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Dec 15, 2024

All I want is here to stay

A Starby fanfiction

Nancy shivered as she entered the Upside Down version of her home. It sent chills down her spine to see it like this: covered in vines as though it was a horror film. It was, though, and a live one, at that.

"This place is filthy, Nancy," Robin quipped. "Ever heard of a feather duster?"

Nancy rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. She moved through the house, Eddie and Steve following after her.

"The guns are up here," Nancy said and moved towards the stairs.

Robin and Eddie quickly followed her as they carefully avoided the vines.

"Uh, I'm pretty sure that one of the guns are down here," Steve spoke.

The three of them spun around to find a figure in dirty, torn clothes and a hood holding a gun to Steve's head.

"You didn't mention that people lived here," Eddie said nervously.

"Because they don't," Nancy said. "Please, put the gun down. We don't mean you any harm. We're just trying to find our way out of here."

"You and me both, Nance," a familiar voice came from underneath the hood.

The figure lowered the gun and then slowly lowered their hood. Long red, dirty hair framed the woman's face. It wasn't tangled, so clearly, she had been able to brush her hair in this place. Steve gasped, getting a clear view of her face. The woman turned to look up at the others, and Nancy felt like her heart had stopped for a moment.

"Barb?" Nancy gasped.

"Hey, Nance," Barb said. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Although, I'm not exactly sure how long it's been. It kind of stays the same here."

"I thought - I thought you were dead. We all did," Nancy said.

"I did die," she said. "I don't know how long I was dead for, but yeah, I died, and then I came back. I've been trying to find my way out of here ever since. I almost made it out, but there were these. . .Russians? I"m not sure what their deal was but anyway, I missed my chance to escape."

"It's 1986," Nancy said softly.

"Damn, three years," Barb said.

Nancy moved past Eddie and Robin. She went to throw herself into Barb's arms when she flinched, stumbled back, and held the gun at Nancy.

"It's okay," Nancy whispered. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Are you real?" she whispered.

"Yeah, I"m real," Nancy replied.

Barb lowered the gun and let Nancy hug her. Barb wrapped her arms around Nancy and hugged her tightly as they both cried.

"You were the only thing that kept me going in here," Barb sniffled.

"I never should have given up hope," Nancy said. "I should have fought harder."

"I doubt that you really did give up hope. I heard you here," she replied. "I heard you crying at night. I heard what you did for me. . .taking down the lab. You shouldn't have done that. You never gave up, not for a single second. Don't blame yourself because I was dead, Nancy. I just. . .got better."

"How did you know?" Nancy whispered.

"The lights," Barb said. "I tried to follow you over the years, especially once I could no longer follow my parents around."

"Yeah, they moved after I got justice for you," Nancy said, her voice breaking. "I can't believe you're alive, that I'm touching you."

Barb laughed and Nancy yelped as Barb pinched her.

"See? I am real and you're definitely not dreaming," Barb said.

"You always do that!" Nancy yelled, laughing, and pulled away.

Barb smiled and wiped her tears before wiping Nancy's tears away as well. Barb turned to Steve.

"And you Steve Harrington, you're not what I expected," Barb said. "I heard you, too, you know. . .you were there for Nancy every single day. . .you went to every single dinner with my parents when you didn't have to do that. You tried your best to keep Nancy out of trouble."

"Yeah, I kind of wished you had been around to warn me how hard it would be," Steve said.

"Hey!" Nancy giggled. "That's not true."

Barb laughed and hugged Steve as well, who winced when she did. Barb pulled back and looked at his wounds.

"Those stupid bats get you?" Barb asked.

"Yeah," Steve said. "Nancy totally saved my ass. Robin, too, and Eddie."

"Eddie Munson and Robin Buckley?" Barb asked. "Are you wearing Eddie's vest like you're his girlfriend, and he gave you his letterman?"

"Excuse me, no," Steve scoffed. "He gave it to me for my modesty."

