, before driving, feeling his hands shake.
"How you doing?"
Robin asked, looking at him. Steve started forward, almost feeling numb.
"Guess I'm sorta in shock. This is the forth fucking time I've had to deal with this stuff...and I have to be honest...I'm sick of it."
"I'll watch the news, and use my dad's police scanner to see if anything is up."
Steve turned towards her, raising an eyebrow.
"Why does your dad have a police scanner?"
Robin made a face, actually making Steve grin a little as he shook his head.
"Never mind, I don't want to know."
Robin gently rubbed his arm.
"He'll be okay. I promise. Just be careful okay?"
Steve nodded, before he sighed, staring down the dark road.
"To think, earlier today I was planning on proposing...now Eddie is wanted for murder, and we're basically certain some new monster has arrived in town."
Taking a second, he tried to control his tears, before he turned again towards Robin.
"Do you think I'm being punished? That it seems like I forgot Billy or something? That I'm the one that's cursed or something?"
"Steve, don't. You can't think like that. What you need to do is get back to Eddie, be super careful and safe, get a few hours of sleep...then we'll figure this out. Together."
She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, before Steve sighed, shaking his head.
"Guess it just seems different this time. Like...we're sorta on our own. I can't lose anybody else Robin. I love him."
"I know you do. Just by watching you two back there...I could see it. He wouldn't let go of you, and you wouldn't let go of him. As soon as he started getting scared or worked up...you somehow knew and was the magic wand that calmed him down. I just hope someday I can find the type of love that Eddie and you have."
Steve sadly smirked.
"Thanks Robin."
"I'll see you at dawn."
She climbed out of the car, before turning.
"Got your walkie?"
Steve nodded holding it up.
"Okay, I'll grab my brother's. I can at least borrow it tonight. Dustin radios in, or anything happens channel 4 okay?"
"Got it."
Robin slammed the door, before Steve sighed. He wanted to get to Eddie as fast as possible, and every second he was away from him, he kept feeling a dreadful thump deeply in his chest.
Later that night...
Steve parked nearly ten miles away in a small clearing, down a dead end road in the middle of the woods. He hated that as soon as he climbed out...he instantly remembered this was the exact spot where he had first had sex with Billy. Feeling a chill, he zipped up his jacket, grabbing the three things he had quickly picked up at the mini mart on his way here. In the tiny plastic bag were two cokes, a package of snowballs, Eddie's favorite, and a pack of smokes for Eddie. Usually, he would have rather Eddie not smoke, but he could only imagine how stressed he was feeling. He made sure the car was hidden, and even stuck to walking within the woods, to make sure no passing cars could see him, even though he didn't come across a single one. After walking for what seemed like twenty or so minutes, he finally spotted Rick's. Being careful to look around, he waited until he was on the property to turn his flashlight on, keeping the beam down so nobody across the lake would see. Once he was at the entrance of the boathouse, he decided to take a second, snapping off the flashlight, before casting his eyes up towards the starlit sky. He honestly really didn't know what he believed in, but he figured if there was such a place like the Upside Down which was Hell...he was almost certain there must be a Heaven.
Silently he thought to himself...
"Billy. I'm sorry. Please. Please. Please help me. Just a little bit."
He felt tears start to build in his eyes, and he quickly blinked them away. Eddie somehow always knew whenever he was upset, and the last thing he wanted was him to start worrying about him. Taking a deep breath, collecting himself, he quietly opened the boathouse door, before shutting it.
"Eddie?"
He whispered, eyeing the boat. In a flash, the tarp flew backwards, before Eddie looked up, large brown eyes frightened.
"Jesus...you're a sight for sore eyes."
Steve smirked, before he walked over, and took Eddie's hand, sitting into the boat. It took him a second to steady himself as it slowly rocked back and forth in the water. Steve smiled through the dim darkness, looking across at Eddie's pale face.
"You okay?"
Eddie raised an eyebrow, before Steve shook his head.
"Sorry, stupid question..."
He then made a face, kicking himself for not bringing blankets even though as windy as it was, it actually wasn't that chilly out.
"Sorry, I forgot blankets or a change of clothes. I could get you that stuff if I swing by my place tomorrow morning before coming back?"
Eddie smirked and shook his head.
"I think I can get enough day or so out of these clothes, besides I got a few layers on. You cold?"
