𝐈𝐟 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐲 (𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞☠♥)

Chapter 2: Cutting It Close

TW: Slight self harm, guns, violence 

"Eddie open the door," Steve calls out, shaking and twisting the doorknob, hoping it would unlock.

"Go away Harrington." Eddie mumbled, with it nearly being unintelligible, as he slid down to the floor, with his knees to his chest. Steve was the very last person he wanted to be alone with right now. First, Eddie felt like he was going insane. Second, He didn't want to do anything he would regret. He was already regretting what he did to Robin and what he said about the kids, but deep down, he knew he couldn't control it.

"I'm not going away until you open the door." Steve says, worry taking control of his tone. Though not everything he said was true.

"You make no sense," Eddie shakes his head, "You just want me to open the door so you can test my freak abilities." Eddie chuckles, a sob slipping past his lips as well.

"What? Eddie, no, I just want to know you're safe." Steve says, and Eddie's view completely changes. He admitted to not knowing if it was safe instead assuming he was or lying like everyone else. Steve sighs, leaning on a wall alongside the door. He wouldn't leave him alone now, even if the life of himself was bound to be taken. Before Steve could continue to bribe Eddie out of his room, he heard the lock click. His hand dashed for the doorknob as he opened the door successfully. Eddie flinched, nearly falling to the ground again.

"Hey," Steve said, shutting the door and holding his arms out, "Come here." He wasn't one for physical contact, but he felt Eddie really needed it. Eddie looked over at Steve, looking him up and down, wanting clarity on whether or not it was Vecna. He knew Vecna could never recreate something so perfect like him even if he took the mental image right out of Eddies mind. He nearly jumped into his arms, with blood smearing all over Steve's shirt.

Eddie began to bawl his eyes out into Steve's shoulder. He squeezed him tight, never wanting to let go. He was finally able to feel what if felt like to be in the arms of Steve Harrington, and it felt great. Though he was grateful for the moment, he still felt that dreadful feeling of guilt. He felt like he was using him or like Steve was pitying him when Eddie never really asked for any. After all the contemplating that went on in Eddie's brain, he felt safe with in the grasp of Steve.

Steve's old self would never see his future self ever hugging Eddie Munson, yet here he was in Eddies trailer, hugging him tightly as the curly haired boy sobbed after what he had to go through today. He couldn't help but feel bad. His suffering was so painful to witness, especially when he didn't want to be helped. But the most he could do was comfort him with the warm embrace of a hug.

"I'm sorry." Eddie apologized, lifting his head and resting it on Steve's shoulder.

"Why are you apologizing? You don't have anything to be sorry for." Steve replies, seeing Eddie did nothing wrong at all.

"Well, I ruined your shirt," Eddie chuckled, sniffling as he releases Steve to show him what he had done, though he wished he never had let him go, missing the feeling of their bodies pressed together, "You look like you just murdered someone." Eddie smiles, finding it quite amusing.

"Oh this? It's alright, I never really wear blue anymore anyway," Steve smiles sweetly in return. Of course, he didn't want Eddie's blood all over his shirt, but he was being honest when he mentioned how he rarely wore the thing, "I don't want to go outside like this though," Steve says, pausing so Eddie could get a hint of what he would've said.

"Oh Harrington," Eddie chuckles, "I don't have pretty boy clothes like you do, but you can certainly borrow a something." He said, holding his hands out towards his closet, presenting it to Steve.