For some reason, Steve couldn't clean off the blood from his hands.

He was in the Byers' bathroom, with the door closed, the bright light highlighting how much blood was actually on him, and there was a lot.

His body felt slow. He couldn't move his hands to turn on the sink. He was distantly thankful that he had managed to change his clothes, but he was now frozen at the thought of washing himself clean. Was it because the blood was El's, and he still felt bad for not being able to help her sooner? Was it that all of his trauma had finally caught up to him? Or was his worry for Max what was stopping him?

He had thought that El was mistaken, that she had read the situation wrong when she had seen the others in a vision. He hoped that Max wouldn't use herself as bait, that she wouldn't put her life at risk again, and that she wouldn't be in more trouble than she already was.

But, he was wrong. She was actually going to do it.

He knew that things could go bad, that he could lose her. Steve just wasn't sure how to stop her. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but she was so adamant on risking her life. Did he try to convince her again? Did he apologize for how he acted towards her back in the living room?

Steve didn't know what to do. And he hated it.

A knock sounded from the door, and Steve blinked, straightening himself from where he leaned against the sink, staring at his hands.

"Who is it?"

"Steve? It's Robin. Are…are you okay?"

Steve couldn't help but feel a little bit better at the sound of Robin's voice. It reminded him that he wasn't alone, no matter how loud his thoughts got, or how many dangers were coming.

"I'm fine. I'm just…struggling, a bit. I'm dressed, though, if you want to come in."

Robin cracked open the door, a small smile on her face, and she stepped in, keeping the door open a bit behind her. Her eyes searched his, and she reached over and gave him a hug, one that Steve melted into, his hands hovering over her back, unwilling to make her dirty, too.

"Robin, I'm…okay." But his voice cracked as he spoke, and she shook her head, telling him that she knew the truth. And, he found comfort in it.

He didn't have to be strong around her. She knew him. She knew him, she knew his weakness, his struggles, but she didn't see them as flaws, as something to be ashamed off. His flaws didn't matter to her. Only he did.

Robin spoke up softly, interrupting his thoughts. "You don't have to lie, Steve, what's really going on?"

He swallowed thickly. "I…I can't wash my hands."

Robin nodded, pulling away from the hug but taking his hands in hers right away. "Okay, that's an easy fix. Water and soap."

Steve let her drag him over to the sink, and he let her turn on the water. She ran a bar of soap under the stream of water, soon putting it in his hands. It was that movement, that touch, that allowed his fingers to begin working again. Slowly but surely, he dragged the soap across his hands, watching as the red blood became pink and swirled down the drain. Robin stayed by his side the whole time, a steady comfort in the wave of emotions that hovered around him, waiting to drown him, emotions that had yet to subside.

He wondered if his body was finally learning that emotions weren't a bad thing. Or, maybe, his feelings were too big to bury.

"Was I too harsh? To Max?" Steve whispered, letting the lukewarm water wash over his hands gently, and she shrugged.

"I don't know. You did get your point across. You may want to talk to her, though. Especially before…"

Steve swallowed, knowing exactly what Robin was talking about.

"I just don't want to lose her. I don't want to lose any of them. I just, this plan…it'll probably kill her. Am I the only one seeing that?"

Robin sighed from behind him, backing up so she could sit on the rim of the bathtub.

"No, I think we all do. But we really don't know what else to do. How else would we keep One distracted? How else could we destroy his physical body while El and I attack his mind?"

Steve wanted to have another idea, another plan, but he couldn't think of any. So, he stayed silent, and in the mirror he could see Robin frown.

"Let's clean your neck, okay? There's still some blood left there."

Robin didn't hesitate to grab a cloth from the counter, ran it under the water, and gently wiped away the blood.

"Listen, I know that this isn't…ideal." Robin continued. "If it were up to me, or any of us, none of this would've happened. You and El wouldn't have been taken by Brenner, no one would've died, we would all just be enjoying our Spring Break and having fun, and the two of us would be working countless hours at Family Video. But, what can we do, right? We can only do the best with what we have. And, if it'll save Hawkins, we have to do everything we can."

"Robin一"

"And I hate that Max might have to do this, I hate it. I hate knowing that she's barely lived her life, that she may die, but we'll do everything we can to stop that. Lucas will be with her, and, who knows, when we make this plan, maybe you will be, too. We'll do everything to save her, I promise, Steve, I won't let her be alone. Leaving her alone would mean giving up, right? And we're not giving up, I would never let One have that satisfaction, and neither would you."

"Robin." Steve reached out and grabbed her hands, taking the cloth away from her gently.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For everything."

She nodded. "Always, Steve. And, sorry, I guess I ramble when I'm nervous. You know that, right?"

