Chapter Text
There were a lot of things that Steve has come to regret, most of which were from his time in high school. Usually, he didn’t find himself regretting his actions until after he’d done them, this time was an exception.
Steve couldn’t help but feel guilt with every ignored question or frustrated stare he got from Eddie. He knew that he deserved it, what he was doing was immoral, but it couldn’t be helped. In order for the plan to work, they needed that thing first. The kids had explained everything, and it made sense, it just felt so… wrong.
Not to mention all the progress he’d made with Eddie, was just, gone. He never came out of his room anymore, didn’t eat as much, and just looked so hurt, all the time. And it was all Steve’s fault, Robin’s too, but that’s not what it felt like. He wasn't doing anything to stop or change his actions. Therefore it was all him.
When Eddie did come out of his room, it was to try and fix the heating or he’d get hungry enough to get something small before going back to his room. Sometimes Eddie would try to talk to them, to Steve. It killed him to give the cold shoulder, to be bitchy for no other reason than to hurt him.
At first, he thought it’d be easy to slip back into his old self, being as mean as possible without much remorse. He was finding that second part harder and harder and harder.
Steve wasn't sure why it hurt so much. Like his heart was being ripped out. But it did. It would only last a few days and then it’d be over. Just a few more days. The damage had been done, however, and Steve wasn't sure how he was gonna make it better.
It was finally Sunday though, time to put their plan into action. Eddie was nearing the time when he’d have to sleep again. Then they would load him into the car and drive him to Hopper’s cabin where the kids have been decorating and painting to be unrecognizable all weekend. Steve hadn’t seen it yet, but he had faith in them.
Hopefully, that thing would wake up before Eddie did and they could get some information out of it. With Johnathan incapacitated, they needed to work faster than Vecna and catch him off guard somehow.
Him and Robin just finished packing the car up with all the rope and “torture” devices they could find around. They were really just props from some old DnD campaign the kids had done at his place a while back, but with some work, they looked legit. The low lighting in the cabin would help.
They were going for a bad cop worse cop scenario to try and get some information out of it. Scare it without doing any damage to Eddie himself. If they could look the part, then hopefully it’d work. They didn't want to actually hurt him. Just spook him a bit.
That was running on a big hopefully, if they did have to resort to violence, Steve would not be in the room for that. He wouldn’t be able to do it. There was no way he’d do it when it was with Will in 84’, he wasn’t going to start now.
Not after 85’ either, knowing what was on the other side of a fist, baton, drugs, that taser, or whatever the fuck that electric stick was. He couldn’t do that to someone else. Not to Eddie or his body. It just wasn’t gonna happen. Or he'd just make sure it didn't come to that.
Robin was by the front door, holding it open while Steve headed towards Eddie’s room, a tranquilizer in hand. He really fuckin’ hoped that Eddie was already asleep, the drugs had been used more than enough already on his friend, and he didn’t want to have to do it again with Eddie still awake.
There had been a huge argument between him and Robin on who’d be the one to do it. Steve was stronger than Robin, he could lift Eddie’s body easily or hold him down if he resisted. It was the most logical thing to do, but he didn’t want to.
He knew Eddie didn’t want it either, Steve knew the feeling, quite literally. But this whole thing wasn’t about what he wanted, it was about what was necessary. If he had to manually get Eddie to sleep then he would.
They’d have to inject him regardless, just to make sure he stayed that way until they were at the cabin. It made Steve feel a bit better if Eddie didn’t know he was doing this to him. Taking a deep breath he stood before Eddie’s door, knocking slowly.
“Hey Eddie, you awake in there?” a soft voice came from Steve that he hadn’t heard from himself in days. It startled him for a moment.
There was no answer. Steve carefully twisted the door knob and headed inside.
The room was dark, and cold, and looked utterly miserable. The blood box had been moved in here at some point, sitting next to the bed, opened with someone the contents scattered on the bedside table.
Clothes were dispersed around the floor, along with papers and notebooks. Looking like they’d been torn and thrown around in a fit of anger. Steve swallowed down the guilt and walked over to the wooden bed.
Eddie was barely visible under all the blankets, his unbrushed hair sticking out from the fabric and the leathery wings were the only things that Steve could make out.
“...Eddie?” he found himself asking, placing a careful hand on the man’s hair.
Nothing.
“I’m really sorry about this,” he mumbled, moving the hair out of the way to reveal his face before bringing the tranquilizer closer.
The needle barely grazed the skin of his neck before Eddie’s brown eyes flew open in a wave of wild anger, tearing himself from the sheets and grabbing onto Steve. Sharp claws tore into his arms as Eddie flipped them, and pinned Steve onto the bed.
Eddie was leaning in closer, fangs sharp and growing larger out of his mouth than he’d ever seen before. He could feel hot breath on his face and blood seeping out of his arms, it felt like he was back at the old boat house.
“Eddie! Look it’s just me!” he tried, putting a smile on his face, trying to be as calm as possible.
“Just you huh? What the fuck are you doing with that ?” Eddie snarled, nodding his head over to the needle resting firmly in Steve’s hand.
“Look, it’s not what it looks like, okay?” he stammered out, trying to wiggle out of Eddie’s hold, but he didn’t make much progress.
“Not what it looks like?! You expect me to believe that after the last couple of days?! Nobody will talk to me, you keep trying to tell me that I’m ‘messing with the thermostat’ even though I know it’s not me and you know how important it is to keep the temperatures up!” Eddie spat pressing Steve harder into the mattress.
“You make enough noise around the house that I wouldn’t notice if an earthquake hit and you won’t tell me what you’re doing. I can’t focus on anything and you act like we’re I’m a stranger even though we were friends no more than 48 hours ago! I feel like I’m losing my mind and nobody will tell me what’s going on!” He snarled, bringing his face down to Steve’s anger flaring in his eyes and a growl in his throat.
“Look, it’s gonna be okay. You’ll understand later but right now-” Steve tried to explain but Eddie didn’t seem to like his answer.
“I know why I can’t listen to plans and shit, but treating me like this doesn’t have anything to do with it! Did I do something wrong?”
“No!”
“Then why? Why are you making me feel so alone?!” Eddie loosened his grip for only a second, allowing Steve to take control and flip them.
“I can’t tell you right now! I promise that when all this is over you’ll understand, and hopefully, you can forgive me, but for right now I need you to cooperate!” Steve tried to keep his voice even and line the needle up properly.
Eddie was making it difficult, holding one hand over his throat in protection and the other was trying to push Steve away. His claws were still sharp, scratching and slicing at his skin. Nothing deep, but enough to draw more blood and get the other’s attention.
“Why should I trust you? I want to, I want to trust you, but I can’t! Not like this! Just tell me why!” Eddie yelled, starting to shake, looking everywhere but Steve and still trying to push him off.
Somewhere in the fighting, Steve lost his balance, falling hard and fast. Eddie’s hand still fighting to push the man off caught against his face, tearing a deep gash from the edge of his mouth up to the corner of his eye.
Steve let out a strangled yell, sitting up and scrabbling to the other side of the bed. He cupped his face with his free hand and with the other he held the needle tighter. The blood from his face started running out from between his fingers and down his arm despite his efforts.
Eddie himself looked horrified, first at Steve before he looked down at the blood dripping from his nails.
“I-I didn’t mean to! I was just trying to I didn’t want to do…” Eddie tried to explain, breathing hard, losing the words before looking back up at Steve with a defeated look.
His first instinct was to fight back. Run head first and go down screaming. But Eddie looked genuinely scared. So Steve took a deep breath, and relaxed his posture.
