Chapter Text
Steve knew something was wrong with him, not mentally, that was a whole other can of worms, but physically. Something was wrong.
It has been nearly half a year since they defeated Vecna, since Steve pulled his head out of his ass and whispered the word ‘bisexual’ for the first time, since he kissed Eddie Munson not caring who was watching. Eddie all but lives at the Harrington residence, curing it of the loneliness that weighed on Steve so heavily before.
Steve’s used to days where it hurts too much to get out of bed. The days where he can’t even open his eyes, because despite his curtains being closed the room is still too bright. He’s used to spending the day trying to focus on anything other than the throbbing pain behind his eyes. He’s not used to someone being there with him on these days. It was easy to keep others away, he knew the tell-tale signs of the migraine before it hits him. It was easy enough to excuse himself from whatever situation he was in with a half-assed excuse, retreating back into his cave of excruciating pain. He prefers to suffer silently, alone where no one can see he’s weak, where no one can question his capability.
His ways work well until Eddie. Eddie who came into his life and turned it for the better. Eddie who held Steve’s hand and promised Steve that he’ll never feel alone again.
Eddie freaks the first time it happens, when he wakes up to silent tears rolling down Steve’s face, to his eyes being so tightly shut, to his head hidden underneath his pillow. He asks Steve what’s wrong and Steve cannot form words, doesn’t know how to tell Eddie that his voice is too loud and the lights are too bright and it’s all too much.
Most of the time on these days, Steve ends up locked in his bathroom, face pressed against the cool tile floor, trying to find any comfort at all to ease the pain.
Eddie goes on a rampage, researching remedies. Steve doesn’t have the heart to tell Eddie that he’s tried everything, he’s tried ice and heat and drugs and everything in between. None of it works, there is no magical cure. It’s just Steve and his fucked up head, the conclusion of too many concussions, too many fights lost. His head doesn’t care that the concussions were side effects from saving the world, his head only craves revenge for what he’s put it through.
Today is one of those days. Steve’s on the floor of the bathroom, his face pressed against the tile where the floor meets the toilet. Eddie’s behind him, running cool fingers through his hair. It’s dark as can be, the only light coming from the sliver under the door, dimmed by the blackout curtains in his bedroom. Steve’s head screams, screams at him for everything he’s done. Being feasted upon by bats was a fraction of the pain he feels now, tears streaming down his face as he silently begs for relief.
Eddie’s fingers still, observing Steve in the dark. “Want to try the painkillers again?” He asks softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Steve shakes his head, finding his voice amongst the pain, “I’ll just throw them back up.”
Eddie leaves it be, his fingers returning to the comforting pattering on Steve’s head. Steve silently begs whoever is above to have mercy on him, to ease the pain that has made itself a home in Steve’s head, even fractionally. Steve’s pleas are met with crickets, a tried and true sign that no one is there. He’s the one that saves the world, a pathetic hero curled on the floor next to the toilet, helpless to everyone around him.
The pain is usually gone within eighteen hours. Eighteen hours of hell, eighteen hours where Steve considers that maybe the Upside Down isn’t too bad, not when it’s compared to this.
Steve wakes the next morning in bed, carried there at some point throughout the night by Eddie. Eddie, who was awake, watching Steve with a concerned look.
“How are you feeling?” Eddie asks, his voice low.
“Better.” Steve replies, yawning. He shifts, pulling himself into the curve of Eddie’s arms. He feels the tension built up in the older man melt away as he relaxes in his arms.
The first time it happened, Eddie tried to get Steve to go to the hospital. It ended in a screaming match, one that pulled those 18 hours into 23. He doesn’t try anymore. Steve knows what they’ll say anyways, so he carries on. Deals with his once or twice a month bad days and cherishes the 28 or so good ones.
They eat breakfast silently, Steve pressed against Eddie’s side. Eddie kisses Steve’s head, his lips lingering on Steve’s temple. Steve smiles, a teasing tone saying “Your kisses will heal me, I’m sure of it.”