"I gave it to you to cover up those hairy tits of yours, man, and protect any innocent eyes from the sight of it. . .wouldn't want anyone to go blind," Eddie said.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?" Steve asked. "And I'll have you know, it's all natural so there's nothing wrong with it."

"Didn't say there was," Eddie said. "So, as touching as this moment is, we were actually going to get guns from Nancy's room to protect ourselves, so. . ."

"Oh, there wouldn't be guns in there," Barb said. "Like I said, it stays the same here, on the same day. . .November 6th, 1983."

"The day Will went missing," Nancy said. "Yeah, there definitely wouldn't be guns here."

"Where did you find that one?" Robin asked.

"Police station," she replied.

"Am I going crazy or does anyone else hear Dustin?" Steve asked. "I swear. . ."

"Oh, like I said, the lights are how I heard you," Barb said.

Barb went into the dining room, where the sound of Dustin's voice grew louder.

"Shit, that is the little butthead," Eddie said.

Barb flicked a light switch on. The lights flickered on, but it was a sort of red with floating fairy like balls of tiny light surrounding the light bulbs like a beacon.

"I tried to use these to communicate with you but after several unsuccessful attempts, I eventually gave up," Barb said.

"I thought I was seeing things," Nancy whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"Okay, they're in the dining room now, so it would be the best opportunity to try," Barb said. "Does anyone know morse code?"

"Does SOS count?" Eddie asked.

Once they figured out a way to really communicate with Dustin, he told them that he figured out that there was a gate at each murder site.

"Murder site?" Barb asked.

"Oh, yeah, this monster gets inside people's heads and kills them from the inside out. Apparently, though, he's from here. Chrissy Cunningham happened to be in my trailer when this asshole decided to kill her. So, now everyone thinks that I'm a murderer," Eddie said.

"Shit," Barb said.

"Could be worse. I could be stuck in an alternate dimension by myself for three years without talking to anyone," Eddie said.

"Eddie!" Nancy scolded and Barb giggled.

"It's alright, Nance," Barb said. "It's true."

"These absolute angels are doing everything they can to clear my name," Eddie said.

"So, it's nice to know that Dustin hasn't changed," Barb grinned.

"Yeah, the ego on that kid," Steve said.

"It's his tone, right?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, apparently Eddie and Steve accidenly got adopted by the kid," Robin said.

"Well, at least Steve is no longer hanging out with Tommy and Carol," Barb said.

"And I'm grateful for that, too," Steve said.

"Okay, so we're going to need to get to Eddie's trailer. That's the closet gate, but we need to get there quickly," Nancy said.

"Well, there's bikes here, right?" Robin asked.

The group biked to Eddie's trailer in focused silence. Nancy smiled every so often as Barb and Steve biked beside her. With Barb by her side, she felt like she could actually do this. There were so many things they needed to talk about, and from the way that Steve looked at her as well as Barb, all three of them needed to talk. They showed up to the trailer and dropped their bikes, immediately moving to head inside. The place where Chrissy died was a pulsing red and a gooey lining covered it.

"Jesus," Barb said. "That's what we're going to have to - "

They all jumped when the end of a broom hand broke through the gate. They moved to the gate to find Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Erica grinning up at them. Their expressions turned into one of surprise.

"Is that who I think it is?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, it's Barb," Nancy grinned. "Now, let's get us out of here."

"Oh my god, Lucas got so tall," Barb said. "What the hell, Nance? Our kids were supposed to stay tiny forever."

Nancy watched as the kids moved a mattress under the gate on the other side.

"Yeah, I don't know what those stains are," Eddie said awkwardly.

"We all know what those stains are," Barb said, and Nancy snorted.

The kids tied Eddie's sheets together and dropped them through the gate. They all watched in fascination as the rope held. Robin tugged on it before climbing up first and falling through onto the mattress. Robin moved off the mattress, allowing space for Eddie to come through. He fell onto the mattress and laughed.

"Shit, that was fun!" Eddie exclaimed.

"Your turn, Nance," Barb said, and Nancy looked at her like she was going to disappear again. "I'm right here, Nance. I'll go after you."

