Chapter Text
The things I thought I’d need to worry about when I got into high school were limited. Homework, maybe people, a job, college, getting my license, figuring out how the hell to exist as an adult. Definitely not disgusting slimy monsters from another dimension. And yet, here I was, covered in Upside Down slime and fighting rabid bats. Four are attacking Steve, biting and choking him in grossly aggressive ways. I found a metal rod of sorts, and am doing everything I can to get them off of him. I manage to aggravate the three biting him, and they fly in a mini swarm around me as I hit at them. Swearing, I manage to skewer two at once, immobilizing them on the ground, but lose my weapon in the process.
“Shit!” I yell as the last one flies at me, managing to scratch my forehead and making it feel like I’d ripped the skin off my head. Unfortunately for the bat, it gets caught in my trainwreck mop of hair that’s tangled and mangled from swimming and running. I grab it by the head, then slam it onto the ground and step on it. I hear the crunch of hopefully bones, and add a few more kicks for good measure. Immediately I turn back to Steve, who was still getting choked out on the ground when I left him, to find him ripping the bat in two with his teeth. He spits blood.
“Are you alright?” he asks, wiping blood from his chin.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you okay?” I look at the wounds scattering his exposed chest and neck.
“I’m fine,” he insists.
“I heard the others jump in after me, where are they?” We look around, but don’t see the others. “Maybe they got tossed in a different direction or something. We should-” But I cut myself off, seeing the bats swarm over a spot in the distance. More bats join them, turning into a giant, dark cloud. “We need to hide. Now!” I grab his arm and we run toward the trees. The bats swarm into two clouds, one following us.
“We need cover!” I point at the building ahead of us.
“There!” It’s Reefer Rick’s cabin, and we both sprint for it. Steve runs, clutching his side, but I can’t worry about him just yet because the bats are gaining on us. Their gross, squelching flapping is getting louder and louder. I push faster, reaching the door to the cabin first. It’s locked. I swear, then step back and kick the door. My foot aches, but the cheap lock gives way. I usher Steve inside, then slam the door shut behind us. For a long moment we both stand, panting, as we hear the bats fly over us. When I’ve caught my breath, I look over at Steve, but my words die on my tongue. Steve’s slumped against a wall, breathing even heavier, and his bites look worse.
“Fuck, Steve, are you okay?” I ask, rushing to his side. He groans what I think is supposed to be an ‘mhm’ but comes out ‘mmmmm’. “Does water work here? We need to clean those wounds.”
“No, it’s like the only thing other than people that’s not…the same.”
“Okay, fuck. I’ll see what Rick has.” I scramble through the cabinets, finding mostly decaying cans of food and cup o noodles. Finally I manage to find a bottle of Advil and a first aid kit in the bathroom.
I hand him the opened bottle of Advil. “Here.” He looks at it skeptically.
“Are you sure these are safe to take?”
“Not at all.”
“Great.” He swallows one dry, grimacing slightly as it goes down.
“Okay, this is probably gonna hurt. Uh, I’m sorry,” I say, holding up the disinfectant. It’s a mini bottle of hydrogen peroxide.
“Just do it,” he says, closing his eyes. I end up pouring it over the bites because the area that really needs to be disinfected is inside but I can’t risk getting cotton stuck in it. “Holy fuck, ” he swears, eye clenched closed. His hands curl into tight fists.
“Sorry, sorry,” I murmur.
“Are you sure this is necessary?” he grunts through a clenched jaw.
“Do you want an infection?” I counter. He groans and leans his head against the wall. “Okay, that’s done. Just gotta put some bandages on now.”
“Mhm.”
“I need you to sit up, Steve. I can’t put a bandage around your torso if you’re against the wall.”
“You’re so demanding,” he complains, but sits up. He puts his arms up and I wrap the bandage around the three large wounds. He leans against me slightly as I wrap it as carefully as I can, then drops his head on my shoulder. Must be tired. I finish wrapping, tie it off, then pat his back.
“Okay, you’re good.”
“Mmm,” he responds, not moving, instead wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Steve,” I say. “Your neck still needs attention.”
“My neck will be fine,” he says into my neck, remaining where he is. My knees hurt a little bit, but it's endearing, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying the embrace. “I don’t wanna move. Shouldn’t you listen to me? I’m injured.” I snort.
“Yeah, alright tough guy. Why don’t we move to the couch or something? My knees hurt.” Instead of responding verbally, he moves his hands to wrap my legs around his waist, then stands up, moving to the couch. I swear when he stands up, not expecting it. He sits in the same position. I leave my arms wrapped around his neck and sigh, resting my head on top of his. “Are you okay?” I ask, quietly.
“I never wanted you to have to come here,” he murmurs. “This place sucks.” I laugh, and run my hand through his hair.
“What do we do now?”
“If the others did come in after you, they’re probably headed to Nancy’s. It’s nearest here.”
“Why would they go to Nancy’s house?”
“She has guns in her room.”
“Why on earth does she have guns?” I ask, my hand pausing in his hair.
“We’ve been here before,” is all he says.
“So should we go to Nancy’s then?” His arms tighten on my waist and I feel his head shake on my shoulder.
“No, I’m not moving yet.”
“Steve…”
“I’m injured, remember? You have to be nice to me.” I breathe out sarcastically.
“You’re terrible. And didn’t you just say you were fine?”
“I said my neck was fine. The rest of me is terribly injured and I need to rest.” I give up and just let him rest, going back to playing with his hair.
About five minutes later, without any prompting from me, Steve lets out a heavy sigh and shifts, standing up. He helps me put my own legs on the floor, and I stand, making sure he doesn’t fall over.
“Change your mind?” I ask.
“Don’t be rude,” he says. “We’re going to Nancy’s. If they find a way out, we’re gonna be there.”