Chapter Text
Steve breathed out slowly, he was sitting in his truck - hands shaking - and he was so angry, he climbed out when Eddie's jeep parked next to him. Eddie breathed out slowly and he murmured, "You okay?" He looked at Eddie and then he just shrugged, Eddie's fingers brushed his and Steve let out a soft exhale - then he stepped in closer and Eddie curled his arm around his shoulder - murmuring against his ear, "It'll be okay.. c'mon.."
They went inside and Steve braced himself against the kitchen counter - eyes closed as he exhale in a rush. "...Did you hear what he said?" His jaw was tight and his jaw twitching. Steve opened his eyes, his eyes black.
"Yeah.. I heard what he said." Eddie's voice was steady, but Steve knew he was trying to stay calm.
"So they're going to get married." Steve spat the word out and then he just stared up at the ceiling. "I bet he couldn't wait to fucking tell me that." His voice was darker, and he muttered - "Well fuck him. whatever." Steve rubbed his hands over his face. "I.. need a fucking drink, Jesus Christ."
He breathed out heavily, and Eddie came closer - he grabbed a key from off the hook and then he curled his fingers through his, "C'mon.." Steve let out a soft breath, but he followed Eddie.
They went downstairs, down into the basement - the circles still drawn into the floor from when Eddie had woken up Dustin with the last seal.
Eddie looked over his shoulder, as he unlocked a door and he said - "Stevie.." He breathed out softly, and then he followed Eddie into the other, a smaller room. Steve let out a soft breath - and Eddie just watched him quietly, as Steve brushed his fingers over all the different artifacts. There were books - all kinds of things, "Where... did you find all this stuff?" Steve's voice was soft, his eyes black as night - tinged with the glowing blood red.
"I.. had it in storage, once I got back to Hawkins, I got it out of storage and started putting it all down here." Eddie's voice was soft - and Steve stared at him. "...What else do you have down here." Steve said softly, he heard a faint soft whispering in the air - and Eddie was watching him, Steve had been holding a dagger - but he dropped it and then followed the whispering.
"I.. have something down here that actually belongs to you." Eddie murmured.
Steve walked through a small curtained off area - and then he saw it. It was about eight feet tall, carved and ornate. A huge giant black mirror. It was where the whispering was coming from. Steve stood in front of it - and he let his eyes close.
The whispering was mesmerizing, and he let out a soft exhale as Eddie murmured beside his ear - "I had it shipped back with me, I ... knew it was yours as soon as I saw it.. It is.. yours..." It wasn't a question, and Steve exhaled slowly - his eyes opening.
"Yes.." He said softly, "Yes it's mine.." He looked at Eddie - "...How did you even find it.."
Steve bit softly on his bottom lip and Eddie gently gripped his chin, "...Because I'm guessing for whatever reason Bel, I was supposed too." They just stared at each other.
Eddie said softly - "That isn't the only thing I found."
Steve had been standing in front of the mirror again - and he looked over his shoulder at Eddie - "...What do you mean?" He struggled to pull himself away - wanting to touch it, Eddie said softly, "No... don't touch it.. you know you can't.."
Steve was shaking and he whispered - "But.. its calling to me.."
Eddie murmured, "I know, But you know - you can't touch it yet.." Steve let out a sad little whimper and Eddie pulled him away.
Steve breathed out shakily, tears sliding down his face. "No... I need to go back."
Eddie's said huskily - "No you don't. Not yet."
Steve breathed out slowly - and once they were further away, he started to feel less emotional. He blinked slowly and Eddie looked at him.
"What.. else did you find." He said quietly.
Eddie stroked his fingers through his hair and then he said, "Remember.. when we went to that occult fair.. you.. told me that night. The story.. you remember."
Steve bit his lip softly, Eddie gently gripped his chin - "Have you ever told anyone, how long you've actually been around for? I mean Your Vessel."
He shook his head - "No. They think I've been here the same amount of time as them." His voice was grit, rough and he said, "It's just easier for them to think that Eddie, I don't need to explain to them how long I've been in this vessel for - I just never told anyone the story of this..." He motioned to himself.