Nancy was about to climb the rope when it happened. Suddenly, she was falling into darkness, and she was being taunted by a voice in her head. . .by Vecna or was it Henry Creel. . .or One? Images danced around her, telling the story of Henry, and then he showed her. . .he showed her what he was going to do to her family, her friends, and this town. Nancy tried to free herself, tried to get away, and finally, she did. Nancy woke up on the ground in the arms of both Steve and Barb. They both looked scared, tears in their eyes, and she clung to them both like a lifeline. She couldn't speak, only sob with her mouth open.

"Nancy, it's okay," Steve whispered.

"We're here," Barb said. "We're here."

They helped her up and then through the gate. Max offered up her trailer and quickly led them outside. Nancy watched as Barb stumbled out the door and took her first breath of fresh air for the first time in three years. Nancy smiled. She was real and she was here. It was still dark out, thankfully for Barb's sake, who hadn't seen the sun in three years. They followed Max into the trailer, and they all quickly crowded around Nancy into the living room. Max quickly got her a glass of water, and when Nancy took it from her, she realized her hands were shaking.

"Thanks, Max," Nancy said.

"Take your time," Barb said softly.

She still couldn't really speak. The image of Vecna showing the deaths of the people she cared about filtered through her mind and then the destruction of the entire town. Then there was Barb and Steve, who had held her both in her arms. She had felt so completely safe with both of them. Looking at Steve and Barb, Nancy told everyone what she had seen.

"Shit, shit, fuck, what are we going to do?!" Eddie shrieked.

"I don't know, but we need to rest up and come up with a plan in the morning," Nancy said. "I can't seem to think."

"How are we supposed to sleep?" Dustin asked.

"If you're tired enough, you'll be able to sleep," Nancy said. "I need a minute."

She glanced at Barb and Steve, hoping they'd get that she needed a moment alone with them. She moved to Max's bathroom, far enough away from prying ears. It was amazing that all three fit inside this bathroom.

"Nancy?" Steve asked softly.

"That asshole. . .he definitely uses your trauma against you," Nancy sniffled. "He showed me everything and tried to remind me of the fact that you died when I was - when we were - "

"Having sex with Steve?" Barb asked.

"Yeah," Nancy said softly.

"You know that it's not your fault, right?" She asked.

"I've gone over it and over it in my mind a thousand times. I could never figure out how it could possibly have been my fault because, logically, I know that I'm not responsible for all of this. There was nothing wrong with me wanting me to have sex with Steve," Nancy said. "I never should have blamed you either, Steve."

"I never really got how much guilt you carried around until the night of Tina's Halloween party," Steve said.

"It's because I never really talked about it with you," she said. "And I should have."

"I mean," Steve swallowed. "I know how hard it must have been even thinking about all of that. It was easy to forgive you when I asked myself how anyone could deal with all of that, let alone someone so young. We were, we are still so young."

"Yeah, I think the only way that I could have saved you is if I could see the future or if I invited you upstairs with me and Steve," Nancy said, partially joking.

"Well, if you had asked me and had been convincing enough," Barb said. "I might have said yes."

"Seriously?" Nancy and Steve asked.

"You would have - with me and Steve?" She asked.

"Why do you think I was so against you sleeping with Steve?" Barb asked. "I was jealous."

"You never told me that you had a crush on Steve," Nancy said.

"Yeah, I don't think that's where she's going with this, Nancy," Steve said.

"Come on, Nancy, you're not this stupid," Barb teased. "And Steve definitely isn't."

Nancy laughed at the familiar words that Barb had told her all those years ago.

"Me?" Nancy asked.

"I've practically been in love with you since we met, and it's like the only thing that kept me sane in that place," Barb said.

"I never realized," she said.

"A lot of people don't realize what's right in front of them sometimes," Steve said.

"I'm sorry, Nance, you weren't the problem that night. I never should have suggested that you shouldn't sleep with him," Barb said. "It was my problem, not yours. You didn't do anything wrong."

