The hospital was bustling, overwhelmed by the fallout from the earthquake that had rocked Hawkins. The waiting room was packed, voices hushed, and the air thick with tension. Lucas sat on the edge of a chair, his leg bouncing anxiously, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. Erica sat beside him, unusually quiet, her typical fire subdued as she stared straight ahead, lost in thought.
When Lucas saw the others approaching, he immediately stood, crossing the room with quick, shaky steps. Without a word, he pulled Dustin into a tight hug, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm so sorry, man."
When they pulled apart, Dove stepped forward, her voice low and filled with worry. "Any updates?"
Lucas shook his head, his expression grim. "No.. she's still in surgery."
Steve exchanged a quick look with Dove before glancing back at Lucas, his brow furrowing. "What happened, man?" he asked softly.
Lucas's gaze darted around the crowded waiting room, his discomfort evident. "Outside," he muttered, gesturing toward the exit.
The early morning air was cool and crisp, a faint gray light creeping over the horizon, softening the edges of the hospital building in the dim glow of dawn. They gathered in a small circle just outside the hospital doors, the quiet broken only by the hum of distant traffic and the muffled voices of people coming and going.
Lucas took a shaky breath, his gaze fixed on the ground before he finally looked up at his friends, his face pale and weary from a sleepless night. The worry etched across his features was unmistakable, the weight of everything he'd seen and endured pressing down on him.
"Everything was going according to plan," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, his words slow and heavy. "Then.. Jason showed up." He glanced down, anger flashing across his face, but it quickly faded into an expression of pure anguish. "He thought I was using Max as some sort of.. cult sacrifice." Lucas shook his head, his voice bitter with disbelief. "We fought. I finally got the upper hand, but.. it was too late."
His shoulders slumped, and he took a shuddering breath before continuing, his words choked with grief. "Max's bones.. they just started snapping. I could hear it. Her arms, her legs.. And her eyes.. they were white, bleeding." His voice cracked, his composure breaking as he forced the next words out. "She died in my arms."
A heavy silence fell over the group, each of them absorbing the horror of his words. Dove reached out, her hand finding his shoulder in a silent gesture of support as he struggled to regain control.
"The paramedics showed up. They.. they found a heartbeat," he whispered, a fragile hope threading through the pain in his voice. "They brought her in, and she's been in surgery ever since."
They stood in silence, the weight of his story settling over them like a dark cloud. As they stood in the quiet morning, the door behind them creaked open, and they turned to see Max's mom stepping outside. Dove's heart skipped a beat in surprise; she hadn't even noticed her in the crowded waiting room. She looked exhausted, her face lined with worry, but there was a determined calm in her eyes as she approached them.
She paused, glancing at each of them before speaking, her voice gentle yet heavy with the weight of what she had to say. "Max is stable." Dove felt herself relax, just a bit, as Susan took a deep breath, seeming to steady herself. "She's in a coma. The doctors.. they don't know if she'll wake up."
Dove felt her chest tighten again, her throat thick with the realization of just how serious Max's injuries were. She glanced at Lucas, whose face had gone pale, his hand clenching at his side as he took in the words.
Max's mom looked at them with a sad, understanding expression. "They're only letting immediate family in to visit her right now. You all should go home, get some rest.. come back tomorrow when things have settled a bit."
There was a brief, heavy silence as her words sank in. The thought of leaving Max's side so soon felt unbearable. But as they looked into her mother's weary eyes, they knew they had to respect her wishes. With reluctant nods, they each expressed quiet gratitude, murmuring their promises to return as soon as they could.
Steve pulled the car into the Henderson's driveway, the early morning light casting long shadows across the lawn. Dustin was the first to get out, moving slowly, weighed down by his injury and exhaustion. Dove followed, pausing with one foot outside the car door. She looked back, noticing that Steve hadn't moved, his gaze fixed on her, his expression unreadable.
"Are you coming in?" she asked.
Steve blinked, surprised, his brows raising slightly. "I.. I didn't know I was invited."