"But you've been more than just Steve Harrington.." Eddie said softly, "He's just one of the people you've had to be, using this vessel."
"I know that, ... and you know that." Steve grit his teeth, "That's the way I want it to stay." He breathed out softly, "You promised me that you'd never tell anyone."
They stared at each other, and Eddie said - "And I meant it, I'll never tell anyone - that's your story, if you want to tell it, then its up to you."
Steve breathed out softly, Eddie said softly - "But ...how long ago did you crawl out of the pit into this body?"
"It doesn't fucking matter!" Steve yelled.
Eddie said softly - "You.. haven't told anyone most of your story Steve. Any of your past - you just keep burying it, pretending that it doesn't effect you. I.. just.. want you to let someone in."
"I let you in and then you fucking died and I was alone with my shit.." Steve said hoarsely, "I'm not doing that again." He was tense, and not looking at Eddie.
"...I...fuck, I didn't know I was going to fucking die.." Eddie said softly.
"I know that, but I... can't.." Steve breathed out harshly - "I can't.." He tugged at his hair - "...Don't you fucking get it! I'm stuck, it doesn't matter!" Steve yelled, "It doesn't fucking matter! I don't get to just change into another fucking body! This is it! I can't jump into another vessel like you! I can't switch to a new one."
Steve growled out, "Just.. fucking stop.."
Eddie said softly, "I... found it."
There was silence.
Eddie said again - "Stevie.. I found it.. not just the mirror - you're mirror, your gateway - but it found it."
Steve was shaking, and shaking bad - he felt the wet rush in his mouth, and Eddie handed him an empty trash can.
Steve puked into it - and he spat, letting out a pained noise and trying to hold himself up.
Eddie said quietly, his voice gruff - "I... got you."
Steve wiped at his mouth, and then he said hoarsely - "I...I don't feel good."
Eddie took the trash can and he set it down - and then he said quiet, "Do you want to see it?"
Steve exhaled slowly, tears in his eyes as his gaze met Eddie's - and he whispered, "Not right now..."
Eddie said softly, "You wanna go lay down?"
Steve nodded and Eddie whispered, "Okay, this shit will still be here later."
Steve suddenly gripped the back of Eddie's head, he said hoarsely - "You...you fucking promised me that you'd ...you really found it?"
"I.. did promise you, and yeah.. I found it." Eddie murmured. "I can fucking stop your pain, I can fix it... we can make it stop - finally after all this time. You can finally be free of it." Eddie murmured, "When you told me, I told you that I'd find it.. I never stopped looking, I worked on the other side while I was drifting Stevie.. that's where I had the most luck actually getting fucking clues. I told you I had a wild ride.."
Steve breathed out in a rush, and Eddie murmured - "I just keep feeling like, this.. all of it was supposed to be this way, or..." He curled his fingers against Steve's face.
"Or.. it wouldn't have happened." Steve whispered, he let his eyes close. "I... wanna see it now.." Steve let out a shaky exhale and ignored the way his stomach was lurching painfully.
Eddie said softly - "You sure."
He wasn't but he breathed out harshly - "Yeah.." They broke apart and Eddie stroked his hair out of his face, staring down at him - he interlaced their fingers and then gently pulled Steve with him into the darkest corner of the room.
Steve felt sick the moment that he saw the worn - beat up old suitcase. He let out a strangled whimper - feeling frozen in place, his eyes went big and wide - chocolate brown, and Eddie said quietly - "Steve... you're okay."
Steve didn't say anything, and Eddie undid the suitcase. It was his suitcase.
Inside was a smallish looking pottery jug. It wasn't anything much to look at - it was old, a little dusty and dirty. It had white symbols painted on the outside of it - the material inside the suitcase was threadbare and old.
Steve started dry heaving the moment he looked at it, sinking down to his knees - he could taste the dirt in his mouth, choking on it as he was hit with memories - bad ones.
Eddie shut the suitcase and Steve sucked in a harsh breath, clawing at his throat.
"Hey... hey its okay... its okay Stevie.." Eddie said hoarsely.
Eddie knelt down beside him and Steve still couldn't breath - he was too far deep into the memories, and he was panicking, choking on dirt - he couldn't breathe. Eddie just scooped him up in his arms and carried him out of the basement and back upstairs.
