Baseball player Steve, who went into the minor leagues when the dust settled post vecna. After three years, he makes it to the majors and enjoys four stellar years before an injury sends him packing, at least for now.
Rockstar Eddie, who makes it big and bolts. He spends the decade boozing and touring across the country, then the world before he crashes and burns. He heads home to Uncle Wayne with his tail between his legs when the band has a falling out.
Steve, who gets back to Hawkins and, after 6 months of PT, realizes that rehabilitation still wouldn't make him game ready even if his shoulder is "basically brand new." He has to let go of that dream. It's hard, but he does it, and he finds his place in his hometown working for the fire department, coaching little league, and taking his dog for long runs in the new park across town.
Eddie, who spends a week in his room at Wayne's drying out. He tries to call the guys, but they won't pick up his calls. When he finally speaks to his manager, it's confirmed. Every single one of them want out of their recording contract, and considering how close they were to renewal already, it looks like it's going to happen. His world is crashing and burning, but one night sitting up with Wayne, he realizes that maybe, just maybe, this is all for the best. So he starts working at Thatcher's tire, and he starts writing campaigns again. And maybe he fleshes them out more than he normally would, considering he doesn't have a party to play them anymore.
Steve, who doesn't live in Loch Nora anymore because fuck that place. He lives out in cabin near the lake. One morning the gravel road into town finally takes out a tire so he throws on the spare and makes a pit stop in town at the tire repair shop.
Eddie, who watches Steve Harrington walk in and smiles ear to ear. He hasn't been home long, but he hadn't realized Steve was back too. Steve smiles back just as wide, and Eddie sends him home with his number and a fresh tire on his truck.
Steve, who makes Eddie dinner at his place and starts to catch feelings faster than is medically advisable.
Eddie, who catches feelings right back. They can't be "out," of course, but word spreads that the Munson boy is back, and he's hanging out with that Harrington boy. It's all fine as long as they don't make too much trouble.
Steve, who reads Eddie's campaigns and encourages him to reach out to some old connections.
Eddie, who finds joy in his writing and in turn finds success when he publishes. They want him to go on a tour to promote the book. They promise book tours are nothing like rock and roll.
Steve, who takes a leave of absence from the station and tags along.
They were right. This tour is nothing like what Eddie remembers. They're only gone two months for a start, but what a fantastic two months it was. They come home together, and Eddie keeps writing. Steve goes back to fighting fires and "saving little old ladies from trees," as Eddie insists despite Steve correcting him through a laugh and a smile every time.
Two boys that venture out into the world. Two boys that get a little chewed up and spat back out. But that's alright because these two boys become men and they find their way back to each other.
Yeah.