Nancy sniffled as an overwhelming feeling in her chest rose rather quickly, and suddenly, like a missing piece had suddenly found its way home. She wrapped her arms around Barb's neck, hugging her tightly, before pulling her head back and pressing her lips against Barb's. Barb responded to the kiss before breaking it quickly.

"I love you," Nancy sniffled.

"My breath probably really stinks," Barb said.

"Yeah, we probably all stink," Nancy laughed. "Totally worth it."

"I'll just let you guys have this moment, excuse me. . .," Steve said awkwardly as he tried to squeeze past Barb. "I'm really happy for you guys."

"Where are you going, stud?" Barb asked. "You're a part of this, too."

Barb turned around and pinned him to the counter.

"What's happening here?" Steve asked.

"Remember that joke we made in eighth grade that we're so close that we'd probably end up sharing a boyfriend?" Barb asked Nancy.

"Yeah, but that was a joke," Nancy said.

"Maybe it shouldn't be," Barb said. "The only thing that I had for human contact in that place was listening to you guys on the other side. I kept going back to the place where they dragged me through, hoping I'd find my way out again. Of course it was your house, and I heard you talking to your parents, talking to Nancy, and hell, I even heard you talking to yourself. You were there for her in so many ways. You were there when I couldn't be, and honestly, it made me start to realize what Nancy saw in you."

"Are you - are you saying that you fell in love with me?" Steve asked.

"It didn't help when you started bringing those kids around after you and Nancy broke up," Barb said. "I'm a babysitter myself. I guess Nancy has a type."

"I don't - okay, so maybe I do," she blushed.

"As much as I don't act like it, those little shits mean a lot to me," Steve said and paused. "And I've just always wanted a big family."

"Yeah, I know, I heard you," Barb said and paused. "You've said it whenever your parents left."

"All those dinners," Steve said softly. "Every time that Nancy did talk about you, I wished that I had an opportunity to get to know you."

"Well, now you do," Barb said.

Nancy watched as Barb pulled Steve into a kiss. It was a wild sight to see. It was still hard to believe Barb was alive, was here now, and completely in love with the guy she had been so jealous of. . .because she had been in love with Nancy. It had taken Nancy a long time to realize that she had been in love with Barb, too. It had nearly broken her when she had realized it around the time of the one year anniversary of her death. . .when she had been with Steve. How could she tell Steve that she had been the one pretending like she hadn't been in love with Barb as much as she was with Steve? How could she explain to Steve that she had been the one who was bullshit? How could she tell Steve she loved him when she had just barely figured out how much she had loved Barb? It didn't excuse how she handled it, though. She had a second chance here now to make things right for all of them.

"Wow," Steve said when he broke the kiss.

"Yeah, wow," Barb said. "Yeah, Nancy had every right to brag about what a great kisser you are."

Nancy grinned and tapped Barb on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?" Nancy asked.

Barb giggled and stepped aside, allowing Nancy to step into Steve’s arms. Nancy wrapped her arms around his neck, studying his face and drinking him in.

"Nancy?" He asked with confusion and slight concern.

"I love you, too," Nancy said.

"Scared the shit out of me when you. . .," Steve swallowed thickly. "I love you."

"We're going to get through this together," Nancy said. "All of us. . ."

A FEW DAYS LATER. . .

Of course, they couldn't have done it with out Barb, who jumped out the fucking window to finish off the job. Nancy didn't know how she didn't manage to injure herself seriously. Eddie managed to survive with only a few scratches, much like Steve’s. Another thing that Barb did was give the police a way to clear Eddie's name. By telling them that she had been held captive by a serial killer named Henry Creel who murdered Chrissy, Fred, and Patrick. It was Eddie who hunted down the killer after he broke into his home, and it was Eddie who freed her from her imprisonment. Technically, it was sort of true. Now, Barb and Nancy were watching Steve cook in his kitchen. The lights were dimmed down low and thick curtains hung for Barbara as she hadn't seen the sun in three years, so lights and the sun were still sensitive to her. She had to practically beg to get out of the hospital to wait at Steve's house for her parents to come back from Canada.

