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dwobbitfromtheshire · 4 months ago

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All By Myself

A Stoncy fanfiction one-shot

A/N: Sorry, it's a bit long. Also, yes, I gave Steve bad parents again. I couldn't help it. *sigh* All three of them act like they're alone in this world, but they have each other.

Steve blew out of Tina's house as he took in the cool fall air. Everything hurt. . .the pain in his chest, it hurt worse than almost anything. It felt similar to the first time his mother left to be with his dad, and he waited for weeks, thinking they were never coming back. It still hurts every time they leave, but he had grown accustomed to it. One more month, and they would have celebrated a year. . . A year of what he thought was full of love. He thought she would be the one to stay or she wouldn't be the one he'd have to walk away from.

". . .Like we didn't kill Barb. . .like we're in love. . ."

"Like we're in love? You don't love me?"

"Bullshit."

Steve gasped as his heart clenched painfully in his chest. The tears were coming, and he pinched his nose again in an attempt to stop them. Standing outside of the house, he suddenly felt like he was back at the Byers', running away from the demogorgon. As scared as he had been, he couldn't leave Nancy or Jonathan alone to face the monster. It was just like this moment, as much as he was hurting, he couldn't leave Nancy drunk alone in that house. Steve paused and looked at the house before going back in with a sigh. He was grateful to have run into Jonathan, and he grasped his arm. By that time, the tears had come.

"Hey, uh, Jonathan - " Steve croaked.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly.

He had spent so much time trying to deny it that Nancy didn't have feelings for Jonathan, but it was clear to see. Steve didn't blame her. . .Jonathan was nice. He was cute, too, with his dark brown eyes and the dimples that appeared when he smiled. Jonathan placed a hand on his arm. He hands were nice hands, too, very comforting.

"Nancy's drunk, and she said things - I just can't take her home," Steve said, his voice breaking. "She needs to get home. Can you make sure gets home?"

"Of course," Jonathan said. "Are you going to be okay to get home?"

God, he really wanted to hate the guy, but he was so sweet. Steve kind of wanted to hug him and give him a giant kiss. He hadn't had that much to drink, had he?

"Yeah, I think so," Steve said. "Just get her home, please. Forget about me."

Then he muttered under his breath about his own parents doing it all the time, a comment he was sure Jonathan hadn't heard. Jonathan squeezed his shoulder, reassuringly, before letting go and heading towards the bathroom. Steve wandered outside to his car and searched his pockets for his keys. He sighed heavily when he couldn't find them. He had suddenly forgotten how to drive anyway. He watched for a moment as Jonathan drove away with Nancy safely in his car. Steve trudged back into the party and headed straight for the fuel. He downed one cup, and when he saw Hargrove headed this way, he quickly grabbed another before heading back outside. He ran to the side of the house and hid amongst the bushes. He downed one cup and quietly sipped on the other, some of it spilling on his pants. Steve giggled.

"Oopsie," he said.

"Harrington?" A voice said.

"Nancy?" Steve called out.

"No, afraid not, lover boy," Eddie Munson said and slid down next to him. "What are you up to?"

"Drinking and hiding from Hargrove," Steve replied.

"What a coincidence, so am I. He is my worst customer," Eddie sighed.

"Oh, yeah, you sell the drugs now!" Steve exclaimed, snapping his fingers at him.

"I sell the drugs now," Eddie laughed.

"I do the drugs. Well, Marijuana sometimes," Steve said. "He is the worst, Hargrove."

"Definitely," Eddie said.

"I wasn't that bad, right?" He asked.

"Dude, you were like a puppy. No one was scared of you. Hagan was a cowardly little bitch who was all talk," Eddie said. "So, besides the hiding and drink, why are you pouting and crying?"

"My girlfriend loves someone else. I get it, though, you know, he's pretty and great. He's pretty great! If I were a girl, I would totally fight her for him. . . His pretty eyes. . .I'd let him put a baby in me if I were a girl," Steve said and paused. "You know. . . I think I might be drunk."

"You definitely are, big boy," Eddie grinned. "But you don't have to be a girl to like boys, man."

"That would make me gay and I'm not gay," Steve said.

"I'm bisexual," Eddie laughed. "Much like James Dean, I do not tie one arm behind my back. I like men, women, you name it."

"James Dean?" Steve gasped.

"Well, I didn't know for sure he was bisexual but he had relations with the men and the women. . . There were rumors he had a relationship with Paul Newman, but who knows. . . David Bowie is definitely bisexual," Eddie said.

"Man, I hope I remember this in the morning," Steve said and paused. "Is someone calling my name?"

"Steve?!" They heard Jonathan call out.

"Jonathan!" Steve called out. "Over here."

Jonathan walked around the house and found Eddie sitting next to Steve.

"Steve?!" Jonathan asked.

"Hey, pretty boy," Steve smirked and whispered loudly to Eddie. "I think me and my girlfriend like the same boy."

"I think so, too," he laughed.

"Jonathan! Do you know Eddie?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I know Eddie," Jonathan laughed.

"He's pretty! I can say that now! As a guy!" Steve said happily.

"Is he now?" Jonathan scowled and Eddie snickered.

"Not as pretty as you," Steve said.

"Let's get you home," Jonathan said. "I already brought Nancy home. She's safe."

Jonathan pulled Steve to his feet. Steve wrapped his arm around Jonathan's neck, grinning. Eddie helped Jonathan to his car and shoved Steve into the back seat.

"Thanks, Eddie," Steve grinned.

"Yeah, thank you, Eddie," Jonathan said.

"No one should worry about me, I don't go after other people's boyfriends," Eddie said.

"He's not my boyfriend," Jonathan said.

"It's funny that you went there," he grinned. "I could have been talking about Nancy."

Eddie cackled as he walked off. Jonathan sighed, blushing as he got into his car and drove off.

"Are your parents going to be pissed that you're well. . .pissed?" Jonathan asked Steve.

"They're not going to care cause they aren't going to be home," Steve said sleepily. "They never are. Just me, alone in the big empty house. They'll come home every so often when they remember they have a son. It gets scary, and I wake up sometimes, thinking a demogorgon is going to get me. There's no one there. Nothing. I want to help Nancy, but I'm scared that the pool in my house is going to open up and swallow me up because the lab guys told the pool to eat me because I was stupid enough to say something to my parents. I just wanted them to stay, and they just sent me off to a doctor over the summer. I'm scared. I'm scared, Jonathan."

He said the last part in a small voice before nodding off and snoring rather loudly. Jonathan drove to his own house instead of Steve’s like he had planned and helped him out of the car, waking him up.

"Hey, pretty boy, you bringing me home to meet your mama?" Steve said and then went serious. "We've met."

"I'm not letting you stay home by yourself to choke on your vomit, man," Jonathan said.

He dragged Steve and opened the door to his house. Bob, Joyce, and Will were sitting in the living room looking at Will's candy haul.

"Is that Steve?" Will asked. "Is he drunk?"

"I didn't want leave at home alone," Jonathan said.

"Livin' alone! I think of all the friends I've known when I dial the telephone! Nobody's home! All by myself! Don't wanna be all by myself anymore!" Steve sang.

"Where are his parents?" Joyce asked.

"Traveling for work and pretending they don't have any kids," Steve said. "Well, I'm sure my dad has other kids out there who aren't a disappointment."

"His eyes are so big and sad, Joyce," Bob said.

"You see why I couldn't leave him alone?" Jonathan asked. "I'm going to put him in my room."

"Don't wanna live by myself. . ." Steve sang softly. "You guys are richer than me. I would trade that stupid house just for. . .just for one parent who loves me. . .just for one who tries."

"Oh, honey, let me help you," Joyce said as she got up.

She stood on Steve’s other side and helped drag him into Jonathan's room. She set him on the bed and took off his shoes as well as his jacket.

"I spilled," Steve pouted. "I'm always messing up. . . He'd hate me more. . ."