“Look…Eddie. We were fighting and we were both bound to get hurt. Just let me do this and when you wake up, I’ll explain everything. I just need you to cooperate, please don’t make this harder than it already is,” Steve pleaded, trying to inch closer to the other. Eddie just backed away.
“I can’t, Steve!” Eddie’s eyes started to well up, his hands shaking and wings unfurling from behind to cover his front, “ I can’t just do this not knowing what’s going to happen. From what I’ve learned from you and Robin this weekend, it’s better not to get too comfortable with the people you trust. I can’t let you do this to me. Just leave me alone, you seem to like doing that lately. I don’t want to have to look at you again,” Eddie pulled his wings around him, creating a protective shield before Steve could do anything.
“I understand how this looks, I know! Just-” Steve tried again, moving closer to the man.
“Unless you’re going to explain yourself, leave,” Eddie said stern and cold, somehow pulling the wigs around him tighter.
Steve let out a sigh. He couldn’t leave without Eddie coming with them, they still needed him for the whole plan to work. The more violent approach didn’t work, so maybe it was time for a different one.
“...okay... I’ll tell you,” Steve started, settling next to Eddie getting as comfortable as he could, and sliding the needle into his sleeve.
Steve could get Eddie to relax, open up, then when there was an opening, he could take the shot. All he needed to do was pull this off.
“The uh, the reason we’ve been pulling away is because-uh. Because…” Steve probably should have thought up an actual excuse rather than just jumping in, but he was in it now.
“Because what, Steve?” Eddie bit back coldly, muffled from behind the leather wings.
“Because that’s what the kids told us to do. I don’t know why or what they want out of this, but they just said to trust them. That they’d explain everything to be once they ‘got it taken care of’.” Steve said, trying to sound as annoyed as possible.
“So… you took advice from literal children to treat me like shit?” Eddie asked wings parting slightly, but not big enough for an opening, “I have a hard time believing that.”
“I know how this sounds but after everything we’ve gone and been through together, it’s not hard to trust them. It was wrong to ask the same of you since you haven’t been with us as long, and I’m sorry.” Steve brought his hand down from his face, cringing slightly at the peel of blood against his skin, more rushing down his face and onto his clothes.
“The kids called this morning, they wanted you to be asleep when they got here, so I came here to get the job done if it wasn’t already.”
“I was already pretending to be asleep. You had no reason to believe otherwise, yet you still tried to stick me!” Eddie protested, wings staying firm in their position.
“After taking care of those mongrels, you learn how to tell if someone’s faking it or not. Breathing patterns are wrong, the positions they sleep in are different from how they think they sleep, a whole lot of factors I spotted when I saw you. Why did you think I started off with an apology?” Steve said, starting to twiddle with his blood-soaked fingers.
To be honest, he was more worried about getting in and out to notice those things about the “sleeping” figure, but Eddie didn’t know that, and he didn’t need to.
“So there ya go, you know everything I do.”
“...so you’re pretty much as clueless as me?” Eddie sounded as if he was trying to piece q puzzle together, more confused than angry.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure Robin knows more than I do but she won’t tell me either. It’s frustrating, I get it.” Steve went for sympathy, and it seemed to work.
Eddie’s wings opened up enough for Steve to see his face. It was scrunched in contemplation and worry upon seeing Steve’s. There must’ve been something there to convince him because the wings fell more, laying lax against the mattress.
An opening.
“Ya know, the kids and Robin aren’t here. Won’t be for a while,” Steve started, watching Eddie’s head peak up in interest, “when was the last time you actually got a hug?”
He took the bait, “you know, I think it was Friday morning. You offering one?”
“Yeah. As an apology,” Steve knew that if he did this Eddie would probably never forgive him, “do you want one?”
Eddie seemed to think for a minute, looking over Steve’s face, and smiled.
“Sure, get over here, big boy.”
Steve felt his heart skip a beat before he moved over to Eddie’s taking him in a hug. The needle felt like it weighed a thousand pounds in his sleeve. He had the opportunity to put him to sleep right now. All he had to do was slip the needle out and just, do it.
Yet, he couldn’t find it in himself to follow through. He has the perfect chance, and he wasn’t taking it. Before he could think twice about it, Steve sat back from the hug, forcing a smile onto his face.
“You know you still have to go to sleep before I leave right?” he said, not facing the man in front of him.
“I was working on it before you barged in,” Eddie frowned.
“I’d like to think I was quiet enough.”
“Point is, I can do it myself. I’m tired, especially now after this ,” Eddie gestured to the space between them, “you need to clean up those,” he moved his hand to poke at the wounds on his arm, ignoring the one on his face, “and the kids won’t know the difference if I’m asleep chemically or not. Just let me fall asleep naturally... When are the kids supposed to get here?”
“They left as soon as the call was over, which was five minutes ago. They should be here any minute. Which probably means we gotta go the medical route,” Steve technically didn’t lie, they needed to leave as soon as possible. Eventually, Robin was going to get bored or curious and investigate. They were running out of time.
“Shit. Are you... are you at least going to be there when I wake up?” Eddie asked, leaning back against the headboard.
“Yes, I promise I’ll be the one to wake you up,” Steve agreed way too quickly, the eagerness at least seemed to get him some points with Eddie as he relaxed a little bit.
“Look, I still don’t fully trust you. I can’t even with everything explained to me. I can’t just go back to… whatever we were doing before,” Eddie paused, thinking for a moment,
“but I’ll let you do this if you promise never to do this shit again. No more shitty behavior for no reason, no more tranquilizing without consent or an emergency, and please for the love of god turn the temperature up.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in god,” Steve tried to joke, smiling only causing the gash along his face to burn, but he did it anyways.
“Very funny,” Eddie dead paned, a faint smile tugging his lips, “but do we have a deal?”
“Deal, after this we shouldn’t have to do this anymore. It was just supposed to be a one-time thing, even so, it was unfair and I’m truly sorry we treated you that way. I have no excuse and if you don’t end up forgiving me, then I’m fine with that,” Steve said, shifting his weight and watching as Eddie nodded along.
“Alright. That’s good to know, thank you, Steve. You can go ahead and put me to sleep now,” Eddie let his wings fold back behind him and offered his arm out, squeezing his other hand under it to create pressure.
“Right now?”
“Didn't you say the kids were arriving soon? I don’t know what’s going on but if those rascals think it’s important that I’m asleep then we should probably listen. Plus, if I'm awake any longer then I’m probably going to end up jumping you. Your blood being scattered everywhere is a bit overwhelming for the old snotter here,” Eddie joked, a flash of red sparking in his eyes as he pointed to his nose.
“Yeah, right. Almost forgot about that,” Steve said sheepishly, letting the needle fall from his hand waiting a moment before looking back up at Eddie, “do you want to do it?”
“What?”
“Like, uh, do you want to put yourself to sleep? I figured you might feel a little more in control in you were the one to put the needle in,” Steve explained, Eddie let a shit-eating grin spread across his face.
“That would be lovely, Steve. My god, every time I think I have you figured out, you switch up on me,” Eddie chuckled taking the needle from Steve’s hand, “See you when I wake up then.”
Eddie had some trouble getting the needle situated against his arm, a Steve helped create pressure as Eddie pushed the liquid in. Steve took Eddie’s hand in his as the man started to pass out, a soft smile on both their faces.
This felt a lot better than whatever they were doing before. He should have just explained at least a little bit from the start. He couldn’t go back and fix it, like so many of his other mistakes, but he could learn. There was no way in hell that he’d ever be doing that shit again.