———————
Steve has nightmares, of course he does. He’s spent the last three years fighting monsters and Russians and everything in between, he didn’t expect to get away scotch free. The nightmares pale in comparison to the migraines, although they are more often. He’ll wake in a cold sweat, Eddie’s arms the only thing preventing him from lashing out. Sweet nothings whisper in his ear, assuring him that he’s safe, that Eddie’s safe, that the girls, the party, they’re all safe. These whispers eventually lull Steve back to sleep, except when they don’t, then Steve’s pacing the house, brewing coffee and watching the sunrise through the kitchen window in Eddie’s arms.
If it’s a particularly bad nightmare, it’ll bring on a migraine. Steve will relive his nightmare as he lays in the dark, his cheek pressed against the cool tile of the bathroom. He’ll think of the Demogorgon, the Mind Flayer, Vecna as his pain grows, eventually crawling out of his throat and causing Steve to heave over the toilet, every retch a blinding pain behind his eyes. He’ll wonder if this is how Max felt when Vecna was in her head, if this is what Chrissy felt right before she died. He doesn’t bring it up, doesn’t want to make Eddie relive his nightmares along with Steve.
———————
Turns out they didn’t defeat the bastard. Steve should have known when they didn’t find Vecna’s body, but Eddie was bleeding out in front of him and Steve couldn’t focus on anything other than saving him.
Their walkie goes off early in the morning, Steve’s blood running cold as Dustin’s Code Red comes through the static. Eddie panics as Steve grabs his go bag with one hand, his trusty bat adorned with nails in his other hand.
Hawkins is splitting open at the seams, ragged edges held together by a ragtag team consisting of far too many minors for Steve’s liking. Eddie’s hand holds his own, a steady reminder that he’s not alone.
Steve doesn’t get to see Eleven defeat Vecna for good. He’s down, out for the count as soon as Vecna throws Steve back, his head connecting with the wall behind him.
Steve seeps into the darkness, the familiar darkness that accompanies every concussion he’s experienced over his short time on this earth. He’s comfortable here, nothing hurts in the darkness. The darkness is an old friend, the light is the one that hurts Steve, so he relaxes in the darkness’ embrace. It’s different this time. The comfort leaves, but the darkness stays. He hears Eddie’s voice pleading for Steve to wake up. He waits for the darkness to ease, for the light to come.
The light never comes, but the pain does. He cries out, the pain encompassing every part of him. Maybe this is it, maybe every bone in his body is broken and he’ll end up like Chrissy.
He feels Eddie’s hand grasp his own, and Steve grips back, fighting his way through the darkness. Where was the light?
“Stevie, baby, can you hear me? Are you back with me?” Steve hears Eddie’s voice pierce through the darkness, the pain spiking with every word spoken.
He wills himself to speak, his voice cracking. “Eds? My head, I can’t-“
“I know, baby, we’re going to get you out of this light and get you home and-“
The realization dawns on Steve as the words tumble from his mouth, “Eddie, I can’t see.” Panic seeps in through his pores as he repeats himself, the throbbing behind his eyes growing with every word, “Eddie, I can’t see! Where are you?”
“I’m right here, Steve, you’re looking at me.”
“No, no, because I can’t see you!” Steve cries. He feels the tears on his cheeks, but it’s not preceded by the familiar haze of teary eyes. Only darkness surrounds him, and Steve feels like he’s drowning despite Eddie’s voice in his ears. He hears the commotion around him, feels himself being lifted in Eddie’s arms, but only panic encompasses him.
He can’t see. He’s hears Eddie but he can’t see him and Steve doesn’t like that one bit. He hears Eddies reassurances in his ear but he doesn’t understand what’s happening, why can’t he see? Did Vecna do something to him, was this all a vision?
“You’re here, Steve. I’m here with you. Max is getting the car and we’re going to get you to a hospital.”
“Not Max!” Steve says quickly, causing Eddie to laugh.
“I know, sweetheart. I’ll drive, we just need to get you help. How are you feeling?”
“I can’t fucking see you! My head feels like it’s going to explode and I can’t see you and I’m going to-“ Steve gags and Eddie expertly holds him up as the pain causes his stomach to reject it’s contents onto the floor.
