"I didn't need a hero, Billy." Darian sneers, dusting off his coat, eyes glaring.
Billy only smirks, reaching over and untangling one of Darians dark curls, quickly catching himself, pulling his hand back. "It didn't seem like that a minute ago." B...
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Hawkins, Indiana
July 1985
。.✦ ☾
Starcourt
。.✦ ☾
Everyone stares at Darian with wide eyes, half afraid and half relieved. "Oh my god." Jamie breathes and she runs over to Darian, almost toppling him as she hugs him. Darian lets out a breath as he holds onto her tightly, closing his eyes. "Dare what fuck." Jamie whispers into his ear. "I got a code red." He whispers
Steve stares at Darian with wide eyes, tempted to run over just as Jamie did, but he knows he can't. "Jamie back away from Darian, we don't know if he's still flayed." Max says, standing protectively at El's side.
Jamie doesn't let go but turns to Max, shaking her head. "He's not." Jamie defends
Nancy furrows her brow, slowly approaching with her hand out, ready to grab Jamie if she had to. "We can't know that for sure." Nancy says, shaking her head at Jonathan when he tries to stop her. "Nance." Darian whispers, feeling betrayed and hurt.
El shakes her head, still holding onto Mike. "No, he's okay, I don't feel the Mindflayer." Will says before El can answer. "Will is right the Mindflayer is done hiding, we would notice." El says
Their stamp of approval was all they needed before Nancy finally rushed over. "Jesus Darian!" Nancy says, hugging her brother tightly. Darian hisses when she accidentally shoves Jamie into his injured side. Nancy quickly jumps away, cursing. "Shit I'm sorry!" Nancy yells
Causing everyone's attention to fall on his injuries. Steve stares at Darian wrapped up arm and leg, face pulled into a worried frown. Darian shakes his head. "It's okay. I can barely feel it." Darian promises, earning a look from Nancy and Jamie. "You shouldn't be here." El says softly
Darian shakes his head, looking over to meet her eyes, but they land on Steve's instead. Darian's heart drops as he takes in Steve's bloody face. He wanted to say something but Steve gently shakes his head, mouthing later. Darian swallows harshly before looking over at El. "I can't let you guys do this without me. We need to end this." Darian says, more determined now than ever.
"You got that right!" Someone says from behind them. El's eyes widen.
Darian turned and behind him approached; Hopper, Joyce, and Murray.
....
While Hopper comforts El, Mike explains everything that has happened so far to Darian and the other three adults. "The Mind Flayer, it built this monster in Hawkins, to stop El, to kill her, and pave a way into our world." Mike says
"And almost did. That was just one tiny piece of it." Nancy motioned to the still piece of the Mindflayer. Hopper turns to the group, still holding onto El. "How big is this thing?" Hopper asks
"It's big. Thirty-feet at least." Jonathan says
Lucas turns to Hopper. "Yeah, and ah... it sort of destroyed your cabin. Sorry." Lucas says in a small voice.
"Okay, so just to be clear, this -- this big fleshy spider thing that hurt El -- it's some kind of gigantic... weapon?" Steve asks, looking down to meet Darian's gaze. "Yes....it's what he was...fuck sorry...I can't say it." Darian breaks off, feeling his throat close off. Darian felt useless. Steve purses his lips, worried. "It's okay, you're doing great." Jamie whispers, gently rubbing his back.
To get everyone's attention off of Darian, Steve continues to ask the group questions. "But instead of, like, screws and metal, the Mind Flayer made its weapon with melted people." Steve asks "Yes." Nancy says, even though they just went through it. "Yeah, okay. I'm just -- making sure." Steve says with a sigh.
"Are we sure this thing is still out there, still alive?" Joyce asks as she stands beside her three boys, holding onto Will's hand. Max nods. "El beat the shit out of it, but yeah, it's still alive." Max says
"But if we close the gate again..." Will says "Cut the brain off from the body..." Max continues, only for Lucas to finish their theory. "And kill it. Theoretically."
Just then, Murray, speed-walks from the other side of the food court. "Yoo-hoo!" He yells, holding Alexie's blueprints. He waves them in the air.
Steve takes their distraction as a perfect opportunity to get some time alone with Darian. Darian looks up as Steve nudges him.
....
Steve leads Darian around the corner before kissing him. Darian gasps softly against his mouth, melting into Steve's arms. Slowly and reluctantly Steve pulls away. "God I was so worried." Steve whispers, pressing his forehead against his.
Darian stares up at him with soulful eyes. "Me too...after El freed me from the Mindflayer, I called your house. I had really hoped you weren't a part of this again. I had hoped that you're guy's theory on the Russians wasn't real, that you were binging some sports show. I had really hoped you were okay." Darian says as he gently grazes Steve's swollen eye.
Steve softly smiles. "I really hate that they were right." Steve says with a small laugh. Darian smiles through his tears. "How bad is the arm and leg?" Steve asks
Darian looks down at his hand. "I cleaned it as best as I could. Thankfully nothing is broken, but it isn't pretty....I really hate remembering any of it...I just can't believe I was that person." Darian whispers, more to himself than to Steve.
"Hey, we can talk about it if that's what you need right now?" Steve whispers
Darian shakes his head, but before he can say anything, Jamie rounds the corner. "Come on, we're going." Jamie says
....
Steve briefly squeezes Darian's hand before pulling away as a determined Dustin approaches them. "Come on, we're going for a drive." Dustin says, tossing Steve the keys, only for Darian to intervene. "I'll drive, it's the least I can do." Darian says
....
Front entrance.
Steve is leading the way. Darian, Jamie, Erica, Dustin, and Robin are closely following behind as they leave the front doors of Starcourt. Darian swings the car keys along his fingers. "Oh, man! Now this... this is what I'm talkin' about." Steve breathes "Todd-father?" Robin asks. The yellow Cadillac is parked nearby. "Screw Todd! Steve's her daddy now." Steve exclaims, earning a fond smile from Darian. They all get in the car.
"Did you just talk about yourself in the third person?" Robin asks, weirded out. Erica had a disgusted look. "Did he just call himself daddy?" Erica asks
Steve rolls his eyes as Darian starts the car. "All right, where are we going?" Darian asks, redirecting the conversation. Dustin leans forward. "Weathertop." Dustin says "Weather-what?" Steve asks, confused. Darian goes to ask as well, but Dustin grows frustrated. "Just drive!" Dustin yells
"Okay! Jesus." Darian huffs, pressing hard on the gas.
