@fightbullshit / v 001 sc
jaw sets when he spots her, fists clench when she’s dragging him back into that stupid alley he avoids on the way out now. ( but he can’t be angry, this is nancy, he KNOWS nancy, there were no insults to give that didn’t hurt him as well. ) still, deep breathes keep him grounded, tempted to fumble for a cigarette ( take the pain away, relax harrington, no need to LASH OUT when you don’t mean it ). these thoughts only work against him when he finds himself let go of, tethered again to the real world.
the real world where nancy wheeler was still the most beautiful woman steve had ever loved ( still loved? the only woman? not important. ) the real world where he normally had to pick up dustin after school tomorrow and drop him off at the arcade ( if he wasn’t in the HOSPITAL ), the real world where baseball bat had saved his life, the real world where members of the party were vastly outnumbered even with his help. the real world where he should be the one stuck in white walls, not them, the real world where he was covering nasty bruises and cuts, they didn’t seem important, where it hurt when he took too deep a breath. he was fine.
irritation litters his tone, his very actions as arms cross and his balance shifts, finally looking to nancy after a moment. “what was so important you had to wait outside of the locker rooms for me?? shouldn’t you be at home⸻ “ the words catch in his throat ( HIS FAULT ! ) “⸻ mike’s arm is broken, you should be with him.”