Steve shook his head.
"Naw, I'm good. Here I come with gifts..."
He dug into the plastic bag, handing him the smokes, snowballs, and coke, before taking his own can and cracking it open.
"Cheers?"
Eddie smirked, setting down the snowballs, and smokes on his lap, before cracking his own open, and clinking it against Steve's.
"Yeah, here's to 1986. I actually thought it was gonna be my year. Jokes on me huh?"
Steve took the plastic bag, and played with it nervously on his lap. He sadly smiled, before sipping his coke. Eddie took a large gulp of his, before setting it down on the boat's floor. He then dug into the snowballs, shoving an entire one into his mouth, making Steve start chucking. Eddie, who resembled a chipmunk, made his silly face he usually did for Steve whenever he was woofing his food down too fast. It just seemed like yesterday that the two had gotten a pizza at Eddie's trailer, and Steve watched with a mixture of disgust, and amusement as Eddie inhaled his food. Right now, watching Eddie eat, actually was a welcomed sight.
"I'll make sure to bring better stuff tomorrow."
Eddie chewed, before swallowing, and taking a sip can of his coke. He smirked across at Steve.
"This is perfect. Thanks."
Steve reached across and rubbed his knee.
"Jesus. This morning when I saw the news today before Max and Dustin came in...do you know I actually puked?"
Eddie raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. I thought you were dead."
Eddie offered Steve the other snowball, in which he smiled and shook his head no to. Eddie shrugged, and shoved the last one in his mouth, before swallowing it in two big chews. Once he polished off his coke, he looked across at Steve and sighed.
"I guess this is what I get for selling drugs to high school students huh?"
Steve shook his head.
"We're going to figure this out Eddie I swear."
Eddie sighed, before he cocked his head to the side.
"Mind telling me about it. About...all of what's happened?"
Steve took a deep breath, looking across at him.
"That's a long story."
Eddie smirked, and motioned around him.
"I got time."
Steve took a deep breath, before he started at the beginning.
"Well, I guess it all began the night Will Byers went missing..."
Later...
Steve finished his story, somehow keeping it together, even when he went over in detail what had happened to Billy, and how he had really died. He finished the story, but explaining what the government had covered up, and how Joyce, Jonthan, Will, and Eleven, the girl who had lost her super powers, had moved away. Steve then sighed, seeing how Eddie had hung onto every word that he was saying, never once questioning a single thing.
"So, Robin and I got jobs at the video store, and I sunk into a pretty bad depression. I kept blaming myself for not really seeing how in trouble Billy was. Trust me, Robin, and the others told me over and over again...how could I have known? I was how far underneath the Starcourt Mall getting the shit kicked out of me and drugged by Russian guards. Still, Billy came to me with that awful plan to blackmail Mrs. Wheeler. I know Billy was a lot of things, but...if you knew how awful his dad was, you might understand. I think maybe I was the only one that knew there was a human underneath all of that. He didn't deserve what happened to him. Still, I watched him die...and whatever was left of the real Billy...was the side that saved Eleven and stood up to that fucking monster. He died right in front of Max, and I was too late. I can't even start to think of what he went through, and what he did. But, the last time we spoke, he came to be frightened...desperate, and I let him leave. Maybe he died hating me...I'll never know. So, I lived with that guilt, throwing myself into that crummy job, and fixing up his car...until you walked into my life. Suddenly, things didn't seem to awful. You taught me that there might actually be a second chance for somebody like me..."
Steve's face began breaking up as silent tears slipped from his eyes. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"I'm so fucking sorry Eddie that I lied to you and never told you. I was hoping after everything...maybe it was over. This place is Hell on Earth, I'm convinced. The only good thing that's come out of me staying here was meeting you...and now look what happened."
Steve lowered his head, before suddenly he felt Eddie's warm smooth hands slip on each side gently of his face, slowly lifting it, and making his eyes lock with his. He saw that Eddie's eyes were serious.
"First, don't you fucking dare blame yourself for any of this. I get it why you didn't tell me. I love you Steve, more than you'll ever know...but if you told me the story you just told me without me seeing what happened to Chrissy...I would think you had lost your Goddamn mind."
He smirked, causing Steve to crack a small smile as tears continued to fall down his face. Eddie gently rubbed his tear run cheek with his thumb. Eddie laughed softly, and shook his head.