Dustin looked back, baffled. "Why wouldn't you be?" he asked, giving Steve a look as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Steve's gaze drifted to Dove, a flicker of something unspoken in his eyes. She held his gaze for a moment before turning back to Dustin. "Hey, why don't you go on inside?" she said gently. "There's something Steve and I need to talk about."
Dustin paused for a moment, clearly catching the hint, but he didn't argue. He gave them both a halfhearted nod before limping up the driveway and disappearing into the house, the door clicking shut behind him.
Dove slipped back into the passenger seat, closing the door softly. She had barely opened her mouth to speak when Steve started, his words spilling out in a quick, nervous ramble. "You don't need to explain. Really, Dove, I get it. I mean, you have a lot going on. We both do. And with everything that's happened, it's.. it's a lot. I know you just want to be friends, and I'm okay with that."
"Steve—" Dove tried to interrupt, her voice soft but insistent.
"—that's fine. More than fine. I just want to be here to make sure you're okay. It doesn't have to go beyond that." He paused, his gaze darting away as he tried to gather his thoughts, his hands flexing and gripping the wheel. "And, I mean, I know I said some things back there that I shouldn't have. I just.. I don't want you to feel guilty or—"
Dove reached out, gently resting her hand over his, and the tension in his grip softened under her touch. "Steve," she said softly, waiting until he looked up, his eyes meeting hers, uncertain and vulnerable.
"Steve, I love you," she said softly, but the words were clear and certain. Her fingers lingered on his, steady, as if willing him to feel the truth in her words.
Steve's breath caught in his throat and he searched her eyes, his uncertainty melting away, replaced by something softer. "You.. you do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, raw and tentative.
Dove nodded, her eyes glistening with the weight of her words as she let out a shaky breath. "Yeah, I do, and I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it."
A stunned, relieved smile broke across his face as he suddenly reached out, his hand slipping to the back of her head, pulling her toward him in one swift, rough motion. His lips met hers with a passion that left her breathless, his touch urgent and filled with everything he'd held back for so long.
For a split second, Dove's entire body froze, her mind reeling from the sudden intensity. But then, everything else fell away. She melted into him, her hand sliding up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as she kissed him back with equal fervor. It was as if every moment they'd spent dancing around each other had built to this, to the spark that finally reignited between them.
When they finally pulled apart, Dove's entire body was tingling, her heart racing as if it would burst. She kept her eyes closed for a moment, savoring the lingering warmth of his touch, the feeling of his breath still close to hers.
Then came a sharp knock on the car window, shattering the quiet intimacy. Dove's eyes snapped open, and she looked past Steve, her stomach sinking as she saw her mother standing outside, her expression livid. Through the glass, her voice came through, clipped and furious "Dove Louise Henderson, where have you been?"
Steve's eyes widened as he realized they were caught. Dove gave him a quick, reassuring glance before she stepped out of the car, closing the door softly behind her. As soon as Dove straightened up, her mother rushed toward her, voice raised.
"Three days, Dove!" Her mother's voice shook, her eyes wide with both worry and frustration. "That Munson boy was all over the news, and the police were looking for you and Dustin—Dustin ran from the cops! No one knew where you were, Dove. I couldn't find you!"
Dove reached out, her voice calm but firm. "Mom, I'm okay, I swear." She gently took her mother's hand, bringing it up to her cheek, pressing it there to show her she was real, safe, and okay. "See, I'm fine."
Her mother's expression softened, her anger melting away as her fingers brushed against Dove's cheek. In a split second, she pulled her daughter into a tight hug, her voice breaking as she whispered, "I was so worried. I thought.. I thought I lost you."
Dove wrapped her arms around her mom, squeezing tightly, feeling the depth of her mother's fear. "I'm here, Mom. I'm right here," she murmured, letting the moment stretch, both of them grounding each other in the relief that finally, despite everything, she was safe.
Dove's mom finally pulled away, wiping a stray tear from her cheek as she took a steadying breath. Her gaze drifted over to Steve, who had quietly stepped out of the car and was now standing a few feet away, looking awkward and unsure. He gave her a small wave, a nervous smile tugging at his lips.
