Brave Like You (Steve Harrington)

Thirty-Eight.

Eddie hopped into the Winnebago first, Steve lifted me up and I climbed in second. Eddie was taking off the Michael Myers mask as I entered through the window. He quickly made his way to the driver's seat.

"Candace," Eddie said, "Cover me."

"Already on it," I assured him as I headed for the door to make sure it was locked. Eddie found some pliers and got to work.

"Eddie, you're doing it wrong," I said, "Cross the black over the red."

"No, it's red over black," He protested.

Once everyone was on the Winnebago, Steve made his way for us in the front. He looked at us bickering like we were crazy. "How do you guys know so much about this?"

"Well," Eddie said, a sigh escapes him, "While other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, our old man was teaching us how to hotwire."

I took over the story then, "He would always say, 'Candy Girl, you're the lookout. Cover your brother' I never got to do anything fun."

Steve looked at me incredulously. Eddie spoke up again, "I swore to myself that I wouldn't wind up like he did, but I'm wanted for murder, and soon, Grand Theft Auto, so I'm really living up to that Munson name."

Robin popped up behind Steve, "Eddie," She said, "I'm not sure if I love the idea of you driving."

"Oh I'm just starting the sucker," He said, and his face turned into an expression of mischief, "Harrington's got her," He leaned in to get closer to Steve, who to my surprise did not back away from him. "Don't cha, Big Boy?"

Steve's surprised look almost made me laugh. With one final flick of the wires, the Winnebago revved up. The owners began to pound on the mobile home loudly. Eddie quickly got out of the way so Steve could jump in the driver's seat.

"STEVE!" Dustin screeched, "DRIVE!"

"EVERYONE HOLD ON!" Steve yelled and then he took off like a bat out of hell, hitting trash cans as he did so.

After that chaos, I sat next to Steve as he drove the Winnebago, navigating the way to War Zone. It was fun, honestly, despite the situation. If I just imagined that it was a big vacation, then it was all alright. We could hear everyone talking from the back, like they were our kids or something.

As we drove, I could tell something was on Steve's mind, so I asked him to share it with me if he wanted to, and he replied with; "You know, it's silly, but I...I've always had this dream that I'd have this really...really big family. I'm talking like a full brood of Harringtons. Like five, six kids."

"Six," I repeated the word, my eyes wide.

"Yeah," He replies, "Six little nuggets. Three girls, three boys. And every Summer, I figured all of us Harringtons would pack up into something like this and just see the country. You know, the Rockies, Yellowstone. Then we'd end up at some beachside home in California, spend a week parked in the sand. Learn how to surf or something."

"That sounds so nice," I said, my voice was very soft.

"Yeah?" He asks, and he looks at me, taking his eyes off the road. We share a longing look at each other.

"Yeah," I say, and he looks back at the road, "When you think about this, am, uh, am I there, too?"

He scoffs like he was offended by my question, "Of course you are, Baby, who else is going to have my six kids?"

"Six kids sounds like a nightmare," I admit to him. He laughs lightly.

"Well, if only we had some practice," He joked, gesturing to the kids in the back of the Winnebago.

I offer a counter offer, "How about we compromise with three kids, and once we have three and the third gets a little older we see how well we can handle it and then talk about having a fourth, deal?"

Steve cracks a small smile, "Okay, that sounds fair enough."

"You better name one of your kids after Uncle Eddie," I heard Eddie call from the back.

Steve joked back, "Not a chance in Hell, man."

I laughed at Steve, "I actually like the name Edward Wayne."

Steve nodded, "Well, of course we're naming a kid after your Uncle, that man is a saint. It's the least we can do for everything he's done for you and Eddie growing up, and letting me stay with you guys last Summer, and not getting mad at you for Prom last year."

I smiled so happily. I was so, so fucking in love with him. I could kiss him right now but I won't because he's driving. I decided to kiss him on the cheek instead. Maybe six kids doesn't sound so bad if Steve is the father. Oh god, what am I saying? I am not having six kids.

"I love you," I tell him.

I watch his cheeks turn red. "I love you, too."

"Will you two stop being so gross and adorable over there," Eddie said, I turned my head to look at him and I smiled shamelessly. I half expected to find Nancy glaring burning fire at me, but instead I saw something else. She was looking at Robin.

She wasn't just looking at her though. She was looking at her the way that she usually looks at Jonathan, or Steve back when they were together. Does Nancy like women? Usually, thanks to growing up with my brother, I can spot a gay person form miles away, but sometimes I'm off, like with Billy and Robin. I had no idea Billy was Bisexual. Maybe Nancy is too, and she obviously finds Robin attractive. I can't blame her, Robin is my best friend so I have no shame in saying that she I think is beautiful.

I sat back, smiling to myself.

I stayed back while some of the others went into War Zone. I wanted to stay with Eddie.

"I've been doing some thinking," Eddie said, and I looked at him curiously, but I let him continue. "Even if we kill this Vecna creep and we save Max, I think I need to turn myself in."

I was surprised by this, "What?"

"Eddie," Lucas said, "You can't do that."

"Think about it, guys. No one in town is going to believe the truth. I'll make up some story admitting to killing Chrissy and the others, and I will make sure everyone knows that Hellfire had nothing to do with this, that I did it on my own, make sure everyone else is left out. I'll say I was obsessed with Chrissy, and that's why I did it, and once I did it, I got the taste for it and that's why I killed the others or some believable shit."

"Eddie," I say, "You can't do that. They kill people in prison for shit like that."

He shrugged, "Maybe it's for the best. My life is going nowhere, Candy. You've known that for a while. Everyone has. So, for me this isn't about proving my innocence. I know I'm innocent and the people I love know I am, and that's enough for me. This is about avenging the victims, especially Chrissy."

I fought the tears, "Eddie." I hugged him tightly, he held me tight.

Robin came back then, looking like she was on the verge of tears as well. She sat down on the floor of the Bago. I sat next to her, "What's wrong?"

"Vickie was there, with her boyfriend," She said, speaking in hushed tones.

"I'm sorry Robin," I said, and I put an arm around her shoulders.

"At least you found out before you embarrassed yourself by asking her out," Eddie said in an attempt to make her feel better.

Robin smirked, and I knew Eddie's comment had made her feel a little bit better. A silver lining if you will. Even if she couldn't get with the girl she wanted, at least she didn't embarrass herself this time. She would find someone eventually.