"Steve, I feel like I'm losing my Goddamn mind myself, but I believe you...and as shit scared as I am...I'm so fucking happy you're here."
Steve sighed, closing his eyes for a second, as Eddie continued holding his face, gently rubbing his cheeks with his thumb, before he leaned in and softly kissed Steve's lips. Steve sighed, never needing a kiss more in his life. Pulling back slightly, Eddie tilted his head to the side.
"You didn't kill Billy Steve."
Steve kept his lip quiver, his heart pounding in his chest, as his vision blurred for a moment as fresh tears filled his eyes. Eddie pulled him in closer, wrapping his arms tightly around him. Laying in his arms, Steve sighed, hugging him back. They stayed that way for what seemed like a lifetime, before letting go, and pulling apart. Steve sniffled, and shook his head.
"Look at this. You're the one wanted for murder, and as usual you're taking care of me."
Eddie smiled, reaching forward, gently brushing Steve's bangs out of his face.
"Hey, it's a dirty job...but somebody has to do it."
Steve smirked, finally starting to feel a million times better now that he had finally truly been honest with Eddie. Sniffling, he used his sleeve to rub his raw bloodshot eyes, before he gave a soft humorless laugh, looking down at the plastic bag in his lap. He glanced up and saw Eddie was looking down, lighting his cigarette. Steve stared at him, his messy hair, his pale face, his hands, slightly shaking as he tried to steady his lighter long enough to light the cigarette. More than anything, he wished he was just in his car with Eddie, the heat and radio on, Eddie laying against his shoulder, and the two of them driving out of Hawkins. He had thought of maybe getting him out of here, someway, somehow. Maybe he could keep him far enough away that he wouldn't be found, and still be safe. The urge to take him away from all of this was worse than ever, seeing him sit there, struggling to light his smoke on this chilly dark night. Instead, Steve thought back on Billy's hurt angry expression he gave him before climbing into his car that morning the last time they talked.
Looking at Eddie, he promised himself he wasn't going to waste another single second. He reached into his pocket, aware of the weight of it this entire time, yet had been so caught up with everything hadn't really thought any further about it. Taking it carefully, he slipped it into the plastic bag, before handing the bag over to Eddie.
"Oh...I forgot one last thing."
Eddie looked up, cigarette now lit. It dangled out of his mouth as he tucked his lighter away.
"Two tickets to across the world?"
Steve smirked, feeling a nervous flutter in his chest. This really wasn't how he had envisioned him doing this, but now seemed better than ever after today's events. He watched as Eddie turned the plastic bag upside down onto his lap, and looked puzzled as the tiny black box dropped onto his thighs. He nervously clutched his hands together, watching as Eddie dropped the bag to the side without a second thought, and picked the box up.
He opened it...before his eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
He stared at it in silence for a few moments, before lifting his eyes and looking across at Steve.
"Is...this what I think it is?"
Steve smirked, and motioned to the boat.
"I would get down on one knee, but I'm afraid I'll tip us."
Eddie looked down at the ring, his eyes even wider than they originally were. Steve reached over, and took the box, before picking the ring out.
"I know we've only known each other for a few weeks...but that night we made plans on heaving Hawkins...I could actually see it happening. After last summer, I never thought I would ever be happy again. Then some guy walked up to me asking if I wanted to play darts. I'm starting to believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm certain you came into my life to make me come back to life again. If I could trade places with you, I would in a heartbeat. I swear on my life I'll do whatever I can to make sure you're safe, and that your name is cleared. I'll fucking kill whatever evil spell caster, or wizard, demon, or monster is causing all of this. You're the love of my life Eddie...and I want us to have a future together, even though at this exact moment that seems impossible. As God as my witness, we're going to leave this town together and be happy...so as I ramble as usual...I guess what I'm trying to ask you is...will you marry me?"
It wasn't what he had originally planned on saying as he proposed, but this seemed more from the heart.
Eddie stared down at the ring, before a beautiful smile slowly spread across his face, lighting it up. His eyes watered with tears of joy, before her bit down on his lip and quickly nodded. Steve felt his heart leap up, before he blinked.
"You will?"
Eddie grinned.
"You bet your ass I do."