"Hey, Mrs. Henderson," he said, his voice a little shaky.
Claudia huffed as she looked between the two of them, clearly still simmering with concern. But after a beat, she let out a sigh, the sternness in her expression softening just a bit. "You two better get inside," she said, her voice gentler now. "I'll make you some breakfast."
As they walked into the house, Dove's mom headed straight for the kitchen, while Steve and Dove joined Dustin in the living room. Dustin looked up from where he sat on the armchair, his ankle propped up on a pillow and an amused glint in his eyes.
"Did Mom bombard you too?" he asked, a knowing smile creeping onto his face.
Dove let out a small laugh and shook her head. "She is never going to let us forget this."
Steve chuckled beside her as they both settled onto the couch. But their lighthearted moment faded as their eyes drifted to the television screen. The morning news had just started, a familiar anchor speaking in serious, subdued tones.
"This morning, we continue our coverage of the massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Hawkins, Indiana, late last night. Officials confirm that the earthquake has caused extensive damage to infrastructure throughout the town, with roads cracked open, buildings collapsed, and several neighborhoods in complete disarray."
Images of devastated streets and collapsed buildings flashed across the screen, emergency responders combing through rubble, helping residents and salvaging what little remained of their homes. The anchor continued, his voice unwavering.
"President Reagan has declared Hawkins a federal disaster area, ordering immediate federal aid and dispatching military units to assist in search-and-rescue efforts and recovery operations. Military personnel are expected to arrive within the day, and displaced residents are being directed to shelter at Hawkins High School, which has been temporarily converted into an emergency relief center."
The scene cut to a live shot outside Hawkins High, where people were already gathered, some carrying what little belongings they could salvage, others comforting family members. Volunteers and emergency workers were setting up cots and distributing supplies.
"Officials are urging anyone in need of assistance to go to Hawkins High, where they will find shelter, food, and medical care. Authorities are also asking residents to avoid damaged areas until they are declared will keep bringing you the latest updates as rescue and recovery efforts continue."
The camera zoomed out slightly as he moved on to another story, but the weight of the report hung heavy in the room.
Mrs. Henderson came in, balancing three plates, her expression a blend of concern and motherly exasperation as she handed one to each of them. "You all could use a shower," she said, eyeing them critically, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You look like you just fought a war."
A flash of guilt hit Dove at her mom's comment, the weight of what had happened pressing briefly on her chest. But before the feeling could take root, it was pushed aside by the growling of her stomach. She glanced down at the plate, realizing just how hungry she was.
"Thanks, Mom," Dustin said, already digging in.
"Yeah, thanks, Mrs. Henderson," Steve echoed, giving her a grateful smile.
Dove nodded, murmuring her thanks as she picked up her fork. The warmth of the food in front of her was a small comfort, and she quickly found herself digging in, the weight of the past few days momentarily forgotten in the simple act of eating. The three of them ate in near silence, their focus entirely on the much-needed meal.
Mrs. Henderson hovered for a moment, watching them with a mix of relief and lingering worry, before retreating back to the kitchen.
After she finished eating, Dove excused herself to shower, slipping quietly into the bathroom. She shut the door behind her, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and paused, startled by her reflection. The cut on her forehead stood out, an angry red mark that somehow seemed a relic from another lifetime. She reached up, brushing her fingers lightly over it, the sting still fresh even though it felt like it had happened ages ago.
As Dove began to undress, her eyes caught the scratch on her arm, a jagged line etched into her skin. It looked raw and slightly swollen, the edges red with the beginning signs of infection. She frowned, brushing her fingers gently over the tender area before turning to the mirror. That's when she saw the claw marks on her back. The deep scrapes left by the demobats were bruised and scabbed, the flesh around them angry and inflamed. Her stomach churned at the sight, a harsh reminder of just how close she had come to not making it out.
Finally, she climbed into the shower, letting the hot water run over her, loosening the tension in her sore muscles. She watched as a mix of dirt, grime, and blood swirled down the drain, each drop carrying away a part of the horror she'd survived. For the first time in days, Dove allowed herself to feel something close to relief, letting the water wash over her, grounding her in the steady rhythm, reminding her that, despite everything, she was still here.