"Who would?" Joyce asked.

"My dad. . .he would hate that I like boys now too," Steve said. "He hates people like me. Maybe that's why I was not honest to me. . .or very nice. I don't want to be sent away again. Hawkins is home. It's where I met Nancy and Jonathan. I learned what really matters. I don't want to go. I don't want the pool to swallow me up."

"We won't let the pool swallow you up, sweetheart," Joyce asked, stroking his hair.

"You aren't related to Eddie Munson, are you?" Steve asked.

"No," Joyce said.

"You look like you could be his mom," Steve said. "You're not, are you?"

"I think I would remember giving birth to Eddie Munson," Joyce said, biting her lip, and Jonathan struggled to keep his laughter in.

"What if you were drunk?" Steve asked and gasped. "I'm drunk. Joyce, you're Jonathan's mama. Why is he so cute?"

"He's always been that way," she grinned.

"Well, tell him to stop," Steve groaned and whined. "It's too much."

"Let's get into some pajamas," Joyce said.

"Is there anything that I can do?" Bob asked from the doorway.

"He's going to need some water," Joyce replied.

"Got it," Bob said.

"Bob! I like you! You're always so helpful when I go to Radioshack! Does not talk to me like I'm stupid," Steve said with a grin.

"Well, no one ever stops learning," Bob said. "So, no one should make people feel bad for not knowing something."

"God! That is true!" Steve yelled.

Bob laughed and left the room. Jonathan and Joyce helped Steve into a pair of Jonathan's pajamas. Afterward, Bob brought him a glass of water, and Joyce made sure Steve drank the whole thing. She tucked him into the bed and stroked his hair.

"Is this what moms do?" Steve muttered.

"It's what moms should do," Joyce said.

Steve burst into tears and sobbed into Jonathan's pillow. His body shook as he cried. Joyce held him and stroked his hair. She had managed to get him to settle down, wipe his face, and he was about to drift off to sleep as Joyce stood up.

"I've got this from here, mom," Jonathan said.

"Are you sure?" Joyce asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

Joyce stroked Steve’s hair one last time before hugging Jonathan tightly and giving him a kiss on the forehead. She walked out the door and closed it behind her. Jonathan grinned when he heard Will's voice.

"Are we keeping him?" He asked.

"First off," he heard Joyce say. "He's not a dog, and second of all. . .maybe. Were you listening at the door?"

" . . . No."

Jonathan laughed as he quickly dressed in his pajamas and went to unzip his sleeping bag.

"What are you doing? Get your ass up here, Byers. I don't bite. . .unless you want me to," Steve said.

Jonathan got up off the floor and crawled into bed. He lay awkwardly on the bed, trying to focus on his breathing. Steve rolled over and lay on Jonathan's chest, cuddling him. He froze for a moment before relaxing and wrapping his around Steve. He enjoyed the feelings of Steve in his arms, and he thought that he had finally fell asleep.

"You're really not what I thought you'd be like," Jonathan muttered.

"Better or worse?" Steve asked.

"Definitely better," Jonathan replied.

"If Nancy's going to leave me for someone, I'm glad it's you," Steve said.

"Maybe she doesn't have to leave you, but we'll talk about it when you're sober," he said, pausing. "And you should know that I know what it's like to feel all alone in this world. . .but you're not alone. You'll figure that out."

"Jonathan," Steve breathed, much like Nancy had, and fell asleep.

Jonathan smiled and kissed Steve’s forehead. He drifted off to sleep pretty easily. The next morning, Steve woke up feeling confused but safer than he had ever felt waking up alone in his bed. It took him a minute to realize that he wasn't in his bed and he was lying on a guy's chest. Steve raised his head up slightly to find himself looking into the sleeping face of Jonathan Byers. He remembered enough to know that nothing had happened sexually between them, and he weirdly felt disappointed about that. He also remembered the maternal comfort that Joyce Byers had given him when he cried like a baby. He reluctantly pulled himself out of Jonathan's arms and stumbled into the bathroom to vomit. Steve washed his mouth out and then found his way to the kitchen. He was startled to find Bob standing in the kitchen making coffee.

"Hey, kiddo," Bob said. "How's your head?"

"Well, it's not great," Steve said.

Bob tapped the pill bottle on the table and slid it closer to him.

"I figured you might need that," Bob said.

"Thanks," he said gratefully.

He fixed himself a glass of water and took the much needed medicine.

"I love it here, don't you? You can certainly feel the love," Bob said.

"Yeah," Steve said in agreement.

"I don't know exactly what happened, and you don't know me well enough for you to tell me," Bob said. "But Joyce was ranting a little bit about it last night. She went on in that cute violent way of hers how she wanted to kill your parents. She doesn't understand why they don't want to get to know such a sweet boy. I think Joyce wants to keep you around and get to know you. As someone rather new around here, I think we're both lucky that they let us into their lives and that they want us to stay."

"Why are you saying this?" Steve asked.

"I can see it in your eyes that you're getting into unknown territory here, and you kind of want to run. Well, I can already say that Joyce already feels protective of you, and if you do run, she's just going to run after you if Jonathan doesn't beat her to the punch," Bob said. "Sometimes, trusting yourself as well as others is a huge risk. . .the question is. . .are they worth it?"

"Yeah," Steve said softly.

"Well, I think so, too. Now, I'm going to make breakfast. What do you like?" He asked.

"Can I help?" Steve asked.

"Sure, kiddo."

The smell of breakfast filled the air, and the others soon came pouring into the kitchen.

"You guys didn't have to do that," Joyce said.

"We wanted to," Steve said.

Joyce hugged him tightly and gave him a very motherly kiss on the cheek. She turned to Bob and gave him a hug as well as a kiss.

"Ew," Will said jokingly, and Joyce ruffled his hair.

Steve smiled at Jonathan and sat down next to him, who gave him more water for drink along with a cup of coffee.

"Did you sleep well?" Joyce asked Steve.

"Uh, yeah, very cozy," Steve replied, his cheeks pink as she smiled knowingly.

"So, Steve, you play basketball. . .is there anything else you like to do?" Will asked.

"I like comic books," Steve shrugged.

"You do?" Will asked with an excited gasp.

"Yeah, you'd be surprised how many of the guys on the team actually do like things like that," Steve said.

"Who's your favorite superhero?" Will asked.

"Spiderman," Steve said. "I like that he's the neighborhood hero, looks out for the little guys, the underdogs, and the everyday people when the other heroes are too busy."

"Yeah, me too," Will said. "Although, I like X-Men, I do like Spiderman too."

"The X-Men are good too," Steve smiled.

Steve could feel Jonathan's eyes on him, trying to figure him out. He was glad he gave the younger man an air of mystery. His head was still pounding, but despite that, Steve felt great. After breakfast and cleaning up, Steve was given more of Jonathan's clothes to wear. It included a yellow sweater.

"You look better in it than I do," Jonathan said. "You should keep it."

"I had no plans on returning it, anyway," Steve said with a grin. "But thank you."

Since they were the only ones in the room, Steve felt a little brave and still very much hungover. He gave Jonathan a kiss on his cheek and knelt down to pick up his clothes. His keys dropped out of the pile of clothing, and Steve smiled cheerfully as he lifted the keys up. He shook them at Jonathan, whose face was red. Jonathan shook his head, flashing his dimples at Steve.

"What?"

Will was going to be driven to school by Bob and said goodbye to everyone as he climbed into the car. Steve smiled gratefully at Bob, waving at him and Will as they pulled out of the driveway. Joyce had given Jonathan a tight hug before turning to Steve and hugging him as well.

"Have a good day at school, boys," Joyce said and pulled out a pair of sunglasses before slipping them onto Steve’s face.

"Thanks," Steve said in surprise.

"I noticed you squinting," she said.

"Thanks for letting me stay," Steve said.

"You're welcome back anytime, I mean it," Joyce said softly and squeezed his shoulders. "You need to talk about anything. I'm here for you. You don't have to be alone anymore, Steve."