Steve couldn't contain himself a second longer. He leaned forward, plunging his lips against Eddie's, as he felt his hand wrap around his head, bringing him in closer. Their mouths went crazy, opening and closing, before Steve drew back slightly, unable to stop smiling.
"You sure?"
Eddie cracked up, kissing him again, before Steve carefully, trying not to shake, slipped the ring onto Eddie's finger. Eddie looked down at his hand, tears running down his face before he looked up at Steve and smiled. His voice broke as he spoke, but Steve knew he was happy.
"Maybe this is my year after all Harrington."
The next morning...
Steve awoke by the faint beeping of Eddie's wrist watch. Taking a second, he didn't know where he was. His back ached, and he felt himself gently moving. That's when everything came crashing back at him at once, as he pulled at the tarp that they had covered themselves up with a few hours ago with. He looked, and saw that it was still dark out. He had been sleeping in the crook of Eddie's arm, who jolted awake, the two of them using an old life vest as a pillow. Eddie's eyes looked wide and frightened, and it absolutely broke Steve's heart. Reaching over, he took Eddie's wrist, admiring the silver band now on his finger, smirking, and clicked the alarm he had set off.
"Shhhh. It's okay. I gotta go get the others."
Eddie took a second, much like Steve gathering his own surroundings. Steve hated that the night before he had slept here all alone. Right before the two fell asleep, Steve asked Eddie why he didn't come to his house after Chrissy, and hated himself when Eddie explained he did, and when he didn't answer, he figured he stopped by Robin's or something, and since he didn't know where she lived, he got scared and ran. Steve decided to come clean, and tell him about how he had been having mental images of Billy. He wasn't sure if they were visions, or nightmares...or just plain guilt. He told him about seeing Billy in his car, and almost getting into the accident.
"I was so freaked out, I took one of your stupid downers." Eddie looked just as surprised, before he wrapped his arms around Steve, pulling him down to lay with him.
"Jesus Steve you should have told me. You shouldn't have been dealing with that all alone. Also..."
He looked down at Steve and half smirked.
"For now on if you need anything, please ask me first. I would fucking kill myself if you took the wrong thing and died. I mean it."
Judging from his face, Steve knew he really did. Gulping, Steve sighed.
"Seeing that I was dead to the world and didn't hear you pounding on the front door...I'll have to agree with you."
Eddie shook his head, and kissed Steve's forehead.
"Jesus H Christ Steve. Trying to give your fiancé' a fucking heart attack?"
Steve smirked as he laid his head on Eddie's chest, feeling his arms around him.
"Say that again?"
"What? Fiancé'?"
Steve smiled as he closed his eyes, listening to Eddie's heartbeat.
"Mmmm."
"Fiance' you freak."
Steve chuckled softly to himself as Eddie reached down and pulled the tarp over them.
"Yep, Mr. Eddie Harrington."
"What? I can't be Steve Munson?
"That name is currently tainted for the time being. Let's stick with Harrington."
Steve tried to get as comfortable as he could, before softly telling Eddie he loved him. They had only slept a few hours, but it was better than nothing. Steve cracked his neck loudly, before Eddie looked around, hair messy. Steve then saw that Eddie had taken his vest off and had draped it over Steve at some point while he was sleeping. Softly smiling, he handed it back to Eddie.
"You're freezing, I'm fine."
"I'm good, put it on I'm serious."
Eddie gave another half smile, before slipping his vest on. He offered Steve a hand, as both helped each other climb out of the boat and stand up. Steve looked out at the dark water.
"Okay, I'm gonna head back to the car. Give us an hour or so...you stay under the tarp no matter what. Try and get a little more sleep."
Eddie stood on the edge of the dock floor to the boat house, and unzipped his jeans, taking himself out, and starting to pee into the water. Steve found himself doing the same right beside him.
"Without you that's unlikely, but I will."
Both finished peeing as if it was the most normal thing in the world, before zipping up their jeans again. Steve hated leaving Eddie like this, but knew he needed to get the others.
"I mean it, lay there and don't move until I come back."
Eddie nodded, before he slipped his arms around Steve, tightly hugging him.
"I promise." Steve kissed Eddie, before handing him the canteen. Eddie took a drink from it, before offering it to Steve who took a sip. After that, he helped Eddie back onto the boat.
"Lay down flat, and no moving."