Steve waited patiently until his eyes closed and his breathing evened out. He took his hand from Eddie’s before gently picking him up, cringing slightly at the press against his scratches.
When he stepped out into the living room, Robin had abandoned her post by the door and was sitting on the couch, fiddling with her fingers.
“I thought it was going to be a quick in-and-out thing!” She complained before looking up at him, “What the hell happened in there? Why are you covered in blood, and your face!” she got up from the couch and ran over to inspect him.
“We don’t have time for this Robin, we have to get Eddie to the cabin. They have first aid-”
“You need the hospital! That gash is going to need stitches, dingus! How much blood have you lost?” Robin didn’t listen, trying to get first aid from their own cabinet.
“They have first aid there, we need to get Eddie over to the cabin before the other thing wakes up first. Then I can go to the hospital, okay? It’s not that bad... I can barely feel it,” that was starting to become more of a lie with the adrenaline starting to wear off, but it seemed to console Robin enough to let out a sigh.
“We’re dropping him off and then you’re going straight to the hospital ya hear?” Robin said with a stern expression, Steve just nodded and went for the door.
Robin got to it first, opening it fast and holding it for Steve to step through. The car was pilled to the brim with soft blankets and pillows so Eddie had at least a decent rest before having to deal with whatever shit the rest of the party had planned for him.
Robin tried to convince Steve to let her drive, but without any driving experience and the circumstances, Steve took the wheel. Speeding out of the driveway and making his way across town as fast as he could.
—
Dustin was pretty proud of the work he’d been able to do in a weekend, with the help of the party of course.
The cabin had been completely renovated, walls torn down, makeshift ones put up, paint of all colors and consistencies splattered onto the walls putting shame on any LSD trip ever described to him.
Windows were boarded up with wooden planks and nails so there was no chance of the forest being recognized. Hopper and El had gone down the to junk yard and got some doors to put over the false walls. Even all the furniture was moved outside and phones were disconnected, just in case. It was like a maze of some kind that even Dustin had trouble figuring out.
El’s old room was going to be the main room they’d keep the “other” Eddie in. It was the only room painted pitch black, and had a single light bulb hanging down from the center of the room. Dustin had dubbed it the Dark Room.
There were hooks on the walls to help restrain Eddie’s body, complete with chains and all. He'll, there was even padding to make it sound proof. He may have gone a bit overboard with this idea but it had a higher chance of success with the more intense tactics.
He didn’t want to take any chances. Not after what happened with Will, in 84’ and not after what happened with Johnathan.
The party had let their guard down for one night. No one was keeping watch and they were asleep. Jonathan had wanted to go outside, to get something from his car, but didn’t wake anybody. The demodog had come out of nowhere, tore his left arm open, and broke his leg before Hopper heard his screams and chased it off, shooting it with Nancy’s shotgun.
They made it to the hospital in time, but not soon enough to save everything. The flexor muscles had been torn apart too far to stitch together.
He still could move his arm up and down all around, but his hand and fingers were a lost cause. Couldn’t move them an inch. The doctors said that with some physical therapy and time, they might be able to get some movement back, but for the most part, he’d have to take it easy.
Hopper said the demodog had looked fatigued even before the shot, but if they were already coming back so soon, they had to do something. Vecna couldn’t keep hurting his friends and get away with it.
That was Friday morning. Now, Jonathan was still in the hospital recovering, Joyce, El, Will, and Argyle were there with him. Everyone else was here at the cabin with him. Waiting for Steve, Robin, and Eddie to arrive.
If Robin and Steve did their jobs correctly, then starting the interrogation process wouldn’t be hard. They’d either get information or that thing would get out of Eddie’s body. Win-win either way.
A knock sounded from the door, frantic and hard. Lucus was on his feet, swinging the door open, letting the trio enter. Only something wasn’t right. Steve was covered head to toe in blood, mostly coming from an untreated gash spitting half his face open.
“What the hell happened to Steve?” Mike blurted out before Dustin himself could say anything.
“I’ll explain everything later, where are we keeping Eddie?” Steve replied, holding the body close to his own.
“Here, give him to me, I’ll get him set up. You let Nancy and Dustin, look you over, see if you need medical attention or not. Lucas, Mike, and Robin, you bring in the weapons,” Hopper butted in.
Steve seemed skeptical to hand him over, but after a breath, he passed an unconscious Eddie over to Hopper, who took him to El’s old room. Lucas and Robin we're welcome ckly unloading the car outside and Nancy made quick work of pulling Steve down on the floor, looking over his wounds. The more they looked, the more there were.
“He needs to go to the hospital, his face needs stitches!” Robin protested from where she was standing in the doorway, the sound of a car running outside.
“Actually, I think if we just use some skin tape it’ll be okay,” Nancy countered, popping the first aid kit open, “can someone get a wet washcloth? We gotta get all this blood off.” Mike nodded before heading to the sink.
“When were you guys gonna wake him up?” Steve mumbled, looking worried almost.
“As soon as possible, Hoppers gonna start when all the props-” Dustin started, only to be interrupted by Steve.
“No! I have to be the one to do it,” he rushed out, standing up, and wobbling a little bit before heading to the dark room.
“You can’t, you’re in a bad enough condition as it is, Steve,” Nancy chided, trying to pull him back down, he just ripped his arm from her hands.
“No, I promised I’d be the one to wake him up, I can’t break that,” Steve said, going to open the door.
“You don’t even know if it’s Eddie that gonna wake up dude!” Lucus fired back.
“But it might be,” Steve opened the door and Dustin could see his face shift from stubbornness to horror, “what the hell is this?”
“It’s the interrogation chamber,” Mike said proudly, “Dustin calls it the Dark Room.”
“I designed it, meant to be scary like I told you Friday night,” Dustin continued, Steve just looked angry.
“What if Eddie woke up instead of the thing? What then? What would you say to him?” Steve shouted back.
“Look kid, if you can’t handle it, step outside, but we’re going to start with or without you. Shut the door, and stay out of the way if you aren’t gonna be helpful,” Hopper stood from where he kneeled in the room.
With the doorway open, Dustin could see Eddie’s body hung up by metal cuffs on the wall, still asleep. His ankles had been tied down with rough rope, and leather straps kept his wings bound. It made his heart do a double take, I wasn't supposed to look like that.
But Eddie wasn’t gonna be the one to wake up, that thing was. Dustin was gonna fix it, and he was gonna help. This is what needed to be done to fix things.
“Am I the only sane person here? I know what happened to Johnathan was horrible, but why do we have to do this to Eddie?” Steve countered, shoving past Hopper, and starting to untie Eddie from the bottom.
The older man just grabbed Steve’s shirt and pulled him up, pressing him against the wall. It was then that Eddie’s eyes started to flutter open, glowing red and coy. Steve and Hopper didn’t seem to notice.
“Guys-” Lucus tried but was ignored.
“This isn’t Eddie, kid. I know you want what’s best for him, but if this plan works then you’re putting a dent in it. Leave. We’re doing this my way.”
“Guys! I really think-” Dustin tried his hand, but was cut off.
“This isn’t the way we should do things! I thought were going to try talking to him first and then move to a more harsh method if he didn’t cooperate. This,” he gestured to Eddie for a moment before continuing, “isn’t what we planned.” Steve finished before doing a double take to look at its eyes.
It was quite for a moment before Eddie’s voice rung out, breaking the silence.