As Dove thought about still being here a wave of gratitude washed over her, quickly replaced by a sharp pang of guilt. Eddie wasn't. The thought of him gone forever felt unreal, like a wound that would never fully heal. And then she thought of his uncle, who had no idea of the sacrifice Eddie had made or the countless lives he had saved in the process.
She turned off the shower, letting the sudden chill settle over her as she stepped out, her mind reeling. Wrapping herself in a towel, she walked back into her room, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on her. She pulled on a pair of comfortable clothes, something soft and familiar, and took a steadying breath before heading back toward the living room.
As Dove made her way down the hall, her mother's voice called out from the kitchen. "Dovey, can you come in here for a second?"
Dove's stomach tightened. She had a sinking feeling she knew what this was about. Reluctantly, she stepped into the kitchen, where her mom was wiping her hands on a dish towel, her expression a mix of concern and apprehension.
Her mom gestured for her to sit but didn't say anything right away, as if choosing her words carefully. "I couldn't help but notice you and Steve.. seem close again," she finally said, her tone light but probing.
Dove nodded slowly, bracing herself as she sat at the kitchen table. "Yeah, we've been spending more time together."
Her mom hesitated, glancing down at the dish towel before meeting Dove's eyes again. "And how serious is it?"
Dove shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how much to reveal. "We're figuring things out," she said cautiously.
Her mom sighed, placing the towel on the counter. "I just want you to think carefully, Sweetheart. You've been through so much lately, and well.. what about Danny?"
Dove blinked, caught off guard. "Danny?" she repeated, her confusion evident, a slight laugh escaping at the absurdity of the suggestion.
Her mom nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips as sat across from her daughter. "He's such a nice boy, Dove. Smart, handsome, ambitious.. he has a bright future ahead of him. And I've see the way he looks at you."
Dove frowned, feeling a twinge of irritation. "Mom, Danny's my friend. That's all."
"I know," her mom said gently, "but I just want you to consider all your options."
Dove hesitated, her fingers playing with the bracelet on her wrist. "I mean, Danny's great and all, but Steve—" She stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love him, Mom."
Her mom's eyes softened, her expression a mix of understanding and concern. "Oh, Dovey.." She leaned closer, placing a hand on Dove's arm. "Everyone hopes their first love will be their last, but if being married to your father taught me anything—"
Dove's frustration bubbled over. "Steve is nothing like Dad," she said firmly. "He's kind, and supportive, and honest. And he makes me feel safe, like I can tell him anything. I can be myself around him."
Her mom nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "Your father was all of those things once. But sometimes, Dove.. Sometimes love isn't enough."
Before Dove could respond, the sound of the door opening drew both of their attention. Steve stepped in from outside, a clean change of clothes in his hands. His eyes flicked between Dove and her mom, sensing the tension in the room.
"Hey," he said, his voice light but cautious. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
Dove shook her head, offering a small, tight smile. "Don't worry about it. We were done talking anyway." She stood, brushing past him and heading toward the living room, Steve following close behind.
His brow furrowed as he studied her, the weight of whatever conversation she'd just had still lingering in the air. "Everything okay?" he asked softly, his concern evident.
Dove hesitated for a moment, then glanced over her shoulder with a small, playful smirk, eager to shift the tone. "Is that your secret weapon?" she teased, nodding toward the clothes in his hands. "Always ready for a quick wardrobe change?"
Steve's expression softened, a sly grin replacing his worry as he stepped closer. "What can I say? I like to be prepared," he said, his voice low, leaning in as if to steal a kiss.
But Dove put a firm hand on his chest, stopping him with a laugh. "Oh no you don't," she said, scrunching her nose in mock disgust. "Not until you're clean. You smell like.. well, like something that's been through the Upside Down."
Steve chuckled, stepping back with his hands raised in playful surrender. "Fine, I get it. Clean up first, then get the girl," he quipped with a grin, grabbing his clothes and heading toward the bathroom.
He paused in the doorway, glancing back with a smirk. "But don't think this conversation's over."
