"I didn't need a hero, Billy." Darian sneers, dusting off his coat, eyes glaring.
Billy only smirks, reaching over and untangling one of Darians dark curls, quickly catching himself, pulling his hand back. "It didn't seem like that a minute ago." B...
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Hawkins, Indiana
November 1984
。.✦ ☾
Junkyard.
。.✦ ☾
The three stop in front of the empty junkyard, taking it in. Steve sighs, nodding. "Oh, yeah. Yeah, this will do." Steve says, reaching up and taking off his sunglasses. "This will do just fine." Steve says, walking forward.
Dustin watches after him, "good call dude." Steve says, making Dustin smile. Dustin and Darian follow after Steve, setting up while also dumping meat onto the ground.
The three of them dump the rest of their buckets in a pile on the ground. "I said medium-well!" A voice exclaims
On the top of the hill was Lucas and Max. Steve spots the redhead and he looks confused. "Who's that?" Steve asks, turning to Dustin, only to see the upset look on Dustin's face. Oh.
Darian was completely obvious, smiling widely, waving Max and Lucas down.
....
Darian, Max, and Steve were dragging metal slabs around, setting up for the upcoming attack while Lucas and Dustin argued behind a car. Their whispers were hushed and muffled.
Steve grunts, placing one beside Darian. "I can't believe I'm being dragged into this for the second time." Steve grumbles, making Darian hum in agreement. "I didn't want to believe it either." Darian mumbles, making Steve look up.
"Will came up to me, scared that it was happening again. I told him it wasn't, that he was just scared." Darian scoffs at himself. "Now I just feel like an asshole, like I didn't believe him." Darian says
Steve gently places a hand on Darian's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Darian sighs, turning to Steve. "Hey, if Will came up to me, telling me that this shit was happening again. I probably would've been worse. I mean I just saw the end of it. You, Nancy, and the Byers, you guys went through it all." Steve says, shifting the slabs.
"That's bullshit Steve, we both know you are better than me." Darian says, Steve shakes his head. "Trust me, I'm not. I was an asshole, I mean Nancy was grieving Barb, and so was Jeffery." Steve breathed, remembering the past few days, everything he had said and done. "Byers was grieving, he came up to me, seeking answers. All I could think about was getting laid or ignoring whatever I saw." Steve says, staring off.
"I mean I get it, I've been doing the same, I even went as far as avoiding the Byers, ignoring that itching feeling. The feeling of doom." Darian scoffs
"We're assholes aren't we?" Steve asks, making Darian laugh and nod. "Oh yeah, big time." Darian chuckles
"Darian I really want to say sorry." Steve says, making Darian look up, confused and worried. "For what?" Darian asks "for being a bad friend. You didn't deserve my cold shoulder. There were things I was discovering about myself and I just ran away, like I always do." Steve says
"Yeah, you were horrible." Darian jokes, making Steve playfully glare. "You really were, but you are changing and it's good. You may not be the old Steve, but even he was an asshole." Darian says "ouch." Steve says
"Sorry, Steve, but it's the truth, but we were all assholes, but we change. You changed and I like this new you." Darian says, making Steve smile. "Despite the obvious insult to my personality, it means a lot coming from you." Steve says
"I've missed you Harrington." Darian says, making Steve smile. "I've missed you too Wheeler." Steve says
"Okay this is all very adorable, I mean I truly love the little bonding sesh you have going on here, but we have a battle to set up for and you and the dinguses over there are really slacking off. So if you are finished kissing one another's asses, get back to work." Max exclaims, startling the two.
"Damn, she's mean." Darian mumbles "Who even is she?" Steve asks, annoyed. "That's Max Mayfield, Billy Hargrove half sister." Darian says
"Wait wait, we have that assholes sister in our guardianship?! The same asshole who eats dumbbells for breakfast?!" Steve asks
Darian chuckles. "Yeah, that asshole." Darian says "Okay yeah, I'm going to kick Sinclair's ass, I'll be right back." Steve announces, making his way towards the two teens. Darian watches him amused.
....
Steve slams a metal ladder onto the vehicle, startling Dustin and Lucas. "Hey! Dickheads! How come the only one helping me out is Hargrove's actual little sister?! Billy Hargrove!! I mean you do recall the bone he has to pick with us?! So please, for my sake, tell me we have his permission to risk his sister's life?! His sister!!!" Steve exclaims
Everyone knew the answer. Lucas nervously swallows. "Step-sister." Lucas squeaks
Steve slowly closes his eyes, his nostrils flaring. He slams his fist onto the car, groaning under his breath. "For fucks sake." Steve breathes, and finally, he opens his eyes, "Get off your asses, both of you. We lose light in 40 minutes." Steve says
When they don't move, Steve raises his voice. "Let's go!" Steve exclaims, startling the two of them onto their feet.
....
"They're going to get us killed." Steve moans, annoyed. Darian chuckles, "Yeah I didn't doubt it." Darian says
....
Everyone was working in sync, making sure the abandoned junkyard was set up to defend themselves against Dart. Cans of gasoline were poured onto the grass, making sure it would cover the ground thoroughly. Darian felt his heart rate increase. This was really happening.
Steve would meet his gaze every five seconds, also nervous.
....
The group took in their work. "Okay, get on the bus." Steve orders and everyone does as he says. Darian was the last to enter, taking in one last look at their work. He's not religious but he's really praying this works.
....
It was dark outside, silence filled the junkyard. Lucas was peering out of the emergency hatch on top of the roof, keeping a lookout, waiting for Dart.
Darian sat beside Steve, his knee bouncing with anxiety. Steve's gaze moves away from the window and down to Darian's bouncing knee, reaching over and placing a hand on top of it, stopping his leg from moving. Darian meets his gaze. "We'll be okay." Steve whispers
Darian shakes his head. "You can't promise that." Darian whispers back. "I know." Steve mumbles, both coming to terms.
"So you guys really fought one of these things before?" Max asks, peering over at Steve and Darian, making them look away from one another. "Uh yeah." Steve answers
Max tilts his head. "And you're, like, totally, 100% sure it wasn't a bear?" Max asks, arms crossed.
Dustin rolls his eyes, upset and annoyed. "Shit. Don't be an idiot. Okay? It wasn't a bear." Dustin says, pacing back and forth, anxious. Dustin turns to her. "Why are you even here if you don't believe us?" Dustin asks
Both Steve and Darian watch him, completely unsure of what's going on. "Just go home." Dustin says
Max lifts an eyebrow. "Geesh. Someone's cranky. Past your bedtime?" Max asks, standing and making her way up the ladder to Lucas.
Steve nods. "That's good. Just show her you don't care." Steve says "I don't." Dustin answers
Steve smirks while Darian rolls his eyes, leaning his head back. Steve sends a cheeky wink towards Dustin, not believing him. "Why are you winking, Steve? Stop." Dustin says, weirded out, making Darian smirk in amusement.