Steve sniffled as he got into Jonathan's car, and Jonathan pulled out of the drive.

"You okay?" Jonathan asked.

"Seriously thinking about illegally marrying you so I can have Joyce for a mom," Steve said.

"Not adoption?" Jonathan teased.

"I do NOT want you to be my brother," Steve blurted. "I mean - "

"I don't want to be your brother either," Jonathan said and squeezed his knee.

Steve blushed. He wasn't sure if it was romantic or weird or both, but whatever it was. . .Jonathan's hand never left his knee. Unfortunately, he had to take it off when they got to Steve’s car to get his books out. Once Steve got back into the passenger's seat, Steve grabbed Jonathan's hand as he drove off to put his hand back on his knee. Jonathan thought he was trying to hold his hand, so he interlaced their fingers. Steve didn't complain.

"I hope it's okay. You usually pick up Nancy, right?" Jonathan asked softly. "You mentioned something about that last night. I figured we would go pick her up. Check on her."

"Yeah, I'd have to face her eventually," Steve said, and Jonathan squeezed his had.

"What did she say anyway?" Jonathan asked.

"Something about how we killed Barb and that our love is bullshit," Steve said.

"Maybe she didn't mean it, man. She was drunk," Jonathan said.

"I want to believe that," Steve said softly.

"Nancy wouldn't have stayed with you for nearly a year if she didn't love you. You and I both know that she's not that kind of person," Jonathan said. "Maybe it wasn't you she was calling bullshit. . .maybe it was the people in the lab who killed Barb the night she had sex with you. . .the people who got away with it."

"Maybe. . .she wasn't very. . .," Steve sighed. "I know the words. They fall out of my head, especially when I'm hungover."

"Articulate?" Jonathan asked.

"Yes!"

"I want to help her. Maybe telling her that we should pretend to be teenagers for once was wrong, but I just. . .facing the lab by ourselves was risky, and it's terrifying how powerful they are. . .they could make us disappear. Nancy, they would try to find, but my parents. . .they wouldn't try to find me . . . " Steve said.

"Maybe those assholes wouldn't, but Nancy and I would. . .mom would," Jonathan said.

"I think what really scared me was that if Nancy had outright asked me. . .I would have followed her. She would have gone up against the same lab who faked Will's death in like a day. . .who opened a gate into another fucking dimension. . .who brought monsters into this world. . . If she asked me, she would have worn me down, and I would have followed her. . .I would have died for her. . . Suddenly, all I could think about was how I just didn't want to die without having really lived, and I don't mean what I had with Tommy. . .something real, something important," Steve said. "I got really excited when Nancy told me she invited you. . .I think because I kind of wanted you to join us. . .I mean, you know, dancing."

"I think I would have loved to dance with you," Jonathan said as he pulled up to the Wheelers. "I would have willing dressed up as a Risky Buisness character if you had inflated your eyes at me. Although I don't understand the obsession you and Nancy have with Tom Cruise."

"Because he's hot!" Steve exclaimed. "Oh my God! I think Tom Cruise is hot."

"You think about this. I'm going to get Nance," Jonathan said and kissed his forehead.

"You missed!" Steve pouted.

"No! You still have to talk to Nancy before we get there," Jonathan said and got out of the car.

Steve adjusted the sunglasses and took a bottle of water from the backseat. He slumped into the seat and watched a moment later when Jonathan came out with Nancy. She had sunglasses on and probably would have stumbled if it hadn't been for Jonathan. He helped her into the backseat. Nancy groaned and laid back.

"It was a stupid idea to go to a party on a school night," Nancy said.

"I just want to point out that you begged me to come," Jonathan said as he slid into the driver's seat.

"Yeah, but you're not hungover," Nancy said.

"Because I wasn't stupid enough to drink," Jonathan said, and Steve snorted.

"Steve? What are you doing in Jonathan's car?" Nancy asked.

"After he took you home, he came and picked me up when I got drunk," Steve said. "Then he took me home, and we slept together."

"You slept with my boyfriend?!" Nancy asked Jonathan and Steve snickered.

If he hadn't been hungover himself, Steve would probably be more upset about the situation. . .not knowing how Nancy felt about him. The way she had shrieked with jealousy though. . .

"No! . . . Yes! I mean, technically. . ." Jonathan sputtered.

"Without me?!" Nancy yelled again and clutched her head. "Ow!"

"There's water on the floor back there," Jonathan said. "Wait. . .did you want me to sleep with him. . . with you?"

"Yes! I mean, I don't know!" Nancy yelled. "Okay, I really need to stop yelling. Did you fuck my Steve or not?"

"No, we just slept," he said.

"Why am I disappointed by that?" She muttered loudly and Steve laughed.

"I was too when I woke up in his arms and realized nothing happened," Steve said.

"What? Steve, you really got drunk?" Nancy asked.

"Yeah, I wasn't sure if I was still your boyfriend," Steve said.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because of what you said when you drunk, which sounds totally ridiculous because you were drunk, and of course, it isn't true," Steve said.

"Steve, you said a lot of stuff last night that's probably very true," Jonathan said. "I mean, it might not be true in the way you think it is."

"What did I say, Steve?" Nancy asked.

"Well, that we killed Barb and that our love was bullshit. Well, you said something about like we're in love. When I asked, "You don't love me?" You said it was bullshit," Steve said.

"Steve, that's - " Nancy said, at a loss for words.

"Do you love me, Nance?" Steve asked.

"Maybe we should talk about this when you guys are less hungover," Jonathan said.

Nancy laughed. Jonathan sighed and pulled the car over. Steve scoffed.

"Please, say it," he said.

"Not in front of Jonathan," she said.

"Why? Is it because you're in love with him?" Steve asked.

"That not - I mean," Nancy said. "My head hurts."

Steve cursed, and he ran his hand through his hair, feeling like a total asshole.

"Shit, you don't have to answer right now. I just wanted to let you know that you don't have to choose between us if that's what you're worried about," Steve said. "I think I'm starting to have feelings for Jonathan, too. So, maybe we can work something else out."

"Feelings all around from me too, but we don't have to have it all figured out right now," Jonathan said.

Nancy sighed in relief. She rubbed her forehead and took a bottle of water off the floor before practically chugging it. She turned to Steve.

"What I probably thought was bullshit was the fact that you thought I could ever not love you or that I, myself, could ever not love you. I always thought you were only ever supposed to love one person, and I thought maybe my feelings for one of you were bullshit. I have so much love for both of you that I'm surprised that my heart doesn't explode. Can I love you both?" She asked.

"Yes," Steve and Jonathan said.

"I should have never tried to get you to pretend like nothing was wrong either, I was just scared that we would die, and I just wanted to live a little before we did. Of course, I would have followed you," Steve said.

Nancy smiled and leaned through the seats before kissing him. Jonathan watched them for a moment as Nancy pulled away.

"Wait, what did Steve say while he was drunk?" Nancy asked Jonathan.

"Well. . .she needs to know, Steve," Jonathan said, and Steve nodded. "One of the things he said and honestly the saddest was that my family was richer than his. That he would give up his house just to have one parent who loved him."

"Oh, Steve," Nancy said. "I know you said your parents leave all the time. . .is it. . .of course, it's that bad. Jesus."

"He wanted them to stay for once and told them what happened. Instead of believing him, they shipped him off to a doctor over the summer," Jonathan said.

Suddenly, Nancy climbed between the seats and sat down on Steve’s lap. She took off his sunglasses and then her own.

"What happened?" She asked.

"I had a nightmare, and my parents happened to come home when they heard me screaming. I ended up telling them, and instead of comforting me, they got on the phone with a doctor. The next day, they had people come get me. I told you I went traveling with my parents but that wasn't true. I hated it there. I didn't know if I was going to get out, and it definitely felt like I was in that place. . . The more paranoid I got, the worse I sounded. Eventually, I learned to bullshit my way out. My parents didn't really believe it and the way they looked at me. . .I doubt they're coming back anytime soon. I know they already told me they're not coming to my graduation. . .if I graduate," Steve said. "I was scared I wasn't going to come back or see you ever again. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"I totally get it," Nancy said softly. "I can't believe they did that to you."