Steve slumps against Eddie, “I don’t feel good. I think I’m-“
Eddie feels Steve go limp in his arms and Eddie sighs, watching Steve’s chest rise and fall under his grasp. “He’s passed out from the pain, let’s hurry.” Eddie tells Max, carrying Steve to the car.
———————
Steve wakes up to the antiseptic smell of a hospital and the blinding pain of his skull splitting down the middle. Steve wakes up to darkness. A panicked whine escapes his lips and he jerks as he feels someone’s hand touch his.
“Hey, hey, it’s just me. You’re safe.” Eddie whispers and Steve clutches at the familiar hand, rings digging into his palms like a safety net. Steve can’t bring himself to speak, afraid if his mouth opens sobs will escape with not end in sight, like a dam broken after years of build-up. He feels Eddie press a kiss to the side of his head, a shaky breath taken near his ear.
Steve focuses on forming the words carefully, willing for his remaining senses to continue working, “My sight?” He asks softly, almost afraid of the answer.
Eddie squeezes his hand and Steve wishes could see him, wishes he could read Eddie’s face, know exactly how he was feeling. “The doctors ran a bunch of tests. We’re still waiting for the results of some of them. Just rest.”
Just rest. Eddie is avoiding Steve’s question and Steve knows the tests can’t be good if Eddie is bullshitting him. He leans his head against the pillow anyways, the pain too intense to argue.
“Are you hurting? They’ve been giving you the good shit, I can get them to give you more.” Steve nods his head slowly, feeling the tears slip from his blinded eyes. He hates this. He wants to be back in his bed with Eddie, back at home, on one of the good days where his head spares him from any abnormalities.
Those days seem to be over, he thinks to himself as the morphine kicks in, slipping into unconsciousness.
————————
It’s worse than they thought. They want to transfer him to Indianapolis. Steve puts up a fight, he’s going home, not to another fucking hospital eighty miles away from the kids. Eddie puts up a bigger fight, argues that Steve can’t watch over the kids if he dies at home because of his stubbornness. Steve argues that he can’t watch over anyone on account of him being fucking blind, Edward. Eddie shuts up, but it’s decided. They’re going to Indianapolis, by helicopter, in the morning.
Eddie calls Robin, who brings them a bag of clothes and necessities, Nancy by her side. They offer to meet them in Indianapolis, help however they can. Nancy tells Eddie to rest, that she’ll let the rest of their people know what’s happening, that she’ll handle everyone. Eddie loves her for it, knowing he can’t carry everything on his own. He calls Steve’s parents again, but the call goes unanswered once more. Eddie has never hated the Harringtons more.
The morphine keeps Steve out, hours at a time. It’s better like this, he’s not in pain when he’s unconscious. Eddie drifts by his bedside, his head resting by Steve’s lap, hand in hand. He knows the waiting room is full of their people. Of Wayne, Hopper and Joyce. Jonathan and Nancy and Robin and the kids. He knows he should go and see them, update them, but he allows himself to take a minute while Steve is out cold, just a minute for himself to break down, to stop holding it together. To be angry and cry. Eddie feels the anger seep out of his pores like poison. It should be him in this bed, not Steve. Not Steve who is good and worthy and pure. Not Steve who carries the weight of all their lives on his shoulders, not Steve who constantly puts everyone before himself.
He allows himself to be angry, and then he pushes it away. He wipes his eyes and kisses Steve’s head, whispering that he’ll be back soon. He asks a nurse to come and get him if Steve wakes up, then makes his way to the waiting room.
Wayne is the first one to him. He breathes in the familiar scent of cigarettes and oil lingering from the factory. He slumps into Wayne’s embrace, willing himself to keep the tears at bay. It doesn’t work. Eddie cries for the second time that night and Wayne holds him through it, the scene eerily familiar to the evening Eddie’s mom died.
He pulls away, the heels of his hands pressed tightly against his eyes. “Sorry,” he mumbles, angrily wiping the tears away. “Uh, I’m sure Nancy’s filled you all in. They want to transfer him in the morning.”
“How is he?” Will asks softly and Eddie stumbles over his thoughts. They’re kids, he should be able to protect them from all of this.
“Don’t bullshit us, man. How is he?” Dustin asks, his words harsh. Eddie knows Dustin’s worried, that he’s hurting. He’s practically Steve’s son and Eddie can see it’s tearing him apart to not be able to see Steve.
