Beyond the Battle: Action & Consequence (Steddie, Stranger Things)

Chapter 8: What is Real?

Steve kept finding himself seeking out Eddie with his eyes. It felt like part of him was sure Eddie was going to disappear if he couldn't see him. The whole morning was surreal. He still didn't quite believe it. Any minute he was going to wake up and it was all going to turn out to be a crazy dream.

He had powers, well at least one power. He wasn't supposed to have powers. He was the tank as he'd heard Dustin refer to him on more than one occasion. As he had told numerous people since the final battle, he hit things, he did not do the psychic stuff. The more he thought about it, the more totally insane it seemed.

If the evidence wasn't napping on his couch, he would be positive it was a post-Vecna delusion.

Robin was being supportive by not chewing him out for failing to mention anything that had been going on while he slept for the past three days, but he could tell she was exasperated with him. It wasn't his fault he found the whole situation inconceivable so had assumed it was all a dream.

"You okay, Steve?" Joyce asked, perching on the coffee table and giving him a small supportive smile. "You look a little spacey."

"Trying to make myself believe this is actually happening," he admitted.

"Oh, honey," Joyce said, reaching out and patting his arm beneath his blanket, "is it one step too far?"

He nodded.

"Seems like the Upside Down has to go bigger every time, doesn't it," she added. "Never thought I'd have a superpowered kid, let alone two. If you can think of any pointers for dealing with superpowered teenage tantrums, I'd be really grateful."

He found himself smiling, despite his deeper thoughts.

"Hate to admit it, but I'm considering some teenage tantrums myself," he told her.

"Maybe you should all head down to the quarry, see who can throw around the biggest rocks," Joyce suggested with only a smile.

"Don't even know if I can do that part," he said. "Sounds like fun though. Damn, if only I'd been able to do things like that while I was still playing basketball."

"That's the spirit," Joyce said, patting his arm again. "And in the same vein, have you noticed your stomach's been growling for the last five minutes?"

To prove the point something of a loud protest came from his midriff.

"Now I do," he replied.

He'd been so focused on everything in his head, he hadn't even noticed he was hungry again.

"Mind if I take over your kitchen?" Joyce asked. "I think there are going to be more hungry people too very shortly."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't think," Steve said, going to stand up, "I can put something together."

Joyce stood before he could and put a hand on each of his shoulders so he couldn't even shuck off his blanket.

"Steve, you're still pale as a ghost," she told him gently. "Let me handle lunch, okay?"

"Don't worry, Mrs Byers," Robin said, plopping herself down on the couch, "I'll sit on him if I have to."

"We've fought the apocalypse together, Robin, are you ever going to call me Joyce?" Joyce replied with a smile.

"Sorry, Joyce," Robin said with a grin, "force of habit."

"I can carry you, you know," Steve said, giving Robin a look.

"Then I will just ask El to help," Robin replied and when El gave him a beaming smile from across the room where she and Will were talking about something, he knew he was defeated.