Chapter Text
Steve hadn't planned on running away that night. In fact, he hadn't planned on running away at all. He didn't mind living in the castle, and he hadn't minded the idea of ruling over the kingdom of Hawkins. He had enjoyed the idea of taking over and undoing all of his father's horrid work. Until his father decided to ruin it like he did everything else, and Steve had made the decision to run away.
Although maybe running away at night in the middle of a storm wasn't the best idea. He's shivering, and it's hard to grasp the reins on his horse with numb fingers. His father had always said he was terrible at planning.
"Which is why I've arranged everything for you. You'll be married to Nancy in 3 days time. Thankfully the Wheelers have assured me and your mother that she is fully capable of running a kingdom. You should be grateful. Your only job now is to give Hawkins an heir, Nancy can handle the rest. You were always far too stupid to be trusted running Hawkins on your own. It's better this way." And then his father had sent him away back to his bedroom.
Steve had spent hours sobbing after that one-sided conversation. When his chest started to hurt from breathing so hard, and his eyes were itchy from tears, he had started packing. He didn't pack much- just a journal, some casual clothes he usually wore when he practiced his swordsmanship, a knife, a little bit of money, and a little bit of food he normally kept hidden in his room for nights his parents banned him from the dinner table. He left his crown on his pillow, and left.
Sneaking out of the castle took a little bit of time, but after so many years of having to sneak around just to get to the library and the kitchens, Steve had memorized the castle guards' schedules. He slipped out of the side door in the now empty kitchens, running as fast as he could to the stables. He blinked back tears as he raced to saddle up his horse of choice, removing any Hawkins related cloth or saddlery, and left for the direction of the woods.
Which is where he was at now.
He's sobbing again, overwhelmed and terrified. The forest is dark and cold, and Steve's eyesight is bad as it is. He's vulnerable, and he doesn't know what else to do except cry. He's thankful his horse seems to keep moving anyway, even without being given any sort of directional guidance. Steve's already obtained a few cuts and scratches on his face and arms from running through branches and trees, and the rain makes them sting.
Steve closes his eyes, forcing in a deep breath, and makes a wish. He knows it's juvenile, and Steve doesn't even really consider himself a person who believes in that sort of thing anymore, but he does it anyway. He wishes to be safe, to find somewhere to stay for at least tonight. A place to dry off and rest, and a place for him to pause and figure out what he's doing.
His horse suddenly stops and huffs a little, making Steve open his eyes. He doesn't register why they've stopped right away, but eventually he sees light up ahead and gasps.
It's a castle.
It's massive, with great tall towers made of stone brick and beautiful stained glass windows. The gardens are gorgeous even in the rain this time of night, filled with roses and a few other plants Steve can't identify. It's Victorian and beautiful and Steve feels in his core that this is a safe place.
He hops off of his horse, who he realizes is Hades. He hadn't really been paying attention to which horse he grabbed so late at night, but he's grateful for his choice. Hades was always one of his favorites. He ties him up to the front gate, making his way up the stone stairs. He contemplates knocking on the tall doors, but thinks better of it. It's raining, and he's sure the doors are thick. They wouldn't hear him even if he body slammed them.
So he let's himself in.
The inside is even more beautiful than the outside. Beautiful artworks line the walls, and he looks down and realizes the floors are a gorgeous stained hardwood. A grand stair case leads upstairs, and he inhales to try and relax. He hopes his instincts are correct.
"Oh shit-" Steve hears glass clink and he jumps, seeing a woman with short brown hair carrying a tray of tea. She settles the ceramic and stares at Steve, and he realizes he's the reason she was startled.
"Uhm, hello, I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I, uhm, I got kinda sorta lost and it's absolutely pouring out there and I kind of panicked and saw this place and was hoping someone could give me directions? Or something?" Steve shuffles a little, too nervous to step away from the front doors of the castle.
The woman analyzes him for a moment before smiling. She sets the tray of tea down. "That can wait. Let's get you upstairs and get you dried off."
She takes his hand and leads him upstairs, taking him to what Steve assumes is a spare bedroom. The room is just as beautiful as the rest of the castle downstairs, and Steve sighs a little in relief. The woman hands him a set of clothes- most likely sleepwear from the feel of it in Steve's hands.
"I'm Robin, by the way. These clothes should fit you, but if they don't you can let me know in about 20 minutes when I come back and check on you. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Actually, I'll bring you something to help warm you up a little. Or I'll send one of the kids up with something. Don't leave this room until morning though, okay? I have to let Eddie know we have a guest or he'll freak out and go all vamp on you and then he'd feel terrible and it would get way more awkward and complicated. I'll be back!! Or I'll send someone!!" And then Robin was gone, and Steve had nothing else better to do than do what she asked of him.
______________________________________________________
Eddie loves to read. He adores opening up a book every night in his office, escaping into another world with a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate. The hot drink is very important especially, because not only is he always cold and it gets hard to focus on the pages if his fingers are numb, but it also gives him an excuse to chat with Robin for a moment. Robin always brings him a hot drink, because she needs a mindless task to do before bed and a little chat in order to sleep soundly.
Which is why Eddie was very confused when she didn't show up on time, and without a tray of tea.
"Where were you? Are you okay?" Eddie closed his book to give his friend his attention. Robin looks crazed and a little bit flushed- stressed, almost.
"Okay, so, don't freak out, but there is a man staying in one of the spare bedrooms right now."
"...what"
"Okay, so, I'm bringing up the tea, right? As I do, every single night, and I turn the corner to go up the stairs, and there is just this guy, STANDING THERE, and he's shivering and soaked and he starts rambling about needing directions and getting lost and blah blah blah and obviously I'm not sending him back outside at this hour, you'd kill me, so I gave him some pajamas and some towels and he's in a spare bedroom down the hall. I'm gonna check on him in a little bit. Oh and uh, he's very pretty, so please try not to have some sort of gay panic when you see him tomorrow."
Eddie stares at her, trying to process the information. "Is he alright? Does he need any more clothes? How…how pretty are we talking here?"
"Eddie, I like girls and I think he's gorgeous. Great hair, pretty doe eyes, very princely. And he must be a good apple because how else would he have gotten here?"
She had a good point. Eddie had the castle enchanted with countless protection spells. It wouldn't be possible for the man to get here if he had dangerous intentions.
"Did you get his name?"
"No, but you can ask him tomorrow at breakfast. I have a good feeling about him."