“Boys, let’s give Eddie some space.” Joyce speaks up, her arm wrapping around Dustin’s shoulders. “He’s going to take good care of Steve while they’re up in Indianapolis. And he’ll call us to keep us updated, okay?”
Eddie forces himself to grin, reaching out to ruffle Dustin’s hair, “Nance threw one of your super walkies in the bag. I’ll give you nightly updates, I promise.” He pulls Dustin in for a hug and tightens his hold as he feels the boy shake in his arms.
Hopper is the one who speaks up, breaking the silence that had settled like a cold winter’s night. “Okay. Kids, pile in the station wagon, Joyce will drive you home.” He’s met with protests that die with Hopper’s glare. Joyce pats Eddie’s shoulder before leaving, the party trailing behind her. Hopper turns to Eddie, “Anything you or Steve need?”
“No, not unless you’ve got a way to track down his parents. They’re not answering my calls.”
Hopper scowls, but nods, “I’ll see what I can do. Listen, I don’t know what you’ve told them here, but if you have any problems in Indianapolis… here.” He shoves a folder into Eddie’s hands, looking around the room, “Legally, at least on this paper here, you’re brothers. They can’t kick you out of the room unless Steve makes them.”
“Thanks, Hopper.” Eddie says quietly, “This means a lot.”
“I know it’s not easy for you guys. Call me if you need anything else.”
“I’ve got to get back to work.” Wayne says, pulling Eddie in for another hug. “Keep me updated, son. Be safe.”
“I will. Thank you, Uncle Wayne.” Eddie says, wishing that he was a child again. That he could climb into his uncle’s arms and fully believe that he was safe from anything the world could throw at him. Before he knew that monsters were real, before, when the biggest horrors he had seen were on the television.
“I love you, son.”
“I love you too.” Eddie says and Wayne leaves, leaving Eddie alone with Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan.
Robin takes his hand, squeezing softly. “Nance and I will drive up there, meet you tomorrow morning.”
“Someone should stay with the kids.” Eddie insists and Jonathan nods.
“I am. And you guys will be home before you know it, I’m sure.” Jonathan adds, a soft smile thrown Eddie’s way. “He’s strong.”
“The strongest person I know.” Robin says, tears in her eyes.
“I should get back to him.”
Robin hugs him tightly, pressing a kiss to his cheek, “That’s for Steve. We’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
Eddie nods and watches his friends leave. He grounds himself before making his way back to Steve, reminding himself of Robin’s words. Steve is the strongest person he knows, he’ll be okay.
———————
If it were any other situation, Eddie would be having the time of his life. He’s always wanted to ride in a helicopter, see the world grow smaller underneath him. But now, with Steve strapped to a gurney next to him, clutching at Eddie’s hand because he can’t see and now he can’t hear over the roars of the chopper, Eddie can’t think of a place he would want to be less.
It takes less than half an hour to get to the hospital. There’s a team of doctors and nurses waiting for them with a new gurney, transferring Steve with ease. Eddie thanks the paramedics in the helicopter, taking Steve’s hand once more as they make their way inside.
The room they put him in is nice, a big window overlooking the city. They take Steve away for more scans immediately, handing Eddie paperwork to fill out while he waits. Eddie thanks whoever is listening for his good memory as he fills out Steve’s full name, birthdate, allergies, and pulls out his insurance card to fill in the remaining information.
He asks for a phone, trying to call Mr. and Mrs. Harrington once more. The call goes unanswered and Eddie dials another number, waiting patiently as it rings. Joyce answers the phone and it takes another couple of minutes for the phone to be passed to Hopper, who has no news on the whereabouts of the Harrington parents. He tells Eddie to just focus on Steve, that the girls left an hour ago so they should be arriving soon, and that Steve’s in all of their thoughts. And Suzie’s prayers, according to Dustin.
He’s in the room for nearly an hour before the nurses bring Steve back. They assure him that a doctor will be in shortly to debrief their findings.
“Eds.” Steve breathes, his voice wavering.