"You really don't have to do this, Steve," Barb said.

"We have nothing but fast food over the last few days, and you've had nothing but canned food for the last few years. We all deserve a nice home cooked meal," Steve said.

"Besides, we can sit here and enjoy the view, Barbara," Nancy smirked.

"He does have a nice heinie," Barb said.

"Nice and firm," Nancy replied and giggled with Barb.

"Okay, stop talking about my firm heinie," Steve said. "Or I'm going to think that's the only thing you like about me."

"I am aware of how great your gorgeous heinie is because I am aware of how great you are," Barb said. "So, if you didn't have a nice firm heinie, you would still be our boyfriend."

"I definitely resemble that statement," Nancy said.

"Okay," Steve laughed. "Can we agree not to say that word anymore? It's lost all meaning."

Nancy could see it now. This is exactly how it should have been back then. Nancy falling for Steve. . .Barb eventually falling for him as well. . .the two of them coming together to tease Steve mercilessly and giggling. She rested her head against Barb's shoulder. They deserve this.

"Thanks for cutting my hair again, Steve," Barb sighed. "It definitely feels so much better."

"Well, it's no problem. I was happy to do Robin's a while back," Steve said. "It looks like I'm going to have to use my skills again to cut Eddie's if he doesn't learn how to chew gum properly."

"Hilarious, Harrington," Eddie said as he walked through the kitchen. "When will dinner be done, honey? The kids are getting ansty."

"Keep your pants on, Munson," Steve said.

"Hm, this is a good view," Eddie said.

"Hey. . .how many times have I told you?" Barb asked. "Get your own jock."

"Jesus, Holland, why don't you and Wheeler just tattoo property of Barb and Nancy on the guy?" Eddie scoffed.

"Ooh, now there's an idea," Barb said.

"And I know the perfect place," Nancy smirked and giggled with Barb.

"Don't say it," Steve said to his girlfriends.

Barb and Nancy leaned their heads closer together as they laughed harder. Nancy let Barb pull her closer and let her nuzzle her cheek before kissing her. She knew how much Barb needed it to sink in that she was indeed real and not just a figment of her imagination. Nancy wasn't complaining, either. She could kiss Barb until her lips fell off, and quite frankly, she couldn't keep her hands off Barb either. They were interrupted by the sound of knocking on the front door, and suddenly, they heard the sound of feet running down the hallway. Dustin and Lucas raced past with Max following behind. Robin burst into the kitchen.

"How the fuck do you look after these kids?" Robin asked.

"Like you haven't been looking after them over the last few months?" Steve asked with a scoff.

"They've been angels for me. . .up until this point," Robin said.

"I don't think even you believe that," Nancy said, sighing as Barb played with her hair.

"Will, Mike, and - MAX!" Dustin screamed.

"I'm saying hi to her first," they heard Max say. "Hey, El."

"Yeah, but did you have to elbow me so hard?!" They heard Dustin yell back.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Barb whispered. "Be right back."

Barb kissed Nancy and Steve before ushering herself to the bathroom. Steve looked over at Nancy. They knew that it would be a little overwhelming for Barbara to be surrounded by all these people. She had several panic attacks when she was in the hospital and when she had been questioned by the police. They both learned they needed to give her a minute. Nancy got up and wrapped her arms around Steve’s waist from behind. Barb's clinginess had sort of rubbed off on her over the last few days.

"She's going to be okay," Steve said.

"I know," Nancy whispered.

"She just needs time," she said.

"Dinner is done," Steve said as he turned off the stove.

Nancy was just pulling away when Jonathan and who she assumed was Argyle had entered the kitchen. Nancy smiled at Jonathan and moved to hug him. She thought it would be awkward after they broke up, but all she felt was how grateful that he was he was here and he seemed to be okay. Plus, she knew he was okay with considering he was now seeing Argyle.

"So, you're back with Steve?" Jonathan asked.

"Yeah," Nancy said as she pulled back.

