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Eddie hadn’t died. Not yet, at least. Dustin had left by the time he blinked awake again. It wasn’t that he blamed the kid, but Eddie felt a twinge of disappointment at the fact he’d most likely left him for dead. Eddie’s eyes burned and when he tried to move, sit up, anything he felt pain throb throughout his entire body. He swallowed and stayed silent, listening for any movement or noise in the distance so he could try to yell out when they came to escape the Upside Down. It was then when it started. Eddies eyes widened as the ground shook causing his wounds to scream in pain. In response, he screamed in pain. His eyes squeezed closed and he slowly, carefully curled into himself. It hurt. Distract yourself, he thought, find a way to distract yourself. Dustin, Lucas and Mike. He knew there was usually another kid, Will, in their little group but he lived a while away. He loved those damn kids. He’d never admit it to them, but Henderson was probably his favorite. He remembered how they’d looked a little scared of him and the band the first time they joined Hellfire but once they’d seen his theatrics and storylines it took only maybe an hour for them to warm up to him and the others. The shaking had stopped but the ache— no. Nope. Not thinking about it. Steve, Nancy and Robin. Robin was cool. She talked a lot, in almost an endearing way. At first, admittedly, he’d thought she’d been dating Steve. That was before he saw how Platonic with a capital P they were and how Steve looked at Nancy. Steve and Nancy. There was definitely something between them, still, right? Sure, Steve biting that bat was the hottest thing Eddie’d seen in a long time, but Steve was straight as a board. And Steve had been an asshole in the past. Eddie knew he was different now but the memories of “The Hair” back then burned away at any hope. At some point, his eyes had opened. Tears were rolling down his cheeks from how his body burned. He started to take a deep breath. Nope. No. Ow. There was something giving off light behind him now. Orange light. He didn’t dare attempt to turn and see what it was, both because it would be painful and he knew what it was, really. The fact it meant that Vecna had taken a fourth victim began to set in. Max. It felt, at that moment, that Eddie’s sacrifice was pointless. More tears welled up in his vision and a quiet sob escaped his lips. “EDDIIIE” Dustins voice rang out. Eddie flinched, causing his wounds to scream at him again. He heard footsteps, more than one set, coming towards him. They stopped and he felt hands carefully lifting his head onto a leg, he thought. “Jesus fuck, Munson.” Steve looked down at him. Eddie realized it was Steve’s leg his head rested on. Dustin scrambled to the other side of him. “You’re awake. You scared me. I thought I’d-” Dustin choked out a sob, “I’d lost you.” Eddie stared up at the both of them, “I want to sleep again. Can I— can I sleep, please?” “No. No you need to stay awake until we get you to somewhere safe.” Steve looked terrified as he looked over Eddie’s wounds. Nancy ran up to his side, followed quickly by Robin. “Stay awake. Please. We will get you out of here.” Eddie tried to stay awake. He nearly passed out when he felt something wrap around him, when they lifted him up, and again when he felt the switch from Upside Down to the real world. His vision blurred as he looked up at their faces. Robin, Steve and Nancy were carrying him, and Dustin was nearby. He really did try to stay awake but he drifted in and out of consciousness every so often. He heard voices, and sometimes yelling, around him. He was placed on a bed and promptly passed out. ————————————————————————Steves thoughts were racing. He'd just gotten done seeing Max. So many things flew through his mind. The look on Dustin’s face as he ran into Steve’s arms sobbing. Eddie, blood and tears on his face, asking to sleep. Robin’s expressionless face, broken only by tears falling every often, as she helped carry Eddie. Nancy’s shaking breath and the way she immediately ran into Jonathan’s arms when him and the others came through the door. Lucas next to Max's bed and Elevens equally grief-stricken face. He was sitting outside the hospital room next to Robin, both of their legs shaking. Dustin was on his other side. Steve stood up and grabbed the tissue box from the little table by the seats across the room and placed it in Dustin’s lap. Dustin didn’t respond, just carefully took a few tissues and wiped his face. Robin was glancing at the tissues, so Steve pulled a couple from the box and handed them to her. No one spoke. There were others in the room, including Hopper who was apparently alive, but Steve didn’t pay much attention. He felt Robin reach and take his hand in hers, squeezing gently. He squeezed back, and smiled a little at her. The smile dropped the moment she looked away, but her hand was still a little comforting. As he let out another shaking breath, the doctor walked in. He didn’t pay much attention to the specifics of what she said, he was too exhausted to process all the big words, but understood Eddie was awake and in mostly stable condition but she’d gotten word Max may never wake up. Eddie had been asking for Dustin. Dustin stood, the tissue box falling to the ground. Steve grabbed the box once they’d closed the door and placed it on the seat rest. After some time, Dustin came out. In an almost whispering tone, he said that a maximum of 2 people could go in. Everyone looked around, and after some quiet discussion, Steve and Robin stood to go in, their hands falling back to their sides. Eddie wasn’t in very good shape, but it was better than laying on the ground of a place with ashes falling from the sky. It looked like he tried to give the grin he wore most of the time but it looked more like a grimace.“How— how do you feel?” Robin stuttered. “Like I look.” “Right. Yeah. Stupid question.”Eddie grinned, a little more genuine this time. “I’m glad you’re alive.” Steve breathed. Something flashed in Eddie’s eyes, but disappeared in an instant as he met Steve’s eyes. “Yeah.” And as they held eye contact, it felt like Steve had known Eddie for a long time. Well, technically, he had known of Eddie. And had spoken with him. But, of course, that was back when Steve was a dickwad, so chances were Eddie hated him. Fuck, if only he’d forgotten about trying to hang out with those assholes earlier. “Harrington? You alright there?” Steve realized he’d zoned off, and rubbed his eyes. “Yeah. Sorry, man. Everything just left me tired as shit.” “I’d say you should get some sleep, Eddie, but the kids will beg to see you, and Nancy wants to, so..” Robin swallowed, “Not— not that you need to see them, uh, if you really need sleep. Sorry.” "You're probably right, about sleep. But I'll stay awake till they've all hugged me ruthlessly." Steve cringed, "Is that what Dustin did?"Eddie raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Ouch. We don't want to keep you up longer than you need to be. See you later, Eddie." Robin took a step towards the door. "Yeah. See you, man." Eddie just smiled at them as they left. Talking probably hurt. For some reason, calling Eddie "man" didn't feel right. Probably because Eddie wasn't like any of his past friends. Was that what they were? Friends? Even though Steve knew Eddie likely did hate him, he found himself hoping they were friends. They sat back down. Nancy and Mike stood and walked towards the door. Robin turned to Steve again."Can I stay at your house tonight? I don't-- I can't sleep alone tonight.""Yeah, please. I don't think I could sleep alone tonight either." Steve admitted."Okay. I'm ready to go when you are."Steve nodded and stood. They muttered their goodbyes and walked to Steve's car.