Eddie takes Steve’s hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it, “Right here, Stevie.” Steve doesn’t reply, just tightens his grip until his breathing evens out, falling back asleep. Eddie knows that Steve sleeping is his brain trying to heal itself, but he can’t help but worry at the sheer amount of hours Steve spends sleeping.
The doctor comes in a few minutes later, introducing himself to Eddie as Dr. Briggs. Steve wakes up, startled at the sound of a new voice. Eddie squeezes Steve’s hand, whispering that he’s still here.
Dr. Briggs doesn’t beat around the bush, he gets right to the point. They want to do surgery. They found a small brain bleed on one of their scans and they want to go in and repair it. As for Steve’s vision, they’re not sure. Sometimes, blindness due to head trauma will heal itself in a matter of weeks. Sometimes, it’ll become permanent.
“This bleed…” Eddie asks, “Is it bad? Will he…” Eddie can’t bring himself to finish the sentence, can’t bring himself to imagine a life without Steve Harrington.
“Will it kill me?” Steve asks, his voice rough. Eddie recognizes it, it’s the voice Steve puts on when they need a game plan, when they’re fighting a big evil. Eddie guesses this is their next big evil.
“Not if we can go in and fix it. Should be a simple enough procedure, in and out of the OR in a few hours. We’ll monitor your recovery and if all goes well, you’ll be home by the end of the week.” Dr. Briggs words are mechanical, like he’s had this conversation a hundred times before. It helps settle Eddie’s nerves a bit. “Okay,” Dr. Briggs says, standing, “I’ll get the consent forms for you to sign and then we’ll get some nurses in here to prep you.”
The door closes behind him and Eddie sits on the edge of Steve’s bed, a hand running through Steve’s hair. “The girls will be here when you’re out of surgery, if they don’t make it before.”
Steve’s hand trails up Eddie’s arm, across his shoulder, and up his neck until he reaches Eddie’s jaw. Steve’s fingers trace up to his lips, a soft smile spreading across his face. “Kiss me.” Steve whispers, and who is Eddie to argue that? He leans down, capturing Steve’s lips with his own. The kiss is short, aware that they’re in a hospital, that the nurse could walk in at any moment, that they were supposed to be brothers, but the emotion behind the kiss is immense.
“I love you.” Steve whispers, “and if something happens while I’m in there-“
“No.” Eddie’s voice cracks, “The doctor said you’ll be fine. That we’ll be home at the end of the week.”
“Eddie, please.” Steve cries, his hand still resting on Eddie’s face, “I’ve had too many chances already. I should have died in the Byers house three years ago, the first time the Demogorgon reared its ugly head into our world.”
“But you didn’t. You fought, and you’re going to fight through this too. Don’t give up on me now, Stevie. I’ve only just got you, I’m not letting you go so easily.” Eddie presses another kiss to Steve’s lips. “So promise me. You’re going to be stubborn as hell once more, kiss death’s ass, and I’ll see you in a few hours. Promise me that.”
“I promise.” Steve’s voice is barely above a whisper. “Kiss me one more time? To seal the promise.”
“Hmm, you drive a hard bargain.” Eddie says and Steve can hear his smirk even if he can’t see it. Eddie’s lips meet his once more, but pull away quickly. “We’ll finish that one after the surgery.”
There’s a knock on the door and Eddie takes his seat in the chair beside Steve’s bed, his hand still holding Steve’s. Screw it if the nurse thinks something is going on between them, he isn’t letting go until they take Steve away.
The nurse preps Steve quickly, leaving Eddie to sign the consent forms for Steve. Eddie’s hands shake as he reads over the forms, the complications that come with brain surgery. He finishes signing them, passing them back to the nurse.
A knock echos through the room, Nancy peeking her head through the door. Eddie waves her in, squeezing Steve’s hand. “Your fan club has arrived.” Eddie says and Steve smiles.
Nancy and Robin make their way in, dancing around the nurse to sit on the couch across the room.
“Hey, dingus.” Robin’s voice is teasing, normal. Eddie welcomes it. “Care to explain why the OR board has your name written across it in big letters?”
Steve chuckles, “You know me, I can’t do anything halfway. Apparently I need brain surgery.”