Eddie nodded, still looking a little scared. Steve sighed staring down at him, before he smirked.
"Start brainstorming more of our kids' names okay?"
Eddie cracked a nervous smile, before Steve winked at him, and covered him back up with the tarp. Once he knew it looked normal, he carefully left the boathouse, and headed back up through the woods to where he left his car. The dark sky was slowly starting to take on a navy blue tint as he continued walking in a hurried face to get going. The faster he did this, the faster he would be back with Eddie. He just prayed they could do something to help him.
Later...
It had taken roughly an hour, but Steve had gone home to change, shoving a blanket into a trash bag, and returned to his car, first picking up Robin, who hadn't heard anything new from the police, but admitted she had fallen asleep and when she woke up her father had turned his scanner off, and had taken it back into his room. Steve figured it was just as well, and drove quickly to Dustin's, where he was surprised to find Max and him waiting in the driveway. He picked them up, listening to Dustin walking about what he had recently heard thanks to his hacking skills, before Dustin instructed to drive to the market on Nestor St. Since that one opened at five, and nobody was ever there. Steve kept nervously eyeing the clock. After sending Max, Robin, and Dustin in to get food, he nervously tapped his fingers against he wheel, before they all came back, Dustin holding several bags, and proudly showing off the choices he had gotten for Eddie using the fifty Steve had given him. Not wanting to waste another second, they drove quickly towards the same spot in the woods where Steve had parked before. He warned the others to stay behind him, and started to quickly walk, not wanting to talk, or waste another moment.
It was fully light out by then, and they walked in, finding Eddie out of the boat and jumping back, startled by them.
"Jesus Christ!"
Dustin smiled and held up the bags.
"Delivery service!"
Eddie hung his head down, taking a deep breath, and putting the broken piece of bottle down. Steve smirked, hating the frightened look on his face, as they all piled in, and closed the door behind them. Steve walked quickly over to Eddie, and looked him over concerned.
"Jesus, you're white as a sheet. Did you get any sleep?"
Eddie sighed, shaking his head.
"No, not really..."
Steve saw Robin eyeing Eddie's hand, faintly smiling, but knew she wouldn't say anything since Max was there. Dustin was already unloading the food, and for just a brief moment Steve actually felt as if things might be okay, even though he had absolutely no idea where to even begin. He cupped Eddie's face, making him look at him, before Eddie forced a very tired looking smile. Steve leaned down, quickly kissing him, before telling him breakfast was served as Dustin tossed him a box of Honeycombs.
Later...
Eddie had sat back down on the boat, shoving cereal, and drinking chocolate milk as he listened to them. Steve kept looking at his ring, and his heart ached for him. This wasn't how he should be spending the morning of his engagement. This was cruel. Dustin began.
"So we got some good news...and some bad news. What would you prefer?"
Eddie talked as he chewed.
"Bad news first. Always."
He took a swing of his milk.
"So we hacked into the Hawkins' PD using Cerebro and they are definitely looking for you."
Steve watched as Eddie looked off in the distance, terrified.
"They're pretty convinced you killed Chrissy..."
Max cut in.
"Like one hundred precent convinced."
Eddie took a deep breath, practically hugging the cereal box before looking over at them, his face looking even paler than before.
"And the good news?"
"Your name hasn't gone public yet, but if we found out about you other will too and if that happens everyone and their shallow minded mother will be gunning for you."
Eddie's face fell, again that heartbroken lost look in his dark eyes that Steve had seen enough of for a lifetime in the past twenty four hours.
"Hunt...the freak right?"
These words stung.
"Exactly."
Eddie swore under his breath, looking on the verge of a full panic attack. Instantly Steve almost regretted not bringing his downers with him. He leaned against one of the wooden poles, and sighed listening to Dustin.
"So before that happens all we have to do is find Venca, kill him and prove your innocent."
"That's all Dustin? That's all?"
Steve could hear the edge in Eddie's voice as Dustin nodded.
"Yeah, pretty much it."
Eddie sighed, shaking his head, before Robin tried to help.
"Listen, Eddie I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional but we've actually been through this kind of thing before. Actually...they have like we explained..."
Eddie glanced up at Steve, who nodded along, and tried to show him a strong, calm expression. Robin continued talking, rambling as always.
"They have before, and mine was more human flesh based, and theirs was more smoke related. Bottom line is collectively I really think we can beat this."
