Star Crossed Lovers (STEVE HARRINGTON)

The Upside Down

Murph's POV:
Me and Will were barely conscious, our appearances had become withered and weak, I tightened my hold on him, still wrapping my jacket around him as my eyes slowly shut. I pried them open multiple times, still not fully regaining consciousness, in the near distance I could hear shouting. Human, voices. I tried to force words out but my voice was croaky and broken.

"WILL?! MURPHY?!" Their voices rang through the place. I recognised Joyce's first and felt a, what felt like a scorching, tear slide down my cheek.

"Look, there's more blood." I could almost picture Hopper, his eyebrows furrowed as he pointed out things to Joyce. They're footsteps became evident as I heard them shuffle closer and closer until...

"WILL!" Joyce exclaimed before lifting my chin, which had dropped down to my chest in fatigue. "Murph." Hop whispered. "Pick him ... up." I coughed out. Joyce rushed to Will's side, placing his hands around her as she groaned, lifting him up into her arms. He looked so small in her arms, I almost cried again.

"Thought I told you to not get involved." Hop joked as he lifted me up into his arms. I chuckled quietly as I leaned into his chest, needing the warmth now more than ever.

"Oh god. He's not breathing.. He's not breathing Hop..." Joyce panted. Hop hurried next to her and spoke quickly. "All right. Joyce, Joyce, listen to me. I need you to tilt his head back, okay? And lift his chin." He lowered down onto the ground in castle Byers along with Joyce who placed Will down, still in her arms.

"Now when I tell you, you're going to pinch his nostrils and breathe into his mouth. Twice.. okay?" He checked. She nodded vigorously as he guided her. I began falling in and out of consciousness, my body feeling slightly limp as the cold trapped in my bones. "Murph? Hey stay with me kid." Hop placed his hands on my cheeks and attempted to warm me up.

"That's it baby, breathe." Joyce choked out, tears streaming down her eyes. That was the last I heard before I fell into a deep slumber again. It felt like it had been only a second when I opened my eyes again.

But this time I was in a hospital, the beeping of the machines and the smell of cleaning products filled my nose. "Hey kiddo." Hopper smiled softly, grabbing my hand as he sat up in his chair. My eyes shot to the water and he quickly poured me some in, holding it up to my mouth as I took a sip.

"Thanks for the assist back there." I joked, my voice hoarse. He shook his head smiling. Before he could speak I quickly added. "Seriously. Believe me or not, when I was passed out back there... I spoke to my dad. I don't know.. I just. I wanted to say thank you. Not just for.. saving my life and stuff. You've looked out for me since he.." I trailed off as he looked down at our hands.

"For a second... just a second I thought... Look your dad trusted me, I trusted him too. So much. He was an honourable man, he wanted so much for you kids and for as long as I'm on this goddamn planet I'm going to make sure I honour that and I honour him." By the end of his little speech I had a tear streaming out of my eye. There wasn't much of a response I could muster up after that so I let him pull me into a hug and I nestled my head onto his chest comfortably.

"I can't wait any longer!" The voice interrupted, opening the door without knocking. Hopper sighed, moving back as I looked up to see Jonathon. Hop pressed his lips to my forehead and got up, I smiled at him as he left and then looked over at Jonny. "Jesus Byers. You look like shit." I chuckled, his eyes red with dried tears on his cheeks. "I'm so glad you're okay." He mumbled, jogging over to me and pulling me into his chest.

"Me too." I whispered. "Thank you for saving Will." He spoke quietly. I scrunched my nose. "I didn't. Hop did.. and your mom." He shook his head. "You gave him your coat.. you.. you protected him." He stuttered. I leaned my head back into the heightened, pillow. "Murphy Henderson. Protector of Hawkins." I whispered dramatically, holding my hands up for affect.

Before he could respond the door bust open and Dusty ran to me, almost falling. Mike and Lucas behind him. His tears seeped through the gown as I rubbed his back and ran my fingers through his hair. "It's okay Dusty. I'm right here." I reassured as Jonathon smiled watching. "Are you dorks gonna come join or what?" I said, seeing Lucas and Mike's awkward faces morph into smiles as they wrapped their arms around us. Jonny joining in too.

After I'd spoke to everyone, which entailed Joyce, Hop (again so I could tell him all about dad), Dustin who refused to leave my side, Nancy, who then told me about Barb, I was physically exhausted, barely able to move. It all felt like a fever dream.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts as I glanced up. "Enter." I shouted as the door slid open. The last person I expected leaned their hand out and waved. "Ah hey. I was just wondering if you had time for one more visitor? I can go if your tired or..." Steve began going off on a tangent as I cut him in. "I wouldn't of said come in if I was tired Harrington." I smiled invitingly.

He chuckled breathily as he sat on the hospital chair beside my bed. "So." He began. "So." I nodded. "I just wanted to come see you." He admitted. "Thanks. Im glad you did." Nodding, I reached over and finished my water as he gulped. "When they all said you were missing I, god this is going to sound like bullshit.. I realised. You're the first person I've ever spoken to that's heard me." He coughed out, sighing after.

"It doesn't sound like bullshit Steve." Looking down, I pulled the blanket up. "I was hoping you'd say that." Smiling, he looked over at the water as I nodded as to say 'help yourself'. Gently, he poured his drink in before looking to me again.

"What did you think about? When you were in there.." He asked. I smirked up at him before wittily saying "You hoping I say you Harrington?" He smirked back. "I already know you were Henderson."

"You wish Stevie." He scrunched his nose at the nickname as I laughed a little to myself. "Oh hey I found your walkman." He proudly said, handing it to me. "Oh. My. God! Steve the hair Harrington.. I mean THE king of Hawkins High touched MY walkman!" I squealed. His eyes widened as he began laughing. "I thought you'd kill me." He said, his eyes glinting playfully. "Oh yeah that's right. If you touch my walkman, I will fucking kill you." I said, feigning seriousness.

"That's seriously scary, but there she is ladies and gentleman." He clapped, jeering loudly as I covered my ears laughing. "Gotta reputation to uphold, you understand don't ya Harrington?" I smiled, making a smoochy noise as I held my walkman close to my chest. For a second his eyes fixated on mine. I clicked in his face, chuckling as he blinked slowly. "Here, you should try this." He coughed, pushing a tape over to me.

"Lady by Kenny Rodgers..? You sure this one ain't for Nance?" I joked. His eyes dropped down to his lap, his face suddenly not relaxed and now slightly sullen. I inhaled deeply before sliding the tape back to him. "I'll see you later Harrington." I mumbled quietly watching his eyes lift to mine again. "I hate that saying." Playful fire in his eyes, challenging almost.

"Thanks for the insight, I'll remember that for next time." I responded as he smiled a genuine smile. Not shifting I sighed again. "Come up with a new one for the next time we bump into each other. I'll consider changing it but until then. I'll see you later." Clearing his throat, the smile still holding his lips up, he leaned to the side and said "So are we... friends?" I rolled my eyes "Jesus. You're meant to be cool and popular." I muttered to myself, his eyes were gleaming, he laughed as he slid the chair back and got up. "I'll .... see you." He slowly replied as I smiled.

My eyes fell up to the ceiling as he made his way out. I ignored how much I enjoyed that conversation, I ignored how much I enjoyed that he showed up and I ignored how much I was secretly wishing he'd come again.