"Robin, of course I do. We're friends, right? Platonic with a capital 'P' soulmates? Of course I know about that. It's fine, it's comforting. You bring up a lot of good points, and…it's just really good to hear your voice again. I missed you."

Robin wrapped him in another hug. "I missed you too. I'm so glad that you're okay."

"We're going to have to properly hang out after all of this." Steve said with a chuckle. "We should hang out in a place better than a bathroom right before a war."

Robin laughed along with him, pulling away. "That would be great, and maybe we could invite Eddie?"

"Eddie? You two became friends or something?"

"We sort of…trauma bonded in the Upside Down? He's a great guy, you two would get along really well. I think you already have gotten along well with him."

"As well as two people stuck in a boathouse with dead demodogs could. Wait, you were in the Upside Down?"

Robin shrugged. "Yup. The place sucks. I never want to go there again."

"I've never been," Steve said, "But, who knows? That might change pretty quickly here."

Robin took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah, maybe we should go out and face the world again. Find out what plan is being worked on now."

Steve dropped the cloth in the sink, rinsing it and then turning off the tap. After quickly checking that there was no more blood on his neck, he nodded.

"Let's go."

It was the next day, and the sun was out. Steve didn't think that it was fitting, but there was nothing he, or anyone, could do about it. After a small breakfast, they all grabbed their weapons and put on the final pieces of their gear in tense silence.

The sun was shining, but it wasn't bright for him as it glinted off of the parked cars, Joyce's car, the RV that Eddie had apparently stolen, and the car that Hopper had rented last night when they were coming home. Something told Steve that they weren't going to be returning the car for a while, though.

Joyce and Hopper were deep in conversation as everyone stood outside, no doubt saying their goodbyes. Nancy and Mike were not far from them, wrapped up in a hug, while Dustin was giving El, Lucas, and Max a hug all at the same time. Eddie was standing by until Lucas was free, and the two began talking. Erica was glued to Robin's side as they both sat by the RV, deep in conversation.

It was horrible, knowing that they were all going to be separated. Steve wished that they could all go fight One together, but for their plan, their dangerous plan to work, there had to be four groups, each of them separate and on their own. Steve hated it.

They were always stronger together, and he hated to think about what might happen now that they were going to be apart.

Steve, as soon as Dustin had drifted off to Mike, made his way to Max. He hoped that he would forgive her for the previous night. He didn't want to leave things bad with her, just in case…

No. No, he wasn't going to think like that. She was going to be okay.

"Hey, Max." He said, and she turned to him, her steely eyes searching him for something that he didn't know.

"Hey. You look…better. You have less blood on you." She said, her foot shifting in the dirt, and he shrugged.

"Yeah, I'm feeling better, too. I…I just wanted to apologize. For how I acted. I'm just…I'm scared you're not going to make it. But, it's your decision, and I'll be by your side through it. Not, physically, of course, but…"

"I know what you mean. And, thanks. I get it, though." She said, tapping on the Walkman by her waist. "I'm worried too, I guess. I just know that I have to do this."

Steve wanted to tell her that it'll be okay, that she was going to make it, but he didn't know for certain himself. He didn't want to lie to her, and a part of him already knew that she knew that things could go bad. Lying would only make things worse.

"Hey, Steve?" Max asked, and Steve looked back at her.

"Yeah?"

"Do you…do you still have the letter I gave you?"

Steve's heart dropped into his stomach as he instinctively touched his back pocket,and not feeling anything.

"I…it was in the clothes that Brenner took, Max, I'm so sorry."

She nodded, as if she knew that he didn't have it.

"I can rewrite it for you. I'll have time on the ride to the Creel house."

"Okay. And, hold onto it until you can give it to me, yeah? After the fight."

She managed a smile, but tears had begun to leak out of her eyes. "Of course."

Steve didn't waste a second wrapping her in his arms, and she melted into them after a moment, holding onto him tightly.

"I'll see you soon, Mayfield."

"See you, Steve. Stay safe."

"You, too. Don't forget that we're all rooting for you."

She nodded, and the two pulled away.

"Creel House team, I think it's time for you guys to go. You'll need a head start." Hopper said, interrupting them, and Max gave him a stiff nod.

"Am I seriously driving?" Mike asked after parting ways with Will, walking up to the car, and Hopper responded with a sigh, passing him the keys.

"Yes, you are. You're the only one who has more than five hours of driving experience. But, remember, no speeding, no running stop signs, and absolutely no hitting mailboxes, alright? If my cops catch you I won't hear the end of it."

Mike flashed him a smile. "Got it, Chief."

"Be careful, all of you." Nancy said, crossing her arms. "Lucas, be ready to help Max the instant something appears to be wrong. Erica, remember to send us the signal, and Mike…watch over them. You're their protector."

Mike nodded, rolling his eyes. "We'll be fine, Nancy. You guess be safe, too. Don't be stupid."

