Rain falls lightly, pattering in the grass. The misty gloom feels appropriate, Eddie thinks to himself as he plays with the unlit cigarette in his hands.
It's cool out, he thinks. Grey and quiet, mid-morning still by the light.
Eddie doesn't look up as a pair of sneakers enter his peripheral.
Steve sighs and sits down, despite the wet grass, close enough that Eddie feels the slight warmth radiating out from him.
Neither speak for a minute. Both content to watch the rain paint the landscape.
"Talked to your uncle today," Steve blurts out. His voice sounds rough, ragged even, as he sighs.
Eddie turns slightly, taking in the slump of Steve's shoulders, the red rimmed eyes.
"He'll probably be by later I think, same with Dustin," Steve sniffs once and rubs his nose with the back of his hand.
"Max is still in the hospital, but the uh, doc says it's looking like she'll be okay".
Eddie smiles, tucking the cigarette behind his ear.
This is the first time they've heard something definitive about Little Red, a tightness in his chest he hadn't realized was there finally begins to loosen.
"And Dustin's milking his sprain for all its worth, the little asshole knows exactly what he's doing," Steve snorts as he brings his knees up to his chest.
The rain is falling slightly harder now, plastering Steve's hair to his forehead, his grey jacket looks absolutely soaked through, but he doesn't move.
Eddie wishes belatedly that there was a tree nearby, something to shield them from the deluge.
"God," Steve barks out suddenly, "you fucking idiot, I told you, I told you, not to be a hero".
Steve presses the heels of both hands into his eyes roughly and sniffs again before swiping a hand through his wet hair, "the kids are all okay, I just thought you should know, it isn't fair that you didn't get to see the end of it".
Eddie nods, quietly, spinning a ring on his left hand as Steve stands up with a small pained groan. His hands jump to his sides before he's able to stand completely upright once more.
And for just a second Eddie swears that Steve is making eye contact, that a glimmer of recognition appears in his wide brown eyes.
But his gaze moves through Eddie, down to the black plaque embedded in the earth.
"I'll see ya Eds," Steve says softly. He lingers for a moment longer before he turns and makes his way back to the gravel path.
"I'll be here," Eddie whispers quietly after a beat.
Steve can't hear him anyway.