“Awww, is Steve Harrington defending little old me? How cute,” Eddie’s voice echoed into the room, putting everyone into silence, “I do enjoy a good get-together, but these seem a little excessive,” Eddie’s body jingled against the chains as he adjusted himself.
Hopper shoved Steve out of the room and closed the door, a lock could be heard before silence took over the room. Steve let out a defeated whine before sitting down by the door. Lucus moved the first aid over to where the older was sitting and the two worked together to patch up the scratches and cuts.
Nancy stayed where she was, leaning her head against the wall. Mike and Robin sat down next to Steve leaving Dustin the only one standing. He chooses to sit next to Steve too.
“I can’t believe you guys,” Steve started, breaking the silence.
“What do you mean?” Nancy started.
“Do none of you see how wrong that could have gone? Even if it isn’t Eddie, whatever happens to his body he has to deal with when he wakes back up. Those leather straps could cause chaffing or cut into his wings, the metal cuffs could cause bruising or cut off his circulation. Who knows what else is in there!” Steve frowned, eyebrows pinched in worry, “Hopper mentioned weapons earlier, not props. What all did you guys change?”
“Dustin made sure what wouldn’t happen, it’s just made to look scary, Steve. While the metal is a bit excessive it shouldn’t do more than just a few bruises but that’s it. Besides Eddie has super healing, it shouldn’t matter in the long run,” Mike started, and Steve just scoffed, “I'm sure Hopper meant to say props, he just... slipped up.”
“We drew out plans for what it would look like. That it’d be the same get-up as Will’s was. The only thing you guys stuck to was making it pitch black in there. That,” Steve pointed to the Dark Room’s door, “was an honest to god torture chamber. I know Eddie didn’t wake up, but what if he had?” he paused taking a breath.
“We agreed that we’d take him here, wake him up, and then start based on who woke up. What you guys did was impulsive and could have ended really bad for Eddie.”
“I know we didn’t stick to the plan, but it worked didn’t it? I’d say that’s good enough,” Nancy said from her seat, Steve just scoffed.
“Nobody’s answered my question. What would you have done?”
Nobody said anything. Dustin felt guilty.
“That’s what I thought.” he winced slightly when Lucus put too much pressure on one of the deeper arm wounds with the washcloth.
“Where’d you get those from anyway?” Mike asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah, I don’t even know the whole story for that one,” Robin but in.
“I don’t see how it’s any of your guys’ business,” Steve said coldly.
“Common man, we’re curious,” Lucus added, starting to help Steve with putting on bandages.
“Well, I know that Eddie did it. He went in there to get him, was gone for thirty minutes, came back out with those-”
“Robin!”
“What? If you’re not gonna tell em, I will. I don’t know why you’re so adamant about keeping it to yourself.”
“Eddie did this to you?”
“Why?”
“What the hell happened?”
He and his friends all started spouting, Steve just looked overwhelmed. It only made him feel a little bit guilty, he wanted answers.
“Why the hell were you defending Eddie when he’s the one who did this to you?” Nancy piped in.
“Everyone, quiet!” Steve yelled, and took a breath, “It’s none of your business at all to know what happened. That’s between me and Eddie. I defended him because it was the right thing to do-”
“That can’t be it, there’s gotta be something else there,” Nancy said, cutting him off.
“Again, none of your business. Leave it alone would ya?” Steve said again, looking down at his hands.
“Come on! You can tell us. Did he do this on purpose?” Nancy tried again.
“No-”
“So it was an accident,” Robin chimed in.
“Yes, but-”
“How was this an accident?” Mike squawked from his spot on the floor.
“Fine! You want to know so bad?” Steve asked, sitting up straight, eyes angry.
“Yes!” They all replied.
“It’s because the stupid idea you guys came up with backfired okay?!” Steve spit out, bitterness coating his tone.
Everyone was silent for what felt like the millionth time that day.
“I went in there to put him to sleep, he of course panicked. I was trying to stick him with the needle, and Eddie was trying to figure out what the hell was going on since no one was allowed to tell him anything. He was trying to push me off, I got scratched. I fell on top of him, and his claw caught on my face and tore it,” Steve explained, a little more calmly than his previous statement, though still agitated.
“It was when I sat down and talked to him and explained everything I could without giving up the plan did he put himself to sleep. I had to weave a couple of lies of course, but it went a lot smoother than just going in and giving him the shot,” Steve took a pause, breathing for a minute.
“So long story short. Not communicating with him made him upset, more than you thought it would. He retaliated sooner than you thought he would. Communication helped. Guess who could've told you that part of the plan was dogshit on Friday?”
Nobody answers.
“Me, Will, and Joyce. That’s who. Not communicating or at least giving some kind of insight works wonders I must say. I learned a thing or two being Hawkin’s ‘ladies man’. Social skills really help when you need them,” Steve said, getting up from the floor, “please tell me the bathroom is still intact.”
“Door to your left,” Nancy mumbled, looking down at the floor.
“Steve?” Dustin called out before the man disappeared.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t say sorry to me, say it to Eddie. Once he’s back you all owe him the apology and boot-licking of a lifetime. I’ve made my peace with him, you should too,” he replied before disappearing into the bathroom with a slam of the door filling the silent halls.
Nobody said anything, there was nothing to be said, not right now at least. Murmurs of a conversation echoed from the Dark Room, but Dustin couldn't make out anything clear enough to form words.
Hopper had a tendency to get out of hand sometimes, especially after what happened in Russia. He never talked about it and they never brought it up. Whatever he went through out there would probably remain a mystery for a long time. Dustin just hoped that he didn't take it out on Eddie, or at least his body.
—
When Eddie opened his eyes again, he felt weird. Er, weirder than what's become the new normal. The edges of his vision held a strange red glow, a tint almost that cleared up towards the center.
The room was dark, and way too cold to be comfortable. There was a jingle of chains coming from somewhere, but he wouldn't see where. His wrist felt heavy too.
It was like something was tearing into his wings. His feet weren't touching the ground, so maybe he was suspended?
Steve was there, like he said he would be, but this seemed wrong. Hopper was pinning him to one of the walls, shouting something at him. When Eddie tried to go help, his body wouldn't move the way he wanted it to. Something else was moving him, jostling against the chains.
“-I know you want what’s best for him, but if this plan works then you’re putting a dent in it. Leave. We’re doing this my way.” Hopper finished pressing Steve further into the wall.
“Guys! I really think-” Dustin called from somewhere Essie couldn't see. He tried to move more to see outside the door, but his body didn't move.
“This isn’t the way we should do things! I thought we were going to try talking to him first and then move to someing a little more harsh if he didn’t cooperate. This,” he gestured to Eddie for a moment before continuing, “isn’t what we planned.”
Steve didn't seem to notice him being somewhat awake at first, but when he turned back to face Eddie there was something in his eyes that screamed nothing but dread.
He wanted to say something, anything to ease Steve. To tell him he was there, and okay. And for a second he thought that it might have worked, but different words came out that weren't his.
“Awww, is Steve Harrington defending little old me? How cute,” the voice echoed into the room, and everyone went quiet. Waiting.
“I do enjoy a good get-together, but these seem a little excessive,” Eddie’s body jingled against the chains that he just realized his arms were tied to.
It looked like Steve wanted to say something, but before he could, Hopper was pushing him out of the room and slamming the door. That wasn't good, he wanted Steve here. The man at least seemed to want to take a more pacifist route than whatever this is.
Hopper just turned back to him with a mean stare, he just felt his face twist into a grin. He wanted to ask what was going on, where he was, what was happening, and why Steve had been upset. That's not what came out of his mouth though.
