As Derek clings to him, Steve looks around the gaping chasm of dead Mindflayer's insides, a labyrinth of veins and arteries, sinew and innards. It is disgusting and smells like death, a stench he is also covered in from a hard won fight.
But as his eye wanders, a reflection causes him to flinch. He almost misses it within the walls of the carcass as he does a double-take.
"Holy shit," he whispers, easing his hold on Derek.
Steve catches the shimmer again, brighter this time, and he focuses in on it, afraid to lose it.
He squints across the way, trying to make out β
"Oh my god!" he gasps, pushing Derek away now, "Eddie!"
He scrambles upright and catches Dustin's eye. Steve points across the bowels of the beast β frantic.
He starts running, expertly weaving over vines and guts. Instinctual movements like he is gliding with ease towards the glimmering of Eddie's jewellery.
"Eddie, Eddie, Eddie..." he rushes, reaching the body bound up in the walls of the Mindflayer.
He touches Eddie's cheek, wincing at the chill. His heart sinks and he begins clawing at undead monster muscle.
Eddie's dead weight falls on him, and Steve only just manages to right his stance to lower him to the floor beneath them.
"Hey..." he says, hoping, as his fingers thread through Eddie's ring-clad ones, "Eddie! Wake up. It's me. I'm..."
Steve feels a sob rip through him. He doesn't care that their friends are here, that they know Eddie better than he does. Steve just needs... wants to β
"S-Steve Harrington," Eddie coughs, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Eddie!" Dustin screams, tripping towards them.
Close behind are Lucas and Mike, each in a sprint. Robin meanwhile, is frozen across the Mindflayer's body in shock. As Steve looks at his best friend, he feels a tear fall on his cheek as he dares to hug Eddie tighter, rocking him as he feels an arm wrap around him.
Their friends soon gather around, helping to take Eddie's weight. They each push in one-by-one, their words an unintelligible jumble of disbelief, tears and celebration.
Steve falls away, collapsing beside the overwhelming group hug. He heaves a choked up breath of relief, his hand clinging onto Eddie's like a lifeline he refuses to ever let go of.