Steve stepped forward and nodded.
"Yeah, usually we had Eleven, the one I told you about with the powers. But, last year she got hurt and she lost them..."
Robin nodded.
"So technically we're in the..."
"Brainstorming phase."
Max jumped in, before Dustin tried to show that everything was under control by looking at Eddie and forcing a smile.
"There's nothing to worry about..."
Steve saw the look on Eddie's face, and couldn't blame him. He knew how they sounded, and hated they didn't have anything more comforting or helpful for him. All he wanted to do at this exact moment was take him home, strip him of those dirty clothes, take a nice hot shower with him, and go to bed in his arms for a week. That's when they heard sirens, and Eddie's eyes widened. Steve looked in the direction of the window.
"Shit..."
Robin pointed to Eddie.
"Tarp! Tarp!"
Eddie quickly pulled it over him, as they all hurried to the windows, and watched several cruisers speed down the road. Feeling his heart pound in his chest, Steve got out a loud sigh of relief. Dustin pulled on his sleeve.
"We outta go check it out."
Max and Robin agreed. Looking back at the boat, Steve hated to leave Eddie again, before he quickly walked over.
"Eddie?"
Eddie pushed back the tarp, still holding his Honeycombs.
"Is the coast clear?"
"Yeah, they headed down the street. We're gonna go try and find what's going on. I'll be back later."
Eddie took a second, as if this pained him. He thought for a moment, before shaking his head.
"They're gonna need you. Stick with them."
Steve made a face.
"No."
"Steve..."
Eddie began, before Max stepped forward.
"The more people here, the more of a chance somebody might spot you, or the car around here. Steve, he's fine. Nobody is gonna find him here."
Steve looked at Steve, almost wanting her to admit that deep down inside she really was hurt and angry over how outward he was being about his affection and relationship with Eddie, while Billy laid rotting in the ground. He waited to see any flicker in her eyes...but instead saw that she really meant it.
"Listen to her please Steve."
Eddie said looking up at him. Sighing, Eddie looked at the others.
"Start heading to the car, I'll be right behind."
Robin got the hint, and just as Dustin was about to argue, she pulled him by the back of the shirt and motioned for the door. Max sighed, looking down at Eddie with pity in her eyes, before she locked eyes with Steve for just a fraction of a second. He saw she was worried just like him. He nodded to show her he knew, before she turned around, and the three of them headed out, closing the door behind them. Now alone with Eddie, Steve stood with his hands on his hips.
"I'm coming back tonight, you're not spending another night here alone."
"Steve, I'm gonna need you to help me out here. Look at me, I got food and water...and chocolate milk. I'll just spend the day laying here trying to sleep. Please."
Steve hated this, and shook his head disgusted, pacing slightly, before finally looking back down at Eddie.
"I'm gonna try to come back tonight. You have the walkie. Only channel 4 unless we say different. Remember, not getting up unless you hear my voice. Any sign of trouble you get the fuck out of here and find a way back to my house. There's a key under the mat."
"Yeah, I'll keep your parents company when they get back."
Steve shot Eddie a dirty look, showing him he didn't find that funny. Eddie sighed and nodded.
"I promise. Now go...come on, you gotta see what's going on."
Steve took a second, swearing under his breath, before getting down, and leaning forward. Eddie sat up slightly before the two deeply kissed. Both closed their eyes, before Steve moaned softly as he kissed Eddie as if this would be their last. Once the kiss broke, he looked at Eddie's frightened eyes, and brushed some of his hair away from his face.
"I'll see you later. Okay?"
Eddie nodded, before he laid back. Steve hated to do this, but began to pull the tarp over Eddie, before Eddie raised his hand to stop him. Steve stared down at him.
"What is it?"
"I thought of another?"
"Another what?"
"Name for our kids. SJ."
"SJ?"
Eddie smirked.
"Steve jr."
Steve smirked staring down at him.
"I hate you. Keep this up, and we're calling our other son EJ."
Eddie held back from laughing.
"That's got a nice ring to it."
Steve rolled his eyes.
"You're a idiot. Now lay back, shut up...and remember something?"
"What?"
"I love you."
Eddie stared up at Steve and smiled. "I love you too." Steve sighed, before covering up the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and exited the boathouse feeling desperate.