Star Crossed Lovers (STEVE HARRINGTON)

The Bathtub

Murph's POV:
Fire. Fire was going to be our way out of here and if it didn't work, we needed back up. Will had been feeling faint and I hadn't even let him get up let alone help me fight. I was responsible for Will here and I understood that.

I felt the withdrawals kick me in my stomach as I sighed sharply, missing my cigs and Base Henderson. The quicker we smoked this thing, the quicker we'd be home safe, I thought to myself. I walked around Castle Byers eager to find something we could use and crouched down to find something, anything that could help us. And that's when an idea struck me.

"Fuck. Yes." I whispered, as I tugged at two of the wooden stake shaped, thick sticks holding up the fort. I groaned, tugging as hard as I could before one loosened and slowly leaned into my grip. I'd purposely chose two from an area that was quite stable so it wouldn't affect our current shelter.

I then pulled another one just for safe keeping. I first tried to light a fire, I was no genius and the one who was breathtakingly smart was asleep and completely worn out. I hummed as I began pushing the stakes together to cause some sort of friction and nothing worked. It didn't bother me though because I had a back up plan.

I used the edge of each stake to sharpen them at the same time. I blew off the dust and continued doing it, ignoring the faint screeches in the distance. My cheeks were flustered and my hair was matted, I felt the fatigue hit me like a truck. I grabbed the stakes and leaned my back against the bumpy, make shift,walls of Castle Byers.

I felt my eyes flutter shut despite me fighting to keep them open. When my eyes opened I was in my basement. My eyes almost jumped out of my head as I sat up. "Hey, you've been out for a while." A voice came from the stairs.

"Dad?" My voice choked out. "Hey Smurph." He sat beside me as I leaned into him, all hope deflating as I consciously realised I was in a dream. "I miss you so much." I cried softly. His arm slid around me as he held me, the way he always would when I'd cry.

"I miss you too sweetheart. I like the look by the way." He chuckled into my hair, assessing my outfit as I rolled my eyes. "My very own Stevie Nicks." He laughed as I nudged him sideways. I couldn't bring myself to speak so I listened to him instead. "You're scared." He assessed, stating it more than asking. The lump in my throat was larger than life, not allowing me to speak. He carried on talking as I listened carefully.

"Do you remember when you were 10 years old and you wanted to hang up our halloween decorations in your room, your mom said no." He looked me in my eyes as I nodded, astonished as I kept my eyes on him. "What did we do that very night Smurph?" He asked. The lump in my throat grew at the memory.

"Come on kid... let me hear that voice of yours." He urged and I cracked. "You ... you put all the decorations up for me." I couldn't take my eyes off him, feeling his warmth as if he was actually here. "You kept them up." He observed. I wiped my eyes roughly. "How could I ever take them down dad?" He smiled at my response.

"Your mom was so mad." He mumbled, inhaling sharply as I laughed a little. "She made you sleep down here as a punishment remember?" I mentioned. He laughed, tilting his head back slightly. "She wasn't trying to punish me kid. She hated that you liked staying down here, thought it was too dangerous." He stated and I quietened down. "You know she made me check the wiring and inspect every last issue you could've had down here before setting your bed up?" He asked.

I shook my head, feeling an uncomfortable warmth spread over my chest. "She's not been the same since..." I began, clearing my throat. He looked ahead for a second. "It's like, I'm Dustin's mom now. We haven't spoken properly since." Silence surrounded us as his eyebrows furrowed in thought. "You're a kid Smurph. You're not even 18 yet. You shouldn't be parenting Dusty. That's your moms job, look I'm sure she appreciates the help but you gotta let go kid."

I nodded slowly, just wanting to enjoy his presence. "I want things to go back to the way they were dad." I whispered, smiling in thought. He leaned back, my head on his chest as he rubbed my back. "I know." He mumbled, pressing his lips to my head, tears swam down my cheeks at the gesture. "We miss you so much."

"I love you all so much, you know that kiddo? When you were born, I made Hop promise if anything ever happened to me he'd keep an eye on you," He said. "I love you too... but Hopper isn't you." I said quietly. "I'm with you in here Smurph." He placed my hand over my heart, his covering mine as I smiled up at him, eyes watering.

"Hey look at me." He said, exactly the way I had to Will. So many of my characteristics came from this man. That's when it began hitting me that, this is why my moms relationship with me had changed. Everyone had always told me that me and my dad were the same person. Maybe that's why she couldn't bare to look at me anymore.

"I'm so proud of you Sweets. You take care of your little brother so well. I need you to stay in school okay? I used to wonder how lucky I got with a kids as incredible as you and Dustin and I still can't believe it Murph." He then placed his forehead against mine in a loving gesture.

"Maybe go a little easy on the cigarettes too." He said and laughter spluttered out of me. "Stop spying on me dad." I laughed loudly. "Hey, I know my kids better than anyone. The good and the bad, I love every last bit of it." He smiled. I kissed his cheek, hugging him again. Tightly and refusing to let go. "I've raised a rockstar." He joked, kissing the top of my head again. I grinned into his chest. "A rock star and a nerd." We both laughed. "Dustin idolises you, you know that?"

I smiled up at him. "I kinda idolise that little dork too." I lay on his chest feeling my eyes get heavier, as if he sensed this he began saying "Close your eyes Smurph. Get some rest, I'm going to be right here when you wake up." I attempted to force my eyes open. "I love you pop" I mumbled sleepily, my eyes shutting.

Before I knew it, my eyes were open. I was back in that hell hole and Will's face had become completely, icy blue. Commotion surrounded us and I panicked.