“Why’d you have to go and kick the pretty boy out? I bet he had some fun things planned didn't he?” Hopper just let out a grunt, which seemed to provoke whatever was inside him more, “Always so kind and gentle. That blood on him smelled absolutely wonderful, I bet it tastes even better than the last time-”
A stinging pain spread against his cheek as the older man slapped his face. He honestly wasn't that mad about it either, he would have done the same thing.
“Don't talk about him like he's some… meal. You're here with me, and I'm gonna get some answers out of you by the time were done.”
“If you say so pops. Man, you pack a punch, don't you? Better be careful with that though. Don't wanna hurt your dear Eddie, do you?” his voice was coy and he felt his head tilt in the way he would when he felt impish.
It didn't have much effect on Hopper though, probably because the man wants around Eddie enough to know his materials, but God did it scare Eddie.
He was kind of glad Steve wasn't here anymore. This thing had practically copied his speech, mannerisms, and God knows what else. He didn't want anyone else to see this.
“I know he can take it, he's a strong kid,” Eddie found himself wanting to laugh at that. The man had more faith in him than Eddie himself it seemed.
“You however, I'm not so sure about. What's your name?”Hopper said, getting up close and personal with Eddie’s body and the creature that he shared it with.
“I think the kids have already come up with something… Kas, right? You can call me Kas.”
Eddie could feel Kas morph his grin into a more genuine smile. It felt sickening, he just wanted to get it out.
“Alright then, Kas. What are you going doing in Eddie’s body?”
“Ooooo, seems like you asked a more personal question there. Gotta keep some mystery,” Kas laughed, dark and thick, “why don't you ask another question, then we’ll see.”
Hopper just let out a huff, going to the dark edges of a corner and picked up what looked like a long stick. It looked metal, a strange thing at the end of it.
He walked back over to Eddie’s body, holding it firm, and with a stern expression on his brow.
“This is a little toy I brought back from Russia with me. I haven't found a name for her yet, but what do you think about Lightning?” at the press of a button, the tip of the stick lit up with shows of electricity, purple and sizzling.
“Ooo, pretty lights. I doubt-” Kas’ words were cut off by scalding and paralyzing pain on his right wing.
Kas couldn't help but scream bloody murder as the stick stayed put on the appendage, Eddie screamed with it. Everything hurt too much, he needed it to stop. Kas moved with him as he tried to pull away, but whatever was holding his wings, held on tight.
“Tell me why you're in there and I'll take it off. All you gotta do is talk,” Hopper said, pressing the stick further into the wing. Eddie wouldn't be surprised if there was a hole there if Hopper took it off.
“Ahhha! Ok-okay! I'll tell you! Ta-take it off first!” Kas gave in, much to Eddie’s relief, and Hopper pulled the stick off, but still held it in his hands.
Kas moved his head to the side to take in the damage and only then did Eddie see what happened. His wings were extended out by leather strapped tied to tight, and his wrists cuffed by chains. There wasn’t a hole in his wing, but smoke was coming off it, the skin looked charred.
“Talk,” Hopper said, pulling the stick back up.
“I don't know why I'm here! I was just told to ‘keep tabs’ and check in occasionally. I don't know anything I promise!” Kas spewed, flinching away from the stick, and pressing against the wall as far as he could.
“I don't believe you,” Hopper chided, turning the stick back on, pressing it to Eddie’s leg.
It surprisingly hurt a hell of a lot less than his wing did, but that didn't mean that it didn't hurt. Kas apparently wanted to stick it out, groaning softly at the electricity the started coursing around his body. Eddie was not a fan.
Hopper seemed to see the difference though and brought the stick up to his left wing, pressing harder than he did the first time. The pain was instantly worse, tearing into his bones and shooting through his veins. He didn't know why it hurt so bad, maybe it was the same reason that the gentle touches from Steve and Robin felt so good. They were sensitive.
“S-stop hurting my wi-wings! It hurts too bad!” Kas called out, trying to break out of the chains, but it wasn’t working.
“Then tell me the real reason! You can get this to stop if you tell me!” Hopper yelled over the sounds of lighting and crackling on his wings.
“I already told you! I don't know! I'm j-just doing what I'm told!” Kas sad, leaning down to try and bite at Hopper, who just moved out of the way, keeping the stick pressed down on the wing.
“Who told you to possess an innocent kid? Henry? The Mind Flyer?” Hopper prompted, holding his ground.
The corners of his eyes were staring to grow black rather than red, which was probably not the best sign. Kas started to panic.
“N-never told me who he was! Just said he made me, that he would take c-care of me if I did this for him! That we’d live in a nice cold oasis and it would just be us. Not the hot house or mean people wielding fire sticks!” Kas thrashed around, bordering on feral. Eddie felt utterly exsausted.
“Maybe I wouldn’t have to ‘poke you with the fire stick’ if you talked when you had the chance.” Hopper bit back.
“I didn’t do anything wrong! I was just following instructions! P-please stop! You’re gonna burn through it! I’m not gonna be able to fly!” Kas kept thrashing, it only moved the stick around on the skin of the wing, making everything hurt more.
“Maybe that’s a good thing. Weaken anything that could go against us.”
He wanted Steve here, he’d do something about this. He wouldn’t hurt Eddie. Even when they fought earlier today, not once did he hurt Eddie. Steve had every chance to but didn’t, he chose to be kind and talk it out.
Yeah he’d been a dick for two days, but that was under the instruction of this jackass that’d come back from the dead and a couple kids. When he finally got his head out of his ass, Steve apologized and didn’t expect it to be forgiven right away. He wanted that right now. Steve could talk to Kas, not electrocute him. Kas seemed to agree.
“Bring Steve back! W-want to talk to him! Better than you.” Kas punched out, “wouldn’t hurt. Was always good with Eddie, could be with me too.”
Hopper just scowled, pressing the stick further and punctured the wing, sending shocks through his blood and further into his body. Eddie wanted to just fall away from it all.
There was the sound of a chain breaking and a scream could be heard coming from somewhere. The pain suddenly dulled and there was a clatter of metal on the floor. Eddie couldn’t focus on any one thing, but he could taste blood in his mouth.
He wasn’t biting anything though. There was something round in his mouth, moving and sharp and the edges. His fingers, he was licking dried blood from his fingers. More chains snapped and the tear of leather could be heard. His eyes started to focus again and he could see that his body was facing the floor. Hopper was in front of him, the metal stick far out of his reach. It didn’t look like he was bleeding through.
A surge of energy suddenly hit, like he had that first night when he’d taken a taste of Steve’s blood. His hearing cleared up and his eyes grew sharper, he could feel his fangs extending again.
Kas turned their head toward the punctured wing that's already started to heal back up. Eddie and Kas seemed to share a feeling of relief at that. Then Kas took to licking the rest of Steve’s dried blood from his body, there wasn’t much left, so it didn’t take long. Hopper throughout all of this stayed quiet, but had stood in front of the door.
“Let me out,” Kas said, firm and cold.
“No, you can’t hurt anyone else out there!” Hopper said back, just as sturdy.
“I don’t know who you think I am but I never hurt anybody! I was just following instructions. If anything it’s all of you who’ve hurt me and the only one that’s at least seemed worth trusting so far has been this Steve guy and Dustin. I’m not so sure about the kid anymore but Steve? He’s been nothing but nice to Eddie and whenever I was at the helm, made sure that Eddie’s body was comfortable. He had sympathy. Tried to help his friend rather than hurt me.” Kas yelled out, approaching Hopper, claws growing further out of his hand.