"Well, it wasn't exactly the first time," Steve said. "But it wasn't as long as this summer, and I was 8."

"What?" Jonathan and Nancy asked.

"I had a little separation anxiety after my mom left me for the first time," Steve said.

"I'm going to kill your parents," Nancy said.

"You're going to have to get behind my mom once she hears about that," Jonathan said, gripping the steering wheel.

"Steve. . .you know it's not okay what they did, right?" Nancy asked softly.

"I know," Steve said in a small voice. "I hate feeling this way. . ."

"Vunerable?" Nancy asked.

"Yeah," Steve said.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. . . I should have told you I had nightmares too. We both have to work on that, too," Nancy said. "I love you, Steve."

"I love you, too," Steve replied.

Nancy cupped his face like she always did and kissed him deeply, but gently. She poured everything she was feeling into the kiss. She pulled away with a gasp and leaned her forehead against his.

"Promise we'll talk more," Nancy said.

"I promise," Steve said.

"Now, as for you. . .," Nancy said and turned to Jonathan, grasping his chin.

"Wait! I don't . . . I don't know which one I want to be my first kiss," Jonathan admitted shyly.

"I don't think it matters," Steve grinned. "Nancy will be your first kiss with a girl, and I'd be your first kiss with a guy."

"That's true. . .okay. . .Nancy," he said softly.

She leaned over, and Steve pressed a hand on her lower back to steady her. She pressed her lips against Jonathan's, her delicate but strong hands gently touching his face. She pulled away and allowed Steve to lean over to kiss him. Yeah, suddenly everything made sense. This was how they were supposed to be ever since they forged a bond in Jonathan's house nearly a year ago. Steve broke the kiss and pulled a way with a wince.

"I think we're going to be late for school," Nancy smiled.

"We're already late," Jonathan said.

With the first five minutes of first period missed, they decided to skip it completely and spent it in Jonathan's car. They talked about all sorts of things, including some nightmares that Steve and Nancy had about Barb. Of course, it was worse for Nancy in the way that it had been her best friend in the entire world who had been slaughtered the night she had sex for the first time but it was also bad for Steve. She had died in the place where he lived, the place where he was supposed to feel safe. She hadn't even realized that that's why he had quit the swim team and hadn't set foot in his pool since. They both talked about it in depth and their feelings about it. It was a conversation they should have had a long time ago. They had even gotten Jonathan to talk about his own nightmares about Will and his mother. It had gone by fast, especially when they all started kissing again. Just as they were getting out, Eddie pulled up in his van.

"Oh, I just remembered. . .was I riding a bike with Eddie Munson last night?" Steve asked. "Or was just that a dream?"

"I mean, you definitely talked with him, but you didn't ride a bike with him," Jonathan said in amusement.

"I figured since James Dean and David Bowie were there to give us a push," Steve said.

"Are you friends with Eddie Munson now?" Nancy asked.

"I don't know. . .he was nice to me," Steve said.

"You also said that he was pretty," Jonathan sighed.

"Aw, Jonathan, are you jealous?" Steve asked and hip checked him. "You know you're the only boy for me."

Eddie hopped out of his van and waved at him. He grinned for a moment, hesitated, and then sauntered over to them.

"Figured things out, have you?" Eddie asked.

"Maybe," Steve grinned. "I don't know. . .have we?"

"We have," Jonathan said and moved closer to Steve.

Steve, Nancy, and Eddie giggled. Jonathan rolled his eyes, and then he smiled.

"Like I said last night, I do not go after someone else's boyfriend," Eddie said, and then his eyes slid over to Nancy's, winking at her. "Or girlfriend. Anyway, enjoy your hangovers."

"He's so strange," Nancy said as they watched him walk away.

"About as strange as you going to school yesterday with one boyfriend, and now you've got two," Steve said and Nancy laughed with Jonathan.

"That's true," Nancy said and grinned. "Being normal is overrated, anyway."

Later, Steve was very much distracted as he played basketball in the gym. He couldn't wait to see them again, couldn't wait for a time where they could be all couple-y now that the hangovers were gone. If only Billy would get off of his back. Luck came to him to him when he saw Nancy and Jonathan enter the gym. They nodded their heads, indicating they wanted him to follow him. He had expected to follow them out into the little alleyway beside the gym, but instead, they led him to a rather spacious storage closet where they kept all the equipment. Jonathan and Nancy had him go in first. They closed the door and locked it. Suddenly, Steve wrapped his arms around Jonathan's waist and lifted him up. Jonathan yelped and then laughed.

"You totally wanted me to do that to you when you saw me do it to Nancy," Steve said.

"No," Jonathan laughed.

Steve kissed his cheek and trailed his lips down to his neck.

"Admit it," Steve said in a sing song voice.

"Fine," Jonathan laughed and turned around in his arms.

Jonathan kissed him, smiling against his lips. Steve hummed happily as he pushed him up against the door and deepened the kiss. He could feel Jonathan's fingers in his hair, and he gripped Jonathan's waist with his hands. He broke away from his lips to pepper kisses down his cheek and then down to his neck before he began to nibble on Jonathan's ear. He enjoyed the feeling of Jonathan's moaning vibrating against his lips.

"This is not - ," Nancy swallowed. "This is not what we came here for."

"Blame Steve, those shorts leave nothing to the imagination," Jonathan sighed.

"They really don't," Nancy muttered.

She pulled Steve back and kissed him harshly, growling into his mouth. He smiled against her lips and broke the kiss, laughing.

"I thought that's not what you came here for," Steve said.

"It's not. It's those damn shorts. Okay, surely they didn't originally make them that short," Nancy said.

"They didn't," Steve grinned.

"Slut," Nancy gasped and Steve laughed.

"It's true, I am," Steve grinned. "But we probably should stop before they reveal. . .everything. So, what's up?"

"Well, I wanted to come tell you that you should probably get a ride back to your car with Eddie, maybe? I wanted to go with Jonathan to help the Hollands with something. I hope you don't mind," Nancy said.

"Of course not," Steve replied. "Did you want me to go with you?"

"You look like you're having fun. I don't want to disrupt that," Nancy said.

"Oh, yeah, I'm having real fun with Hargrove," Steve said, rolling his eyes. "But yeah, we're not even close to done, so you should probably go on without me."

"You trust us, right?" She asked.

"Of course," Steve said.

"You've helped out enough with the Hollands. It's my turn, anyway," Jonathan said with a soft smile and Steve returned the smile.

"I love you," Steve said, and Jonathan's eyebrows rose. "Don't be so surprised, man. I fall hard and fast."

"I love you too," he said shyly.

Steve cupped his face and kissed him gently.

"If you guys say I'm not needed for this little. . .whatever it is, then yes, I trust you," Steve said.

"I love you," Nancy said and kissed him. "We'll be back."

They exited the closet, and Steve watched them go before walking back towards the gym. What would the Hollands need help with? Steve stopped. Shit! God, why did it take him so long to figure things out? He turned around and ran out of the building, running straight towards the parking lot. Jonathan's car was driving out of the lot. Steve threw up his hands. They were definitely going up against the lab by themselves, and it was all Steve’s fault. He had to be such a chickenshit or maybe he was being rational in thinking that it was fucking crazy to go up against the lab without any back up. Either way, Steve was definitely in love with two reckless idiots.

"This is crazy! I'm crazy. Jonathan and Nancy are crazy," Steve muttered. "Do I love them more for this?"

"You love Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers for being crazy?" A voice spoke suddenly.

Steve jumped and found a girl with dirty blond-light brownish hair sitting on the concrete sidewalk in front of the gym. She was drawing boobs on her converses.