Steve was struggling to breathe as Eddie laid him down on the bed.
Eddie was whispering in Goetian, and Steve finally found some of the pressure in his lungs easing.
"It's okay.. it's okay.." Eddie said softly, "I.. fuck I shouldn't have.. shown it to you." His voice was husky.
"I.. asked you too." Steve whispered.
His eyes were still full of fear and he looked at Eddie, "...Will you stay with me." Steve closed his eyes, trying to push the memories - the images out of his head.
Eddie said softly, "Yeah Stevie, course I will."
Steve stayed awake the entire night, Eddie curled him up in his arms, but Steve couldn't go to sleep - he just stared into space. He looked at Eddie, who was asleep - and Steve brushed his fingers gently through his hair. Eddie didn't stir, Steve leaned in close and brushed his lips softly over Eddie's.
Haunted by his memories - the taste of dirt in his mouth, he breathed out shakily. He went downstairs - and sat outside - staring at the sky, chain smoking. Steve closed his eyes tightly, tears slid silently down his cheeks - and he breathed out shakily, he couldn't get rid of the taste of dirt in his mouth.
The whispered words, Forever, you'll be the last Shelter. Kept floating around inside his head.
***
Dustin turned the engine off - looking up at the house. It was huge - the lawns overgrown, the trees were over grown too - and it was all shaded and quiet. He got out of the car and then let out a soft exhale. Eddie's jeep was parked out the front, but Steve's truck wasn't. He stood on the doorstep and then he pushed the doorbell.
Dustin stepped back, and then he let out a soft exhale as the door opened - Eddie smiled at him, "Hey little Bug.." That drawl in his voice like warm sunshine, he stepped aside - "Come on in.."
He smiled softly, and said "Hiya." Dustin let out a soft exhale - he stepped inside and he could smell Steve's familiar sweet cinnamon scent, mixed with vanilla - and lemon. It wafted over him - and Dustin shivered, it was all over Eddie. "So I've been baking, cinnamon rolls." Eddie laughed softly - and Dustin realized that was the smell. He blushed and said - "You have?"
Eddie smirked, "Oh yeah I'm all into cooking and baking these days - plus? Stevie told me you liked them, so.." He gently gripped Dustin's chin and then gave him a soft little kiss. "I've made you some for brunch?" Dustin laughed softly, "Oh... yeah.. he brought me some one morning, they.. were so good.." He was blushing and Eddie grinned - "I think I know the place, this lady she bakes them and sells them out of her little shop, or she used too.. damn she's still there?"
He shut the door and then he curled his arm around Dustin's shoulders, leading him through the house - "You're place is really cool, lots of interesting things.." Dustin said softly - "Its Blake, he travelled and picked up lots of stuff.. and some of its mine.." Eddie said softly.
Dustin saw a photograph, in a frame on the shelf - it was of Eddie, Steve - Robin and Nance. He let out a soft little breath, Steve and Eddie were curled around each other - making a face at the camera. Dustin bit his lip softly, and he brushed his fingers over it. Before he put it back on the shelf.
"Yours smells really good." Dustin said softly - watching Eddie from under his lashes.
Eddie smiled, and then he put a cup of coffee with sugar and creamer - just how Dustin loved it on the counter. "My Lord." Dustin laughed softly and sat on the barstool - he took a sip, and watched while
Eddie rolled the dough out, "I'm making enough for everyone else too." He said softly.
"Eddie?" Dustin said his name quietly, and Eddie looked up - the two of them just stared at each other - and then Eddie lowered his gaze.
"Yeah lil bug." Eddie murmured - and Dustin said softly - "We're you ever going to tell me that you and Steve were together?"
The silence that followed was almost unbearable and Dustin sipped his coffee - he let his eyes close and then he set the cup back down. Eddie lifted his gaze and they looked at each other - "...I wanted too, back then, I did - but Steve didn't want me to. He didn't want anyone to know. He didn't want anyone to know that he was with me, that he was gay... and it wasn't my secret to tell."