“You’re not getting anywhere near him! Kid’s already been through enough shit!” Hopper said back, eyes looking back and forth between Eddie’s body and the stick on the floor.
“Yet you left him practically alone with me and the kids. Robin was there but there’s not much she could have done if I wanted to hurt them. The blankets they used were a pathetic, but creative, defense against me. I could have shredded through them in no time,” Kas explained, down at Hopper as he cornered the man against the door.
“Why didn’t you?” There was no fear in his voice, just coldness.
“I was told to watch and keep tabs, not hurt people.” Kas took a hold of Hopper's shoulders and easily threw him to the side despite the other fighting back against him, hitting the floor and giving Kas the chance to escape.
Eddie felt the handle on his hands as Kas opened the door and stepped out, the bright colors hurting Eddie’s eyes a bit, but Kas didn’t seem to mind.
“Eddie! You’re back! I have something I need to tell you... What happened to your wings, and… leg?” Dustin stood up from the floor, looking up at his eyes. “You’re not Eddie.”
“Nope, Kas here. You’re the ones who figured out that neet parallel, with your stories and games. I find it quite endearing.”
Dustin seemed to back away, nervousness in his eyes and posture. Everyone else seemed to follow in his footsteps. Backing away from Eddie. He didn't want that. He never wanted the kids to cower from him. This was wrong!
“It seems like we're missing a few people. Where did Steve run off to? I wanna talk to him next. Hopper was-” a crackle of electricity could be heard moments before Eddie felt the horrid stick press in between the juncture of his wings.
That same seeing pain blossomed and flooded out into both his wings, burning and ripping into them at a violent pace. It sent Kas to his knees, then to the floor. Gasping and crying, screaming full force. A door was opening, Eddie could hear it. Some yelling, and then the pain was gone.
When Kas turned their head, Hopper was on the floor and Steve was tossing the stick back into the room with broken chains with vigor and anger that rivaled even the vilest orc.
The door to the room was slammed shut and Steve was by his side in and instant, cradling him and gently rubbing his back where the stick had been. It felt nice. Kas at least had the sense to close his eyes so Steve couldn't tell who was in control.
“It's okay buddy, I've gotcha. You're gonna be okay,” Steve murmured into his ear, continuing to rub softly at his back, carefully pulling Eddie’s body into his lap.
“What are you doing, Steve? He's in his other form! He's got his claws out, get away from it!” Nancy called out from his right.
“I didn't give a shingle shit, Nance. I thought when we went over the plan, that all this would be a humane interrogation. This doesn't look humane to me,” Steve spat, pulling Eddie’s body closer, “I don't even wanna know where that… taser came from or why you were using it on a person, don't do that shit again! If we're gonna do this, we're gonna do it my way. Hopper’s clearly didn't work.”
“But-” Hopper started, but it wasn't Steve who cut him off.
“I agree with Steve. Eddie or not, this is too far,” Robin's voice echoed from his left. There was a chorus of agreement from the kids.
“I was getting information out of it though. We just need tighter bonds-” Hopper started but was silenced again.
“Does it look like we give a shit?” it came from Dustin, “you said you were gonna talk to him and if that didn't work, some light physical stuff. This doesn't look light.”
“I used the lowest setting, it's not my fault that thing couldn't handle it. I can't see why it'd be worse for him.”
“I don’t give a shit if he ‘couldn’t handle it’ maybe it had to do with the fact that you’re using it on someone who’s only twenty years old! I don’t care if he’s like a cool winged person now, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s still a kid!” Steve cried out, frustration and anger in his voice.
“Steve,” Robin called, closer now than she was before, but he ignored her.
“Would you do that to Will, or Robin, or me if the situation was flipped?”
“I don’t know…” Hopper said, solem and distant. Steve didn’t let up.
“Maybe it has less to do with him handling it than the fact that he doesn't like fire. It's their number one weakness, and you were using it on him! Like you knew it would hurt the most.” Steve fought back, keeping his hands on Eddie’s body, “There were other ways to do it, ways that wouldn't cause permanent damage. Yes he has faster healing but not without consequence. The scaring is rough and the skin will never be the same. You are one of the few of us in the room that should know that!”
“It was effective and talking was getting us nowhere. I did what I had to, and I did what was necessary,” Hopper grumbled. There was some shuffling, but Steve didn't move from his spot, “Besides, I think I’m the only one, except Eddie now, that would know what that feels like.”
“Wrong again, Hop-scotch,” Steve laughed, running his fingers through Eddie’s hair, pulling him impossibly closer. Like how he would after having a nightmare, seeking to comfort others. Kas seemed to get the memo and held onto Steve’s sides, “you wanna tell him Robin or should I?”
“Steve, I don’t think this is a good idea, you’re emotional right now, let’s calm down and then we can talk it out,” Robin's voice was even closer now, as if she was kneeling beside him.
“No, I wanna know what he’s talking about,” Hopper prompted, he sounded closer too. It made him feel uneasy. Kas just tensed up and sent out some sort of warning growl.
“I agree with Robin, we should all take a time out, take five. Then we can talk with level heads,” Nancy replied, getting some mergers of agreement from around the room. Steve stayed quiet.
“You alright there, Steve?” Dustin asked, he was also close by it seemed everyone had gotten closer.
“I… yeah, I’m okay. Just give us a minute. Is there a spare room?”
“You’re not gonna be alone with that thing are you?” Mikes voice echoed, the farthest out of all of them.
“Yeah, I am. What about it, Wheeler?” Steve challenged, keeping a firm hand on Eddie’s back, and one on his shoulder, it was grounding, felt nice.
Kas must’ve thought the same thing because something reminiscent of a cat’s purr echoed between his ribs. Only it was scatchier, more void. Like it was playing on an old record.
“Huh, that’s new.” Steve said, not unkindly, starting to rub at the muscles again. Kas just nuzzled closer to Steve, getting further into his lap.
“There’s a room two doors past the bathroom. Not sound proofed like the Dark Room, but it’ll give you some time to cool off.” Lucus said, there was a slight pause before Hopper was addressed, “once they’re gone, you can go outside. You broke the rules so you’re gonna have a consequence. Steve was right, this was supposed to be humane.”
“I’m the oldest one here! I shouldn’t be-”
“Whatever you're about to say, save it for later. Please. Let’s all just, take a break,” Steve sighed, starting to stand up.
His hands snaked around Eddie’s waist and helped him up. He was still sore, but he managed. Kas still kept his eyes closed as Steve led them down some kind of hallway. They stopped for a second, Steve moving around a bit before moving again.
“Was just getting the first aid kit,” Steve explained, Kas hummed back in acknowledgment.
There was a sound of a door opening, more walking, then it shut again. There was carpet under his feet and Steve was gently guiding him to sit down.
“Any particular reason you’re keeping your eyes closed?” Steve asked, a smile could be heard in his tone.
Kas didn’t answer, he just leaned towards the voice, seeking. Steve placed his hand on his cheek, gently thumbing the skin with a gentle rhythm.
“I know you’re not Eddie. He wouldn’t be trying to hide from me if he were here. Let me see you.”
Eddie could feel the hesitation, but Kas opened his eyes anyway. And boy was Eddie happy that he did. Steve was sitting in front of him, a smile on his face and a box of bandages at his side. The wounds on his arms and face had been patched up nicely, didn’t look as bad as they did at the time.
“There you are.” Steve’s smile only grew, his hand pulled back from his face to reach into the first aid kit, “How are you feeling?”
