"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
。.✦ ☾
Byers Household.
。.✦ ☾
The feeling of dread creeps up Darian's spine, watching as two cars exit the driveway. This was it. He couldn't believe that the fate of the world was up to a little girl. And for the second time. Steve quickly hustles everyone inside, getting creeped out. He didn't want to stare into the vast forest, scared something might snatch them up. It was highly likely.
....
Darian was sitting in silence, his leg bouncing with anxiety, chewing his bottom lip. He needed something to calm his nerves, but everything he had was back home. Max peers up at him from the ground, her knees pulled up to her chest.
"My parents are going to kill me." Max whispers, making Darian softly laugh. "Mine too." Darian replies "I'm definitely grounded." Max states "I think that's the least of our worries." Steve pipes up, sitting down beside Darian.
Darian hums. "What were you and the others doing in the kitchen?" Darian asks "Uh, stuffing the demo-dog into the freezer." Steve says calmly, nodding. Darian begins nodding, bringing a hand up and he begins chewing his nails. "Uh-huh, that's great." Darian hums.
Suddenly Steve grabs his wrist, prying his fingers from his lips, soothing them in his lap. "I thought you stopped that habit?" Steve asks
"Ha, yeah, well, old habits die hard. And the world is about to end, so I think I'll let this slide." Darian says
Steve shakes his head.
"Mike- would you please stop it, already? You're just making it worse." Lucas hisses, making Darian, Max, and Steve turn. Mike was continuously pacing back and forth, anxiously biting at his nails. "Huh, seems like it runs in the family." Steve points out
Darian couldn't help but smile, softly shoving Steve.
"You weren't in there. Okay, Lucas? That lab is swarming with hundreds of those dogs..." Mike is quickly cut off before he finishes his rant, his hair and eyes wild. "Demo-dogs!!" Dustin yells, correcting them from the kitchen.
Lucas rolls his eyes and turns back to Mike. "The chief will take care of her." Lucas promises. "Like she needs protection." Max scoffs, this was Eleven, she does the freaking protecting.
Steve crosses his arms, looking between Mike and Lucas. "Dude, listen -- if a coach calls a play in a game, bottom Line -- you execute it." Steve says, confusing everyone but Darian. But the brunette shakes his head.
"Okay! First of all, this isn't a stupid sports game, and second. we're not even in the game, we're benched." Mike says, waving his arms.
"My point is. Right. We're benched. So. Yeah. There's nothing we can do." Steve states he was always a Debbie downer. Darian wanted to be optimistic, but what the hell could he do?
"Well.... that's not entirely true." Dustin says, standing up straight, his eyes lighting up as he speaks.
All eyes go to Dustin. "I mean.. the Demo-dogs have a hive mind. They ran from the bus because they were called away." Dustin says
Max and Lucas share looks, picking up on this. "So if we get their attention." Lucas says "Maybe we can draw them away from the lab." Max says
"And clear a path to The Gate." Mike finishes
"Yeah- and then we'll all die." Darian states dryly, crossing his arms as he stares his brother down. "Well, that's one point of view." Dustin states calmly. "NO, that's not a point of view that's a fact." Steve exclaims
But Mike is into this plan. He quickly walks into the kitchen.
He taps the X on the tunnel map, energized. "This is where the chief dug his hole this is our way into tunnels..." Mike says
The other kids begin to crowd around him. Drawn in now too. The two adults follow reluctantly. "And look....here right here." Mike says, dragging his finger to a hub of some sort. "This is like a..... hub. See how all of the tunnels feed into this?" Mike says the kids nod. "so maybe if we set this on fire." Mike says
"Okay, yeah that's a NO." Steve states firmly. "I agree with hair over here." Darian pipes up, making Steve roll his eyes at the nickname.
"The Mind Flayer would call away his army." Dustin says
"They'd all come to stop us" Lucas says, Mike begins motioning to the map. "And we'd circle back to the exit here. By the time they realized we were gone-" Mike says
"El would be at the Gate." Max finishes
"Guys!! HEY!! HEY!!!" Steve exclaims, startling Darian who stands beside him.
They turn to find Steve, his hands raised in disbelief. This is not the Steve that they're used to. This is not fun Steve. This is a "Dad" Steve. And he's not happy. He motions to the tunnels angrily. "This -- this is NOT happening!" Steve says
"But." Mike starts
"NO. NO BUTS. Me and Darian promised to keep you shitheads safe, and that is exactly what we're going to do. We're sitting here on the bench and we're waiting for the starting team to do their job. Does everyone understand that?" Steve asks, hands on his hips, lifting a condescending brow. Darian lifts an amused eyebrow, he likes this side of Steve. He wanted to make a joke, but he stopped when he was leveled with that unwavering gaze.
Steve knows him too well.
The kids share frustrated looks. "This isn't a sports game." Mike grumbles "Does everyone understand?" Steve states firmly, interrupting the young Wheeler.
More shared looks. "I need a YES." Steve orders strongly, eyes hard and unwavering, even Darian hesitates.
Before anyone gets a chance to give Steve his yes. There is a growl outside. But not from a Demo-dog. It's from a car engine. A familiar one. Max's eyes go wide.
It can't be...
Max races to the living room. She throws open the curtains, her eyes widening. Oh fuck.