Dove shook her head, watching him go with a small smile before turning back toward the living room. Dustin sat on the floor, watching her with two VHS tapes in his hands, his eyebrows raised, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and confusion.
"When the hell did that happen?" he asked, a smirk forming as he looked between her and the hallway where Steve had disappeared.
She felt a slight blush creep into her cheeks, but she crossed her arms and shrugged, trying to play it off. "Oh, you know.. somewhere between fighting monsters and saving the world. Real romantic stuff."
Dustin snorted, shaking his head. "Well shit, if I'd known that's all it took.." He trailed off, his smirk widening as he decided on a movie, clearly enjoying himself.
Dove rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"
"Ridiculous or right?" Dustin quipped, crossing his arms smugly. "I called it, and now I get to say 'I told you so' forever. Plus, Robin owes me 20 bucks."
As Dove plopped onto the couch, she raised an eyebrow. "Please tell me you and Robin didn't bet on me and Steve getting back together."
Dustin shrugged, sliding a tape into the VCR. "Robin thought it wouldn't happen until after graduation. I figured it'd be sooner. Honestly, I'm just glad it finally did. Robin would not stop complaining about having to interrupt your 'moments.' Seriously, it was getting ridiculous."
Just then, Steve walked in, fresh from the shower, and dropped onto the couch beside Dove, draping an arm around her shoulders. Dove glanced at him, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Can you believe Robin and Dustin bet on when we'd get back together?"
Steve raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face. "Really? Who won?"
Dustin shot him a smug look. "Who do you think?"
"Good for her." Steve said, a smirk forming on his face.
Dustin's smug look quickly fell. "No, Steve, I did. I won."
Steve raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Really? Didn't see that coming."
Dustin stuttered, "You didn—I—seriously?"
Steve shrugged casually. "Yeah, I guess I just figured she had the upper hand."
Dustin looked utterly dumbfounded, his mouth opening and closing like he was trying to form a coherent response. "Unbelievable," he finally managed.
Dove, catching on to Steve's teasing, smiled and shrugged. "Don't take it too hard, Dustin. Honestly, I kind of assumed Robin won too."
Dustin threw his hands up in exasperation. "What is wrong with you people?"
Dove leaned into Steve, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Relax, Dusty-bun. Remember, you get to say 'I told you so' forever."
Steve grinned, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Worth it," he murmured.
Dustin groaned, flopping back against the armchair, his eyes rolling dramatically. "Seriously?" He pushed himself up, clearly done with the scene unfolding in front of him. "I'm gonna go shower," he muttered, heading toward the hallway.
Steve called after him, a teasing lilt in his voice. "I thought this was what you wanted!"
Dustin shot them a withering look over his shoulder, "Yeah, but I don't need front-row seats!"
Steve chuckled, shaking his head as he settled back into the couch, pulling Dove a little closer as they shared a knowing smile, feeling a newfound ease between them, as if they were finally right where they were meant to be.
Dove's mom stepped into the living room, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she looked between them, her expression thoughtful. "Hey, you two," she said, catching their attention. "I was thinking about making a few casseroles for the folks at the high school, but there's also a lot of old stuff out in the shed that could be put to good use. Would you mind taking a look?"
Dove sat up. "Sure, Mom," she replied, glancing at Steve, who gave a quick nod of agreement.
"Perfect," her mom said, a smile of relief breaking through. "I'll send Dustin out with some boxes when he's done in the shower."
They made their way out to the shed, the familiar smell of dust and wood filling the air as Dove opened the door. The sunlight filtered in, illuminating a collection of forgotten boxes and old furniture, the echoes of memories long past. Steve followed her in, glancing around with a grin.
"Your mom keeps everything," he said, raising an eyebrow as he peered into a box filled with trophies, yearbooks, and trinkets from Dove's childhood.
"Yeah," Dove laughed, lifting a dusty softball glove and tossing it to him. "Most of this junk hasn't been touched in years."
Steve caught the glove, chuckling as he inspected it. "Got any stories to go with this thing?"