“Bad,” Kas grumbled out, Steve just nodded.
“That’s fair, those things suck let me tell you,” Steve let out a curt laugh as if he’d made some funny joke, “where did he get you?”
“Both wings, the left one is the worst. My leg, and my back.” Kas answered slowly and cautiously.
Steve just hummed as he dug through the boxes, looking for something. While he did, Kas brought their wings forward, the hole had almost healed up on the left while the right just had some slight burns.
He couldn’t really check his back, but his leg looked okay. He hadn’t gotten the chance to look at it before, but there were blisters and blood oozing from the skin. It did not look pretty.
“Alright, I got the bandages, but I gotta go get a wet towel. You just stay there and I’ll be right back,” Steve said as he got up from the floor, Kas was quick to grab his leg.
“No.”
“No?” Steve questioned, looking back curiously.
“Someone else can get the rag, want you to stay here,” Kas explained, rubbing Steve’s calf the same way Steve did to them earlier.
“It’ll only be a few seconds I promise-”
“No!” Kas raised his voice a little, almost like a little kid would if they had to leave the park early.
“Look I helped raise a feral pack of children, you being pouty isn’t gonna help your case. At least let me go to the door so that I can get someone to bring me a towel,” Steve snipped, and Kas let go. Watching Steve’s every move as the other stepped towards the door, “hey guys, can someone bring me a wet rag? Cold water please.”
“Get it yourself, dingus! Your closer to the bathroom than we are!” Robin called back.
“I can’t!”
“Why not?”
“Please stop yelling! I’ve had enough for the day.” Nancy interjected, getting up and walking into the bathroom, walking out a moment later with the wet rag and a jug of water, “how do you know how to take care of burns?”
“I’ve had to raise those gremlins, I’ve educated myself of pretty much every health related thing just in case,” Steve answered back sheepishly.
Nancy laughed and ruffled his hair, “at least you were able to learn something after all these years. Glad it was a survival skill.”
“Yup, turns out I’m not shit-for-brains after all,” Steve let out a shallow laugh. Eddie didn’t like it one bit.
“Eh, debatable. You’re going in there with that thing all by yourself, not too smart if you ask me.”
Kas let out a shallow growl, impatient and definitely not liking what Nancy was saying either. But he stayed put, fiddling with his fingers, and listening.
“He needs help, and I’m giving it to him. He can speak and learn things so that means he’s sentient right? Maybe he’s not all bad. All he’s done is loom over people and act scary. He hasn’t really done anything to hurt anyone. Hell, there isn’t so much of a scratch on Hopper,” Steve explained with a shrug of his shoulder. Kas stopped his growling and look up at Steve, a faint smile on his lips.
“Oh so it's a ‘he’ now?” Nancy asked with a condescending tone.
“I mean yeah. He can talk, figures he deserves to be refered to as something other than an object,” Steve bit back, agitated.
“Whatever, just don’t die please? You’re one of the only strong ones here ‘sides Hopper. Can’t lose that muscle power or that hair,” Nancy laughed before walking away. Steve let out a small sigh before making his way back to Eddie’s body.
“Sorry, that was probably longer than a few seconds,” Steve smiled as he sat back down, “where do you want me to start?”
“You shouldn’t let her talk to you like that,” Kas said, stubborn and looking straight ahead, “that wasn't very nice of her.”
For once, Eddie could agree.
“It's just the way she likes to show love, ya know? Anyways-” Steve tried to move on, but Kas was curious.
“You too are together? You've never mentioned it before.” Kas brought up and Eddie didn't need to stifle a laugh. The muteness of wherever he was stuck did it for him.
“I'll tell you all the details of my love life if you tell me where to start with cleaning your burns. Sounds fair?” Steve asked, looking up with a tired expression.
“Start with the leg first, then my right wing, the left, then my back. Now what happened with this Nancy? She loves you but you don't love her?” Kas promoted, curious.
Steve just shook his head with a smile, reaching down with the towel and rubbing it gently against his leg, “eh it's complicated, she's my ex-”
“Ex?”
“Yeah, like we used to be together, but now we're not. She has a new boyfriend, Jonathan. We've talked and it turns out that we're better off not being involved romantically. She's more like family, that kind of love.” Steve continued cleaning the wound, gently caressing it with the rag before getting the bandages.
“But you and she aren't related, how could you be family?” Kas asked inquisitively.
“You can find family outside of bloodline ya know, it's like a platonic soulmate. Me and Robin for example. Our bond is a bit stronger than mine and Nancy’s, but it still applies. They're like sisters to me for something.” Steve smiled to himself as he carefully wrapped up Eddie’s leg, and moved over to his right wing.
“Ohhh. So if you love someone like family, you treat them like shit? Like you and Eddie?” Kas asked with a genuine tone, Eddie perked up at the mention of his name.
“Well no, you tease sometimes but other times you can go too far and really just someone. What I did to Eddie this weekend was nothing like that. I was acting mean just to be mean. Well, that's what I was told to do anyways. Thought that it would've been easier since I used to by mean all the time, but... it just made me feel worse. I wish I could take it back, do anything else but that. But I can't ya know?” Steve paused, thinking for a moment before going back to wiping down the burn.
Eddie had heard Steve’s apology before, but hearing it now, said to another person, it made things a little clearer, a little better. Something warm settled in his chest as he felt Kas shift into the carpet.
“Anyways. Family likes to tease. Nancy was just teasing at the door. Poking old fun, didn't mean anything by it. Kind of like you did earlier when you woke up. While I think you were trying to be more hurtful, it's the same kinda thing.”
Steve moved the rag around the burnt skin carefully and with a little more gentleness than he did with his leg. Dipping in the jug a couple times to get the puss and blood off before continuing.
“I was mostly trying to impersonate your friend, Eddie. But yes, I was trying to be mean... I'm sorry,” Kas apologized, having Steve stop for a moment to look at Kas with a dumbfounded expression.
“You don't have to apologize, I probably would've done something similar. I'm surprised you didn't freak out more,” Steve said, going to put a bandage on the wound.
“I kind of was, but I didn’t wanna show it ya know? I didn’t know Hopper well and he was hurting you, I didn’t know what to do.” Kas paused for a minute before looking back at Steve.
“I'm not just apologizing for that though. Whenever I was in control, I never physically just you guys, but I made you afraid. Enough to try and get me gone. My creator was telling me to put on a big show when you got the heaters and blankets out and played some of Eddie’s loud music.”
“It was annoying and uncomfortable, but not painful per se, that was all an act. But I saw that it was hurting you and Robin and didn't want to draw it out too long. I gave up control and let Eddie take over again. Since then I've just been watching and reporting. He told me to come back out once you put me to sleep though. Said he had some sort of plan or something, not sure. He's never clear about what he wants.”
Steve just put the bandages down in his lap for a minute, looking over Eddie’s face with almost sad eyes.
“So what you're saying is that all the work we did to keep you at bay, wasn't doing anything? You could have just popped out at any time? Heat or no?”
“Yup. My creator wanted me to keep up the ruse though, have you fooled into thinking the heat thing worked on Eddie and me and then at the most vulnerable time… strike,” Kas smiled brightly, fangs flashing brightly.
Eddie was starting to get uneasy. Maybe it was nothing, but something was off. Almost wrong.
“Why are you telling me all this?” Steve asked, picking the cloth up and finishing the cleaning process.
“Why are you cleaning up my wounds?” Kas asked back, leaning a bit closer to Steve.