"Good, I'm really glad," Jonathan said. "It wasn't exactly my proudest moment getting in between that."

"Nah, man, you were there for her when I didn't know how to be," Steve said and punched him casually in the shoulder. "Glad you're okay."

Nancy smiled when her brother walked in with the others. She moved to hug Mike tightly.

"Are you okay?" Nancy asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. . .Are you okay? You seem different. . .happier," Mike said.

"That's because she's back with Steve, and he's giving it to her good," Robin said.

"Ugh, gross, Robin, what did I ever do to you?" Mike asked.

"Don't tell him that! I'm injured, I can't give it to anyone good. . .but I am back with your sister," Steve said.

"We're all alive, and we're here, together," Nancy explained to her brother.

"Still waiting for mom to get back from that 'business conference' that she went off to," Jonathan said. "But yeah, most of us are here."

"Doesn't your mom work from home?" Steve asked.

"Yeah," Jonathan said.

"Byers!" Eddie yelled. "Good to see you again. . .and Zombie boy."

"Freak," Will grinned.

"So, this is crazy," Eddie said.

"Argyle, this is Eddie Munson. . .I hate to break it to you, but you were not my first weed supplier," Jonathan said.

"Aw, I figured. . .but I'm still your first. . .uh, pineapple pizza supplier, right?" Argyle asked.

Nancy raised an eyebrow. Yeah, that was definitely code for something else.

"Yeah," Jonathan laughed.

"I'm going to check on our guest upstairs," Nancy told Steve and gave the others looks not to say anything.

She didn't want them to crowd Barb with questions. She was having a difficult time adjusting being back without people hovering over her. Nancy knew they would mean well. She climbed up the stairs to Steve’s room and knocked on the door.

"Come in, Nance," Barb's voice.

Nancy slid into the room. Barb was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor. She was twisting and playing with her hands.

"Dinner is done," Nancy said. "I just wanted to let you know and check on you."

"I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed," Barb whispered.

"Take as much time as you need," Nancy said.

She ran her fingers through Barb's hair and kissed her forehead. Barb pulled her into her lap, hugging her tightly.

"I still think that I'm going to wake up in that place, and all this was just a dream. . .being here with you. . .with Steve. I get to see my parents again. It just doesn't seem real," Barb said. "Everything feels so different. I feel so different."

"That's because you are, and so I am. It's going to take some time for all of us to get to know each other," Nancy said.

Barb sighed and buried her face into Nancy's neck. She pressed her lips to Nancy's skin, and they both sighed happily. She kissed it softly and moved to the spot behind her ear, quickly discovering Nancy's weak spot. Nancy couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her. She also couldn't stop her stomach from growling.

"You don't need to wait for me. Go get something to eat. I'll be down in a minute," Barb said.

"Are you sure?" Nancy asked.

"Yeah, I will be fine," Barb laughed. "Go before I kick you out of here."

"I still can't believe it," Nancy said, looking at her fondly.

She kissed Barb deeply before standing up and walking out of the room. She walked down into the kitchen where everyone was gathered around the table and had already started to eat.

"She alright?" Steve asked as she sat next to her. "I saved you a plate and stuck hers in the oven to keep warm."

"Yeah, she just needs to prepare herself," Nancy said.

"Why all the secrecy about who this girl is?" Jonathan asked.

"You have to see it to believe it, man," Lucas said. "Have a little faith and patience."

"She'll come down when she's ready," Nancy replied.

The group continued to talk about their latest misadventures, and Nancy listened to them as her brother told them about how El managed to help all the way from Nevada. Although it sucked that El had to be retraumatized to help save the world and that her hair had to be shaved for it. Nancy was going to take that girl shopping for a new wig, maybe even some clothes, and whatever the hell else she wanted. Maybe her own mother wanted to do that. . .Suddenly, there was a loud knocking on the front door.

"I'll get it," Steve said and went to answer the door. "HOLY SHIT!"

Nancy dropped the fork.

"Steve?"

Steve quickly came back into the room with Joyce in tow.