His voice was husky and soft and he added, "It.. was, and still is - way deeper than just that, and I still can't talk about it - because its not my secret to tell. I love you, I've always loved you Dustin, you're my baby Brother, my best friend and I love you - but I can't betray his secrets. I just can't, I'm sorry - if you want to know... he'll have to tell you himself."
Dustin just sipped his coffee, and Eddie went back to rolling out more scrolls.
"I love you, and I respect you for your decision - to keep his secrets. For not betraying him. It isn't about loyalty to Him, or to Me - okay? I wouldn't and I don't expect you to choose between us Eddie. I'm not a child." Dustin said softly, and Eddie looked at him - "I just.. Before I woke up, I probably would have lost my temper and had a melt down."
He rolled his eyes and then stretched his back a little, hearing it crack. "But.. now, I just.. I have different eyes, looking at things a different way I guess.."
They looked at each other again and Dustin said softly - "Yes... it hurts me that you were both together, that I didn't know - but.. I was a child, you and him weren't. Nothing would have happened with Steve back then, even if I did want it.." Eddie noticed the way that Dustin blushed and bit his lip.
"Even.. if I know that he did too because he's told me he did. Even if I know that he doesn't like that he did." Dustin said softly.
He looked at Eddie, "You said he.. didn't want anyone to know you were together, that he was gay... so was he ashamed that he was? Can you tell me that?" Dustin looked at Eddie from under his lashes, his voice soft and soothing, and Eddie murmured - "He was so far in the closet - he could have reached Narnia."
They both laughed and Dustin giggled, "Poor sweet Baby." Eddie chuckled softly, and then he took the first batch of scrolls out of the oven - putting the next lot in.
Dustin breathed in the smell and he said softly, "They smell.. soo good."
Eddie smiled and he said softly, "Steve went to get some of his clothes, he'll be back soon - if you wanna hang out for a while.. hmm?"
"Yeah... I wanna see him." Dustin said softly, he lowered his gaze - and then took another sip of his coffee. "This is good - you make it just how I like it." He made a happy little noise, swinging his legs and Eddie smiled. "Want something to eat, or you wanna wait till they cool down?"
"I'll wait till they cool down." Dustin said softly, he was blushing again and Eddie said - "Okay, I'll drizzle them with lemony goodness too." He poured himself a cup of coffee, making it almost the same way Dustin drank his.
"Steve says this isn't coffee you know." Dustin said - and Eddie snorted - "Fuck does he know, just because he drinks his like black tar in a mug."
They both laughed and Dustin said softly, "Jay drinks his the same way as Steve - they think they're all superior or something.."
Eddie blew a raspberry and he smirked - "We're still coffee drinkers, fuck them both."
Dustin laughed softly, and then he fished out a cigarette - lighting it and taking a drag, he exhaled slowly and then he held it out to Eddie.
He took a drag - and then he moved around, bringing his coffee - Dustin interlaced the fingers and then tugged Eddie out through the living room - and they both sat outside in the sunshine. Dustin sat in Eddie's lap, "I like sitting in your lap now, there's even more room than before you big giant." Dustin teased and Eddie laughed softly, "Well it's cos you're such a tiny lil bug."
Dustin took a drag in his smoke, exhaling softly - and then he said softly, "Eddie?"
Eddie replied lazily, "Yeah Darlin'."
Dustin gripped Eddie's chin, "...Did.. he really say he wanted to hurt himself?" His voice soft, and Eddie murmured - "Yeah.. he.. fuck.." Eddie stroked his fingers through Dustin's hair, "Wanted to hang himself from the rafters.."
"Jesus.." Dustin muttered, he flicked his butt away - resting his forehead against Eddie's. He stroked his fingers against Eddie's face, and he said softly - "..Eddie.." The older boy kept his eyes closed, breathing out softly, and Dustin murmured - "Do you still love him?"
Eddie's eyes opened, and they both just stared at each other.
Dustin's eyes were changing color - and Eddie let out a soft exhale, he didn't answer - and Dustin just brushed his lips softly against Eddie's forehead. "...I hope you can help him." Dustin's voice was soft, maybe too soft.
Eddie gently gripped Dustin's chin and he said hoarsely - "I...I will."
