the unexpected | steve harrington

the piggyback

part one

The night sky fell over Hawkins as Steve parked up the motorhome in the abandoned part of the trailer park, the two groups waiting for the time to venture into the Upside Down and complete their tasks.

Daphne staring into space as she leans back on the bench, one knee up as she played with the laces on her now almost black converse. The Walkman with her cassette clipped into her belt loop, easy access for of Vecna decides to come for her again.

"Okay," Nancy paced, "I wanna run through this one more time." She sighs as she faces the group, Daphne glancing up towards her along with everyone else. "Phase one?"

"We meet Erica at the playground, speaking through the light thingy, and she'll signal Max and Lucas when we're ready." Robin recites.

"Phase two?" Nancy asks.

"Max baits Vecna." Steve leans against a cupboard, Daphne looking up at him as he stuffs his hands in his pockets. "He'll go after her, which will put him in his trance."

"Phase three?"

"Me, Dusty and Eddie draw the bats away." Daphne glances up, dropping her leg as she remains leaned into the seat.

"Phase four?"

"We head into Vecna's newly hopefully bat-free lair and..." Robin shakes the petrol bomb while wiggling her eye brows. "Flambé."

"Nobody moves on to the next phase until we've all copied." Nancy orders, her eyes scanning her attentive audience. "Nobody deviates from the plan, no matter what. Got it?"

"Got it." Everyone choruses.

"God, you're hot when you're bossy, you know that, Wheeler?" Daphne teases lightly, a breathy laugh followed in an attempt to lift the mood. Nancy shakes her head with a small tug at her lips.

"Get your bat, Henderson." Nancy mocks, grabbing her gun and slinging it over her shoulder. Everyone grabbing their belongings.

Daphne pulls her bomber jacket over her dirty white tank top, tying her brown hair into a high messy ponytail in preparation, her bat in hand.

The group head out of the motorhome, Steve waiting by the door to ensure he's with Daphne as they silently jog towards Eddie's trailer.

Luckily, there is no one around them and the darkness engulfs them enough to ensure they aren't seen.

Steve opens the door to the trailer, the gate with the sheet ladder still hanging perfectly in the middle of the room.

"Here we go again," Daphne huffs as she tightens her pony tail, going to climb the rope, but only to be stopped roughly by Steve grabbing her wrist.

"Hey, I don't think so," Steve scolds, his eyebrows knitted together. "Take this." Steve places his backpack into Daphne's hands and she goes to object but instead he gives her a stern look.

"Be careful." Daphne orders, him turning to her and nodding slightly as he makes his jump, pulling himself effortlessly into the dark, musty entrance.

Daphne walks directly under him to watch as the gravity shifts, him flipping down from the rope and landing expertly on his feet.