"We'll be fine." Steve repeated, and he gave Max a small wave as she hopped into the car after she gave El a hug. She waved back, and then closed the door.

Soon, the Creel house crew was off, Mike driving onto the road slowly but surely, with Erica, Lucas, and Max in the backseat. Steve wished that an adult, or at least an older teen could've gone with them, but it just wouldn't have worked out. He just had to hope that they would be okay.

Steve couldn't help but watch as they left, the sinking feeling in his gut dissipating slowly, but still not leaving completely. It was as if his body knew that there was reason to worry, that it was a feeling that he had to be feeling, despite all of the things that he had to do.

He wondered how many of them would make it back. He wondered how many of his friends, how much of his family, he had said goodbye to for the last time at that moment.

A gentle hand squeezed his shoulder, and he didn't have to turn around to see that it was Robin.

"I'll keep a close eye on her, okay? I'm going into her mind, after all. Or, One's mind? The mix of the two?" Robin huffed beside him, but it lacked humor. "It's really confusing. And I thought eleventh grade algebra was hard."

"Oh, that was hard." Steve said, crossing his arms. "Believe me, that was a class I nearly failed."

"You mean, one of the classes you nearly failed."

He could tell that she was trying to make them both feel better using humor, but he also knew that it wasn't helping her. It wasn't helping him, no matter how much he wanted it too. The gravity of the situation was too strong, too heavy upon them, and he didn't think anything could make it any better.

Unlike the night before, neither of them could find any more words to say. There was no room for comfort in their hearts that were full of fear, full of despair. Steve wished that he could say something, but all of it felt meaningless. They were going off into battle, likely their last battle of their lives. What could he say to that?

Steve felt shell shocked when Joyce came over to them, telling them that it was time to go. Robin quickly pulled him into her arms, and Steve tried to remember the moment , remember the way they embraced, remember her, her kindness, her determination, and most of all, her friendship that he always felt that he didn't deserve.

"I'll see you later, alright?" She whispered, and he nodded.

"See you later, Rob."

Tears wouldn't come, but he knew that Robin understood, she always understood him.

And soon, she was driving away, too, accompanied by Joyce and El. The Cabin crew. The smallest crew that they had, yet undoubtedly as crucial as every other one.

"Harrington, are you ready to go?"

Steve nodded at Hopper's comment, and he hopped into the RV, right beside Eddie, whose face was pale, whose grip was tight on his staff. He was breathing steady, loudly, as if he was warding off a panic attack, and Steve gave him what he hoped was a compassionate smile, though to him it felt more like a grimace. Dustin sat beside him, already staring out the window somberly. Jonathan and Nancy were sitting at the table, deep in conversation, while Will and Hopper were in the front, the older of the two sitting at the wheel. Steve closed the door and buckled in his seatbelt, knowing that his hands would be shaking if not for his powers, and stared out the window as Hopper began driving.

They were headed to Eddie's trailer, to the gate. They were the Upside Down crew, the ones in charge of killing One's prone body. Steve was glad that he was put on the attack group, he knew his strengths, he was the best at fighting and taking hits, especially now with his powers, but he still wished that he could've been beside Max, helping her, making sure that she didn't die, or Robin, being the support Robin would no doubt need.

A constant tapping filled the uneasy silence, and Steve looked over to see Eddie's fingers banging the spear, his rings clanging against the wood.

Eddie must've noticed Steve's attention, and he stopped, breathing out heavily.

"Sorry. I guess…I'm just crazy nervous, man."

"It's okay. You should've seen me before I got my powers. I'd barely be able to breath after every fight, I was so scared. If I didn't have my powers, I would probably be in a more nervous state than you right now."

Eddie laughed, but, like Robin's not ten minutes before, it was humorless. "Really? You? You're so…brave, all of the time, and all I do is run away."

Steve shrugged, looking down at the shoes that he borrowed from Jonathan. "But, sometimes, running away is the best option. You shouldn't pick a fight you can't win, believe me, I've tried. You just…you have to make a split second call, and go with it. Whether that be running away or staying and fighting, you have to make that call. And you have to live with the consequences. Bravery has nothing to do with it."

"He's right." Dustin said with a sigh. "I'm not brave. I'm really scared right now. But, we have to fight. We made that call, and we have to stick to it."

From the corner of his eye, Steve could see Eddie nod, and then put a piece of his hair close to his mouth.

"I don't think I can get used to this." Eddie said, his voice soft, softer than Steve had ever heard it. Eddie was always so loud, so expressive, it was strange to see him so…reserved.

"Hopefully, after today, you won't have to." Steve said, "Hopefully, after today, it'll all be over. We just have to kill him."

"Yeah, that's simple enough. Just kill the villain, and go back to saving lost sheep. Easy."