They stared at each other, quiet - and Dustin didn't say anything else. They both sipped their coffee and Dustin tilted his head back - the sun warming his face.
"You helped me.." Dustin said finally, and he looked at Eddie, "Tonight... we're going to have a big get together at.. the house, everyone is coming - I want you and Steve to come too. He.. I know he probably won't want too, I'm.. hoping you both will though." Dustin's voice was soft.
Eddie let out a soft exhale, he'd been expecting Dustin to ask more questions - and yet he wasn't.
Dustin leaned in closer, and he gently undid Eddie's braid - shaking his hair free. "You look like a Viking." He let out a soft little noise and combed his fingers through Eddie's hair. "It's a thing.. over there this hair style. I think Blake did it to fit in.." Eddie said softly and Dustin was still playing with his hair.
"It's pretty.." He murmured and Eddie just sipped his coffee. Dustin was re-braiding his hair - and then he said softly, "You'll come."
It wasn't a question, and Eddie said - "Yeah, we'll come."
Dustin made a soft little noise, and then he murmured against his ear, "Good." He was braiding his hair all to the left side, and Eddie smiled softly.
"You're beautiful, you know that don't you?" Eddie said softly. He gently pushed Dustin's hair out of his face - and Dustin said softly, "I used to think it was crazy, for anyone to say that.. I.. still blush and think its crazy." He said softly - his cheeks pink. "But.. thank you."
Eddie smiled and he said softly, "You are, and I don't just mean your outside, I mean inside too. All of you. You always have been. I saw you, heard you - the way you defended me.. the.. I know. I just, you were always my best fucking friend, not just my brother."
Tears welled up in Dustin's eyes, and Eddie knew he had them in his too.
"You were my actual brother and I couldn't even tell you. I couldn't tell you that you were.. for real.. I wanted too. I remember I thought how amusing it was, that you were inside a human, even as a Human you're amazing." Eddie said softly.
Dustin looked at him, "It's.. weird, I.. got a reputation for hating Humans.." His voice was so soft, and he stared at Eddie - "I did, I mean... I really did." He rolled his shoulders, "But that was based on the fact that I didn't understand them, how complex - how.. beautiful, complicated they are. When... you add in a little extra spice.."
Eddie smiled, and Dustin whispered - "Then they become something else entirely. I.. knew if used them to hide us.. hmm.."
"You.. did that, it wasn't him." Eddie was surprised and he gently cupped Dustin's face - and nuzzled their noses together.
"Tricksy.." Eddie murmured.
Dustin let out a soft little giggle - "Yeah... Jay was surprised too."
Eddie laughed softly, "Well you have always been a clever little thing. You'd think we'd all know you were capable of this shit by now."
Dustin said softly, "I... kept your ashes, from your old body."
"I know." Eddie said softly.
Dustin curled his arms around him and Eddie held him close - stroking his fingers into Dustin's hair. They just sat quietly and Dustin whispered against his ear - "Eddie."
Eddie murmured, "Yeah lil bug."
Dustin cradled Eddie's face in his hands - "...Do I have a reason to be angry with you?"
Eddie let out a soft exhale, and Dustin whispered - "...you told me that you wouldn't."
Eddie said softly - "I know I did.."
"Eddie?" Steve was calling his name, and Dustin moved out of his lap - looking at him and then he sat back in his original spot, sipping his coffee again.
"Dustin... I.. " Eddie said quietly. He didn't get a chance to say anything else.
"Hey..." Steve said quietly, he looked at the both of them - and then he came outside, sprawling in the seat next to Eddie - he had sunglasses on and he licked his lips.
"Hey my Darkness.." Dustin said softly.
Steve said softly, "Hey Baby boy."
Dustin drained his cup, and he shifted - sitting in Steve's lap, he stroked his fingers into Steve's hair - placing a soft sweet kiss against his lips. "Hi.." He whispered, and Steve let out a soft exhale, they just stared at each other and Dustin slid his fingers into Steve's hair.
"How are you feeling my love.." Dustin murmured softly.
Steve's fingers curled against the arms over the chair, and he said softly - "I...don't know...okay.. tired.." His eyes fluttered closed - and Dustin whispered, "Yeah? Hmm.."