"Mom!" Will, Jonathan and El yelled as they all jumped up.

The three of them jumped up and hugged her tightly.

"Oh, I'm so glad that you're safe," Joyce said.

"How did you know that we were here?" Will asked.

"Murray," Joyce replied.

A tall figure leaned against entryway, and it took Nancy a minute to figure out who it was. He had lost a lot of weight and lost his hair, including his mustache. It was Hopper. He was alive.

"Dad?" El asked.

"Hey, kid," Hopper said.

El burst into tears and hugged Hopper. He smiled and held her tightly, kissing the top of her head. El pulled back and touched his own balding head.

"Bitchin," El said, and he laughed, touching her head.

"Bitchin."

"I am glad you went to your conference," El said to Joyce, her eyes twinkling with joy.

"Well, hey, I made plenty of food, so you're welcome to it," Steve said.

"Thanks, kid," Hopper said.

"Glad you're back," Steve said.

"Yeah, me too," Hopper said.

Steve brought out a couple of more chairs and squeezed back down next to Nancy. Hopper briefly mentioned that he had been captured by the Russians, that Joyce came to rescue him, and that they ended up slaying demogorgons in the Russian prison. Nancy told them their story, and then Jonathan told them theirs.

"So, all in all an eventful spring break," Eddie said. "Especially for people coming back from the dead."

"Is there more than one person who did that?" Joyce asked.

"Uh, well. . ." Eddie said awkwardly.

"Why is it so dim in here?" Hopper asked.

"That's what I asked Steve, but he won't say," Mike said. "They've all been rather cryptic."

"Oh my god," Jonathan said, looking over Hopper and Joyce's shoulders. "Barb?"

Nancy looked in the doorway to find Barb standing there. She jumped up in front of her.

"Don't startle her, or ask her so many questions all at once, okay?" Nancy said. "It's been three years since she seen the sun, or been around other people."

"Oh, honey, we had no idea. We thought you were dead," Joyce said.

"I, uh, did die," Barb said. "Briefly."

"I swear if we had known - ," Joyce said.

"I'm not mad, at least, not anymore. I kind of had to adjust to my situation and I had a long time to be angry when I was looking for a way out of there," Barb said.

"How did you survive?" Hopper asked.

"A lot of running and hiding," Barb said. "It wasn't hard to make fire, so it wasn't hard to keep the other creatures away. There was always canned food at Bradley's, and the bottled water always reappeared each day. It was stuck on the day that Will went missing. I could hear people on the other side, and I listened to Nancy's voice to help get me through. . .it was my only source of human contact."

"You shouldn't have had to go through that," Hopper said.

"I'm here now, and that's the only thing that I want to focus on," Barb said.

"The official story is that Eddie rescused Barb from being held captive by a serial killer," Nancy said. "Which will probably be coming out tomorrow."

"Along with my parents. Apparently, they had moved to Canada," Barb said.

"I'm sure they'll be thrilled that you're back," Joyce said.

"Yeah, I missed so much," Barb said. "The thing that I hate most though is that they'll have to stay here while I'm still being monitored by the doctors."

"It'll be worth it, having you back," Hopper said. "It's the only thing that's going to matter to them."

Steve handed Barb her plate and let her squeeze in between them both. Nancy leaned heavily on Barb.

"Thanks for the food, Steve," Barb said.

"No problem," Steve said.

Nancy smiled, her mouth so wide she was sure that her jaw was going to hurt in the morning. Barb was here with her, with Steve, and all the rest of the party. . .with the people she loved, minus their parents. Barb was here. She was alive.

MONTHS LATER. . .

It was snowing outside of the Holland household as the people inside prepared the house for the first Christmas since Barb came back. They held back on the lighting for Barb's sake and mostly focused on the tree. It was a difficult few months, but Barb's mom insisted that it was better than the last few years without her. Hopper had been right. They didn't care where they were as long as Barb was in their life.

"Oh, you really didn't have to do this, Steve," Mrs. Holland said.