"Jesus!"

"I also go by Robin Buckley," Robin said.

"Hilarious," Steve said. "You didn't hear that, by the way."

"Except that I did," Robin said and paused. "You don't remember me, do you?"

"No?" Steve asked.

"Sophomore year. . .well, my sophomore year, your junior year. . .Mrs. Click's class?" Robin asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't," Steve said.

"Figures," Robin scoffed.

"Do you remember everyone in Mrs. Click's class?" Steve asked.

"Well, no," she said, frowning.

"Well, I'm sorry that I didn't notice you, but I'm sure there are other people you've never noticed before," he said and plopped down next to her. "Do you also know everyone in school?"

"You shouldn't make such excellent points," Robin said.

"I think I would have noticed you if you had drawn boobies on your shoes in class," he smirked.

"So, Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers?" She asked.

Steve grabbed the marker and grabbed his own shoe. He drew boobies and a dick on his sneakers. Robin laughed, and then she zipped her lips while he did the same.

"Damn it, I really wanted to hate you," Robin said.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because you've got really great hair and women flock to you while it's the opposite for me. . .you didn't even notice when Tammy Thompson couldn't take her eyes off of you," Robin said. "I would be a total pariah if I did anything about it."

"Okay, first of all, your hair is great, and second of all, Tammy is a dud who sounds like a Muppet. You can do better," Steve said and paused. "And third. . .you'd be surprised at how many queer folk there are in this town."

Steve brushed his shoe up against hers. Robin smiled and stared at their feet. They sat in silence for a moment.

"So, what crazy things are your partners in crime going to do now?" Robin asked.

"I have no clue, but they want me to trust them, so I guess I'm going to trust them," Steve sighed.

"That's entirely too healthy for King Steve," she said mockingly.

"See you later, Jesus," Steve scoffed and stood up.

"See you later, Fish!" She yelled back.

"What?"

"Harrington! Herring with an e is a fish," Robin said. "I'll definitely see you later."

He had to trust them, though, even if it made his stomach churn. Steve turned and went back into the gym to face Hargrove. After an awkward shower, Steve went back to class even though he couldn't concentrate. What was he supposed to do anyway? It's not like he could follow them. His car was still at Tina's, and he had no clue what they were planning. After school, Steve managed to catch Eddie before he left.

"Hey, man, do you think I could catch a ride? My car is still at Tina's. I just need a ride there," Steve said.

"Didn't you get a ride in with your boyfriend?" Eddie asked.

"I think he and Nancy are planning a surprise. They left earlier," Steve said.

"Right, well, climb aboard, man," Eddie said.

"Thanks," Steve said and climbed into the van.

"You're pretty trustworthy. . .climbing into the freak's van," Eddie said, flashing his dimples at him. "I could do anything to you."

"Well, go on, sacrifice me," Steve said.

"Nah, maybe later," Eddie laughed.

He took off, peeling out of the parking lot rather hastily.

"Jesus! You drive just as crazy as you look," Steve said.

"Well. . .you choose to ride with the freak. . .you get what you get," he cackled.

After that, he blasted the radio, and Steve listened in silence to Eddie's music. It wasn't his cup of tea, but he did like a couple of the songs. Pretty soon, he was climbing out of the van and walking towards his car.

"Hey, Harrington!" Eddie called out.

"Yeah?" Steve asked, turning around.

"Does this mean we're friends? I mean, after spilling our guts out to each other and me not sacrificing you to the devil. . ." Eddie trailed off. "Shouldn't it?"

"Oh, yeah. . . But just friends," Steve said to him.

"Wouldn't want Byers to kick my ass," he laughed. "Shame, though. . .you've got a nice one yourself."

"Yeah, this ass belongs to Jonathan and Nancy. . . Don't you forget it, Munson," Steve said.

"How could I forget? All three of you. . .bunch of freaks," he cackled.

"Being normal's overrated," Steve said, repeating Nancy's words from earlier. "What is normal, anyway?"

Steve could feel Eddie's eyes on him as he slid into his BMW and drove away from Tina's. He thought he'd stop by the Byers to check on them, but when he got there, no one was home. When he stopped by the Wheelers, Ted told him that Nancy was spending the night with Ally. After that, he drove back to his house and cursed himself for being so stupid. He should have been quicker, but he didn't think they'd do anything so immediately with the both of them just getting over their hangovers. They could have at least told him what they were planning. Trust them, he told himself. Did they trust him? No, no. Of course, they did. When he got back to his big empty house, he blasted music to try to drown out his fears and insecurities.

The next day, Steve called the Byers' but he didn't get a response. He went to school, anyway, hoping that Jonathan and Nancy had already gone to school. However, he didn't see a single sign of them all day, and it had made him increasingly worried. After school, he drove to Jonathan's place, but there was no sign that anyone was home. He drove to Melvald's, but Joyce hadn't come in at all today. Finally, he drove to the Wheelers, where he was promptly kidnapped by Dustin Henderson.

"How do you know that it's not just some lizard?" Steve sighed.

"Because its face opened up, and it ate my cat, Steve," Dustin said.

It was starting to turn dark, and Queen was playing on the radio. Neither Steve nor Dustin was paying attention to it. Steve cursed and beat on the steering wheel.

"Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have let Nancy and Jonathan go off by themselves," Steve sighed in frustration.

"Where did they go?" Dustin asked.

"I'm pretty sure they went off to take down the lab," Steve replied.

"And you let them?!" Dustin shrieked.

"They told me they were just going to help Barb's parents," Steve said. "They were completely distracting. . .so, I believed it. I knew Nancy wanted to do something about them, though. They fucking terrify me and I thought it was too risky."

"It is too risky and too stupid!" Dustin yelled. "Oh my god! Oh my god!"

"Didn't you guys hide Eleven last year in Mike's basement and then tried to break into the lab to rescue Will?" Steve asked.

"And they came after us in a bunch of vans and helicopters to kill us!" He said. "We were young and naive then."

"It's been like a year. What's exactly changed?" Steve asked.

"Well, I have teeth now," Dustin said and growled. "See these pearls?"

"Don't make me laugh," Steve said.

"What? What's wrong with them?" Dustin asked.

"Nothing!" Steve said. "They're very adorable."

"They're not adorable, Steven," Dustin said. "They're sexy."

"Oh god!" Steve snorted with laughter.

"What? They are!" Dustin exclaimed.

"How do you my name's short for Steven?" He asked. "It could be like Stefano or something."

"Is it Stefano?" Dustin asked.

"Well, no. It is Steven, but the point is that you shouldn't assume," Steve replied.

"Will said that you spent the night the other evening and then muttered something about how your parents are assholes," Dustin said. "He thought I didn't hear him, but I did. What's that about?"

"I got drunk at Tina's Halloween party. Jonathan brought me to his house because my parents weren't home. They never are, and Joyce welcomed me into their home. My parents aren't the best people or the best parents, and let's leave it at that," Steve said.

Dustin got quiet for a moment and then spoke up.

"My dad had a problem with gambling, and we ended up losing our first house because of it. We almost ended up on the street because of him. Then he won big but couldn't face us, so he left us a bunch of money and then took off. Mom decided she wanted to move back to Hawkins, and that's when I met my friends," Dustin said and paused. "My dad's a piece of shit."

Steve pulled up to Dustin's house and got out of the car. He went around to the trunk, opened it, and paused to look at Dustin.

"I'm sorry that your dad is a piece of shit," Steve said softly.

"I'm sorry that your parents aren't the best," Dustin said.

He held out his fist, and Steve smiled. They bumped fists, and Steve placed a hand on his head for a moment before pulling his bat out of the trunk. Although, really, it was more like his, Nancy's, and Jonathan's. It was Nancy's bat first, then Jonathan put the nails in, and then Steve swung the bat at the monster. He couldn't help but smile at the thought. Dustin led him around back toward the basement, where they discovered that Dart had gotten out by tunneling through the wall. Dustin ended up begging his mom to let him stay, telling her that they were trying a big brother program at school and that Steve had volunteered to be his big brother.