“Probably from the weight of all that hair product it’s carrying.” Robin jokes back and Steve’s face goes white.
“Steve? You okay?” Nancy asks, her voice shaking. Eddie feels his heart rate begin to rise, panic threatening to crawl its way out of his throat as he looks at Steve.
“My hair. Are you going to shave my head?” Steve asks and the nurse looks on him with pitiful eyes.
“Not all the way. Just a portion of it, they’ll try to save as much of your hair as possible.”
Steve groans and Robin snickers. “This is not fucking funny, Rob.”
“Stevie, if they’ve got to shave your head I’ll shave mine too. In solidarity or whatever. It’ll be totally metal.” Eddie says and Steve turns towards him, his finger raised to point at Eddie. It’s a little off its target but Eddie won’t hold it against him, blindness and all.
“Don’t you fucking dare. I want every hair on your head when I get out. Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I won’t know, don’t test me.” Steve threatens.
The nurse clears her throat and Eddie nods, squeezing Steve’s hand. “I think it’s time for your haircut.” Eddie says in a shaky voice and Steve chuckles wetly. “We’ll all be here when you get back.”
“See you soon, dingus.” and “You’ve got this, Steve.” choruses behind him and Eddie reluctantly lets go of Steve’s hand as he’s wheeled out of the room.
The door shuts with a thud and Eddie fights the tears threatening to spill. He runs his hands over his eyes, wiping away any evidence of emotion. He turns to the girls, who immediately pull him in for a hug. He relishes in their embrace, their comfort seeping into him. He’s not alone, he has people now. He doesn’t have to be alone in this.
“What did the doctor say?” Nancy asks and Eddie sits across from Nancy and Robin, explaining the events of the morning to the girls. His hands shake and Robin reaches out, taking his hands in hers and grounding him.
Nancy assures him that everything will be okay, that Steve is strong and stubborn and the biggest problem they’ll have is that his hair will be ‘ruined’ by Steve’s standards. Eddie hopes that she’s right.
They brought sandwiches, courtesy of Joyce who rightly assumed that Eddie hadn’t eaten since the previous morning. It’s good food, but Eddie can’t bring himself to enjoy it, not when the love of his life has his brain open for everyone to see.
Robin fills the silence, rambling about everything and nothing. Eddie welcomes the noise, even if he’s stuck in his head and doesn’t hear most of it.
When the clock signifies that Steve’s been in surgery for two hours, Eddie stands. “I’m just going to try his parents again.” Eddie explains.
He collects himself as he walks down the quiet hallway, faint whirls of machines and whispers of nurses around him. Dialing the number is like clockwork now, and Eddie zones out as the rings drone on.
He doesn’t notice they’ve stopped until the second time ‘hello’ travels through the line. He jumps, snapping out of his thoughts.
“Uh, hi, hello. Is this Mr. Harrington?” Eddie asks and he hears the sigh on the other line.
“This is he.”
“Oh thank god.” Eddie mumbles, “I’m a friend of Steve’s, he’s-“
“What has the boy done now?” Mr. Harrington’s voice is harsh and Eddie feels his temper rise.
“What? Nothing. He’s seriously injured. He’s currently at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in surgery. He’s-“
“Does the insurance cover it?”
“What?”
“Are you having a problem with the insurance? Is that why you’re calling?” Mr. Harrington asks, his voice teetering on a line between annoyed and busy.
“No. The insurance is fine, I’m just calling to let you know that your son is in brain surgery right now and-“
“Okay, well we’re late for brunch. Will you have a way back to Hawkins or should we arrange a car? Steve has the number for the car company, you can call one if you need, put it on the account. Goodbye.”
The call ends abruptly and Eddie stares at the receiver in horror. “What the fuck?” He whispers to himself, slamming the phone back on the hook. The sound echos throughout the hallway, breaking the harsh silence of the hospital.
He all but slams the door behind him as he makes his way back into Steve’s room, the sound jolting Nancy and Robin from their conversation. Nancy is just as angry as him, maybe even more, once he fills the girls in. She threatens to go and call them back herself, but Robin stops her. They need to devote their energy to Steve right now, not his parents.