“Because you're hurt and no one should have to deal with untreated burns. They'll get infected and wait- if you're immune to heat then why did you burn so badly?” Steve asked, getting the bandages from his box, and carefully applying them to the appendage.
“I'm not immune to fire, Stevie. Heat I can deal with just fine, but fire is still a strong weakness I'm afraid,” Kas smiled, resting his head on Steve’s shoulder but keeping his wing where the other could care for it.
“I see…” Steve gently moved his head off his shoulder, moving to the next wing, letting Eddie’s head rest back down, “You never did answer my question. Why'd you tell me all this?”
“We’ll, I believe I can trust you. Your words are far kinder than my creator’s and you treat your friend-family the same as you're treating new Eddie, aka me. Plus you are taking care of the wounds your kind did to me with no hesitation, you even stopped one and came to my aid. I think it’s safe to say you’ve earned my trust,” Kas murmured with a playful tone.
“In a day?” Steve asked, carefully paying attention to the wound he was cleaning.
“We’ll no. Lots of things you’ve done over time. Helping the young ones with their projects and powers, making meals every time they come over, giving your friends a place to stay when they have nowhere else to go. Those lucky enough to be around you get the best treatment. I don’t have any complaints so far,” Kas jokes, poking at Steve’s side, causing them both to laugh.
Eddie didn’t like this. It didn’t feel right. Not one bit. Maybe it might be a bit of jealousy, but there was also something sinister he could feel between them.
“We’ll I’m glad. Say, do you have a name or anything you go by? I’m sorry I haven’t ask sooner,” Steve smiled, flipping the rag around to a cleaner side before touching up the burn again. Careful not to get in the way of Eddie’s supernatural healing.
“Well, the kids out there came up with the clever Kas theory. Pretty creative, plus it's got a nice ring to it. So Kas is what works for me I guess. My creator never really gave me a name, just called me Eddie. Which I'm not, sorry to disappoint,” Kas knocked his feet together, cringing slightly when he brushed the burn.
“I like Kas too. If you want to, I can take out my mom’s baby books and we can find you a name that you picked out, when we get back to my place. It's totally up to you but if that sounds like something you wanna do we’ll do it.”
Steve put the rag down and carefully placed the bandage to cover the wound, he was slower and more careful this time. The hole was still patching itself together, but not bleeding anymore. After Steve was done, he picked up his things and moved behind Eddie.
“Thanks for the offer, Steve, but I think I'm good with Kas.”
“Alright then, Kas. I'm gonna have to take the shirt off to get to the last wound. Are you okay with that or do you want me to get a blanket-”
“Just take the shirt off, it's just his back, I'm sure Eddie won't mind. Besides, you probably had to take it off to take care of him before, why is this any different?”
Eddie, in fact, didn't mind. However the circumstances were not the ones he'd hoped for when it came to Steve taking off his shirt.
“I don't know. It feels different somehow…” Steve mumbles, fingers tugging at the back of his shirt.
“Just pull it off, it’s not like we’re doing anything, you're just helping me out, and by extension, Eddie.”
“Yeah okay. I don’t know why I’m so, just… okay.” Steve takes a breath behind him before unclamping the wing holes and pulling the shirt up and over Eddie’s head.
The two of them fell into a comfortable silence as Steve went over and carefully cleaned over the wound. Cold water running down his spine and Steve humming a soft tune as he finished up. Rubbing softly on the sore muscles as he finally put the last bandage on.
“There all done, you’ll have to be careful with your wings especially, but they should heal up without infection and with your cool powers, twice as fast,” Steve said with a smile in his voice as he rested his head on Eddie’s shoulder.
He couldn't help but feel strange at the action. It had taken him weeks for Steve to get comfortable with touch around him, and here he was giving it to Kas all willy-nilly. Then again he could just be mixing up things and thinking that Kas is Eddie. That's what he’d like to think anyways.
There was deep rumbling from... somewhere. Not from Kas, Eddie couldn’t feel it being spoken from him. Steve was still humming, so it wasn’t him. It somehow felt like something he wasn’t supposed to understand. Kas seemed to recognize it at least, sitting up straighter and looking at Steve with a strange look.
The rumble only got louder and Kas shook his head, seeming frustrated. Eddie tried to speak again, to try and figure out what was going on, but was still mute.
“You okay there, Kas? Something bothering you?” Steve asked, quickly moving in front of Eddie and cupping his head with gentle hands.
“My creator, he's telling me to do something,” Kas spoke, fast and nervous.
“What is he asking?” Steve asked, voice smooth like honey, like the ones he used after he or Robin had a nightmare. It seemed to soothe Kas too.
“Can't say just yet, I just have to show you,” Kas said, standing up, pulling Steve out of the room. Now Eddie really had a bad feeling.
“Wait a second, where are we going?” Steve asked, surprise and nervousness edging at his tone.
“I'm taking you home,” Kas said as they entered what used to be the living room.
“Do you even know how to get there?” Steve countered as Kas started to look around the room for a minute, opening doors looking for a way out.
“I think you got it mixed up, Steve. Not your home, my home,” Kas smiled back as he shut a closet door and went to the next.
“What the hell is going on?” Dustin asked, getting up from his spot on the floor.
“I have to take Steve somewhere, just Steve,” Kas smiled, pulling Steve along with him to the next door, which ended up just being a fake one. Eddie could feel Kas starting to lose his patience.
“That is not happening, not while you're in control. We can't let you go anywhere,” Lucus said, getting up and taking Steve’s other arm.
“Why not? Ever since I woke up my host and I have been told where to stay, what to do, when to sleep, and it’s not fair! I want to go home, my creator wants me home. I'm going and I'm taking Steve with me!” Kas yelled as he finally found the right door, opened it, and stepped through.
At this point, everyone was up and trying to pull Steve from Kas’ grasp but the man just snarled and tugged Steve closer to him. It seemed Steve himself was confused about what to do, not fighting Kas, by not going with him either. Eddie was trying his damndest to try and find a way to control his body again, but it was all fruitless.
“Why Steve of all people?” Nancy asked from somewhere in the piles of bodies that was trying to shuffle through to door after them.
Kas didn’t bother answering, he just tugged Steve along into the woods. Hopper was off the porch in seconds, chasing the two of them down, but Eddie was faster in the open space. Using that energy from the dried blood to quicken his steps and bolt through the trees.
At some point, Steve had started to have trouble keeping up. Kas simply let out a huff as he picked up the other, tossing him over his shoulder, and continued on his way.
Eddie was freaking out more and more as the trees morphed into the highway. Showing one if the gates open and looking as alive as it did during Spring Break.
“W-wait, Kas. Where are we going? Please don't tell me we're going to the Upside Down,” Steve pleaded, trying to get out of Kas’ grasp.
Kas just readjusted his grip and held Steve tight enough that it’d likely leave bruises, smiling in a way that Eddie never felt so far away from.
“Is that what you call it? You've been here before?” Kas asked, almost excited. Eddie felt sick to his stomach.
“Yeah I've been there before, I almost died there, your... host did die. I honestly don't really wanna go back, Kas. Could we go somewhere else?” Steve tried, but it didn't seem to sway Kas at all.
“Well I'll be there to protect you this time, my creator said that I'm connected with the animals there. If I tell them to leave, they will. You will have a much better time here, Steve, I promise,” Kas stepped closer to the portal, looking over it. Eddie could feel Steve grip his body tighter.
“Besides, you got to show me around your home, let me show you mine. Properly.”
With that, Kas dropped into the portal, Steve in his arms.