"He's a jock who likes comic books!" Dustin said excitedly. "I was hoping to show him mine!"

"Oh, I don't know, Dusty, it's so last minute," Claudia said. "Won't his parents mind?"

"His parents don't care. They're out of town," Dustin said.

"Well, of course you can stay," Claudia said.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Henderson," Steve said. "You've got a real good kid."

"Oh, I know," she said, beaming with pride, and then she patted Steve’s cheek before leaving them alone.

They gathered in Dustin's room, where they discussed what their next plan would be. It occurred the next day, when they were walking across the train tracks, trying to lead Dart to the junkyard with a bunch of meat. Dustin was also able to get in contact with someone finally. It was Lucas and Dustin promptly told him where to meet.

"You did all this to impress a girl?" Steve asked.

"I thought a scientific discovery would look good!" Dustin exclaimed.

"Maybe, but you'd have to find the right kind of person who likes lizards," Steve said and sighed. "If there's one thing that I learned recently, it's that you shouldn't try so hard, just be yourself, and open up a little. People appreciate honesty."

"Why are you being so gender neutral with your pronouns?" Dustin asked. "I like girls and you're clearly talking about Nancy. Did you have a fight?"

"I mean, we had a thing, but we worked it out," Steve said and sighed. "Neither one of us was being honest with each other. Girls like it when you speak from the heart too but ease into a little. You don't want to be too honest and scare her off."

"Is that why they didn't invite you to take down the lab? You scared Nancy off, so she left with Jonathan?" Dustin asked.

"Dude! I'm trying to give you advice, and you're being a little shit," Steve said.

"Sorry, that is rude of me. My mom says I can put my foot in my mouth sometimes," Dustin said and paused. "But it really doesn't scare you that she might leave you for Jonathan?"

"No, Jonathan is. . .my friend. I like Jonathan," Steve said and tried really hard to fight off the smile.

"You know, you smile the same way when you talk about Nancy," Dustin said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you liked Jonathan just as much."

Dustin laughed as he threw meat down onto the trucks. Steve looked at him with wide eyes. He had to do better with his facial expressions. He didn't even know how many people Jonathan and Nancy wanted to know. Dustin turned and grinned at him. Steve laughed.

"Well, that would be ridiculous," Steve scoffed.

"Holy shit! You do like him! Wait! Do you know that you like him? Oh, God, should I be talking about this with you? It's okay to like men and women, though! I don't have a problem with it. There I go, putting my foot in my mouth," Dustin sighed. "Forget I said anything."

Steve didn't say anything. He tried not to laugh, and maybe he should say something because he could tell the kid looked so guilty.

"Okay, look, this is brand new for me, but I already know that I like them both. Let's just leave it at that," Steve said.

"So, you're attracted to both, or you just don't care?" Dustin asked.

"Well, I definitely care about both," Steve said. "It's something I always noticed but didn't want to admit."

"What if you don't care and you're just open to falling for anyone no matter what container they come in?" Dustin asked.

"Well, I mean, I guess. If I can be sexually attracted to any gender then I suppose someone can be attracted to someone based solely on their personality," Steve said. "I discovered the word bisexual like a day ago, so if there's a word for that, I don't know it. . . .And really, container?"

"It's true, Steve! We are containers! We contain all sorts of things! We're just watery bags of blood and meat!" Dustin exclaimed.

"Okay! We were having a nice conversation, and then you ruined it!" Steve exclaimed.

"We are containers! Vessels of the human consciousness! There's so much more that we don't know about! Think about all the possibilities?! Steve?! Steve? Are you thinking about the possibilities?!"

"UGH!" Steve yelled out, wondering how someone could be so adorably excited about something and obnoxious at the same time, not even realizing in that moment that he officially became Dustin's older brother.

They made it to the junkyard where Lucas arrived with a redheaded girl named Max. She had been the same girl who rode in with Billy to school. She was his stepsister, Steve later learned. She was a lot more likable than Billy but still kind of angry. If he had an asshole stepbrother like that, Steve figured he'd be a little angry about it, too, especially if said stepbrother was taking his anger out on her. He wondered if anyone in her family stood up for her. The thought had made it easy when the demodog tried to come through the roof of the bus, and Steve immediately stood in front of her. . .in front of all of them, begging the dog to take him instead. Suddenly, though the demodogs had been called away and they headed straight for the lab. They followed after them, using the train tracks again as a pathway to the lab. They had made it to the lab and burst out of the trees, startling Nancy and Jonathan, who made it before them.

"Steve?!" Nancy and Jonathan exclaimed.

Before he could open his mouth, they had thrown themselves at him and hugged him tightly. Steve looked over them to find Dustin grinning and giving him two thumbs up. He rolled his eyes but smiled as Nancy and Jonathan pulled back.

"What's going on?" Nancy asked.

"We got back to the house and it was a mess. I couldn't find my mom or Will," Jonathan said.

"Yeah, we tried getting in touch with them too," Dustin said. "Mike's nowhere to be found either."

"I don't know. I know about as much as you do," Steve said. "Well, probably, a little more. I bet you don't know about the baby demogorgon that Dustin tried to keep as a pet and that we had to lead to a junkyard to kill when it grew so much that it created a tunnel in Dustin's basement. Turns out there's a whole pack of them, and it almost killed us, but then they like got called back to here."

"And this is Max, the girl Lucas endangered," Dustin said.

"I did not!" Lucas exclaimed.

"You kind of did, Stalker," Max smiled.

"Well, Dustin endangered us too with Dart!" Lucas exclaimed.

"I didn't know he was a baby demogorgon!"

"Hey! Hey! Enough!" Steve yelled. "Focus! It doesn't matter who's at fault! The only thing that matters is getting through this together. . .all of us! You got that?!"

"Yes," Dustin, Lucas, and Max said.

Nancy and Jonathan smiled at him for a moment before turning back to the lab.

"Will's in there," Jonathan said.

"And if Will's in there, so is Joyce. . .so, is Mike," Nancy said. "I know you don't like it. . ."

"I'm here, Nance. I'm with you," Steve said. "Which unfortunately means these guys as well."

Unfortunately, when they tried to get in, the power was out, which meant that the gate was inoperational as well. Steve didn't have the heart to tell Dustin that someone inside had probably restored power, and that's why the gate started working. He had looked so happy. Jonathan was able to use his car to drive up to the doors where Hopper was carrying Will and dragging a crying Joyce out. Bob Newby had died buying them some time, and it churned Steve’s stomach to know that it had just been the day before that Bob was giving him sage advice right in Joyce's kitchen which is where they were now. The gate was still open, and Will was being possessed by the Mind Flayer, yet another name taken from Dungeons and Dragons game. He briefly wondered what the kids would think of his new friend, Eddie, and his Hellfire club. Steve shook his head, noting the worried look on his boyfriend's face as they stood around the kitchen table. Steve discreetly reached around Nancy and took Jonathan's hand, hoping he was giving him a comforting squeeze. Jonathan squeezed back gratefully.

"Go with Jonathan," Steve told Nancy later and in a soft voice.

El had returned just as they had been planning just on how they would close the gate. It was the only way to save them. Meanwhile, Joyce and Jonathan were taking Will to Hopper's cabin to get the Mind Flayer out of him before they could close the gate. They were literally going to smoke it out of him. El would be going with Hopper to the lab to close the gate.

"Mike - " she started to say.

"I'll look after him and the other kids. Turns out I'm pretty good at babysitting. I think this was where I was meant to be. You were meant to kick the lab in the teeth. I wouldn't have been very helpful there, but I feel like I am here. Jonathan should have one of us with them, and it should be you," Steve said. "You trust me to look after the kids, right?"

"Of course," Nancy replied, and then her eyes lit up in amusement. "You make a very hot mom."

"Shut up," he laughed.

