Eddie whimpered, struggling to leave a murky world of red lightning and sharp teeth ripping at his flesh. The feeling of warm hands covering his freezing torso was soothing, a low murmur of a voice crooning in his ear. Eddie's heart slowed, the pain replaced with a pleasant numbness.

When he dared to open his eyes again, he wasn't in the upside down but in a bedroom. Steve Harrington looked down at him, face oddly distorted because it was inverted. Eddie frowned, head turning the side slightly. It took him a moment to remember where he was and how long it had been, and then he smiled, feeling calm again.

"Hey," Steve whispered, brushing back Eddie's bangs with a tenderness that bordered on reverence. "It's okay, baby. What happened?"

All Eddie could say was, "Bats."

Steve nodded in understanding, fingers continuing their comforting strokes.

Slowly, Eddie's heart returned to its normal pace, and he idly traced the rough scars lining his sides. The memory flashed through his mind quickly, teeth ripping through flesh, but Steve leaned down to kiss his forehead when he winced, chasing it away.

"I've got you, Eds. Nothing's gonna hurt you again. I promise."

Eddie believed him. The gates were closed, and Vecna was dead. They had won. And he had Steve. They were safe together. He smiled, holding Steve's hand to his cheek. "I've got you too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Because I love you."

Steve looked close to tears. He leaned down and kissed Eddie softly. "I love you."

Scooting down so they were wrapped in each other's arms, Eddie found he wasn't so scared to fall asleep again. After all, if he had another nightmare, he knew Steve would be there when he woke up just like he would be for Steve. They had each other, and that was enough.