Dove rolled her eyes, reaching into the box and pulling out a faded softball jersey. "You mean, besides the time I got hit in the face during a game and had a black eye for two weeks?"
Steve laughed, tossing the glove back to her. "Somehow, I can picture that perfectly."
She threw the glove at him playfully, her grin widening. "Hey, I had a few decent moments out there. Just.. maybe not as many as I'd have liked."
Steve raised an eyebrow, setting the glove aside as he walked over to her, his eyes softening. "I'm sure you did fine." He brushed a bit of dust from her shoulder, his hand lingering. "And if not, at least you've got better aim now." He smirked, his eyes warm, and Dove couldn't help but smile back.
They both reached for the same box, hands colliding, and for a moment, they paused, their eyes locking in the dim light of the shed. He moved his hand on top of hers and leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Y'know, this might be the most romantic shed I've ever been in."
Dove let out a laugh, shaking her head, though she didn't pull her hand away. "Is that so?"
He grinned, leaning in as the shed door creaked open, and Dustin appeared in the doorway, his face immediately contorting in horror. "Oh, gross," he groaned, his hands flying up to cover his eyes. "I've made a terrible mistake. I forgot how insufferable you are as a couple. What was I thinking?"
Dove bit back a laugh, pulling her hand away from Steve, who rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he looked at Dustin, though a hint of a grin tugged at his lips.
Dustin peeked through his fingers, still looking mildly horrified. "Just.. keep the lovey-dovey stuff to a minimum, okay? I don't need to see that."
Dove laughed, tossing an old stuffed animal at him. "Whatever you say, Dustin. Just get in here and help us."
Dustin rolled his eyes but stepped into the shed, sorting through boxes with a mix of reluctance and curiosity. Steve, meanwhile, dug into one of the larger boxes at the back and pulled out an old photo album.
Flipping it open, he grinned as he came across a picture of a young Dove in a slightly awkward middle school pose. "Oh wow," Steve teased, holding up the album for her to see. "Are those braces?"
"Give me that." Dove said, snatching the album from him and shaking her head with a smirk. She flipped through a few more pages, pausing when she landed on a photo of her mom and dad, arms wrapped around each other, smiling in a way that felt distant and unreal. They looked so happy, happier than she ever remembered seeing them together.
Her mom's words echoed in her mind,"Your father was all of those things once. But sometimes, Dove.. Sometimes love isn't enough."
Dove stared at the photo, her fingers lingering on the edge of the page, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She snapped the album shut, her jaw tightening as she placed it back into the box. Steve's brow furrowed as he watched her, noticing the sudden shift in her demeanor.
But before he could say anything, Dove quickly turned to him. "Can you grab that box of blankets from the top shelf?" she asked, her tone light but forced.
Steve hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, sure." He reached up and pulled down the box, setting it on the floor between them.
With that, they continued sorting through the last few boxes, picking out what might be helpful for the high school. By the time they finished, each of them had a box in hand, and they made their way back to the house, trudging through the yard with tired but content expressions.
As they stepped inside, Dove's mom looked up from where she was wrapping a casserole dish, her face lighting up as she spotted the boxes. "Perfect timing, you three. Set them down over there," she said, gesturing toward a small stack by the front door.
The rest of the day drifted by in comfortable ease, with laughter filling the house as they played board games, threw popcorn at each other during movies, and enjoyed a rare moment of normalcy. Every now and then, Dove and Steve would exchange a look or sneak a quick kiss, much to Dustin's exaggerated groans of protest, which only encouraged them further.
"You two are the worst," Dustin would mutter, trying to focus on the board game or the TV, while Steve and Dove would just smirk, taking every chance to tease him with another show of affection.
By evening, they were sprawled across the living room, exhaustion beginning to set in. Dove nestled closer to Steve on the couch, her eyes growing heavier as a movie played softly in the background. Before long, she drifted off, wrapped in Steve's arms, her breathing steady and peaceful.
Steve glanced down at Dove, a gentle smile tugging at his lips as he tightened his arm around her, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. Dustin, glancing over, rolled his eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. Despite his complaints, seeing them like this—happy, safe, and together—it felt right.