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. She broke the kiss and pulled away just as Jonathan walked up to him.

"Jon - ," Steve said.

"I don't care," Jonathan said.

He grabbed Steve’s face and pulled him in for a kiss, much like Nancy had done. Steve quickly gripped Jonathan's waist to steady him and kissed him back. He pulled away from the kiss with a sigh.

"It's okay," Steve whispered. "We're going to be okay."

"Sorry, we're leaving you alone with the kids again, dear," Jonathan said teasingly.

"I have to put up with so much," Steve said with a dramatic sigh. "I deserve a foot rub, honeybunch."

"Done, but only if you never call me that again," Jonathan laughed.

He took Nancy's hand, and off they went. Joyce smiled softly at Steve and waved at him before getting into the car. She had seen the interaction and hadn't been bothered by it. She wasn't the only one who had seen it, though. The kids' faces were peering through the window, gaping at him. Dustin, however, was holding his thumbs up and looking even more delighted than he did before. Steve rolled his eyes but smiled as he walked back into the house. His smile was short-lived when the kids started arguing about helping Hopper and El by distracting the demodogs and setting the tunnels under Hawkins on fire. Steve absolutely forbade it, not wanting anything to happen to the kids and then having to look into the eyes of his partners to explain to them that he had failed. Just as he was putting his foot down, Max's stepbrother showed up. The fear on her face was more enough for him to do something about it. She was scared that Billy might actually kill her. He could see it and like hell that was going to happen.

He had gone out there, hoping he'd convince Billy that Max wasn't here, but the kids had to look out the window. One hard punch to the stomach, and Steve was down. When he finally was able to catch his breath, Steve walked into the house to find Billy holding Lucas against the wall, slamming him repeatedly and threatening to kill him. A roaring fury filled him, like a lion protecting its cub. Steve pulled him away from Lucas and started fighting Billy. He was stronger than Steve, a behemoth who was angry at the world and who was determined to set fire to anyone in his path to make them feel his own burning rage inside of him. As hard as Steve fought, he didn't want to kill Billy, especially not in front of his stepsister. He had to pull his punches and hoped Billy would do the same. Billy did not, and Steve paid the price for it. His head was swimming, and his ears were ringing from the plate he took to the head. He didn't want to give up. Steve collapsed, unable to fight back, and everything turned dark. The last thing he heard was the kids screaming his name.

"Nancy?" Steve asked.

The face in front of him became clearer. Embarrassingly, it wasn't Nancy but her brother, Mike. He felt someone patting him comfortingly. Were they moving?

"Shh, it's okay, Steve. You did good, buddy," he heard Dustin's voice from his other side.

"Are we in a car?" Steve slurred. "Who's driving?"

"Max, but it's fine. She practiced in a parking lot," Dustin said.

It did not make him feel better. Steve started screaming and hollering at them to pull over. It didn't matter, though, because they had made it to the tunnels. Steve gave up arguing with them and, instead, helped them set fire to the damn thing. This time, Steve drove them back to the Byers' house in Billy's stolen car. The car was the only good thing Billy had going for him. . .and Max, if only the asshole realized that. Walking through the door, he expected to see an angry Hargrove.

"Where's Billy?" He asked.

"Well, Max certainly didn't drug him to stop him from killing you, nor did she threaten him with your bat," Dustin laughed weakly. "We did NOT tie him up and shove him in a closet either."

Steve stared at him before jumping when they heard muffled yelling.

"What is that?" Steve asked.

"That would be Billy. . .in the closet," Lucas said.

Steve groaned and collapsed on the couch, clutching his head.

"He was going to kill you - " Mike started to say.

"You did what you had to do, Mike. I'm not mad," Steve said. "My head and chest fucking hurt. I can hardly breathe. . . .you guys are a lot braver than I am."

"I wouldn't have been able to stand up to Billy if I hadn't seen you fight for me and defend me. No one's ever done that for me before," Max said softly. "All they've ever done is hurt me."

Steve stared at her, an understanding forming between them both as he looked at her.

"I'm sorry," Mike blurted out at Max.

"For what?" Max asked.

"For being an asshole," Mike said.

"I totally get why you were though," Max said. "Still. . .yeah, you were an asshole. With everything that happened. . .I think I can forgive you."

Mike held out his hand for her to shake. Max went to shake it, but Dustin said they had to do a spit shake or it doesn't count. Steve watched in amusement as they argued about it. His head was pounding, and he thought maybe his nose might be broken as well, along with a concussion. Was he spinning or the room? It was kind of making him nauseated. Steve groaned and leaned his head back. The sick feeling in his stomach grew stronger, and the spot where Billy hit was hurt as well. He really couldn't help it. Steve leaned over and vomited all over the floor.

"Oh, shit!" The kids exclaimed as they rushed to his side.

Steve could hear the voices from outside even over the kids' worried voices. Was that Jonathan talking to Hopper?

"I don't know. It looks like Hargrove's. Mom took Will to the hospital. We wanted to check on the kids," Jonathan said.

"And Steve?" Hopper asked teasingly.

"Hush," Nancy said.

The door opened, and they trudged in, with El sleeping in Hopper's arms. They paused at the sight of the kids surrounding Steve.

"What's going on?" Hopper asked.

The kids parted to let them get a better look at Steve's condition. Jonathan and Nancy immediately went to his side.

"What the hell happened?" Nancy asked.

"He was going to kill the kids," Steve said softly.

"Who? Hargrove?" Jonathan asked. "Why?"

"It's my fault. He was looking for me," Max said. "I should have just gone with him."

"You said he was going to kill you," Steve said. "And you looked damn serious about it, too. He was slamming Lucas against the wall. . .I had to do something."

Hopper set El down on the chair and walked over to Steve. He clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"You did good, kid, but you need to go to the hospital," Hopper said.

"I'm fine," Steve wheezed.

"Your vomit on the floor said otherwise," Dustin said.

"Steve," Nancy said softly and kneeling in front of him. "We know why you don't want to go, but you have to. Jonathan and I will be with you every step of the way."

"Your parents aren't here, Steve. They can't send you away again," Jonathan said softly.

"What does that mean?" Dustin asked. "Steve?"

"It's nothing. I just had some nightmares over the summer, and my parents didn't want to deal with it, so they sent me to Pennhurst. Dad got busy with work and forgot I was there, that's all," Steve said, shrugging.

"That's all?! He said so casually. . . " Dustin said.

"Jesus, kid. . .look, we're going to talk about that later, but they're right. You need to go to the hospital with them," Hopper said softly. "I don't like hospitals either."

Steve nodded as he let Jonathan and Nancy help him up off the couch. He managed to hear one last conversation before he left the house.

"Billy Hargrove is tied up in Jonathan's closet," Dustin said. "In case you're wondering what that noise is."

"Of course he is," Hopper sighed, and Steve laughed as he was dragged out of the house.

"OW!"

Two days later. . .

Steve found himself sleeping in Jonathan's bed yet again and also waking to find someone else crawling into bed with them. Steve opened his eyes, squinting at the early morning light to find Nancy peering down at him and checking his pulse.

"I'm alive, Nance," Steve chuckled. "I see you and Mike are finally freed from your parents."

"Yeah, they did not appreciate me lying and running off with Jonathan," Nancy said. "Mike really wanted to join the slumber party. He's in there now with Will, Lucas, Dustin, and the girls."

Nancy kissed him before wedging herself between them. Jonathan stirred for a moment, glanced at her, and draped an arm around them both before falling back to sleep.

"Yeah, I think Max is afraid to go home even though Billy covered for us, but only because he didn't want to admit that he got drugged, tied up, and locked in a closet by a bunch of kids," Steve said.

"The asshole deserved it," Nancy said. "And then some. . . If I had been here and seen what he did. . ."

Nancy wrapped her arms carefully around him and kissed his shoulder blade.

"You would have shot him in the dick," Steve said.

"I would not - okay, maybe I would have," Nancy laughed.

