𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

062

Darkness flickers into light as the sweet sound of music dancing together with the beeping of hospital machinery enters my ears.

At first, the world is still tiny dots of light, fear striking through my heart as I worry I'm still blinded by the experience, but then slowly, he comes into focus.

He's leant over on the ground next to white bed covers, hand grasping my own, eyes red and puffy, hair greasy and damp against his head.
He looks beautiful, even now.

He says something, his lips forming the shape of my name, I can't quite absorb the sound yet.

"Steve...?"

Hopeful eyes light up, fingers are rubbed against my thumb.

"Can you- can you see me?" He chokes through tear clogged lungs, I find the energy to smile, water falling down my own cheeks, I'm able to hear his words now,

"I can see you."

His grin is brighter than ever as he launches himself forward, throwing his body into my arms, trying to be careful while also holding me like he's been waiting years for my return.

When I was asleep, it was just darkness, a void. No ticking of clocks, no memories, just the occasional sound of my friends surrounding me, of Steve playing me music and wishing for me to awake.

Nurses and doctors run into the room to check my vitals and I'm laying here for what feels like hours as they assess me, saying it's a miracle I woke up with no injuries, that somehow, I'm actually ready to leave.

The nurses say I can sit there for a while if I need, to let it all absorb, they say my mother asked for the hospital to give me some extra time in the room, the gesture is sweet, hopeful, but Steve's clenched jaw doesn't go unnoticed.

When they leave and it's just me, Steve and Robin again, I sit up on the bed, swinging my legs around so I'm sat on the side of it, Steve beside me, Robin standing infront of us.

She jumps over and hugs me, "I'm so glad you're ok Ruby I- I thought you were gone." When she leans back she gives a sad smile, "Steve though, he didn't lose hope."

Steve tightens the grip on our joint hands, "I knew you'd come back to me."
I can't help but cry happy tears, as Robin speaks again, "everyone visited, Nancy, Dustin, Lucas.."

"What about Max and Eddie?" I question, noticing the missed out names and then the way Robin and Steve share a solemn look.

Steve doesn't seem to want to say anything for a moment, possibly frightened.. definitely afraid. He takes my second hand in his and turns me towards him, stumbling over the words as if he's not sure what to say, as if he's tried to prepare a speech but can't quite get the words right.

"Rubes.. Max.." he doesn't need to finish the sentence, flashes of the horrifying visions Vecna placed into my head during our fight tell me all I need to know.

So he really did attack both of us.

"It doesn't make sense.." I mumble under cold breath, Steve nods and says a small, "I know."
My head flies back upwards as eyes glance at both Robin and Steve in demanding, "where is she?"

***

Steve had bought me a cozy red jumper, denim shorts and my favourite bumble bee tights, insisting I change from my hospital gown so I don't catch a cold. If this were any other situation I'd admire how well he styled me.

But instead I'm covering my hands with baggy jumper, terrified as I pick at the skin on my fingers as always, hesitating to open the door of the hospital room.