Dustin took Steve's sunglasses off, and he looked at Eddie, who was watching them quietly - Dustin brushed his lips softly against Steve's jaw and he kissed his lips again and he said softly, "..Has Eddie been taking good care of you?" He felt the way that Steve trembled and saw Eddie's hands grip the arms of his chair - the way that Eddie looked away.
"Y-yeah.." Steve whispered.
He breathed out soft against Dustin's face and Dustin murmured softly, "Yeah? That's.. good." He slid his fingers into Steve's hair - tugging gently and Steve opened his eyes, he stared at Steve, and then he said softly - "I love you my Darkness.. I want you to know that, I want you to know that you can tell me anything, talk to me about anything.. Okay?"
Steve just nodded, tears sliding silently down his face. "Nothing... nothing will ever make me stop loving you." Dustin said softly. "And whatever secrets, whatever hurts you.. you can tell me it all... I love you, I am yours, you're mine.. my blood, my soul.. is inside you.. the real you.."
Beside them Eddie, had tears on his face. Dustin looked at Eddie - and he slid his fingers into Eddie's. "...I love you." He said softly - "Help him.." Eddie let his eyes close.
Steve breathed out softly, cradling Dustin's head, and Dustin kissed him softly - but Steve deepened the kiss. Dustin whimpered softly in his throat, he kissed Steve back shivering as Steve's fingers stroked his hair. Dustin's fingers gently squeezing Eddie's, who squeezed his back.
Steve whispered, "I... do have... things I need to tell you, I just.. don't know how too yet. Things about my vessel." He stared at Dustin - pain and fear in his eyes, and Dustin whispered - "Bad things, scary things.."
Steve nodded, "Things that I've been running from for a really long time..." Steve's eyes filled with tears and he said hoarsely - "Things that only Eddie knows.."
Dustin looked at Eddie from under his lashes, Dustin looked back at Steve - he said softly - "...It's okay my love.."
Steve breathed out shakily, "I... I.. never told you..." Dustin just whispered, "It's okay Steve, don't cry." Eddie's fingers held Dustin's tighter and Dustin squeezed them again, but he curled his other arm around Steve and he said softly, "You can tell me when your ready, okay? Look at me?" Steve breathed out shakily again and they stared at each other, "I...want you to feel good, safe, okay? If Eddie can help you, that's all that matters to me."
Steve cradled his face and he whispered, "You mean that?"
"Yes, yes I do mean it Steve." Dustin said softly, brushing his mouth against Steve's - "...I.. feel like, this is just -" He exhaled soft, breathing out against Steve's face - "If.. I hadn't guided Eddie to find his new body, I wouldn't be sitting here - I wouldn't be free... but.. it isn't just that."
Eddie's gaze met Dustin's - and he said softly, "...I think I brought him back to us to help you too." Eddie's tears slid down his cheeks, and Eddie held his hand against his chest. "...Because you need his help, don't you my Darkness." He felt Steve tighten his grip on his hair and Steve said hoarsely, "Yeah.. f-fuck, he.. its.. f-fucked up. I will .. I will show you, tell you.. I just.. I don't.. wanna go.. down.. there."
Steve was starting to panic again - and Eddie looked like he was going to be sick.
Dustin frowned and then he pulled Eddie closer - "Come here, both of you." He said softly, Eddie shifted closer, kneeling beside them and Steve said hoarsely - "I... I can't.."
Dustin whispered, "Steve.. I don't know what is happening, I.. won't push.. I just.." He looked at Eddie, and he whispered - "...I want you to help him." Dustin tugged Eddie in closer and he whispered, "Help him brother."
Eddie whispered, "I will, I promise.."
Steve curled himself into Dustin, and Dustin looked at Eddie - noticing the way he curled his fingers into Steve's hair, and the way Steve's fingers curled against Eddie's side, even though Steve curled into him. Dustin was not blind, he was still able to read those little signs. He cradled Steve's face, and kissed away his tears - and heard Eddie breath out softly.
Dustin said softly, "It'll be okay my love, I love you - I love you..so much." Steve breathed out shakily, and Dustin said softly - "Are you going to stay here with Eddie?"