"It's really no problem," he said as he put the finishing touches on the top of the tree while Nancy and Barb worked down below.

"I just can't believe that your parents didn't want to be with you during the holidays," Mrs. Holland said.

"Me either. What kind of parents doesn't want to be with their kids during Christmas?" Mr. Holland asked with scoff.

His leg was up on the coffee table, wrapped up on account of the cat running underneath his legs.

"They're assholes," Barb said.

"Barbara," Mrs. Holland scolded, but there wasn't any heat in her words and she was trying not to smile.

"No, she's right. They're assholes," Mr. Holland said. "They don't know what a good kid they've got."

"Their loss, our gain," Barb said.

"You and Nancy planning on spending the night again?" Mrs. Holland asked, her eyes twinkling.

"I think Nancy is," Steve said nervously.

"So, you won't be climbing through my daughter's window again tonight?" Mr. Holland asked.

"What - I've never - how long have you known?" Steve asked.

"Long enough," Mrs. Holland said.

"The very first day you did it, son," Mr. Holland said.

"So, this whole time, I didn't need to climb through the window?" Steve asked, causing Nancy and Barb to giggle. "You tricked me!"

"You're right, girls. The look on his face is priceless," Mr. Holland laughed. "I'm sorry, I couldn't keep it up."

"You were so proud of yourself," Barb laughed.

"Love you too, Barb," Steve scoffed and then smiled, shaking his head.

Nancy couldn't stop giggling into Barb's shoulder. It was an awkward silence at first when Barb told them that all three of them were together, but her parents didn't take long to come around. Their daughter was happy and alive. That was all that mattered to them. Later on, they were even more grateful that Barb had more people in life to be there for her and that she wasn't alone. She still had a long way to go. . .they all did, but mostly Barb. She still wasn't used to the sun, and the doctors say that she might always be affected due to the effects of the Upside Down. Until then, when she wanted to go outside during the day, it was sunglasses and hoods for her. There were countless scars left behind on her body as well and the scars on her mind. . .well, there wasn't a night that went by that she didn't wake up screaming or waking up tucked away on the floor in the corner of the room. There were days where she didn't want to be touched, where the sound of someone's breathing set her off, and when she didn't want company, she was left alone for days at a time. Whatever she needed from them, they gave it to her.

"I can't believe you guys let me believe for months that I needed to sneak through the window," Steve said as they got ready for bed.

"I thought for sure you'd realize that my parents literally let me do whatever I want," Barb said.

"Well, I did realize that, Barbara," Steve said. "Just not the other thing."

"Sorry," Barb giggled. "But it was Nancy's idea."

"I am NOT sorry," Nancy laughed as she threw herself onto the bed with Barb.

"Clearly," Steve smiled and crawled in next to Nancy. "Robin wants us to make a club."

"Am I Included?" Barb asked.

"Well, no, because it's a 'we think that redheads are hot' club," Steve said.

"She's ridiculous," Barb laughed.

"So, it would be me, you, and Lucas?" Nancy asked.

"Yeah, and Eddie," Steve snorted.

After spring break, they found Vecna's victims alive and well stumbling out of Eddie's trailer. . .the cover story, being that they had escaped the serial killer to find refuge at Eddie's. After Eddie healed and he moved into his new place, Chrissy had been more than happy to help him break in his new bed.

"We are not doing that," Nancy said.

"Yeah, I told her that you would only be up for it if she could find a way to shorten the name, and she spent the next hour trying to think of something with hell and fire. She ended up coming up with Hellfire, and then she cursed herself because it was taken. So, anyway, she's going to end up forgetting about it, so no worries," Steve said.

"You guys still haven't told me what you want for christmas," Nancy said as they snuggled together.

"All I want is right here," Barb said sleepily.

"Same," Steve said as he pressed his face into the pillow, throwing his arm over Nancy.

Nancy smiled as Barb caressed Steve’s arm over her. She thought about all the nights she had laid in bed, wishing that Barb was here and that she could open herself up to Steve completely. All she wanted was right here, and they were staying with her forever.

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