"Hey, after this…do you want to be friends?" Steve asked, hating how lame it sounded, but needing to say it. "I know we're two completely different people, but you're a cool guy. I could honestly use another friend that's not fifteen years old."

Eddie smiled, his bandana sliding a bit further down his forehead. "You sure, Harrington? I am a wanted murderer, after all."

"And so am I. Your point?"

Eddie shook her head, a small smile on his face. "Yeah, sure. But boy oh boy, the Hellfire club is going to get a kick out of this. Impossible things do happen."

Dustin scoffed beside them, and Steve startled, forgetting that Dustin was listening in.

"We're living the impossible right now, Eddie. You think being friends with Steve is as impossible as going to an alternate dimension similar to our own but with monsters and poisonous air?"

Eddie visibly paled at that. "Wait, the air in there is poisonous?"

Dustin frowned, turning to them. "Yeah? Wait, weren't you guys in there without masks?"

"Yes! Am I going to die? Tell me, Henderson! You better be joking!"

"Everyone will get a thorough medical examination after, alright?" Hopper interrupted from the front seat, and Will turned to the back.

"I mean, I survived without a mask in the Upside Down for a week. I think you'll be okay."

Eddie managed to take a few deep breaths. "Okay. Okay. Is there any way that we could get some masks or something?

"Probably not, Munson, we're nearly at your trailer. You could use your bandana, if you want." Hopper replied.

"Could Murray give us some?" Steve asked, leaning forward. "Where even is he?"

"He's making up a story on how to explain the deaths and clear Munson's, and your, name. He didn't want to get all dirty, and, if I'm being honest, we do need a cover story as soon as One is dead."

Steve nodded, knowing that whatever Murray would pick, it would have to be good.

He didn't let himself think about it for too long, though. They just had to take things one step at a time.

Eventually, they pulled up to the Munson trailer, and, for the first time since Steve's seen it, there were no police cars around the area, and no people. The only reminder of what had happened was yellow police tape around the trailer.

"Won't people know that we're here? We're going to park right in the street?" Will asked, but Hopper shook his head.

"I listened in on the police radio, they evacuated the area yesterday. After a death and a stolen RV, it was a no brainer."

Eddie didn't comment on that, and that told Steve that he was really freaking out. Steve patted him on the back, and Eddie gave him a tight smile in return.

The RV rolled to a stop, and Nancy got up, determined in her stride, and walked to the front of the vehicle, letting Hopper and Dustin watch her from behind. Everything about Nancy screamed business, and Steve knew that she was ready to lead them to war. Steve distantly wondered why Hopper wasn't taking the lead, but then he remembered that Hopper was barely here for any of it, all thanks to Brenner. Nancy was the only one who could lead; she had the mindset, the attitude, and the knowledge to do so.

"Alright, let's go over this before we go down there. The first phase; we meet Erica at the playground, where we'll exchange signals, and then Max, Lucas, and Mike will know that we're ready. Phase Two?

Steve took that moment to speak up, knowing it off by heart. "Mike will radio Joyce, and El and Robin will go into the Void and then One's mind, attacking him before, and while he's occupied with Max."

"Okay, but that's assuming that he won't sense that, right? And doesn't Max's mind enter his?" Dusitn asked, and Nancy shrugged.

"We don't know for sure. Robin seemed to believe so, but we don't know how long it'll take One to attack Max. All we know is that they're going to do everything they can to attack his mind, and keep Max safe, all while One tries to kill her. Phase Three?"

"While Max is baiting One, he'll fall into a trace." Will added, and Nancy nodded.

"Four?"

"Eddie and I will bait the bats, and get them away from One's lair." Dustin said. Eddie took a deep breath at the words, and looked to the floor.

"And five?"

Hopper then stepped in. "The rest of us will go into the Upside Down Creel house and attack One. Will, you'll throw the cocktails, Nancy and I will use our guns, and then Steve and Jonathan will attack him with their weapons in close range combat."

"No one does anything unless everyone is ready to go." Jonathan stated, getting a nod from Nancy. "And no one should deviate from the plan. One wrong step and it could be game over for all of us. Got it, guys?"

"Got it." Eddie breathed out, and the rest of the crew all chimed in after him. The words nearly caught on Steve's throat, but he managed to say it, hoping that this wasn't a mistake. He tried to have hope, but after everything that he had been through, everything he had seen, he didn't know if it was possible.

The plan was simple, yet he doubted it. He doubted that it would get everyone out alive. He doubted that it would kill One.

He pushed the doubt away, knowing that they were unwelcome thoughts. All they could do was go with the plan, and try their best. This was the moment they, the people who had already fought so much, stood and fought for all of the people that had died, who suffered because of One. They would stand and fight, because there was no one else who would. There was no more running.

It wasn't bravery. It was survival.

And Steve knew all about survival.