The Stancy Files

Chapter 6: The Hideaways

Once they were inside the old restaurant, Steve and Nancy decided to clean Benny's up a little. They found some old trash bags in the back and started to fill them up with used beer cups. It reminded Nancy of the first time she went to Steve's house when she was a sophomore. The night consisted of great memories, except for one: telling Barb to go home early. Barbara didn't listen to her, as she normally didn't, and stayed at the Harrington's. She went back outside to the pool, while her hand was still bleeding a little from trying to open the beer with a pocket knife. Barbara Holland didn't get to go home after that night, or any night after that. She died that night after being taken by a Demogorgon and eaten to death. Nancy breathed out heavily, reminiscing on her old nightmares, stuck in her head. "You okay, Nance?" Steve asked her, bringing his friend back to reality. "Yeah... Yeah, I'm fine." Steve made a more serious face, knowing she wasn't being honest. "You're sure you're okay? You don't need to talk about anything?"

Nancy shrugged, picking up an old beer can and tossing it into a trash bag. "Yeah," she sighed. "I just wish Henry had never been born." Steve's lips curled into a small smile. "I'm sure Victor Creel wishes the same thing." This comment made Nancy look up urgently, out the window, then to her friend. "He doesn't know," she said, aghast. "What?" Steve asked. "Victor doesn't know that his son is the demon. He doesn't know that his son killed his wife and daughter. Oh my god. Someone is going to have to tell him." Steve looked at her, with an eyebrow raised. "What do you mean, he doesn't know? How could he not know Henry did it?" Nancy focused on the floor. "When Robin and I went to see him at Pennhurst, Victor said a demon did it. A demon. He said Henry went into a coma and died a week later he died. He was told that his son died."

Steve stood in silence, with his hands on his hips, thinking. The more Nancy thought, the more she became concerned. "When I was in Vecna's mind... he said he had been meaning to check back in. Steve, I think he's targeting Victor." Steve shook his head in denial, knowing what Nancy was about to say. "Nance, we can't go back there! As far as we know, you're still in danger. You're staying as far away from Vecna and Victor Creel as you can." Nancy opened her mouth in shock. Countless words formed in her brain but not one made it out of her mouth. She loved Steve and was glad he wanted to protect her. But she wanted to fight. "I understand why you want that, Steve. I really do. But we have to tell him. Henry is going to go after Victor. We know that. And there's no way we can just sit back and not do anything." Steve sighed. "We just- we can't do anything yet, Nance. It's too early. And the police are literally hunting you down. We would be crazy to go back there." Nancy laughed humorlessly. "And what? We aren't crazy for fighting monsters in another realm?" Steve rolled his eyes, nodding. "Yeah, yeah. I know we are. But just... give it time, Nance? Promise me that. Please?" Nancy looked away at the floor. "Steve, if we don't do something soon, I'm not sure there will be any time left to spare." He walked over to his friend, taking her hand in his. "Please, Nancy. I'm asking this as a friend." She looked into his eyes. "I promise." 

They continued to clean up Benny's, and after a while, Steve walked down the street to Bradley's Big Guy to pick some things up while Nancy stayed at Benny's, trying to make things seem a little more at home. Even though Steve was only supposed to get a few things, he brought nine bags back to the hangout. He dropped a few of them on the back doorstep before banging the life out of the door. Nancy ran to the door, and when she opened it, she was in shock. "Steve!? How much stuff did you get?" Steve gave an awkward smile in return. 

Nancy helped him bring the rest of the bags in and slammed the back door shut with her foot. They put all of the food in the back where Benny used to get food ready and set everything else outside by the main room where pullout beds and couches sat. "I can't believe people come here for fun," Nancy said, poking fun at Steve. "It's not like I was on the team very long after he died. The place is kinda a dump," he said in return. Nancy looked over at him with a faint smile playing across her lips. "Kinda?" Steve rolled his eyes. "Okay... completely." Nancy pulled out a little blue bag. A wide smile spread across her lips. "Baby puffs? Why do we need baby puffs?" She asked, looking up, now a shine in her eyes. Steve shrugged defenselessly. "I mean they're really good, Nance. You should try them." The two laughed and continued to clean up the old restaurant. Nancy even tried baby puffs like Steve recommended and loved them. 

After a few hours, they decided to turn out for the night. Nancy was on the couch and Steve was on one of the pull-out beds. Nancy decided to turn on the Hawkins News Channel. The news reporter was at Hawkins High, in the gymnasium. Nancy eyed the screen closely. "Is that... Dustin?" She asked Steve, completely confused. "Sure looks like him," He murmured. "I don't know anyone else who has hair like that and no teeth." Nancy's eyes flickered from the screen to her friend. "Steve!" She said, giving him a mothering facial expression. The last time they had seen Dustin was at the Wheeler house earlier that day. She couldn't help but wonder if Dustin being there meant that Mike or her mom was there. Steve must have noticed her pondering it because he commented. "You don't have to worry, Nance. I'm sure your family is fine. And Mike is tough." Nancy gave him another look. "Did you just call Mike tough? I know we aren't talking about the same person. My brother. Who is too scared to tell his best friend how he feels about him?" Steve became confused. "Wait... but... Mike likes boys? He's dating Eleven." 

Nancy nodded. "I mean, it's sort of obvious. Except to Will or El. I think El just doesn't understand what it means yet, and Will wants her to be happy." Steve's brow furrowed. "I didn't realize so many people in Hawkins were gay. My dad always says there was something messed up about it, but I don't believe him." Nancy almost looked sad for her friend. "Your dad is homophobic?" Steve shrugged. "I dunno, Nance. He's not around enough for me to know. My mom is like super well-respected though. So maybe not." She walked over to where he was sitting and sat next to him. "Well," Nancy began. "I don't know about your dad or mom, but it's not a bad thing. It's just not normalized. I think it will be someday. I hope it will be." Steve looked over at his friend and smiled. "Yeah, me too, Nance. Me too." 

Their eyes met and Steve knew he wanted to kiss Nancy. But she wasn't ready yet. Instead, she leaned her head on his shoulder once more. "I'm glad you're here, Steve. I'm glad it's you."