Steve's eyes closed and Dustin stroked his fingers against his face - "You want too, its okay... hmm? It's okay.. my beautiful Darkness."
Steve whispered - "I.. miss you."
Dustin said softly, "I miss you too, so much."
Eddie murmured, "I'll.. give you some.. privacy.." He kissed the top of Dustin's head - heading back inside and Dustin felt Steve breath out shakily against his face.
Dustin shifted slowly, moving into Steve's lap, he cradled Steve's face and he murmured softly, "You.. don't want to come home with me?" Steve breathed out shakily, his fingers dug into Dustin's back and he held him tighter.
Dustin smiled softly, and he whispered, "You... do, but... you also don't.."
"I.. just.. I.. I my head.. all the shit it.." Steve said hoarsely, "I.. I haven't been drinking and its all too much. I.. he.. said you're.." Steve breathed out harshly - turning his head away from Dustin.
Dustin said quietly, "Who said... What are you talking about pretty Boy?"
Steve flinched at the name - and Dustin said softly, "Jay... what did he say?" Steve just stayed silent - his entire body was tense - and his jaw was twitching. Dustin could feel the anger. "Steve.." He said softly, "Please.. talk to me."
"I.. can't, there's nothing to say." Steve said hoarsely, his jaw was hard - "Why'd you come here, why... you're going to fucking marry him, you love him - he's the one you want, why did you come here.."
Steve looked at Dustin, his eyes were haunted - full of pain. "It... I don't know why you came here. You're going to marry him, he fucking told me.. so.. what the fuck are you doing here?" Steve pushed Dustin away. "Just.. go.."
Dustin breathed out slowly, "He... told you that?" Dustin's voice was soft, "Did he tell you that he wants to marry you as well?"
Steve breathed out in a rush, not looking at him.
"Did he?" Dustin asked softly.
"No he didn't say that." Steve said hoarsely - "So... I guess he doesn't want me too." Steve held his hand out, the one that Dustin had put the sigil for their house - "I want you to remove it." He had his eyes shut.
"No." Dustin whispered, "No I'm not going too."
"Take it off my hand.." Steve said through gritted teeth, "Just fucking do it!" He let out a sob, "I don't want it... take it.. take it back - because I don't belong with you, I don't belong with him.. so just take it."
"No!" Dustin said tearfully, "No I'm not going too, because its not true.."
He pressed himself into Steve and he whispered tearfully, "It isn't true, you do... you do belong - you belong with me, you've always belonged with me... you belong.." Dustin breathed against Steve's face, he said tearfully, "I...love you..."
Steve said tearfully, "You don't need me."
Dustin said shakily, "Don't say that, don't say that... please... don't say that.. I need you, you need me...lets.. just go for a drive - just you and me.. please..."
Steve breathed out shakily, he whispered - "We can't keep doing this, we.. just keep doing this.. I'm poison in your veins.."
Dustin whispered, "No.. no you're not.." He kissed Steve softly and whispered - "I do need you, I love you you're my Darkness, my beautiful.. Dark Prince."
Steve whispered, "Please.." Steve breathed out harshly, "You.. could be happy with him.. you.. could.. just.. let me go.. let me.. just slip back into the shadow." He whispered.
Dustin stared at him, and he whispered - "I could never do that."
Steve said hoarsely, "...Maybe you need too."
Dustin said softly, "Do you love me?"
Steve whispered, "More than you'll ever know." Tears slid down his face.
Dustin whispered, "But you... want to give me up - you really want to ..die.."
Steve let his eyes close and he whispered - ".. I don't know anymore. I .. can't.. breathe and it.. isn't you, it isn't even him.. its me. I.. can't.."
Dustin said softly, "...Steve." He held Steve's head in his hands - and Steve opened his eyes. They just stared at each other quietly, and Dustin whispered - "...Do you love Jay." Steve breathed out shakily, and he whispered, "Please... don't do this to me.. please.. I.. can't."
Dustin didn't like the pain, the haunting in his eyes. He'd never seen it before.
"You said that you felt that something was different, this.. its different, you.. you're different, you felt this... didn't you." Dustin whispered - "How long have you felt this.."