Nancy convinces Eddie to try and get some sleep, and he dozes on Robin’s shoulder for half of an hour before the door opens, a doctor walking in. Eddie jumps up on his feet, bouncing on the soles in anticipation.
“Is he out? Is he okay?” Eddie asks quickly.
“Mr. Harrington is in the recovery room now. Once he’s awake, we will transfer him back here and you can see him. We’ll give the findings once he’s coherent enough to understand. It’ll probably be another hour or so until he’s back. Relax, and I’ll see you shortly.” The doctor excuses himself before Eddie can ask any more questions and Eddie huffs as he falls back onto the couch.
Robin squeezes his hand, smiling at him. “Hey, he’s out and in recovery. That’s good.”
Eddie nods his head in agreement. Nancy pulls the walkie from their bag, placing it in Eddie’s hand. “Want to tell the kids?” She asks and Eddie smiles.
Dustin is the first to respond. He has questions, lots of which Eddie can’t answer, but he’s happy nonetheless. The rest of the kids filter in and out, their voices overlapping. Eddie wishes he were home with them, that he and Steve were wrapped up on the couch showing the kids some rated R movie that they definitely shouldn’t be watching. He promises to call them back when Steve is back and feels well enough to talk. He tells them he loves them and in response he gets three “I love you too!”s (Dustin, El, and Will), two gagging noises (Mike and Lucas), and one scoff (Max). He’ll take it.
True to the doctor’s word, it’s an hour before Steve is rolled back in the room. He still looks high as hell, but he’s coherent enough to call out of Eddie. Eddie is by his side in a heartbeat, his hand finding the younger man’s. The nurse lets them know that the doctor will be in shortly to discuss before she leaves the four alone.
“Be real with me. How bad is my hair?” Steve asks. Eddie eyes run over his boyfriend’s head, the shaven patch smaller than expected. It’s just above his ear, running a couple of inches across. They’ve got it covered with bandages, so Eddie can’t exactly make out how much hair is missing.
“You’re still hot as hell, Stevie.” Eddie says with a smirk and Robin gags. Steve flips her off (well, the vague area of her), and turns towards Eddie.
“I believe we have something to finish.” He mumbles and Eddie smiles as his lips meet Steve’s. He tastes of hospital rather than his normal taste, but his lips are just as addicting. Eddie will never get over tasting Steve Harrington.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Robin says, covering her eyes. “I’ve seen enough gay shit today.”
Eddie snorts with laughter, but pulls away from Steve, pecking his lips once more before pulling away completely.
“Kill joy.” Steve mumbles and the room erupts in laughter, medicine to Eddie’s ears. They deserve a little bit of joy after the past 24 hours. “I just got out of surgery, I think the least I deserve is a kiss or two from my boyfriend.” Steve whines and then Eddie’s laughing again, bending down to capture Steve’s lips in a kiss once more. “I can’t wait until we’re home.” Steve says as Eddie pulls away and Eddie brushes the hair off of his forehead.
“I know, baby. Soon.” Eddie promises. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired. But my head doesn’t hurt, so that’s good I guess.” Steve replies. Eddie kisses his temple, straying far enough away from the bandage so his lips meet Steve’s skin.
“Rest, my love. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
———————
The doctor comes in a few hours later. Eddie has hope. Steve looks and acts like he’s feeling better. He swears the migraine is gone.
The doctor’s face says that their journey isn’t over yet. He sits down, asking Steve if he wants everyone to stay in the room or if he’d be more comfortable with them in the waiting room. Steve shakes his head, telling the doctor that he wants them here while he says whatever he needs to say.
Eddie can feel Steve’s hand tremble in his and he forces his own hand to be steady for Steve. He notices Nancy pulling a notebook out of her purse, poised and ready for whatever the doctor has to say. Eddie is eternally grateful for her, for her friendship. If someone had told him a year ago that he’d call Nancy Wheeler a friend, he’d laugh in their face. Now, he couldn’t imagine doing this without her.
The words that tumble out of the doctor’s mouth are bad, are so bad that Eddie feels like he’s drowning.
He keeps a straight face, but the words ring clear in his head.
The migraines aren’t a result of the head trauma. They’re a result of the cancer.