"She definitely would have shot him in the dick," Jonathan agreed sleepily.

"Max is definitely a mini-Nancy," Steve said. "I love that kid. Dustin, too. Lucas. . .well, they're all great. Even Mike."

"Okay, who's your favorite?" Nancy asked teasingly.

"You can't ask me to choose, Nance, that's not very fair," Steve whined.

The three of them drifted off to sleep, and when Steve woke up, he was alone. It had only been temporary, though. There came a knock on the door and said a sleepy 'come in' before Joyce entered.

"You feeling any better?" Joyce asked.

"A little, still feels like I got run over, but at least nothing is broken," Steve said. "Although, it sure does feel like it still."

"Well, do you still feel up to staying a bit longer? I really don't feel comfortable sending you back to that empty house or to your parents all," Joyce said.

"Oh, yeah, that would be great. Uh, where's Jonathan and Nancy?" Steve asked.

"Oh, Jonathan is with Hopper making breakfast for everyone. Nancy is with the girls. Max wanted to show them her comics," Joyce said. "Hopper came by to tell El he's officially adopting her."

"Oh, that's great!" Steve exclaimed and then paused. "I, uh, with everything that happened, I didn't get a chance to say thank you for everything, and I'm really sorry about Bob."

"Thank you, sweetheart," she said softly and hugged him tightly.

Suddenly, there came a sound like the thundering of feet. Lucas and Dustin appeared in the doorway, breathing heavily.

"Steve, there's something that I need to ask you," Dustin said.

"No, there's something that I need to ask you!" Lucas exclaimed, elbowing him.

"I got here first!" Dustin yelled.

"Boys!" Joyce laughed.

"I want to take custody of you!" Dustin shouted out quickly. "My mom and I have a spare room!"

"We have a spare room, too!" Lucas said.

"I found him first, so he should be my brother!" Dustin exclaimed.

"He should be my brother! He saved me from Billy!"

"He saved all of us!"

"Are they fighting over me?" Steve asked.

"I think so," Joyce asked in amusement.

"Guys! I can be brothers to both of you!" Steve exclaimed.

"Well, I suppose we could split time between our houses," Dustin said thoughtfully.

"My mom is already practically setting up his room," Lucas said, nodding. "A biweekly basis?"

"God, no. A monthly basis would be better," Dustin said.

"Yeah, that works," Lucas said.

"Does that work for you, Steve?" Joyce asked, laughing.

"Yeah, I guess so," he said with a wide grin.

"Oh, shit, sorry, Steve. Is this okay? Because we already talked about it with our parents, and we got so excited - " Lucas said.

"I'm happy to be your brother," Steve said.

Dustin and Lucas hopped on the bed to hug him tightly. Joyce laughed and dove out of the way.

"Careful, he's still injured!"

It was another couple of days before they all had no choice but to return to school after Steve moved in with both the Hendersons and the Sinclairs. They also finally put Barbara to rest with Jonathan and Steve standing with Nancy as they buried Barb, holding her hands tightly. It had been risky what they had done, but as Steve stared at Barb's parents and the coffin being lowered into the ground, he realized it had been worth it. Nancy and Jonathan were on either side of him now just as Nancy has been supported at the funeral, as they all walked into school, keeping an eye out for Hargrove. It amused Steve to no end that they were hellbent on protecting him, but he was also touched by it. They really liked him just as much as he liked them. Also, he was pretty sure that Nancy had tucked a knife into her boot.

"Jesus, I thought the rumors were true, and Hargrove had killed you," Eddie's voice came from behind them.

Steve had been putting his books in his locker when Eddie approached.

"He came close," Steve said as he turned to him.

"Fuck, man, did he try to turn your face into ground meat?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, he was trying to hurt a kid, couldn't let that happen," Steve scowled and winced. "Worth it."

"Well, he seems a lot more meeker now," he said. "Did you kick his ass?"

"Something like that," Steve said as he shared a look with Jonathan and Nancy.

"Why are people staring at us?" Jonathan asked. "Do you think they know?"

"They're completely oblivious to the looks you're giving Stevie here. What they are staring at is King Steve talking all friendly with the freak and not sending him on his merry way," Eddie said.

"I am no longer King Steve," he scoffed.

"Tell that to the small folk because I don't think they know," he said in amusement as he leaned against the lockers with them. "Well, most of them who haven't completely lost their minds over Hargrove's looks, which I don't understand. Your ass is way better."

Jonathan cleared his throat, and Nancy giggled.

"It's so cute when he gets jealous like that," Nancy said.

"Hm, I wonder if he'll react the same way when I flirt with you. My God, Wheeler, your eyes are the most beautiful shade of blue. Like pools I could swim forever in."

"Seriously?!" Jonathan exclaimed.

"He's winding you up, Jonathan," Nancy said.

"And you're making it so easy for him, baby," Steve said softly, grinning.

"I hate all of you," Jonathan said, smiling as they all laughed.

Eddie was about to open his mouth and say something when Chrissy Cunningham walked up to Nancy. It made Steve realize that it had been a while since he and Nancy had hung out with Chrissy. Although, a lot of that had to do with Jason. Neither Nancy nor Steve had liked him or the way he treated Chrissy. They had both voiced their concerns, and Jason hadn't liked that.

"I gathered the homework that you missed, Nancy," Chrissy said, smiling.

"You seem happier. More free, I would say," Nancy said knowingly.

"I ended it with Jason once and for all," Chrissy said. "But I'm sure you and Steve are happy about that."

"Happy for you," Steve said with a grin. "But yeah, good riddance."

Chrissy laughed. Her eyes drifted over to Eddie, and she smiled gently at him.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble he gives you and Hellfire," Chrissy said and paused. "I should have tried harder last year. . ."

"I'm sorry for all the trouble he gave you," Eddie said, and she absentmindedly grabbed her arm. "Higgins never would have believed you, anyway, not without a little blackmail."

"Did you blackmail him?" Chrissy asked.

"I can neither confirm nor deny," Eddie grinned, and Chrissy laughed.

"What's happening here?" Jonathan asked.

"What they're doing is called flirting, and it's what we've been doing over the last year," Steve whispered to him. "Although, we didn't know it so I can understand your confusion."

"Asshole. You're lucky you're cute," Jonathan said.

The three of them watched as Eddie flirted with Chrissy, and when the bell rang, Chrissy had to leave. Eddie watched her depart, not paying attention to where he was going, and ran right into an opening doorway.

"Ugh, please tell me I stuck the landing," Eddie groaned from the floor.

"You didn't," Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan said.

"Your forehead is so red, man!" Steve laughed.

"Shut up!" Eddie exclaimed without getting up, and he glanced at Steve's shoes. "Ooh, I see you met Robin Buckley."

"Steve. . .why do you have boobs and a dick on your shoes?" Nancy asked their boyfriend.

"And what does it have to do with Robin Buckley?" Jonathan asked, and Steve laughed.

It was hard after that to feel as lonely as he had in that big empty house. He had a home with Dustin and Lucas. When he wasn't going back and forth between his partners' houses. His groups of friends had grown as well to accept Eddie, Chrissy, Robin, and eventually Eddie's friends became his friends as well. Steve and Nancy worked with Jonathan on their relationship, trying their best not to retreat when things started to get difficult. Steve was able to deal with the fact that some days Nancy wanted Jonathan more than Steve and vice versa. There were some days Steve wanted Jonathan more than Nancy, and there were definitely a lot more days where all three wanted each other. He wasn't alone anymore, and the realization hit him hard on the day he graduated. So many people had come to celebrate him, the people who truly mattered. Even Eddie showed up, even though he wasn't going to be graduating with him. He had suddenly forgotten about that when Chrissy pulled him in for their first kiss. Steve had laughed with an arm around Jonathan and Nancy as the kids joined them in his graduation picture, Eddie looking like a lovestruck idiot as Joyce took the picture. He had a big family just like he always wanted.

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