Steve said quietly - "After you woke up.. properly, but.. it was starting before that.. when.. every time me.. and him fought.. everything he.. every time he said something, every time he got further away.." He tilted his head away.
Steve said hoarsely, "But I told you, it isn't him - it isn't you... it's me. I.. just.. something has shifted inside me...and I can't bury it - the darkness inside me, its stronger - I can't stitch myself up with borrowed thread. I'm broken and I'm not healing - the wounds inside me are too much Dustin. And that has nothing to do with you, or Jay."
Dustin wiped his tears away - and he whispered, "... Will you at least try, try to let Eddie help you? Please... please.." He whimpered softly, ".. You .. won't.. please don't leave me.."
Steve breathed out shakily, and he curled his arms around Dustin - holding him tightly, and Dustin sobbed holding and clinging onto him.
"Please.. please don't leave me.." Dustin whispered, "Please.."
He closed his eyes, and Dustin said shakily - "I... please Steve, please - promise me you won't hurt yourself, you.. can't .. please.."
Steve said hoarsely, "I...I'll let him, try and help me."
Dustin breathed out shakily, and he cradled Steve's head in his hands - "...Steve."
He breathed out against Dustin's face, "Will you come, you and Eddie - tonight.. come Home - everyone will be there... just come.." He whispered tearfully, "You.. belong with me, with us - just come.. your family needs you. Everyone wants to see you. promise.."
Steve really didn't want too. But he whispered - "Yeah.. okay."
Dustin said softly - "Steve." He looked at him and Dustin said softly, "I love you."
"I.. love you." Steve whispered.
Dustin kissed him - he stood up, and he tugged Steve to his feet - "Lets.. go inside.." He said softly.
Steve said quietly - "Okay.."
When they got back inside - Eddie was icing the cinnamon scrolls and Steve's hands were shaking - as he took Dustin's cup, and made him another coffee.
Dustin was watching him, and watching Eddie. Watching the way that Steve was shaking, the way that Eddie just moved around him - quietly helping him, and Steve would let him - despite the fact that he didn't want it, and was clearly frustrated. Steve was worn too thin - exhausted. Dustin wondered when he last slept properly, he felt bad that he spent too much time away. Then he felt bad that Jay and Steve had lost their connection because of him.
Tears welled up in his eyes and he stared down at the counter - the fact that Steve wanted him to remove the sigil from his hand - that he didn't want to be with him. With him or Jay. Did he want to be with Eddie? He lifted his gaze, watching them again.
Steve let out a soft breath, and Eddie looked at him. Steve lowered his gaze - "Sugar?" Eddie said softly, and Steve just nodded, he breathed out harshly - Eddie said softly, "You're alright Stevie.." Steve let out a strangled noise, he shoved at Eddie, then he just walked out.
Dustin was biting down on his fingers, tears welling up in this eyes - and Eddie looked at him. Tears spilled down Dustin's face - he let out a pained little whimper as Eddie came and wrapped his arms around him. "He, he is really scaring me Eddie.." He whispered shakily.
"I know.." Eddie murmured. "Me too.." He said softly, "I...I can help him. Tonight though, try.. and.. get him and Jay to reconnect."
Dustin wiped at his face and he whispered, "Yeah.. yeah I will." He bit his lip softly, he knew - he knew that Eddie had to help Steve, because he wasn't going to lose him. "He...Jay was helping him before, maybe.. he'll talk to him if.. they.. can.. talk without fighting..." He whispered.
Eddie nodded, and Dustin bit his lip - staring at Eddie. "...You're scared too." It wasn't a question, and Eddie let out a shaky exhale. "Yeah, I am." He said softly. "...I don't think I've ever seen him this bad before. I..." Eddie was looking at Dustin, quietly - and Dustin said softly, "...I, we didn't finish our conversation - and right now I don't think we need too."
They stared at each other and Dustin whispered, "I.. don't care, I just want you to help him. I love him and I just.. just help him."
Eddie nodded and Dustin curled his arms around Eddie, "I'm so fucking glad you're here." He whispered.
"I.. yeah fuck, me too." Eddie whispered.