Maxxiemama

Dustin seems to relax a bit, and he nods, determined. Eddie watches the kid take a breath, before the long tale of The Upside-Down begins. "Well, it all sort of started back in 1983 when Will Byerswent missing, but I'll try and keep the unnecesary details out. Will came back from the dead, right? That's what everyone thinks? Well he didn't, the body was planted by the government because they were trying to cover up the fact that he was stuck in an alternate dimension. This alternate dimension is something we call the Upside Down. It bleeds into our world sometimes and monsters make their way through." He pauses, glancing over Eddie's face before he continues "The reason they were trying to cover it up is because Hawkins Lab- or as you know it, the energy plant - was experimenting on children to give them powers. We met this one girl who escaped, her name is Eleven but she prefers El, and she has really cool powers. She helps us kill the monsters pretty much every time." Dustin catches the look of confusion that crosses Eddie's face "It's happened three times now. The first time that I mentioned in 83, then again the year after when I found this baby version of the monster, he's in my room by the way, and now again this year at Starcourt." Things are starting to piece together. Why the duo of idiots on the couch are still wearing work uniforms, why Steve looks like he was used as a human punching bag. It does not explain the drugs. "This time, it wasn't our government, though. Starcourt Mall is actually a cover for a secret Russian operation, where they were trying to break into the Upside Down to use it as a weapon or something. We found out there were Russians and went to investigate, but..." Dustin glances around Eddie with a solemn and regretful look. Eddie can infer he's looking at Steve. "You got caught?"

"Hey, idiot don't forget your dice." and he tosses the pouch at Dustin, who barely catches it because he's an unathletic loser. He scoffs and smiles anyway, "Thanks dad."

Before Eddie can process that, Dustin walks out, completely oblivious to the fact that he'd even said the D-word. Eddie stands there for way longer than he should, circling through pride, affection, and offense because he is NOT old enough to be a father!

A few weeks go by, Eddie pretty much forgets about it and chooses not to bring it up, because despite what everyone thinks, he isn't the biggest douchebag in the word. (He still is one of course but not the biggest!) Eddie forgets about it until another hellfire session is over, but Dustin took a little too long, and Steve Harrington comes marching into the school.

"Dude, I told you to be quick today! I promised Max and Lucas I'd take them to the movies!" The perfectly styled brunette started to scold, Eddie found himself a little hot under the collar as he glanced between Dustin and his much taller, much more attractive friend.

Dustin rolled his eyes, "Okay, okay, jesus, you're such a nag, mom." He added the "mom" mockingly, Harrington didn't even bristle. "I'm flattered to be compared to your mother, now move your ass." He demanded, dragging Dustin away by his bag.

Eddie was once again, stuck standing there for a little longer than he should've, before his feet were suddenly moving and he burst into the parking lot and luckily, somehow, Harrington and Dustin weren't in their cars yet.

"Henderson called me dad once!" He shouted over at them, a little out of breath. "If you're his mother I think I owe you a date! Or at least child support!" He called, giving Harrington a sharp grin even though a part of him was horrified at his own actions.

Dustin looked ten times more horrified than Eddie felt, but Steve just turned, glanced Eddie over, and paused. "That can be arranged." He smirked a little before getting in his car, Dustin followed, and even over the engine starting Eddie could hear the kid screeching about dignity or something.

They drove away but Eddie's heart was pounding louder than them turning out of the parking lot.

Steve lives a peaceful and quiet life as a baseball coach in Hawkins. Two years have passed since they defeated Vecna for good. Everyone is safe. Everyone moved on. Dustin’s in college now, and he visits from time to time. Steve’s happy. He’s content with how things turned out.

Except, sometimes, the lamp in his living room looks weird.

He lives in Forest Hills, in a small trailer right next to Wayne Munson and Mrs Mayfield. He goes on dates every other week. If he’s feeling lucky, he brings a girl home and tries to feel normal. Tries to convince himself this is enough.

But the lamp looks weird.

He loves the kids he teaches. His little nuggets. He loves taking care of them and teaching them about the world. Loves feeling useful. Needed. If he’s needed here, then he doesn’t need to go anywhere else. Hawkins is his home, after all. And if everything goes right, maybe next year he’ll finally get that promotion and he’ll become a school counselor, like he always wanted. Life is smiling at him for once.

And the lamp looks weird.

After so much struggle, so much death and fighting, he finally got his happily ever after.

… The lamp looks weird.

Something’s not right.

The lamp looks weird.

He feels hollow.

The lamp looks weird.

“STEVE!!! YOU NEED TO WAKE UP!!!!”

And he does.

This time, he does.

Steve gasps for air, lungs convulsing as dark oozing goo spills from his mouth. He retches and spasms, clawing at his chest for air. His throat burns. His head feels like it’s splitting open from the inside.

A warm, steady hand runs up and down his back. He blinks into the dark, vision hazy, and then he sees a familiar face that should be long gone. A ghost he never thought he’d see again…

Eddie Munson he’s crouching next to him, hand on his back, murmuring encouragements as Steve struggles to breathe.

What the fuck.

Steve looks around.

He’s in Hawkins, or what’s left of it, and the world is still split in four. The town he knows is nothing but a wasteland. The sky is red, the ground is covered in ash, and rotten dark vines writhe through the dystopian landscape.

“What the fuck” he says out loud this time. His voice comes out raw and unused, scraping his throat like sandpaper. “Am I- am I dreaming?”

Eddie shakes his head. He’s covered in dirt, his hair matted, his clothes torn and ragged, different from the ones Steve last saw him in. He looks… older. Worn down. His eyes shine with unshed tears as he bites back a sob of relief.

“You were dreaming, yeah. But you’re awake now… Fucking finally.” He laughs weakly, voice shaking. “It’s been so long.”

“You … died...” Steve says head still reeling. “I thought- Am I dead?”

Eddie grabs his arm pulling back to reality.

“Steve. You gotta listen to me, man.” His voice is firmer now. “We don’t have much time. Everyone in Hawkins has been taken by Vecna. It all started when the gates opened. You’ve all been trapped in a dream for the last eighteen months.”